Primary hyperparathyroidism in cats: seven cases (1984-1989).

The medical records of 7 hypercalcemic cats with primary hyperparathyroidism were evaluated. Mean age was 12.9 years, with ages ranging from 8 to 15 years; 5 were female; 5 were Siamese, and 2 were of mixed breed. The most common clinical signs detected by owners were anorexia and lethargy. A cervical mass was palpable in 4 cats. Serum calcium concentrations were 11.1 to 22.8 mg/dl, with a mean of 15.8 mg/dl calculated from each cat's highest preoperative value. The serum phosphorus concentration was low in 2 cats, within reference limits in 4, and slightly high in 1 cat. The BUN concentration was greater than 60 mg/dl in 2 cats, 31 to 35 mg/dl in 2 cats, and less than 30 mg/dl in 3 cats. Abnormalities were detected in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities from 2 or 3 cats. Parathormone (PTH) concentrations were measured in 2 cats before and after surgery. The preoperative PTH concentration was within reference limits in 1 cat and was high in 1 cat. The PTH concentrations were lower after surgery in both cats tested. A solitary parathyroid adenoma was surgically removed from 5 cats, bilateral parathyroid cystadenomas were surgically resected in 1 cat, and a parathyroid carcinoma was diagnosed at necropsy in 1 cat. None of the cats had clinical problems with hypocalcemia after surgery, although 2 cats developed hypocalcemia without tetany, one of which was controlled with oral administration of dihydrotachysterol and the other with oral administration of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. All 5 of the cta that underwent removal of an adenoma were alive at least 240 days after surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Infection in a Cat

A diagnosis of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in a cat was established by microbiological and histological means. Clinical signs were general malaise, anorexia and vomition. Significant laboratory findings included a serum glutamicpyruvic transaminase elevation and the presence of urine bilirubin and urobilinogen. Histological examination of liver biopsies revealed numerous varying-sized foci of caseation necrosis containing large numbers of Gram-negative coccobacilli. Bacteriological techniques, treatment and control measures are discussed.     

Evaluation of an automated tabletop blood biochemical analyzer for the veterinary clinical pathology laboratory

The importance of accurate quantitative blood biochemical analysis for the diagnosis and management of disease is recognized by most veterinarians. In recent years, several biochemical analyzers have become available for the veterinary market. One of these analyzers was evaluated for its suitability in measuring several biochemical variables--alkaline phosphatase, urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, alanine transaminase (dog and cat only), and aspartate transaminase (horse only)--in dogs, cats, and horses. Instrument within-day precision ranged from 1.0 to 7.1%, and between-day precision ranged from 1.6 to 7.4%. During the 6-month period of the study, the analyzer required recalibration for only 1 analyte (creatinine). Concentrations of individual analytes were similar when blood (collected in anticoagulant), plasma, and serum were assayed in parallel. The accuracy of the analyzer, as measured by correlation to a reference method, ranged from 0.861 for creatinine in horses to greater than 0.950 for each of the other analytes in the 3 species. Mean values for each analyte were similar, except for alkaline phosphatase, which had consistently lower values by use of the analyzer method. A data base was established for reference values in each species.     

Potassium iodide capsule treatment of feline sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii. The most affected animal is the cat; it has played an important role in the zoonotic transmission of this disease, especially in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, since 1998. In order to evaluate the treatment of feline sporotrichosis with potassium iodide, an observational cohort was conducted in 48 cats with sporotrichosis at Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz. All cats received potassium iodide capsules, 2.5 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg q24h. The cure rate was 47.9%, treatment failure was 37.5%, treatment abandonment was 10.4% and death was 4.2%. Clinical adverse effects were observed in 52.1% of the cases. Thirteen cats had a mild increase in hepatic transaminase levels during the treatment, six of them presented clinical signs suggestive of hepatotoxicity. Compared to previous studies with itraconazole and iodide in saturated solution, potassium iodide capsules are an alternative for feline sporotrichosis treatment.     

Adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct in a cat

A scirrhous adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct was shown by histopathological examination to be the cause of obstructive jaundice in an 11-year-old female Siamese cat. In addition to icterus, the cat's clinical signs included depression, anorexia, vomiting, constipation, weight loss and dehydration. Symptomatic therapy relieved the anorexia, constipation, dehydration and depression, but jaundice, weight loss and occasional vomiting continued during the 2-month course of illness. Serum cholesterol and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) remained elevated and serum bilirubin and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) values progressively increased from the cat's initial presentation to its death 2 months later. At necropsy the tumour was found to involve only the extrahepatic bile duct. Neoplasia of the extrahepatic biliary system has been reported only twice in domesticated animals (Patnaik et al., 1975; Feldman, Strafuss & Gabbert, 1976).     

Combined Omental Pedicle Grafts and Thoracodorsal Axial Pattern Flaps for the Reconstruction of Chronic, Nonhealing Axillary Wounds in Cats

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of an omental pedicle graft in combination with a thoracodorsal axial pattern flap for the reconstruction of chronic nonhealing axillary wounds in 10 cats caused by forelimb entrapment within a collar. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, clinical trial. ANIMALS USED: Ten client-owned domestic shorthair cats. METHODS: Routine biochemical and hematologic evaluation was performed on each cat, and all were tested for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Microbial culture was performed on samples from the wounds. After surgical debridement, omentalization using a vascular pedicle of greater omentum, and closure of the chronic axillary wounds, using a thoracodorsal axial pattern flap, was performed. All excised tissue was examined histologically. RESULTS: The sex distribution was 7 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 3.5 years. The cats had undergone a median number of 3 previous repair attempts over a 1.5- to 25-month period before referral (mean, 10.2 months). No hematologic or biochemical abnormalities were noted apart from moderately elevated creatine kinase and aspartate transaminase concentrations in some cats. All cats were negative for FIV and FeLV. Histologic examination of resected tissue revealed hair (foreign body) in 2 cats and an unidentified foreign-body reaction in 3 other cats. Complete healing occurred in all cats (mean follow-up period of 21.7 months), with 2 cats requiring further surgery: 1 for flap dehiscence at 4 days after surgery, and 1 for donor-site dehiscence at 4 days after surgery. One other cat developed a large seroma in the axilla that resolved by 10 days following surgery. CONCLUSION: The use of an omental pedicle graft in combination with a thoracodorsal axial pattern flap is the first consistently successful 1-step technique for the management of chronic nonhealing axillary wounds in cats.     

皖系粗毛兔血浆酶活性及其与产毛量相关的研究

对49只1岁龄皖系粗毛兔进行产毛量和血浆中碱性磷酸酶、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性的测定.结果表明,皖系粗毛兔1岁时血浆碱性磷酸酶活性与产毛量之间呈显著的正相关(P＜0.05);血浆中谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性与产毛量之间的相关均不显著(P＞0.05).     

Duodenal gangliosidosis in a cat: ultrastructural study.

Ultrastructural changes similar to those seen in gangliosidosis in man were detected in the duodenal mucosa of a cat (cat 1). The N-acetylneuraminic acid concentration was determined from the duodenum of cat 1 and from a clinically normal cat (cat 2). The total amount of gangliosides in the duodenum of cat 1 was 100 times greater than in the duodenum of cat 2 per unit wet weight. The lyophilizate from the intestines of both cats gave a blue-violet color that was regarded as qualitatively positive for N-acetylneuraminic acid determination. In cat 1, membranous cytoplasmic bodies were in all cell types of the duodenal mucosa.     

Lymphoma involving large granular lymphocytes in cats: 11 cases (1982-1991).

