The urinary lipid profile in cats with idiopathic cystitis

Although feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) distresses of many cats, its pathogenesis is unknown and the diagnosis is challenging. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are metabolized into various lipid mediators. Lipid mediators such as prostaglandins (PGs) modulate inflammation and many of them are excreted into the urine. Thus, the investigation of the urinary lipid profile may reveal pathogenesis and help diagnosis of FIC. We collected urine samples from five FIC cats by spontaneous urination and analyzed 158 types of lipid mediators in urines using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The urinary levels of PUFAs were higher in FIC compared to those of the healthy group. The excretions of a major inflammatory mediator, PGD₂, were less in FIC. Other well-known inflammatory mediators such as PGE₂, PGI₂, and their metabolites did not show a difference. In contrast, the levels of PGF_2α and its 2 metabolites and PGF_3α were higher in FIC. These results may provide new insights into the future management of cat FIC.     

Successful medical management of pseudomembranous cystitis in three cats with lower urinary tract obstruction

Case report

The present case series describes the clinical course and outcome of three cats diagnosed with pseudomembranous cystitis. This is an uncommon presentation of lower urinary tract obstruction but can be easily be identified by ultrasonography, revealing severe bladder wall thickening and thin hyperechoic luminal strips. The condition can be secondary to severe bacterial urinary tract infection. All cats were successfully treated with medical management only, mainly based on antimicrobials and individualised supportive therapy.

Conclusion

Further evaluation of this condition is necessary in order to determine potential underlying aetiologies, pathophysiological mechanisms and the most appropriate standardised treatment.     

The use of immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction for detection of feline leukemia virus and feline sarcoma virus in six cases of feline ocular sarcoma

Ocular sarcoma was diagnosed by light microscopic examination in enucleated globes ( n  = 4), orbital tissue biopsy ( n  = 1) and ocular evisceration contents ( n  = 1) from six cats. To determine if feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or a replication-defective FeLV, feline sarcoma virus (FeSV), was present in these ocular sarcomas, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for FeLV were utilized. Immunohistochemical staining for FeLV glycoprotein 70 (gp70) was performed on all six formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors using an avidin–biotin complex technique. DNA was extracted from each specimen and a 166 bp region of the FeLV long-terminal repeat (LTR) was amplified by PCR. All tumors were composed primarily of spindle cells; two neoplasms had PAS-positive basement membrane enveloping areas of spindle cells. All tumors involved the uvea and five of six tumors showed transcleral extension, one of which invaded the optic nerve. Immunohistochemical staining for FeLV gp 70 was negative. PCR to amplify a portion of the FeLV LTR was negative. Based on these findings of these limited number of cases, FeLV/FeSV may not play a role in the tumorigenesis of feline ocular sarcomas. However, additional tumors representing all morphological subtypes should be investigated for the presence of viral antigen and DNA. It is important to determine the etiology and pathogenesis of these malignant ocular sarcomas. If the cell of origin and pathogenesis involve ocular and lenticular injury, and FeLV/FeSV is not present, then the clinical management of cases of feline ocular trauma, uveitis and glaucoma may prevent the development of this tumor.     

Topical tacrolimus (FK506) for the treatment of feline idiopathic facial dermatitis

A 3-year-old, neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis was diagnosed with feline idiopathic facial dermatitis based on signalment, clinical history and diagnostic test results, including dermatohistopathological evaluation. Initial treatment started with 4 weeks of oral antifungal/antibiotic medication for severe secondary infectious dermatitis of Malassezia and bacteria. As the lesions gradually improved, the oral medication was withdrawn, leaving only 0.1% topical FK506 (tacrolimus) ointment for the remaining lesions. Topical treatment was administered just in case any new lesions developed. The patient has been managed effectively with topical tacrolimus and no side-effects were observed during treatment. Feline idiopathic facial dermatitis is known as a difficult dermatosis to manage successfully, but our experience suggests that it may respond to topical tacrolimus.     

Evaluation of P-glycoprotein expression in feline lymphoma and correlation with clinical outcome

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a transmembrane protein pump involved in drug resistance in canine and human lymphoma. There are no published clinical studies evaluating Pgp expression in feline lymphoma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of Pgp expression in feline lymphoma and correlate it with clinical outcome. Two human Pgp monoclonal antibodies, C219 and C494, were used to detect Pgp expression in tissue samples from 63 cats with lymphoma. Demographic results appear comparable to recently published feline lymphoma studies. The Kaplan–Meier median remission and survival times were 164 and 571 days, respectively. Fourteen cats had positive expression of Pgp using MAb C219, and 40 were positive with C494. Variables statistically associated with survival included bone marrow involvement, stage, substage, and use of radiation therapy as a part of treatment. Pgp expression as assessed by MAb C219 and C494 is not predictive of remission or survival time in cats with lymphoma.     

