Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Insured Swedish Cats in Relation to Age,Breed and Sex

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats. Most affected cats suffer from a type of diabetes similar to type 2 diabetes in humans. An increasing prevalence has been described in cats, as in humans, related to obesity and other lifestyle factors.

Objectives

To describe the incidence of DM in insured Swedish cats and the association of DM with demographic risk factors, such as age, breed and sex.

Animals

A cohort of 504,688 individual cats accounting for 1,229,699 cat‐years at risk (CYAR) insured by a Swedish insurance company from 2009 to 2013.

Methods

We used reimbursed insurance claims for the diagnosis of DM. Overall incidence rates and incidence rates stratified on year, age, breed, and sex were estimated.

Results

The overall incidence rate of DM in the cohort was 11.6 cases (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.0–12.2) per 10,000 CYAR. Male cats had twice as high incidence rate (15.4; 95% CI, 14.4–16.4) as females (7.6; 95% CI, 6.9–8.3). Domestic cats were at higher risk compared to purebred cats. A significant association with breed was seen, with the Burmese, Russian Blue, Norwegian Forest cat, and Abyssinian breeds at a higher risk compared to other cats. No sex predisposition was found among Burmese cats. Several breeds with a lower risk of DM were identified.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Our results verify that the Burmese breed is at increased risk of developing DM. We also identified several previously unreported breeds with increased or decreased risk of DM.     

Renal Calculi in Dogs and Cats: Prevalence, Mineral Type, Breed, Age, and Gender Interrelationships (1981–1993)

Three hundred seventeen specimens of urinary calculi of renal origin from 214 female dogs and 103 male dogs, and 71 specimens of urinary calculi of renal origin from 38 female cats and 33 male cats were submitted for mineral analysis between July 1, 1981, and December 31, 1993. Among dogs, 45 breeds were affected with renal calculi. Thirty-three breeds and a crossbred group were represented among females, but 8 breeds and the crossbred group accounted for 81% of the total. Among male dogs, 30 breeds and a crossbred group were represented, but 7 breeds and the crossbred group accounted for 69% of the total. Among cats, 10 breeds and a crossbred group were represented. Dogs and cats with renal calculi were older than those of 2 comparison population groups. More than one-half of the renal calculi in both dogs and cats were from the 1st known episode of urolithiasis. The risk of formation of renal calculi was found to be higher for cats than for dogs, when compared to other stone-forming cats and dogs (approximately 4.95 per 100 stone-forming cats and 2.88 per 100 stone-forming dogs). Among dogs, breeds at highest risk of developing renal calculi were Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, and female Pugs. Also at high risk were male Dalmatians and male Basset Hounds. Among small dogs, females generally were at higher risk of developing renal calculi than were males. Regardless of size, terrier breed males generally were at higher risk of developing renal calculi. Breeds of dogs at low risk for development of renal calculi included crossbreds, German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and female Dachshunds. When only 1 kidney was involved, the risk of left renal calculus was greatest for both dogs and cats, but bilateral renal involvement was relatively common in both species (19% and 9%, respectively). Among dogs, specimens composed of 1 mineral substance (eg, struvite) occurred more often in males (58.3%) than in females (37.9%). Female dogs formed renal calculi containing struvite or oxalate more often than did males; males formed calculi containing urate more often than did females. Calculi containing oxalate, apatite, or some combination of these minerals predominated among cats; only 1 specimen from 38 female cats and only 4 specimens from 33 male cats contained neither oxalate nor apatite. Crossbred cats were significantly less likely to have renal calculi than were other breeds. A single renal calculus specimen was identified in several uncommon breeds including Tonkinese and Birman cats, and Affenpinscher, Clumber Spaniel, English Shepherd, and Field Spaniel dogs. No significant differences were observed between male and female dogs or between male and female cats with regard to mineral type of the specimen and the presence of urinary tract infection.     