Medical records of 11 cats with lymphoma involving large granular lymphocytes were reviewed. All 9 cats tested were FeLV-negative. Ten cats had a history of anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea, and had lymphoma involving abdominal viscera. The most common site of tumor in these cats was the jejunum. One cat had cutaneous masses caused by dermal and epidermal infiltration with neoplastic large granular lymphocytes. The most common hematologic abnormality was leukocytosis, characterized by neutrophilia with a left shift (7 cats); 2 cats had a left shift without neutrophilia. None of the cats had lymphocytosis, but immature large granular lymphocytes were found in the blood of 4 cats. The most common serum biochemical abnormalities were hypoalbuminemia (10 cats), hypocalcemia (10 cats), hypoproteinemia (9 cats), high aspartate transaminase activity (9 cats), and hyperbilirubinemia (8 cats). Large granular lymphocytes were characterized by abundant cytoplasm containing distinct azurophilic granules that varied in size and number. The most common cytochemical staining pattern included detection of alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase, acid phosphatase, and beta-glucuronidase activities. On examination of histologic sections, granules stained weakly eosinophilic with Giemsa and moderately with periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Ultrastructurally, the granules appeared membrane bound and contained an electron-dense matrix in 4 cats.     

测定冻精酶活性的高低预测精液品质

[目的]为了通过测定牛冻精谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)的活性高低来预测精液品质.[方法]用人医血清酶类测定的赖氏法测定两种酶的活性.[结果]表明:谷丙转氨酶与精子活率呈极显著负相关(P＜0.01),与顶体完整率呈显著负相关(P＜0.05);谷草转氨酶与精子活率呈极显著负相关(P＜0.05),与顶体完整率呈极显著负相关(P＜0.01).[结论 ]谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性愈高,精子活率和顶体完整率愈低,精子品质下降.     

笼养白腹锦鸡血液生理生化指标的检测

为给白腹锦鸡的人工饲养繁育、健康状况检测等提供科学参考数据和理论依据,本实验选择20只健康成年白腹锦鸡,体重为0. 597～0. 890 kg,于晨时饲喂前经翼静脉采集全血,采用自动干式生化分析仪和兽用全自动血液细胞分析仪测定18项血液生理生化指标。结果表明:白腹锦鸡的红细胞个体数目雌雄间无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);血小板数目雌雄间无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);葡萄糖雌雄无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);尿素氮雌雄无显著性差异(P> 0. 05);谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶雌雄无显著性差异(P> 0. 05),但大大低于野生白腹锦鸡;以上说明所测白腹锦鸡生理生化指标雌雄之间差异不显著(P> 0. 05),白腹锦鸡血液生理生化指标具有相对稳定性,这一结果能为白腹锦鸡人工繁育、健康状况、饲养管理和疾病防治提供科学依据。     

In Vitro Development of Marbled Cat Embryos Derived from Interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

The objective of the study was to investigate interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (iSCNT) techniques in marbled cats (Pardofelis marmorata), using domestic cat and rabbit oocytes as the recipient cytoplasm. The recipient oocytes were obtained from ovariohysterectomized cats and superovulated rabbits. The donor cells were collected from a male marbled cat that had died in captivity. Experiment 1 was conducted to observe the development of cloned marbled cat embryos (marbled cat donor cells-domestic cat oocytes; MC-DC), derived from oocytes matured for 24, 36 and 42 h. The result showed that the developmental rates of MC-DC cloned embryos at the 4-8 cell and the morula stages derived from oocytes cultured for 24 h were significantly greater than those cultured for 36 and 42 h (p < 0.05). Experiment 2 was conducted to compare the fusion rate of MC-DC couplets, fused by inducing different fusion voltages, 2.1 or 2.4 kV/cm. The result showed that there was no difference in fusion efficiency between the 2.1 and 2.4 kV/cm fusion protocols. Experiment 3 was conducted to compare the developmental rate of MC-DC and domestic cat (DC-DC) cloned embryos. In vitro fertilized cat embryos served as a control. The development of MC-DC and DC-DC cloned embryos to the 4- to 8-cell, morula and blastocyst stages was not significantly different. However, the development rates at morula and blastocyst stages of control were significantly greater than those of cloned embryos (p < 0.05). Experiment 4 rabbit (RB) oocytes were used as a recipient cytoplasm for marbled cat and domestic cat cloned embryos (MC- RB and DC-RB). RB-RB cloned embryos served as a control. There were no differences in the developmental rates between MC-RB, DC-RB and RB-RB embryos. In conclusion, marbled cat fibroblast cells can be reprogrammed in domestic cat and rabbit oocytes, and by using iSCNT it might be possible to produce marbled cat offspring in the future.     

