Heartworm infection in cats: 50 cases (1985-1997)

OBJECTIVE: To characterize risk factors, clinical findings, usefulness of diagnostic tests, and prognosis in cats with naturally occurring heartworm infection (HWI). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 50 cats with Dirofilaria immitis infection. PROCEDURE: Medical records, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiograms were reviewed and findings compared with appropriate reference populations. RESULTS: Findings suggested that male cats were not predisposed to HWI, domestic shorthair cats were at increased risk, and indoor housing was only partially protective. Fewer cases of HWI were identified in the final quarter of the year, compared with other periods, and prevalence is not apparently increasing. Signs of respiratory tract disease were most common, followed by vomiting. Infection was diagnosed incidentally in > 25% of cats; conversely, 10% of infected cats died suddenly without other clinical signs. Serologic tests were most useful for diagnosis, followed by radiography and echocardiography. Eosinophilia supported the diagnosis. Overall median survival time was 1.5 years but exceeded 4 years in cats surviving beyond the day of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sex does not appear to be a risk factor for HWI in cats, and indoor housing provides only incomplete protection. Signs of respiratory tract disease (dyspnea and cough) are the strongest indicators of HWI in cats, and some radiographic evidence of infection is detected in most cases. Antibody screening for HWI in cats is efficacious, and antigen testing and echocardiography are most useful for making a definitive antemortem diagnosis.     

Hepatic abscesses in cats: 14 cases (1985-2002)

In this retrospective study, we describe 14 cats diagnosed with hepatic abscesses. The objective of the study was to report the clinical signs, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic findings, and outcomes in affected cats. These findings were then compared with those previously reported in dogs and humans. Clinical signs were vague and included anorexia, lethargy, and weight loss. Only 23% of cats had fever, whereas 31% were hypothermic. Increases in serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were found in 45 and 18%, respectively, of the 11 cats that had laboratory work performed. Abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in 7 cats, and abnormalities were found in 71% of them. Four cats had solitary abscesses, all of which were located in the right liver lobes. The other 10 cats had multifocal small abscesses or microabscesses, and all of these cats had clinical signs suggestive of sepsis. Cytologic evaluation of samples obtained by abdominocentesis indicated septic inflammation in 67% of cats in which peritoneal fluid was analyzed. Hepatic abscess cultures yielded polymicrobial growth in 66% of the cats: Escherichia coli was the most commonly cultured organism. Overall mortality rate was 79%. All survivors underwent exploratory laparotomy for partial hepatectomy to resect the abscess followed by medical management. Hepatic abscesses should be considered in cats with signs consistent with sepsis. More routine use of ultrasonography may aid in earlier diagnosis of hepatic abscesses, potentially improving prognosis and outcome.     

Endogenous lipid pneumonia in cats: 24 cases (1985-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical signs, radiographic and histologic abnormalities, and concurrent diseases in cats with endogenous lipid pneumonia (EnLP) and to determine the pathologic importance of EnLP in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 24 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats in which EnLP was confirmed by histologic examination of necropsy specimens were reviewed. Information collected from the medical records included signalment, body weight, clinical signs, and results of clinicopathologic tests. Thoracic radiographs were reviewed by a radiologist; histologic specimens were reviewed by a pathologist. RESULTS: All cats had nonspecific clinical abnormalities, such as lethargy, anorexia, or weight loss; 16 had signs of respiratory tract disease. All cats had concurrent systemic diseases, and clinicopathologic abnormalities were reflective of these conditions. Nonspecific abnormalities were detected on thoracic radiographs from 9 of 11 cats. Most cats had macroscopic, multifocal, subpleural lesions; inflammatory infiltrates, cholesterol clefts, and multinucleated giant cells were common. Ten cats had an underlying obstructive pulmonary disease that was the likely cause of EnLP. Lesions of EnLP were not considered to be severe enough or extensive enough to be the cause of death in any of these cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EnLP is an uncommon respiratory tract disorder of cats with no pathognomonic clinical, laboratory, or radiographic findings. Although EnLP was not the cause of death in any of these cats, results of the present study do suggest that EnLP may be a marker for potentially severe underlying obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Small intestinal adenocarcinoma in cats: 32 cases (1978-1985)

The medical records of 32 cats with small intestinal adenocarcinoma were reviewed. Common clinical signs included vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, cachexia, anorexia, and lethargy. In 50% of the cats, an abdominal mass was palpated, and in 38%, a mass was seen on radiographs. Biopsy of the tumor without resection was performed in 9 cats; 8 cats were euthanatized at the time of surgery, 7 because of metastases, and 1 cat died 1 day after surgery. In 23 cats, resection was performed. Eleven of these died within 2 weeks after surgery (mean survival time, 2.6 days); 8 had lymph node metastasis. Twelve cats survived greater than 2 weeks after surgery. The mean survival of 11 of these cats was 15 months. Six cats were euthanatized because of recurrent signs; 5 of the 6 had a recurrent abdominal mass. One cat was alive 2 years after surgery. Results of this study indicated that cats with adenocarcinoma, even those cats with advanced disease, can have long-term survival after surgery.     