品种,性别和日龄对肉兔饲料转化率的影响

试验选用大耳白，加里福尼亚兔和比利时兔，通过对试验兔７５－１５０日龄生长阶段饲料转化率的测定，结果表明：日龄是影响试兔饲料转化率的主要限制性因素（Ｐ＜０．０１）。由此得出：要提高商品兔的生产效率，必须注重兔的早期饲养管理，使之在较短的时间同进入生长高峰，加快周转，而饲养“长寿兔”将使商品兔生产的经济效益显著降低。     

Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cats: 6 Cases (2001–2006)

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cats is sparsely reported.
Purpose of Study: To evaluate the clinical signs and diseases associated with PVT in cats.
Animals: 6 client-owned cats.
Methods: Medical records for cats with a portal vein thrombus diagnosed on abdominal ultrasound or at necropsy were reviewed. Signalment, historical data, underlying disorders, clinical findings, clinicopathologic and histopathologic data, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment, and outcome were recorded.
Results: All 6 cats identified with PVT also had hepatic disease. Evidence of a congenital portosystemic shunt was present in 3/6 cats. Two cats had primary or metastatic hepatic neoplasia. One cat had acute cholangitis, acute pancreatitis, and locally extensive acute centrilobular hepatic necrosis. Two cats were suspected to have acute thrombi and 4 cats had chronic thrombi.
Conclusion and Clinical Significance: PVT might be an important concurrent finding in cats with hepatic disease.     

Morbidity of insured Swedish cats during 1999-2006 by age, breed, sex, and diagnosis

The aim of the study was to describe patterns of morbidity, as reflected by reimbursed claims for veterinary care among cats covered by a Swedish insurance company during 1999-2006. The annual incidence rates of having at least one veterinary care event were calculated overall and stratified by sex, age, breed, diagnosis and urban/other location. The total rate was 875 (95% CI 858-892) cats with claims per 10,000 cat-years at risk. The Siamese, Burmese, and the Abyssinians had high rates of claims, compared to the Norwegian Forest cat, the Maine Coon, the European Shorthair and domestic cats. The most common causes for insurance claims were trauma, gastrointestinal and lower urinary tract problems and there was substantial breed, sex and age variation for certain problems. For example, among cats under 9 years of age, the rate for lower urinary tract problems was 2-3 times higher in males than females.     

Survival Analysis of 97 Cats with Nasal Lymphoma: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study (1986–2006)

Background: Feline nasal lymphoma (NLSA) is a condition for which no standard of care exists.
Hypothesis: There is no difference in survival times of cats with NLSA treated with single or multimodality therapy.
Animals: Records from 97 cats diagnosed with NLSA were examined.
Methods: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the survival times of cats with NLSA treated with radiation therapy (RT) alone, chemotherapy alone, or RT + chemotherapy and identify potential prognostic variables that affected survival. Cats were grouped according to therapy: RT + chemotherapy (n = 60), RT alone (n = 19), or chemotherapy alone (n = 18).
Results: Survival was calculated with 2 methods. The 1st survival analysis (method A) included all cats, but counted only deaths caused by progressive NLSA. The median survival time (MST), regardless of therapy modality, was 536 days. The 2nd survival analysis (method B) also included all cats and counted all deaths, regardless of cause, as events. The overall MST calculated for all deaths was 172 days. A negative independent prognostic variable identified was anemia ( P < .001), and positive independent prognostic variables were a complete response to therapy ( P < .001) and total radiation dose >32 Gy ( P = .03).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: There were no significant differences in survival times among the 3 treatment groups but these results suggest that the addition of higher doses of RT to a cat's treatment protocol may control local disease and therefore influence survival.     

Adverse events associated with pericardiocentesis in dogs: 85 cases (1999–2006)

Objective – To quantify the frequency of adverse events occurring during or post pericardiocentesis and to determine if adverse events are related to the cause of the pericardial effusion or frequency of pericardiocentesis.
Design – Retrospective study.
Setting – Referral hospital.
Animals, Intervention and Measurements – Medical records of 85 dogs that underwent 112 episodes of pericardiocentesis were reviewed. Any adverse events during pericardiocentesis and in the 48 hours post pericardiocentesis were noted. The frequency of adverse events was compared between dogs with a suspected neoplastic cause and a suspected nonneoplastic cause of their pericardial effusion and also between the first and subsequent pericardiocenteses.
Main Results – The incidence of adverse events was 10.7% within 1 hour of pericardiocentesis and 15.2% within 48 hours. There was no significant difference in the frequency of adverse events between the groups. Most adverse events identified were dysrhythmias. Forty-one percent of those dogs with adverse events were euthanized or died within 48 hours.
Conclusion – The incidence of adverse events seen within 48 hours of pericardiocentesis was 15.2%.     