Influence of familiarity and relatedness on proximity and allogrooming in domestic cats (Felis catus)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between relatedness and familiarity with the affiliative behaviors of maintaining proximity and allogrooming in cats. ANIMALS: 28 privately owned cats in 1 colony. PROCEDURE: 15 of the cats had 1 or more relatives present representing 5 genealogies. Each cat was observed in 15-minute intervals for 3.5 hours during the study. All occurrences of allogrooming behavior were recorded. At the onset of each 15-minute observation period and at 2-minute intervals thereafter, the identity and location of all cats within 1 m of the observed cat were recorded. RESULTS: Relatedness and familiarity was significantly associated with the number of times a cat was within 1 m of another cat and how often a cat was groomed. For relatives and nonrelatives that were equally familiar to a given cat, relatives were significantly more likely to be within 1 m and to be groomed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Familiarity and relatedness are significantly associated with allogrooming and proximity of another cat. This may be important when considering adoption of 1 or more kittens and when adding a new cat to a household in which other cats are present. Adopting small family groups may result in higher rates of affiliative behavior, stronger bonding, and lower incidence of conflict than periodically adopting single unrelated adult cats.     

Variations in serum sorbitol dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, and isoenzyme 5 of lactate dehydrogenase activities in horses given carbon tetrachloride

Seven horses were given 0.5 mg of carbon tetrachloride/kg of body weight via a nasogastric tube. Subsequent hepatocellular damage was monitored by serum enzyme determinations of sorbitol dehydrogenase, isoenzyme 5 of lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate transaminase activities. Creatinine kinase activity was evaluated as an indicator of muscle cell damage. Sorbitol dehydrogenase, isoenzyme 5 of lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate transaminase activities were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by 24 hours after carbon tetrachloride administration. Isoenzyme 5 of lactate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities returned to baseline several days before aspartate transaminase activity returned to baseline. Creatine kinase activity remained unchanged.     

Effect of otic medications containing glucocorticoids on liver function test results in healthy dogs

Otic medications containing triamcinolone or dexamethasone were administered twice daily for 21 days to 2 groups of 4 healthy dogs each. Serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase activities, and serum bile acid and lipoprotein-X concentrations were assayed for 35 days. Increased serum activities for gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine transaminase were detected by day 7 and peaked at day 21. Increases were greater in dogs given the dexamethasone-containing medication. Enzyme activity returned to baseline by day 35. Serum aspartate transaminase activity and bile acid and lipoprotein-X concentrations did not increase.     

MRI characteristics of suspected acute spinal cord infarction in two cats, and a review of the literature

A 10-year-old neutered male Persian cat and a 4-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair (DSH) cat were evaluated for acute-onset severe lateralising tetraparesis and hemiplegia, respectively. Both cats also had left-sided Horner's syndrome. Neurological examination of the cats localised the lesion to cranial to C5 in the Persian and the left cervical intumescence (C6-T2) in the DSH. Physical examinations were otherwise generally unremarkable. Routine laboratory tests and spinal radiography were normal for the Persian cat and were not performed for the DSH cat. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap was attempted for the Persian cat but aborted because of gross blood contamination, and was not performed for the DSH cat. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the Persian cat revealed a lesion within the spinal parenchyma at segments C1 to C3 (slightly more left-sided) which was iso- to hypointense on T1-weighted scans and hyperintense on T2-weighted scans, and which enhanced slightly with gadolinium. MRI of the DSH cat revealed a lesion within the spinal parenchyma at segment C7 (predominantly left-sided) which was hypointense on T1-weighted scans and hyperintense on T2-weighted gradient echo scans. Contrast was not administered. The MRI findings in both cases were highly suggestive of acute spinal cord infarction, based upon comparison to human cases. Both cats made full neurological recoveries with supportive treatment only. This paper describes two cases of suspected acute spinal cord infarction in the cat, demonstrates the potential diagnostic value of MRI, and discusses the clinical syndrome of this condition with a brief review of published cases.     