Chronic nasal discharge in cats: 75 cases (1993-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To identify the most common etiologic diagnosis and any historical, physical, or other diagnostic variables associated with a definitive etiologic diagnosis for chronic nasal discharge in cats. Design-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 75 cats with nasal discharge of >/= 1 month's duration. PROCEDURES: Medical records of affected cats were reviewed for information on signalment, clinical signs, duration and type of nasal discharge, results of clinical examination, laboratory findings, and advanced imaging findings. RESULTS: A specific etiologic diagnosis for nasal discharge was identified in only 36% of cats. Neoplasia (carcinoma or lymphoma) was the most common etiologic diagnosis. Character and location of nasal discharge did not contribute greatly toward a specific etiologic diagnosis. Sneezing and vomiting were the most common concurrent clinical signs. Routine CBC, serum biochemical panel, and urinalysis did not contribute to a specific etiologic diagnosis. An etiologic diagnosis was more likely in older cats and cats that underwent advanced imaging studies and nasal biopsy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although advanced diagnostic testing, including imaging studies and biopsy, increases the likelihood of achieving an etiologic diagnosis, the cause of chronic nasal discharge in cats often remains elusive.     

Facial neuropathy in dogs and cats: 95 cases (1975-1985)

The medical records of 79 dogs and 16 cats admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine between January 1975 and October 1985 with facial nerve dysfunction were reviewed. In 31 dogs and 8 cats, facial neuropathy was the only abnormal finding. In 48 dogs and 8 cats, the clinical findings most often noted in the records in addition to facial neuropathy were vestibular signs. Facial neuropathy appeared unassociated with gender or right vs left sides in both dogs and cats, or with hypothyroidism in dogs. Facial neuropathy was associated with increased age, with certain breeds in both dogs and cats, and with otitis media/interna and keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs. Causes of facial nerve dysfunction in dogs and cats included surgical and nonsurgical trauma, neoplasia, and otitis media/interna. Facial neuropathy was judged to be idiopathic in 74.7% of dogs and 25% of cats.     

Horner's syndrome in dogs and cats: 100 cases (1975-1985)

The medical records of 74 dogs and 26 cats with Horner's syndrome (HS) that were admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine between January 1975 and October 1985 were reviewed. In dogs, but not cats, HS was associated significantly (P less than 0.01) with increasing age. Dogs with hypothyroidism (defined liberally but not rigorously), intracranial neoplasia, or thoracic neoplasia, cats with otitis media/interna (defined liberally), and dogs and cats with brachial plexus root avulsion were at greater risk for developing HS than were animals that were hit by a car. Dogs and cats with otitis externa were at less risk of developing HS than were animals that were hit by a car. The cause of HS could not be determined in 50% of dogs and 42.3% of cats. The results of topical adrenergic drug testing in dogs were inconclusive in localizing lesion site. In dogs and cats, HS appeared to be unassociated with gender, breed, or right vs left side. The important causes of HS in dogs and cats were trauma (hit by car), brachial plexus root avulsion, intracranial and thoracic neoplasia, and otitis media/interna.     

Acute intrinsic renal failure in cats: 32 cases (1997-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine patient demographics, clinicopathologic findings, and outcome associated with naturally acquired acute intrinsic renal failure (ARF) in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 32 cats with ARF. PROCEDURES: Cats were considered to have ARF if they had acute onset of clinical signs (< 7 days), serum creatinine concentration > 2.5 mg/dL (reference range, 0.8 to 2.3 mg/dL) and BUN > 35 mg/dL (reference range, 15 to 34 mg/dL) in conjunction with urine specific gravity < 1.025 or with anuria or increasing serum creatinine concentration despite fluid therapy and normal hydration status, and no signs of chronic renal disease. Cases were excluded if cats had renal calculi or renal neoplasia. RESULTS: Causes of ARF included nephrotoxins (n = 18 cats), ischemia (4), and other causes (10). Eighteen cats were oliguric. For each unit (mEq/L) increase in initial potassium concentration, there was a 57% decrease in chance of survival. Low serum albumin or bicarbonate concentration at initial diagnosis was a negative prognostic indicator for survival. Initial concentrations of BUN, serum creatinine, and other variables were not prognostic. Seventeen (53%) cats survived, of which 8 cats had resolution of azotemia and 9 cats were discharged from the hospital with persistent azotemia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that survival rates of cats with ARF were similar to survival rates in dogs and that residual renal damage persisted in approximately half of cats surviving the initial hospitalization.     

