Experimental infection of cats (Felis catus) with Tritrichomonas foetus isolated from cattle

Tritrichomonas foetus is recognized as the causative agent of venereal trichomoniasis in cattle. It is characterized by embryonic and early fetal death and post-coital pyometra, and feline trichomoniasis, manifest as chronic, large bowel diarrhea. Many of the infected cats are less than 2 years old and specific routes of transmission remain unknown. We recently demonstrated that feline isolates of T. foetus can successfully infect heifers, resulting in pathologic changes similar, but not identical to those previously reported as representative of bovine trichomoniasis. In this study, we experimentally infected six cats less than 1 year of age with a bovine (D-1) isolate of T. foetus and one cat with a feline (AUTf-1) isolate of T. foetus. Within 2 weeks, the cat infected with the feline (AUTf-1) isolate was culture positive for trichomonads in weekly fecal samples. At the end of 5 weeks, only one cat infected with the bovine (D-1) isolate was fecal culture positive for trichomonads. At necropsy, the intestine of each cat was removed and divided into five sections (ileum, cecum, anterior, medial and posterior colon). Contents from each section were collected and cultured. The cat infected with the feline (AUTf-1) isolate was culture positive in the ileum, cecum, medial and posterior colon. Two cats infected with the bovine (D-1) isolate were culture positive in the cecum only. Additionally, each intestinal section was submitted to a pathologist for histopathological examination. The combined results indicate that there are demonstrable differences between the feline (AUTf-1) and bovine (D-1) isolates regarding their infectivity in cats.     

Subtotal colectomy for treatment of chronic constipation associated with idiopathic megacolon in cats: 38 cases (1979-1985)

Chronic constipation, nonresponsive to medical management and associated with idiopathic megacolon, was diagnosed in 38 cats from 1979 to 1985. All cats were treated by subtotal colectomy and enterocolostomy, in which the ileum or distal portion of the jejunum was joined to a 2- to 4-cm segment of distal portion of the colon preserved to accommodate an end-to-end anastomosis. After surgery, cats usually were depressed and anorectic, had tenesmus, and passed liquid tarry feces. In 37 cats 1 week to 3 months after surgery, character of the feces changed from diarrhea to soft semiformed or formed feces. One cat had severe diarrhea that was nonresponsive to diet change and pharmacologic treatment; the diarrhea resolved after 4.5 months. One cat developed a stricture of the enterocolostomy, which was relieved by 3 balloon catheter dilatations. All cats regained normal appetite, did not lose weight, and were not incontinent. Three cats had sporadic episodes of constipation and were easily treated. Results of histologic examination of the resected portion of colon in 23 cats were inconclusive.     

Chronic-idiopathic enteropathy in cats--a case control study

Aim of this study is to clinically, microbiologically and histopathologically characterize inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the cat. Nine cats with chronic persistent or intermitent vomitus and diarrhea were examined between 1998 and 2001. All cats had a thuorough diagnostic workup performed. Full thickness biopsies from stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were surgically obtained for histopathological examination. Duodenal juice was obtained by direct aspiration for microbiologic qualitative and semiquantitative examination. Seven cats euthanized for other medical reasons were used as controls. Six cats had a lymphoplasmacytic IBD and three an eosinophilic IBD. Four cats with IBD had additional diseases diagnosed. Three cats with IBD had elevated bacterial counts. Retrospectively no correlation could be found between clinical symptoms and histopathological results. Serum TLI was not able to differentiate chronic pancreatitis and IBD. Serum folic acid and cobalamin did not correlate with the distribution of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, no correlation was found between bacterial counts in the proximal duodenum and IBD.     

Vitamin A concentrations in commercial foods for dogs and cats

The vitamin A concentration was determined in 89 Australian brands of commercial foods for dogs and cats. It was found that 8% of the dog foods and 14% of the cat foods had concentrations of vitamin A below the minimum recommended 1.1 mg/kg dry matter (dm) for dogs and 1.8 mg/kg dm for pregnant or lactating cats. Canned and fish-labelled cat foods were the only varieties with less than the minimum recommended concentration of Vitamin A, of which 71% were the same brand. The minimum recommended concentration of vitamin A was exceeded in all canned dog food tested. Concentrations of vitamin A in dry (ca. 6% moisture) dog and cat foods and semi-moist dog foods (ca. 23% moisture) never exceeded 10 mg vitamin A/kg dm. In contrast, canned pet foods stated to contain liver or kidney showed vitamin A concentrations from 13 to 284 mg/kg dm.     