Historical and physical parameters as predictors of severe hyperkalemia in male cats with urethral obstruction

Objective: To evaluate selected historical and physical parameters as predictors of hyperkalemia in male cats with urethral obstruction. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Two hundred and twenty‐three male cats. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: The metabolic derangements of 223 male cats that presented with urethral obstruction from 1997 through 1999 were reported in a companion article. Approximately 12% of the cats had multiple, life‐threatening metabolic derangements. In the present study, historical and physical parameters were evaluated as predictors of hyperkalemia (K⁺≥8.0 mmol/L) in cats with urethral obstruction. The 4 historical parameters significantly associated with hyperkalemia were: first time obstruction, outdoor status, anorexia, or vomiting. The 5 physical parameters significantly associated with hyperkalemia were: rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse quality, and the presence of arrhythmia. Of the physical parameters, a rectal temperature below 95–96.6°F (35–35.9°C) or a heart rate below 120 b.p.m. were the most accurate predictors. When used in combination (i.e., evidence of bradycardia and hypothermia), the specificity for hyperkalemia was 98–100%. Conclusions: Rectal temperature and heart rate were the best parameters for predicting hyperkalemia in this population.     

Uterus masculinus: an unusual complication in a case of feline urethral obstruction

A 6‐year‐old, male castrated domestic short hair cat presented for urethral obstruction. Despite passage of a urinary catheter, urine could not be drained through the catheter, but urine flow was noted around the catheter. Special imaging studies, including ultrasound and fluoroscopy, revealed that the catheter had been passed into an abnormal small bicornuate structure that entered the urethra from dorsally within the pelvic canal. This structure was believed to be a uterus masculinus or remnants of the Mullerian ducts. The anomalous structure was not felt to be related to the cause of the urethral obstruction, but was simply an incidental finding which resulted in difficult catheterization.     

The effect of user experience and inflation technique on endotracheal tube cuff pressure using a feline airway simulator

Objective

The effect of user experience and inflation technique on endotracheal tube cuff pressure using a feline airway simulator.

猫杯状病毒的分子生物学

猫杯状病毒（FCV）是猫的上呼吸道感染、口腔水疱性疾病及慢性胃炎等疾病的重要病原。该病毒具有典型的杯状病毒结构。其基因组为单股正链含polyA的RNA，全长约7．6kb，编码3个开放读码框（ORFs)。其中ORF1约5．3kb，编码1763个氨基酸（aa)的非结构蛋白；ORF2长约2．1kb，编码671aa的结构蛋白，ORF3位于基因组3‘末端，长320bp，编码106aa的蛋白。该病毒结构蛋白分子量为58－76kDa，分为6个区，各区具有特殊功能。非结构蛋白包括3C多肽，3C半胱氨酸蛋白酶和3DRNA依赖的RNA聚合酶样区等结构。FCV的基因工程疫苗研究已有一定的进并取得了相应的应用价值。FCV分子生物学的研究有助于研究该病毒的毒力和致病机理以及新型疫苗的研制。     

Prevalences of feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infections in cats in Sydney

Objective To determine prevalences of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections in ‘healthy’ cats that, through acute misadventure or other circumstance, were presented to veterinary practitioners. Prevalences of FeLV and FIV in this population were compared to those in a population of predominantly sick cats. Design and procedures Serum specimens were obtained over a 2-year period from 200 cats oldeer than 1 year of age presented to veterinary clinics for routine procedures, including cat fight injuries or abscesses, vehicular trauma, neutering, dental scaling, vaccination, grooming or boarding. An additional 894 sera were obtained over approximately the same period from specimens submitted by veterinarians to a private clinical pathology laboratory, mainly from sick cats suspected of having immune dysfunction, but including some sera from healthy cats being screened prior to FeLV vaccination. FIV antibody and FeLV antigen were detected in samples using commercial enzyme immunoassays. Results Amongst 200 ‘healthy’ cats, the prevalence of FeLV infection was 0 to 2%, and the prevalence of FIV was 6.5 to 7.5%, depending on the stringency of the criteria used to define positivity. FIV infection was significantly more prevalent in cats which resided in an inner city environment (P = 0.013). Of the 894 serum specimens submitted to the laboratory by practitioners, 11/761 (1.4%) were FeLV positive, while 148/711 (20.8%) were FIV positive. The prevalence of FIV was significantly higher in these predominantly ‘sick’ cats than in cats seen for routine veterinary procedures (P < 0.00001), while there was no difference in the prevalence of FeLV (P = 0.75) Conclusions The prevalence of FeLV and FIV in healthy cats may have been substantially overestimated in some previous Australian surveys. FeLV infection would appear to be a rare cause of disease in Australian cats. The higher prevalence of FIV positivity in sick as opposed to healthy cats infers that FIV infection contributes to the development of disease.     

Serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone and 25-OH vitamin D3 in cats with urethral obstruction

Objective: To measure serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations in cats with urethral obstruction. Design: Prospective single cohort study. Setting: University affiliated veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Male cats with urethral obstruction. Interventions: Routine blood samples drawn from male cats with urethral obstruction. Measurements and main results: Measured variables included blood gas parameters, plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, and ionized calcium concentrations, as well as serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus, PTH, and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations. PTH was inversely correlated with ionized calcium and positively correlated with serum phosphorus. No discernable relationship could be found between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ and any of the measured parameters. Conclusions: Lack of parathyroid response does not appear to be the underlying mechanism for ionized hypocalcemia in cats with urethral obstruction.