Salivary gland disease in dogs and cats: 245 cases (1985-1988)

Diagnostic pathology records spanning 41 months (July 1985 through November 1988) were searched for diagnoses of salivary gland disease in dogs and cats. Review of 87,392 records from that period revealed 245 cases (0.3%) in which salivary gland tissue had been evaluated. During that period, salivary gland tissue was submitted to the laboratory almost twice as often from dogs (160 cases) as from cats (85 cases). On the basis of histologic examination, 89% of salivary gland submissions from small animal practices were allotted to 1 of 5 major categories: malignant neoplasms (30%; 74/245), sialadenitis (26%; 64/245), normal salivary gland (16%; 40/245), sialocele (9%; 21/245), and salivary gland infarction (8%; 20/245). The remaining 11% of submissions included various degenerative or fibrotic lesions, ductal ectasia, sialolithiasis, edema, benign neoplasia, and secondary salivary involvement with systemic or cervical lymphosarcoma or with fibrosarcoma in the head and neck.     

Evaluation of dysmyelopoiesis in cats: 34 cases (1996-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To further classify dysmyelopoiesis as diagnosed by use of a general classification scheme and to determine clinical features and laboratory test results that could be used to differentiate between the various forms of dysmyelopoiesis in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. Sample Population-Bone marrow slides from 34 cats. PROCEDURES: Medical records of cats in which dysmyelopoiesis was diagnosed on the basis of blood and bone marrow analyses from 1996 to 2005 were reviewed. Criteria for inclusion in the study were findings of > 10% dysplastic cells in 1 or more hematologic cell lines in the bone marrow and concurrent cytopenias in the blood. Cats that met these criteria were classified into subcategories of myelodysplastic syndromes or secondary dysmyelopoiesis on the basis of reevaluation of slides. RESULTS: Of 189 bone marrow slides reviewed, 34 (14.9%) had > 10% dysplastic cells in 1 or more cell lines. Cats were subcategorized as having myelodysplastic syndrome with excessive numbers of blast cells (n = 13), myelodysplastic syndrome with refractory cytopenias (8), a variant form of myelodysplastic syndrome (1), and secondary dysmyelopoiesis (12). Findings of dysmyelopoiesis and autoagglutination in cats with myelodysplastic syndrome and in those with immune-mediated anemia complicated differentiating between the 2 conditions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Differentiating cats with myelodysplastic syndromes from cats with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia was difficult because severe anemia and autoagglutination may be concurrent findings in both conditions. Differentiating between myelodysplastic syndrome with excessive numbers of blast cells and myelodysplastic syndrome with refractory cytopenias was useful in predicting clinical outcome.     

Ocular lesions associated with systemic hypertension in cats: 69 cases (1985-1998)

OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical and clinicopathologic findings, response to treatment, and causes of systemic hypertension in cats with hypertensive retinopathy. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 69 cats with hypertensive retinopathy. PROCEDURE: Medical records from cats with systemic hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy were reviewed. RESULTS: Most cats (68.1%) were referred because of vision loss; retinal detachment, hemorrhage, edema, and degeneration were common findings. Cardiac abnormalities were detected in 37 cats, and neurologic signs were detected in 20 cats. Hypertension was diagnosed concurrently with chronic renal failure (n = 22), hyperthyroidism (5), diabetes mellitus (2), and hyperaldosteronism (1). A clearly identifiable cause for hypertension was not detected in 38 cats; 26 of these cats had mild azotemia, and 12 did not have renal abnormalities. Amlodipine decreased blood pressure in 31 of 32 cats and improved ocular signs in 18 of 26 cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Retinal lesions, caused predominantly by choroidal injury, are common in cats with hypertension. Primary hypertension in cats may be more common than currently recognized. Hypertension should be considered in older cats with acute onset of blindness; retinal edema, hemorrhage, or detachment; cardiac disease; or neurologic abnormalities. Cats with hypertension-induced ocular disease should be evaluated for renal failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac abnormalities. Blood pressure measurements and funduscopic evaluations should be performed routinely in cats at risk for hypertension (preexisting renal disease, hyperthyroidism, and age > 10 years). Amlodipine is an effective antihypertensive agent in cats.     