Method of collecting urine and comparative investigation of quantities excreted by cats and dogs after administration of furosemide.

A method is described for precise investigation of diuresis and saluresis in cats, using trained animals in a special diuresis apparatus. Furosemide given intramuscularly (IM) to cats at the dose level of 10 mg/kg produced slight untoward reactions of short duration. Therefore, this dose lies at the upper limit of tolerance. Saluretic and diuretic effect of 5 different doses of furosemide was investigated in 4 cats and 20 dogs. A dose-dependent increase in diuresis was achieved in cats given doses of furosemide ranging from 1.25 to 10 mg/kg. In the dog, the range of effectiveness was broader. In both species, there was a parallel increase in the excretion of sodium and chloride ions. The excretion of potassium ions in the cat remained unaffected, whereas in the dog, there was a dose-dependent increase in potassium ion excretion, which became especially distinct when large doses were given. A direct comparison of total saluretic and diuretic values in the dog and cat after IM administration of furosemide was not possible, since the calculated straight lines had different slopes, and their points of intersection lay outside the scope of this study. A difference can be assumed to exist between dog and cat in the mode of action of diuresis and saluresis after administration of furosemide.     

Endoscopic bronchial anatomy in the cat

The aim of this paper is to define the endoscopic bronchial anatomy of the cat and to adapt these findings to the bronchoscopic nomenclature previously described for the dog by Amis and McKiernan (Amis TC, McKiernan BC (1986) Systematic identification of endobronchial anatomy during bronchoscopy in the dog. American Journal of Veterinary Research 47(12), 2649-2657). In this study, the normal endoscopic bronchial anatomy was identified based on analysis of 10 air-dried feline lungs, two euthanased and eight healthy anesthetized cats using either a rigid or a flexible endoscope. Endoscopic photographs were taken during the examinations in the anesthetized cats for a photographic atlas. Corrosion casts were made from the 10 air-dried lungs to confirm the anatomy identified by bronchoscopy. With the results of our findings a bronchoscopic map of the feline bronchial tree and a photographic bronchoscopic atlas of the healthy cat were made.     

Ultrasonographic and histopathological features in 8 cats with fibrotic small intestinal stricture

Benign stricture is an uncommon cause of chronic small intestinal obstruction in the cat. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to describe the ultrasonographic features, histopathological findings, and clinical presentation in a group of cats with benign small intestinal stricture. Inclusion criteria were cats presenting during the period 2010‐2017, and that had ultrasonography and small intestinal stricture confirmed at surgery. For each cat, clinical data and ultrasonographic findings were retrieved from the medical record, and histopathology, where available, was reviewed. Eight cats met the inclusion criteria. The location of strictures was duodenum (1/8), mid‐ to distal jejunum (4/8), and ileum (3/8). Ultrasonographic findings included gastric distension (8/8) and generalized (3/8) or segmental (5/8) intestinal dilation consistent with mechanical obstruction. Ingesta did not propagate beyond the strictured segment. Wall thickening was mild to moderate (3‐6 mm). Normal wall layering was disrupted in all cats. Strictures were predominantly hypoechoic (7/8) and associated with hyperechoic peri‐intestinal mesentery (6/8). Annular strictures (5/8) were less than 15 mm in length whereas long‐segment strictures (3/8) were greater than 15 mm in length. Histopathology showed transmural disease with fibrosis and inflammation (8/8), often (6/8) extending into the bordering mesentery. The mucosa was the most severely affected layer and epithelial injury accompanied the mucosal fibrosis/inflammation. Clinical presentation reflected delayed diagnosis of chronic bowel obstruction with debilitation (8/8), marked weight loss (8/8), and prerenal azotemia (5/8). Benign fibrostenotic stricture should be considered a differential diagnosis in debilitated young cats presenting with chronic bowel disease and ultrasonographic features of intestinal obstruction.     

Feline giardiasis: observations on natural and induced infections

The excretion of Giardia sp cysts in the feces of naturally and artificially infected cats fluctuated sporadically, and cysts were undetectable several times during 7 weeks of observation. The mean prepatent period for Giardia infection in 7 cats was 9.6 days (range, 5 to 16 days). The amount of the cyst inoculum did not appear to affect the length of the prepatent period. Six of 11 cats had clinical signs consistent with those of giardiasis. Clinical signs and cyst excretion were eliminated after treatment with metronidazole or furazolidone. Moderate oral or parenteral doses of corticosteroids produced little, if any, alteration in the infection. Postmortem examination of 1 inoculated cat revealed Giardia trophozoites in the jejunum and upper portion of the ileum but not in the duodenum, lower portion of the ileum, cecum, or colon. Giardia cysts isolated from cat feces produced infection in Mongolian gerbils but not in C57BL/6J mice.     