Review of thymic pathology in 30 cats and 36 dogs

Data are presented from 30 cats and 36 dogs in which thymic disease was recognised clinically or on postmortem examination. The diagnoses included thymic lymphoma (19 cats, l 2 dogs), thymoma (five cats, 18 dogs), thymic branchial cyst formation or cystic change (one cat, four dogs), thymic hyperplasia (two cats), congenital hypoplasia (one cat, one dog), thymic haemorrhage (one cat, one dog) and thymic amyloidosis (one cat). Thymic lymphoma occurred in younger dogs and cats, and was recorded equally among domestic shorthaired and purebred (especially Siamese) cats. Eight cats with thymic lymphoma were tested for feline leukaemia virus and four were positive. Thymoma occurred more frequently in older cats and dogs, and in Labradors and German shepherd dogs. Thymic tumours were associated with paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia (six dogs), megaoesophagus (two dogs) or interface dermatitis with basement membrane immune complex deposition (one cat). Non-neoplastic thymic diseases were associated with myasthenia gravis (one cat), pemphigus foliaceus (one cat) and superficial necrolytic dermatitis (one cat).     

A case of Iriomote cat (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis) with Hepatozoon felis parasitemia

We herein present clinical findings of an Iriomote cat with Hepatozoon felis parasitemia. A male Iriomote cat was captured for ecological analyses three times from January 2010 to January 2011. Although this cat did not show any hematological abnormalities at the time of the first capture, H. felis parasitemia and increased serum creatine kinase levels were detected at the second and third captures. H. felis infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, and amplified 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragments were 100% identical to those of H. felis in leopard cats in Korea. Although the virulence of H. felis in this cat was suggested to be low, this is the first report of an H. felis-infected Iriomote cat with parasitemia.     

Salmonella-associated conjunctivitis in a cat.

Salmonella typhimurium-associated conjunctivitis in an adult female cat was characterized by epiphora and blepharospasm. The cat also harbored intestinal S typhimurium, as did one other cat in the same shipment of 7 cats obtained from a commercial cat dealer. The 3 isolates were resistant to ampicillin, cephaloridine, cephalothin, streptomycin, triple sulfonamides, and tetracycline. All 3 isolates were capable of transferring a part of the antibiotic resistance pattern to an Escherichia coli K-12 recipient. Salmonella were not recovered from the conjunctiva or fecal flora of either cat after 10 days of therapy with chloramphenicol.     

Long-term follow-up of laminin alpha2 (merosin)-deficient muscular dystrophy in a cat

Progressive muscle weakness beginning at 6 months of age was observed in a male Persian-mix cat. Muscle atrophy and joint contracture progressed over the next 3 years. The cat had developed gait difficulty at 8 months of age. The cat died at age of 5 years and 3 months due to an acute respiratory disorder. The clinical, laboratory, necropsy and histopathological findings of the cat were consistent with those of muscular dystrophy. The cat was diagnosed as having laminin alpha2 (merosin)-deficient muscular dystrophy on the basis of immunohistochemical findings. The cat was born in an inbred colony, and another related cat exhibited similar clinical signs. Few cases of laminin alpha2-deficient muscular dystrophy have been reported in cats, and this report provides additional information about the disease.