Adjusting Lamb Weight for Age of Ewe,Litter Size,Sex and Age of Lamb in the Swedish Sheep Recording Scheme

Abstract

The appropriateness of the current adjustment factors for weaning weight was studied on data from the Swedish Sheep Recording Scheme for the years 1981–83 and 1986–88. The study included the four main breed groups Swedish Peltsheep (P), Swedish Landrace (L), Swedish Crossbred (X) and the imported heavy breeds (K). The adequacy of the adjustment factors was also tested within the breeds Swedish Finewool (Lf), Swedish Rya (Lr) and Crossbred group having crossbred parents (X*X). Analyses (1981–83) were based on 140681 Pelt lambs, 16785 lambs from the L-group, 25092 lambs from the X-group and 6321 lambs from the K-group. Data from 1986–88 comprised in total 11% fewer lambs.

The adjusted weights for lambs after 1- and 2-year old ewes were underestimated by previous adjustment factors in all breed groups except Peltsheep. The adjusted weights were too high for single born and single reared lambs after yearlings in Peltsheep. The previous adjustment factors for litter size generally gave adjusted weights which were too high for single lambs and too low for triplets. The earlier adjustment factors gave adjusted weights for ram lambs that were too high in comparison with ewe lambs. Finally the adjustment factors for age of lamb underestimated adjusted weights by 10% in Peltsheep and the L-group, while in the X- and K-group weights were overestimated to the same degree. A new set of adjustment factors is suggested.     

Comparison of dogs with septic peritonitis: 1988–1993 versus 1999–2003

Objective: To describe and compare the patient population, treatment, and outcome in dogs with septic peritonitis from 2 time periods at the same institution. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. Animals: Dogs treated surgically for septic peritonitis between 1988–1993 and 1999–2003. Interventions: None. Measurements: Preoperative physical and clinicopathologic data, surgical findings, anesthetic parameters, treatment, and outcome. Main results: No significant difference in survival among dogs treated surgically for septic peritonitis between 1988 and 1993 (21/33 [64%]) and 1999–2003 (29/51 [57%]) was detected. The patient populations of the two time periods were similar. Changes in treatment between the study periods reflected availability of new antibiotics and synthetic colloids, as well as greater attention to pain management and ulcer prevention. Duration of hospitalization was not significantly different between the two time periods, but the daily cost adjusted to 2005 dollars was higher in 1999–2003. Potential prognostic indicators were compared between survivors and non‐survivors after combining the data from both time periods, and although several parameters reached statistical significance, of greatest clinical significance were the higher blood pressure and preoperative serum albumin in survivors. Conclusions: Although new treatments were added to the supportive care of dogs with septic peritonitis, survival did not change sufficiently to detect a significant difference between the time periods evaluated. Identifying reliable prognostic indicators for septic peritonitis remains a challenge, but hypotension and decreased preoperative serum albumin were associated with non‐survival in this group of dogs.     

Evaluation of Environmental, Nutritional, and Host Factors in Cats with Hyperthyroidism