Overt signs of toxicity to dogs and cats of dietary deoxynivalenol

Studies were conducted to determine the dietary amounts of deoxynivalenol (DON; vomitoxin) in dog and cat food that are required to produce overt signs of toxicity (e.g., vomiting or reduced food intake). Wheat naturally contaminated with 37 mg of DON/kg was used to manufacture pet foods containing 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg of DON/kg. Deoxynivalenol concentration in pet food following manufacture was unchanged, indicating that the toxin was stable during conventional extrusion processing. Dogs previously fed DON-contaminated food were able to preferentially select uncontaminated food. Dogs not previously exposed to DON-contaminated food consumed equal quantities of contaminated and uncontaminated food. There was no effect of 6 mg of DON/kg on dog food digestibility. Food intake of dogs was significantly reduced by DON concentrations greater than 4.5 +/- 1.7 mg/kg, and DON greater than 7.7 +/- 1.1 mg/kg reduced cat food intake. Vomiting by dogs and cats was commonly observed at the 8 and 10 mg DON levels.     

Subtotal colectomy for treatment of acquired megacolon in the dog and cat

The case records of 4 cats and 1 dog with megacolon and constipation were reviewed to study the history, clinical signs, pathologic changes, and longterm results of surgical treatment. The 4 cats had idiopathic megacolon. The dog had megacolon secondary to dietary indiscretion. All animals had radiographic evidence of a large colon, which was confirmed by exploratory coeliotomy. Two of the cats and the dog had an intraoperative finding of megacecum as well. Subtotal colectomy was performed in all cases, with the ileocolic valve being removed in 3 of these cases. End-to-side anastomosis was used to restore the integrity of the bowel. All animals were treated successfully with this surgical technique, as judged by clinical response and owner satisfaction. Histologically, there were no consistent lesions to explain the cause of this disease in the cats.     

Sporotrichosis: a retrospective evaluation of 23 cases seen in northern California (1987–2007)

Sporotrichosis is an uncommon to rare cutaneous and subcutaneous mycosis of animals and humans caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii . Twenty-three mammalian cases of sporotrichosis examined between 1987 and 2007 at the University of California, Davis – Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, were retrospectively evaluated with regard to the historical, clinical, diagnostic and treatment findings. Cats were the most common species affected ( n  = 14). In addition, sporotrichosis was diagnosed in four dogs, four horses and a donkey. Six of 23 cases were diagnosed with the localized cutaneous form of sporotrichosis (four cats, one dog, one horse), 10 with the cutaneous-lymphatic form (four cats, two dogs, three horses and a donkey), and seven with the disseminated form (six cats, one dog). Two of 23 cases did not have skin lesions at the time of diagnosis (one cat, one dog). The most common mode of diagnosis was demonstration of S. schenckii on histopathological evaluation of tissue. In contrast with most previously described sporotrichosis infections in cats, few to no fungal organisms were seen in histopathological samples (haematoxylin and eosin and special stains) in five of the 14 cats. Treatments received included itraconazole (12 cats, one dog), ketoconazole (three dogs), fluconazole (one cat, one donkey), sodium iodide (four horses, one cat) and potassium iodide (one cat, one horse, one donkey). The prognosis for successful treatment was good in all species. Fluconazole was successful in inducing resolution of the cutaneous lesions and controlling the infection in one cat with disseminated sporotrichosis.     

Intestinal obstruction by trichobezoars in five cats.

Between 1997 and 1999, five domestic crossbred cats (four long haired, one short haired) presented with a palpable abdominal mass and were shown to have small intestinal trichobezoars at laparotomy or necropsy. Hair balls were associated with partial or complete intestinal obstruction and were situated in the proximal jejunum to distal ileum. In four cats obstructions were simple, while the remaining cat had a strangulating obstruction. Three of the cats were 10 years or older, and two were less than 4 years. In the three older cats abdominal neoplasia was suspected and investigations were delayed or declined in two of these cats because of a perceived poor prognosis. Predisposing factors identified in this series of cats included a long-hair coat, flea allergy dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and ingestion of non-digestible plant material. This report shows that the ingestion of hair is not always innocuous and that intestinal trichobezoars should be considered in the differential diagnoses of intestinal obstruction and intra-abdominal mass lesions, particularly in long-haired cats.     

