Megacolon in the cat.

Megacolon is a condition that is not uncommon in the cat. Most cases are idiopathic (a cause cannot be determined), and these seem to be a result of colonic inertia. Pelvic fracture malunions are the next most common cause and result in a pelvic outlet obstruction. Total or subtotal colectomy offers good long-term results in cases of idiopathic megacolon and chronic cases of pelvic fracture malunion, and the technique is described in detail.     

Echocardiography in the domestic cat.

Echocardiographic examinations were performed on 25 normal healthy cats placed in left lateral recumbency. The cats were representative of serveral breeds, consisted of 12 males and 13 females, and weighed between 2 and 6.5 kg. Twelve measurements from the echocardiograms of each cat were made for the purpose of compiling a small data base (reference values). These measurements included wall thicknesses, luminal dimensions, and contractile indices. Left ventricular wall thickness averaged 0.37 +/- 0.08 cm, and the septal wall thickness averaged 0.45 +/- 0.09 cm. The average left ventricular lumen in diastole was 1.48 +/- 0.26 cm, and in systole, it was 0.88 +/- 0.24 cm, which resulted in an average shortening fraction of 41 +/- 7.3%. Velocity of circumferential shortening, an index of contractility, averaged 2.86 +/- 0.78 cm. In eight additional cats, both ventricles were catheterized for echographic chamber identification and then cineangiographic procedures. Then these cats were euthanatized, and postmortem measurements were compared with echocardiographic and cineangiographic measurements. According to the three methods of determining wall thickness, differences were less than 15%, where the range of deviations was between 0 and 0.5 mm and the average deviation was -0.01 +/- 0.26 mm.     

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in the cat.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in the cat is described. Clinical findings included inappetence, lethargy, rapid emaciation, jaundice and an enlarged left kidney. Chronic pseudotubercular lesions were found in the kidneys and lungs and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Type IIB was recovered from both sites.     

A review of feral cat control

Animal overpopulation including feral cats is an important global problem. There are many stakeholders involved in the feral cat debate over 'what to do about the problem', including those who consider them a nuisance, the public at risk from zoonotic disease, people who are concerned about the welfare of feral cats, those concerned with wildlife impacts, and the cats themselves. How best to control this population is controversial and has ranged from culling, relocation, and more recently 'trap neuter return' (TNR) methods. Data support the success of TNR in reducing cat populations, but to have a large impact it will have to be adopted on a far greater scale than it is currently practised. Non-surgical contraception is a realistic future goal. Because the feral cat problem was created by humans, concerted educational efforts on responsible pet ownership and the intrinsic value of animals is an integral part of a solution.     

Management of anorexia in the cat.

One of the most frequent motivations for seeking veterinary attention for a cat is when the owner recognises a loss of normal appetite in his pet. The medical term for a lack of appetite for food is 'anorexia', and it may be partial or complete. While anorexia is a common manifestation of disease, the mechanisms underlying decreased food intake are complex and not completely understood. The regulation of appetite involves interaction of external stimuli with signals from the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Aberrations in any of the internal control systems for hunger and satiety, or changes in external factors such as diet or feeding environment, can result in partial or total anorexia. The challenge for the practitioner is not only to diagnose and treat the underlying condition, but to recognise at what point inadequate food intake has or will impinge on the patient's nutritional status to the extent that it might deleteriously affect clinical outcome. It is also important to bear in mind the significance that the patient's appetite and food intake has for the cat owner in his overall perception of his pet's condition and quality of life.     

Gastroduodenoscopy in the dog and cat.

Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract in dogs and cats is a relatively recent development. It was just over 20 years ago, in 1978, that the first series report of GI endoscopy in dogs and cats was presented. In those initial days, endoscopy was truly a novelty, and the primary uses for endoscopes were to retrieve foreign objects or visualize the esophagus and stomach. It was not until the mid-1980s that technology and training made gastroduodenoscopy standard practice. The evolution in endoscopic technology has also mirrored the evolution in computers and imaging modalities. The original fiberoptic endoscopes, although still available, are giving way to video endoscopy and digital imaging capabilities that provide spectacular images and an ability to generate hard copy images for medical records, teaching purposes, and research data that was previously not possible.     

Mucopolysaccharidosis in a cat.

A young adult female Siamese cat born of a mother-son mating was referred because of dwarfism, facial abnormalities, severe skeletal deformities, multifocal neurologic deficits, and retinal atrophy. Cats of similar appearance had been observed in a previous litter of the same parents. Metachromatic inclusion bodies were demonstrated in circulating leukocytes. The urine contained a high concentration of mucopolysaccharide, as detected by the toluidine blue spot test. The uronic acid content of the cetylpyridinium chloride-precipitable mucopolysaccharide in the urine was 17 times greater than that in the urine from a control cat of the same age and breed.     

Trombiculosis in a cat.

Trombiculosis (dermatitis caused by trombiculid mites) in a Domestic Shorthair cat was characterized by diffuse thickening and crusting of the skin of the abdomen and limbs and by multiple papules on the face, ears, and sides of the trunk. Skin biopsy revealed acanthosis and hyperkeratosis involving the epidermis and hair follicles, mites in epidermal tunnels, and edema of the dermis, with infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells. Mites from skin scrapings were identified as Walchia americana. The cat was treated systemically with a broad-spectrum antibiotic and topically with a carbaryl and pyrethrin powder preparation. The lesions were resolved within 2 months.     

Rhinosporidiosis in a cat.

A polypoid nasal mass from an adult cat was submitted for routine biopsy examination and was found to contain sporangia and sporangiospores consistent with Rhinosporidium seeberi. Inflammatory infiltrates were moderate and pyogranulomatous to lymphohistiocytic and were associated with hyperplasia of the transitional nasal epithelium. Apparently, this is the first reported case of rhinosporidiosis in a cat.     

Cholecystadenocarcinoma in a cat.

A malignant neoplastic process originating from gall bladder epithelium was diagnosed in a 14-year-old, spayed female, domestic shorthair cat. The tumor produced widespread pulmonary and lymphatic metastases. The clinical and pathological manifestations are described. Neoplasia arising from the gall bladder epithelium is rarely reported in animals.