The pathologic changes associated with hyperthyroidism (adenomatous hyperplasia, adenoma of the thyroid gland) have been well characterized in cats, but the pathogenesis of these changes remains unclear. In this research, we undertook a case-control study to search for potential risk factors for this disease. Owners of 379 hyperthyroid and 351 control cats were questioned about their cats' exposure to potential risk factors including breed, demographic factors, medical history, indoor environment, chemicals applied to the cat and environment, and diet. The association between these hypothesized risk factors and outcome of disease was evaluated by conditional logistic regression. Two genetically related cat breeds (ie, Siamese and Himalayan) were found to have diminished risk of developing hyperthyroidism. Cats that used litter had higher risk of developing hyperthyroidism than those that did not. Use of topical ectoparasite preparations was associated with increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism. Compared with cats that did not eat canned food, those that ate commercially prepared canned food had an approximate 2-fold increase in risk of disease. When these 4 variables (breed, use of cat litter, consumption of canned cat food, and use of topical ectoparasite preparations) from the univariate analysis were selected for further study as candidate risk factors and analyzed by multivariate conditional logistic regression, a persistent protective effect of breed (ie, Siamese or Himalayan) was found. In addition, results suggested a 2- to 3-fold increase in risk of developing hyperthyroidism among cats eating a diet composed mostly of canned cat food and a 3-fold increase in risk among those using cat litter. In contrast, the use of commercial flea products did not retain a strong association. The results of this study indicate that further research into dietary and other potentially important environmental factors (eg, cat litter) is warranted.     

品种、年龄及活重对牛产肉性能的影响

为了确定在优质牛肉生产中所需解决的宰前关键问题,本文在相同饲养条件下品种、年龄及体重等因素对牛产肉性能的影响做了研究。结果表明,品种对牛肉的品质和产量都有显著或较显著的影响,其中晋南牛牛肉品质最佳;活重对牛肉产量有较大影响;年龄主要对肉质影响显著,其中年龄在2-2.5岁间的牛肉嫩度最好,因此,要提高牛肉的生产水平应以产肉性能优良的品种作牛源,同时选择年龄小、体重大的个体。     

品种与季节和日龄对仔猪血清中IgG含量的影响

为了探索品种、季节和日龄对仔猪血清中IgG含量的影响,将280头试验猪按不同品种/类群(久仰香猪、剑白香猪和长白猪)、不同季节和不同日龄(0、4、7、14、21、28日龄)采样、然后用双抗体夹心ELISA法(DAS-ELISA)测定其血清中IgG含量。结果表明:剑白香猪IgG含量比久仰香猪和长白猪高,差异显著(P<0.05);冬季仔猪IgG含量比其他季节高,差异极显著(P<0.01),春季与夏、秋季差异显著(P<0.05);仔猪IgG含量随日龄而增加,但从21日龄开始下降。     

Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Dermatophytosis in Dogs and Cats at Louisiana State University: 1981–1990