Comparative metabolism of mycophenolic acid by glucuronic acid and glucose conjugation in human,dog, and cat liver microsomes

Use of the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid (MPA) in cats is limited because MPA elimination depends on glucuronidation, which is deficient in cats. We evaluated formation of major (phenol glucuronide) and minor (acyl glucuronide, phenol glucoside, and acyl glucoside) MPA metabolites using liver microsomes from 16 cats, 26 dogs, and 48 humans. All MPA metabolites were formed by human liver microsomes, while dog and cat liver microsomes formed both MPA glucuronides, but only one MPA glucoside (phenol glucoside). Intrinsic clearance (CLint) of MPA for phenol glucuronidation by cat liver microsomes was only 15–17% that of dog and human liver microsomes. However, CLint for acyl glucuronide and phenol glucoside formation in cat liver microsomes was similar to or greater than that for dog and human liver microsomes. While total MPA conjugation CLint was generally similar for cat liver microsomes compared with dog and human liver microsomes, relative contributions of each pathway varied between species with phenol glucuronidation predominating in dog and human liver microsomes and phenol glucosidation predominating in cat liver microsomes. MPA conjugation variation between cat liver microsomes was threefold for total conjugation and for phenol glucosidation, sixfold for phenol glucuronidation, and 11‐fold for acyl glucuronidation. Our results indicate that total MPA conjugation is quantitatively similar between liver microsomes from cats, dogs, and humans despite large differences in the conjugation pathways that are utilized by these species.     

Gastrointestinal volatile fatty acid concentrations and pH in cats

OBJECTIVE: To measure volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and pH in the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy adult cats fed a commercial dry cat food. ANIMALS: 14 cats. PROCEDURE: The gastrointestinal tracts were excised immediately after euthanasia and divided into 6 sections (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, proximal portion of the colon, and distal portion of the colon). Luminal contents were collected from each segment, pH was measured, and contents were centrifuged. The supernatant was analyzed for acetate, proprionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, and isovalerate concentrations by use of gas chromatography. RESULTS: Mean total VFA concentrations were lowest in the stomach (20 mmol/L); increased through the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (30, 29, and 41 mmol/L, respectively); and were greatest in the proximal and distal portions of the colon (109 and 131 mmol/L, respectively). Estimated mean total VFA amounts were low (<600 micromol) throughout all segments of the gastrointestinal tract; pH values increased from the stomach through the ileum and subsequently decreased in the colon. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Total VFA concentrations in the colon were comparable to values reported for the forestomach of ruminants and large intestines of monogastric animals, whereas values in the small intestine were higher than reported for other species. Total VFA amounts were low, consistent with the short, nonvoluminous gastrointestinal tract of carnivores. Luminal pH varied throughout the gastrointestinal tract in a pattern similar to other monogastric animals. Volatile fatty acids probably contribute minimal metabolic energy in cats but may be important in the maintenance of local mucosal health.     

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis in a cat

A cat with severe weight loss and small bowel diarrhea was diagnosed as having lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis. Treatment with medium chain triglycerides and glucocorticoids was palliative. This disease appears similar to that reported in Basenji dogs. In retrospect, dietary therapy should also have been attempted since cats with a similar infiltration of the colon responded well to such therapy.     

In vitro glucuronidation of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist telmisartan in the cat: a comparison with other species

Ebner, T., Schänzle, G., Weber, W., Sent, U., Elliott, J. In vitro glucuronidation of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist telmisartan in the cat: a comparison with other species. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.  36 , 154–160. Glucuronidation of telmisartan comprises nearly its entire metabolic clearance in several mammalian species including human. However, data were lacking for the cat, a species noted for its inability to glucuronidate some drugs. Therefore, the glucuronidation of telmisartan was investigated using feline liver microsomes and compared to liver microsomes of rats, dogs, and human, intestinal human microsomes and cell lines expressing human UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGT). Incubation of telmisartan with cat liver microsomes readily yielded telmisartan glucuronide, and pooled (N = 3 for each gender) cat liver microsomes even showed the highest glucuronidation rate (cat > dog >> human > rat). Michaelis Menten kinetics were observed with K_m of 7.5 and 10 μm and V_max of 3.9 and 3.3 nmol/min/mg for male and female cats, respectively. Confirming the in vitro data, telmisartan glucuronide was detected as the major circulating metabolite in cat plasma. To elucidate which UGT enzymes are involved, telmisartan was incubated with cell lines expressing human UGTs. The highest glucuronidation activity was observed for UGT1A8, UGT1A7, and UGT1A9. In conclusion, telmisartan was effectively glucuronidated in cats. Defects of the UGT1A6 gene in cats do not affect the glucuronidation of telmisartan as it is not a substrate of human UGT1A6.     