Evaluation of survival time in dogs with stage III osteosarcoma that undergo treatment: 90 cases (1985-2004)

OBJECTIVE-To assess survival time in dogs that underwent treatment for stage III osteosarcoma and evaluate factors affecting survival. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-90 dogs with stage III osteosarcoma. PROCEDURES-Records in the osteosarcoma database at the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University from 1985 to 2004 were searched for dogs with metastatic disease at the time of evaluation. Dogs were included in the study if they had metastasis to any site and if treatment was initiated. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed, and the influences of age, sex, breed, primary tumor site, metastatic sites, and treatment on outcome were analyzed via log-rank analysis. RESULTS-Median survival time was 76 days, with a range of 0 to 1,583 days. No significant differences in survival times on the basis of age, sex, breed, or primary site were observed. Breeds and primary tumor sites were typical of those usually associated with osteosarcoma in dogs. Dogs treated palliatively with radiation therapy and chemotherapy had a significantly longer survival time (130 days) than dogs in all other treatment groups. Dogs treated with surgery alone had a significantly shorter survival time (3 days) than dogs treated with surgery and chemotherapy (78 days). Dogs with bone metastases had a longer survival time than dogs with soft tissue metastases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Treatment of dogs with stage III osteosarcoma can result in various survival times. Dogs with metastasis to bone and dogs that were treated palliatively with radiation and chemotherapy had the longest survival times.     

Management of vertebral column fractures in dogs and cats: 211 cases (1977-1985)

Hospital records and radiographs of 211 dogs and cats with vertebral column fractures or luxations evaluated at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital between April 1977 and September 1985 were reviewed. After neurologic examination, status of the animal was graded on a scale of 1 to 8. Decision to treat each animal either medically or surgically was based on the extent and type of injury, neurologic signs, veterinarian's experience, and owner's wishes. After treatment, neurologic status was evaluated on the aforementioned scale and differences in the outcome of treatment were determined between surgically and medically treated groups, relative to initial neurologic status and location of the fracture. Surgically treated animals had pretreatment mean (+/- SD) neurologic status (3.71 +/- 1.35) that was slightly worse (P = 0.0079) than that of medically managed cases (5.16 +/- 1.48). Animals of the surgically treated group improved significantly (P = 0.0122) more than did those of the medically treated group but after treatment, significant differences in neurologic status were not evident between surgically (6.67 +/- 1.49) and medically (7.07 +/- 1.24) treated animals. Medically treated animals required substantially longer to reach optimal neurologic status, but the average hospital stay was nearly twice as long for the surgically treated animals (13.5 days), compared with those treated medically (7.1 days). Animals with thoracic vertebral fractures had mean neurologic status that was worse than that in animals with cervical vertebral fractures (P = 0.0109). After either medical or surgical treatment, neurologic status did not differ among animals with cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebral fractures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lymphocytic/plasmacytic gastroenteritis in cats: 14 cases (1985-1990).

Over a 5-year period, lymphocytic/plasmacytic gastroenteritis was diagnosed in 14 cats. Purebred cats were affected significantly (P less than 0.025) more often than nonpurebred cats. Mean age at onset of clinical signs was 6.8 years (range, 1 to 13 years); 11 cats were male. Vomiting and weight loss, each reported in 10 of 14 cats, were the most common clinical signs. Diarrhea was reported in 7 of 14 cats. Alopecia was found in 4 of 14 cats. High hepatic enzyme activities and low plasma protein concentrations were frequent biochemical findings. Hyperemia, hemorrhage, and a roughened or "cobblestone" mucosa were visualized by endoscopy in only 2 of 8 cats with duodenal disease and in 2 of 5 cats with gastric disease. Lymphocytic/plasmacytic inflammation was detected in biopsy specimens from the stomach or duodenum or both in all cats; the duodenum was affected most commonly. Degree of inflammation frequently varied among gastric, duodenal, and colonic specimens from the same cat. Glucocorticoid treatment and dietary management adequately controlled clinical signs in 7 cats, but treatment was ineffective in 6 cats, 5 of which were euthanatized because of severity of clinical signs.     

Extensive small bowel resection in dogs and cats: 20 cases (1998-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcome in dogs and cats that underwent extensive (ie, > 50%) resection of the small intestine and identify factors associated with outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 13 dogs and 7 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and follow-up information was obtained. RESULTS: In all 7 cats and in 8 of the 13 dogs, extensive intestinal resection was performed because of a foreign body. Mean+/-SD estimated percentage of intestine that was removed was 68+/-14% (range, 50% to 90%). Two dogs were euthanized 3 days after surgery because of dehiscence of the surgical site and development of septic peritonitis; 1 dog died of acute respiratory distress syndrome 5 days after surgery. The remaining 10 dogs and 7 cats were discharged from the hospital, and follow-up information was available for 15 of the 17. Median survival time was 828 days, and 12 of the 15 animals for which long-term follow-up information was available had good outcomes. However, none of the factors examined, including percentage of intestine resected, were significantly associated with outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Most dogs and cats that underwent extensive resection of the small intestine had a good outcome. The amount of intestine resected was not associated with outcome. These data may be useful in providing prognostic information in cases of extensive small intestinal resection.     

Cytauxzoon felis infection in cats in the mid-Atlantic states: 34 cases (1998-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of feline cytauxzoonosis in the mid-Atlantic states and compare the Cytauxzoon felis 18S rRNA gene sequences from affected cats with sequences reported from affected cats in other regions. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 34 cats with C. felis infection. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats in which C. felis infection was diagnosed from May 1998 through June 2004 were reviewed; data collected included signalment, month of diagnosis, geographic location, clinicopathologic abnormalities, medical treatments, outcome, and necropsy findings when applicable. Cytauxzoon felis DNA was amplified, cloned, and sequenced from 4 of these cats and compared with previously reported C. felis DNA sequences. RESULTS: Of 34 C. felis-infected cats, 28 resided in North Carolina, 3 resided in South Carolina, and 3 resided in Virginia; in 32 cats, a diagnosis of C. felis infection was made in April through September. Pancytopenia and icterus were the most common clinicopathologic abnormalities. Thirty-two cats either died or were euthanatized, and 2 cats survived. At 5 veterinary hospitals, multiple cases were identified, and 4 multicat households had > 1 cat infected with C. felis. The 18S rRNA gene sequences characterized in organisms obtained from 4 cats were nearly identical to C. felis DNA sequences reported from other US regions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data indicate that veterinarians in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States should consider C. felis infection in cats that become ill with fever, icterus, and pancytopenia or bicytopenia, especially in the spring and summer months.     

Use of radiotherapy for the treatment of intranasal tumors in cats: six cases (1980-1985)

Six cats with intranasal neoplasia treated with radiotherapy were evaluated. The mean survival time from the initiation of radiotherapy was 19 months, with 2 cats still known to be alive. Two cats died for reasons unrelated to the primary tumor. One cat had no clinical evidence of nasal tumor 41 months after treatment, but was lost to further follow-up evaluation.     

Use of echocardiography for the diagnosis of heartworm disease in cats: 43 cases (1985-1997)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of echocardiography in the diagnosis of heartworm disease in cats and to compare this modality with other tests. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 43 cats with heartworm infection that had echocardiographic examinations at 2 veterinary teaching hospitals between 1985 and 1997. Twenty-two of these 43 cats also underwent radiography of the thorax and heartworm antibody and heartworm antigen testing. PROCEDURE: Cats were determined to be infected with Dirofilaria immitis infection on the basis of 1 or more of the following findings: positive modified Knott or antigen test result, echocardiographic evidence of heartworm disease, or confirmation of the disease on postmortem examination. The percentage of echocardiographs in which heartworms were evident was compared with the percentage of radiographs in which pulmonary artery enlargement was evident and results of antigen or antibody tests in cats in which all tests were performed. RESULTS: Overall, heartworms were detectable by use of echocardiography in 17 of 43 cats, most often in the pulmonary arteries. In the 22 cats in which all tests were performed, antibody test results were positive in 18, antigen test results were positive in 12, and pulmonary artery enlargement was evident radiographically and heartworms were identifiable echocardiographically in 14. Heartworm infection was diagnosed exclusively by use of echocardiography in 5 cats in which the antigen test result was negative. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although echocardiography was less sensitive than antigen testing, it was a useful adjunctive test in cats that had negative antigen test results in which there was a suspicion of heartworm disease. The pulmonary arteries should be evaluated carefully to increase the likelihood of detection of heartworms echocardiographically.