Abstract— Dermatophytes were cultured from seventy of 1824 (3.8 per cent) canine samples and 61 of 408 (14.9 per cent) feline samples submitted over ten years. Microsporum canis was the most common species isolated (86/131). M. gypseum (31/70) and M. canis (30/70) were isolated most frequently from dogs whereas M. canis was isolated most frequently from cats (56/61). Both male and female dogs and cats were equally affected by dermatophytosis. There was a higher incidence in both dogs and cats less than one year of age. Mixed breed dogs (19/70), domestic shorthaired cats (39/61) and Persian cats (15/61) were most often affected. M. gypseum had a greater incidence of infection in summer and most often caused localized disease in dogs. In dogs, localized dermatophytosis was more common. Localized infections were most often caused by M. canis in all animals, with the head (23/75), feet (10/75) and tail (7/75) affected most frequently. Résumé— Dos dermatophytes ont été isolés à partir de 70/1824 (3,8 pourcent) prélèvements canins et 61/408 (14,9 pourcent) prélèvements félins collectés sur une période de dix ans. L'espèce la plus souvent isolée était Microsporum canis (86/131). Microspomm gypseum (31/70) et M. canis (30/70) étainet les plus fréquemment isolés chez les chiens, alors qu'il s'agissait de M. canis (56/61) chez les chats. Les mâles et les femelles, chiens ou chats, étaient également représentés. Il y avait une nette incidence des animaux de moins d'un an, tant chez les chiens que chez les chats. Les chiens croisés (19/70), les chats européens (39/61) et les chats Persans (15/61) étaient les plus souvent atteints. L'incidence de M. gypseumétait plus importante l'été et provoquait les plus souvent des lésions localisées les chiens. Les formes localisées étaient plus fréquentes chez les chiens et le plus souvent dues àM. canis dans les deux espèces, avec une atteinte préférentielle de la tête (23/75), des membres (10/75) et de la queue (7/75). Zausammenfassung— Aus siebzig von 1824 Proben von Hunden (3,8 Prozent) und 61 von 408 Proben von Katzen (14,9 Prozent) von einem Zeitraum über zehn Jahre wurden Dermatophyten angezüchtet. Microsporum canis war die am häufigsten isolierte Spezies (86/131). Microsporum gypseum (31/70) und M. canis (30/70) wurden am häufigsten bei Hunden isoliert, M. canis dagegen wurde am häufigsten bei Katzen isoliert (56/61). Männliche wie weibliche Hunde und Katzen waren gleichermaßen von Dermatomykosen betroffen. Sowohl bei Hunden also auch bei Katzen war die Inzidenz bei Tieren unter einem Jahr höher. Am häufigsten erkrankten Mischlingshunde (19/70), Kurzhaarhauskatzen (39/61) und Perserkatzen (15/61). Die Inzidenz der Infektion mit M. gypseum war im Sommer größer, bei Hunden verursachte es mehr lokalisierte Erkrankungen. Bei Hunden überhaupt waren lokalisierte Dermatomykosen häufiger anzutreffen. Lokalisierte Infektionen wurden bei alien Tieren am häufigsten durch M. canis verursacht, am meisten betroffen waren Kopf (23/75), Pfoten (10/75) und Schwanz (7/75). Resumen Se cultivaron dermatofitos de setenta de 1824 (3,8 por ciento) muestras caninas y 61 de 408 (14,9 cor ciento) muestras felinas, sometidas durante diez anos. Microsporum canis fue la mas común de las especies aisladas (86/131). Microsporum gypseum (31/70) y M. canis (30/70) se aislaron mas frecuentemente de perros, mientras que M. canis fue aislado con más frecuencia de gatos (56/61). Ambos, macho y hembra, perros y gatos fueron igualmente afectados por la dermatofítosis. Había una mayor incidencia en perros y gatos menores de un año de edad. Perros de cruce de razas (19/70), gatos domésticados de pelo corto (39/61) y gatos persas (15/61) fueron afectados con más frecuencia. M. gypseum tenía una mayor incidencia de infección en verano, y muy frecuentemente causaba enfermedades localizados en perros. En perros, fue más commún la dermatofitosis localizada. Infecciones localizadas eran más frecuentemente causadas por M. canis en todos los animates, con la cabeza (23/75), pies (10/75) y rabo (7/75) afectados con más frecuencia.     

Linear-Accelerator-Based Modified Radiosurgical Treatment of Pituitary Tumors in Cats: 11 Cases (1997–2008)

Objective: Determine the efficacy and safety of a linear-accelerator-based single fraction radiosurgical approach to the treatment of pituitary tumors in cats.
Design: Retrospective study.
Animals: Eleven client-owned cats referred for treatment of pituitary tumors causing neurological signs, or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM) secondary either to acromegaly or pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocortism.
Procedures: Cats underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain to manually plan radiation therapy. After MRI, modified radiosurgery was performed by delivering a single large dose (15 or 20 Gy) of radiation while arcing a linear-accelerator-generated radiation beam around the cat's head with the pituitary mass at the center of the beam. Eight cats were treated once, 2 cats were treated twice, and 1 cat received 3 treatments. Treated cats were evaluated for improvement in endocrine function or resolution of neurological disease by review of medical records or contact with referring veterinarians and owners.
Results: Improvement in clinical signs occurred in 7/11 (63.6%) of treated cats. Five of 9 cats with poorly regulated DM had improved insulin responses, and 2/2 cats with neurological signs had clinical improvement. There were no confirmed acute or late adverse radiation effects. The overall median survival was 25 months (range, 1–60), and 3 cats were still alive.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Single fraction modified radiosurgery is a safe and effective approach to the treatment of pituitary tumors in cats.