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).     

MicroRNA expression profiling of cat and dog kidneys

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in the pathogenesis of certain diseases and may serve as biomarkers. Here, we present the first analysis of miRNA expression in the kidneys of healthy cats and dogs. Kidneys were divided into renal cortex (CO) and medulla (MD), and RNA sequence analysis was performed using the mouse genome as a reference. A total of 277, 276, 295, and 297 miRNAs were detected in cat CO, cat MD, dog CO, and dog MD, respectively. By comparing the expression ratio of CO to MD, we identified highly expressed miRNAs in each tissue as follows: 41 miRNAs including miR-192-5p in cat CO; 45 miRNAs including miR-323-3p in dog CO; 78 miRNAs including miR-20a-5p in cat MD; and 11 miRNAs including miR-132-5p in dog MD. Further, the target mRNAs of these miRNAs were identified. These data provide veterinary medicine critical information regarding renal miRNA expression.     

Relationship of bispectral index to minimum alveolar concentration multiples of sevoflurane in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between bispectral index (BIS) and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) multiples of sevoflurane in cats. ANIMALS: 8 domestic cats. PROCEDURE: Each cat was anesthetized twice with sevoflurane. First, the MAC of sevoflurane for each cat was determined by use of the tail clamp method. Second, cats were anesthetized with sevoflurane at each of 5 MAC multiples administered in random order. Ventilation was controlled, and after a 15-minute equilibration period at each MAC multiple of sevoflurane, BIS data were collected for 5 minutes and the median value of BIS calculated. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) MAC of sevoflurane was 3.3 +/- 0.2%. The BIS values at 0.5 MAC could not be recorded as a result of spontaneous movement in all 8 cats. The BIS values at 2.0 MAC were confounded by burst suppression in all 8 cats. Over the range of 0.8 to 1.5 MAC, BIS values decreased significantly with increasing end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations. Mean (+/- SD) BIS measurements were 30 +/- 3, 21 +/- 3, and 5 +/- 2 at 0.8, 1.0, and 1.5 MAC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Values of BIS are inversely and linearly related to end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations in anesthetized cats, and BIS may be a useful predictor of CNS depression in this species. The consistently low BIS values recorded in this study suggest that clinical BIS end points used to titrate anesthetic agents in humans may not be applicable to cats.     

Pancreatic Pseudocysts in 4 Dogs and 2 Cats: Ultrasonographic and Clinicopathologic Findings

Pancreatic pseudocysts were diagnosed in 4 dogs and 2 cats based on ultrasonographic and clinicopathologic findings. All 6 animals had a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis. Five of 6 pseudocysts were in the left pancreatic limb, and in 1 cat the pseudocyst was in the pancreatic body region. Cyst size ranged from 2 x 2 cm to 7 x 6 cm. All pseudocysts had anechoic regions that were aspirated using ultrasound guidance for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. No morbidity was associated with the aspiration procedures. Cytologically the pseudocyst fluid was aseptic in all patients and had low numbers of inflammatory cells in 5 of 6 patients. All animals had high lipase activity in the pseudocyst fluid and in 2 dogs and 1 cat the lipase activity in the fluid was greater than in serum. Three of the 4 dogs were managed medically. In the 1 dog that had long-term follow-up ultrasound examination, the pseudocyst persisted for several days following aspiration and had disappeared 8 months after diagnosis. All 3 of these dogs were clinically normal 1.5-4 years after presentation. The 4th dog underwent surgical exploration and was euthanized shortly thereafter because of bronchopneumonia and chronic pancreatitis. The 2 cats died 10 days and 2 months, respectively, following initial diagnosis of the pseudocyst, but necropsies were not performed in either case. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic pseudocysts and clinicopathologic evaluation of cystic fluid are useful for diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocysts.