Lymphosarcoma and cryptococcosis in a cat

Cryptococcosis and lymphosarcoma were diagnosed in a 3-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat. The cat was studied immunologically, and abnormal findings included absolute lymphopenia, with a low percentage of the lymphocytes having cell surface markers of normal T and B cells, decreased responsiveness to mitogens, and low immunoglobulin concentrations in serum. Necropsy revealed cryptococcal lesions in the facial area. The cortex of the left kidney was replaced by a diffuse pattern of undifferentiated large cells compatible with those of histiocytic cell type lymphosarcoma.     

Tritrichomonas foetus and Mycoplasma felis coinfection in the upper respiratory tract of a cat with chronic purulent nasal discharge

A 5‐year‐old indoor male neutered Siamese cat was presented with clinical signs of sneezing and chronic bilateral purulent nasal discharge. Multiple nasal cavity swabs were submitted for bacterial cultures, Mycoplasma felis‐DNA qPCR, and cytology. M felisqPCR was positive and cytomorphologic diagnosis was severe, acute, purulent, rhinitis with intralesional protozoal microorganisms consistent with a Trichomonas spp. Nested PCR (nPCR) confirmed the diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus. Systemic therapy with doxycycline for M felis and metronidazole for T foetus was started with remission of clinical signs within 2 weeks; however, symptoms relapsed shortly after therapy was discontinued. This study represents the first documented case of T foetus associated with chronic nasal discharge in a cat, which supports the hypothesis that T foetus can live in the nasal cavity. It is also the first reported case of M felis and T foetus coinfection, which indicates that with mycoplasmal feline upper respiratory tract infections, T foetus should be considered as a coinfecting agent.     

An atypical case of respiratory actinobacillosis in a cow

A not pregnant 4-year-old Jersey cow was presented with the sudden appearance of respiratory noise, nasal discharge and moderate respiratory difficulty. Upon physical examination a snoring-like noise, extended head and neck position, exaggerated abdominal effort, bilateral nasal discharge and left prescapular lymph node enlargement were noted. Sub-occlusion of the initial portion of the respiratory tract was suspected. Radiographic and endoscopic examinations revealed a pedunculate mass on the dorsal aspect of the rhinopharynx, which was removed with endoscopically assisted electrosurgery. Histologic examination revealed a chronic pyogranulomatous inflammation with eosinophilic club-like bodies surrounding small colonies of rod-shaped bacteria. Results of histochemical staining were consistent with Actinobacillus-like bacteria and a diagnosis of respiratory actinobacillosis was reached. Surgery and antibiotic therapy were resolutive, as demonstated by an endoscopic check at the second month after surgery, even without the association of the traditional iodine cure, which is regarded as the treatment of choice for actinobacillosis.     

Bacteriological and virological status in upper respiratory tract infections of cats (cat common cold complex)

Between October 2002 and January 2005,460 bacteriological samples from cats with an acute upper respiratory tract infection were analysed in clinical field studies in two accredited laboratories in Germany. Oropharyngeal swabs were taken from these cats and sent to the laboratories for routine diagnostics. In the swab samples of 460 cats 382 bacteria strains were isolated.The following bacteria were isolated most frequently: Pasteurella spp. (32.5 %), Staphylococcus spp. (18.5 %), Escherichia coli (17.0 %), Streptococcus spp. (9.1 %), Pseudomonas spp. (6.9 %) and Klebsiella spp. (3.0 %). Bordetella bronchiseptica was found in 0.4 % of the animals To evaluate possible regional and time influences, the animals were split into three populations: 1: Germany, laboratory A; 2: Germany, laboratory B; 3: France and Belgium, laboratory B. In population 1 an 2 Pasteurella spp. were found most frequently with 42.2 % and 36.5 %, respectively.The second most frequently isolated bacterial species were Staphylococcus spp. with 14.1 % and 21.4 % and E. coli with 13.6 % and 17.5 % respectively. In population 3 Staphylococcus spp., E. coli (20 % each) and Pasteurella spp. (18.5 %) were isolated at almost the same frequency. Virological parameter were additionally analysed in 328 cats (population 2 and 3). Serum samples were analysed for antibodies specific for Feline Calicivirus (FCV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and for Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) antigen. Oropharyngeal swabs were analysed for Feline Herpesvirus (FHV) by using PCR. Calicivirus-specific antibodies were found in 99.6 % of the cats of population 2 and in 100 % of the animals in population 3. Herpesvirus was detected in 15.3 % and 23.3 % of the cats, respectively. FeLV-Antigen was found in 0.4 % of the animals in population 2 and in 10.1 % of the cats in population 3, while FIV-antibodies were identified in 8.7 % of the animals of population 2 and in 6.1 % of the cats of population 3. In total FHV was found in 19.3 % and FCV-specific antibodies in 99.7 % of the animals. 5.3 % of the cats carried FeLV-Antigen, and 7.4 % FIV-specific antibodies. The results of the bacteriological analysis as well as the results of the virological examination confirm previously published data. In this study Pasteurella spp. were most frequently isolated (32.5 %).     

Ketoconazole for successful treatment of cryptococcosis in a cat

Cryptococcosis affecting the skin and a lymph node in a 1 1/2-year-old cat was treated successfully with ketoconazole as the sole therapeutic agent. The cat was lesion-free 1 year after treatment.     

An isolated cryptococcal urinary tract infection in a cat

A male domestic shorthaired cat was presented for evaluation of stranguria and pollakiuria. A cryptococcal urinary tract infection (UTI) was diagnosed cytologically and via fungal culture. No evidence of systemic involvement was found. Chronic renal failure was a concurrent disease in this cat. Treatment consisted of oral fluconazole. Clinical signs resolved after 2 weeks of therapy, and fluconazole was discontinued after 6 months when negative urine culture results indicated resolution of the infection. This case demonstrates that correct identification of cryptococcal UTI allows for administration of therapy that can be associated with resolution of clinical signs.     

Proliferative gingival lesion in a cat with disseminated cryptococcosis

A case of disseminated cryptococcosis with oral, pulmonary, and cutaneous manifestations is described in an eleven-year-old Siamese cat. Marked clinical improvement was noted 2-months following appropriate antifungal therapy. A review of disseminated cryptococcosis and the oral manifestations of fungal disease are provided.     

Surgery of the upper respiratory tract in the racehorse

The authors discuss the surgical treatment of selected diseases of the upper airway of the racehorse. Although most of these conditions occur commonly and are easily diagnosed, their surgical management is often less straight-forward and may be surprisingly controversial. The authors' intent is to provide an overview of these problems and give some information regarding current treatment options.     

An investigation into the role of Chlamydophila spp. in bovine upper respiratory tract disease

An outbreak of upper respiratory tract disease was investigated in a group of 17 housed home-bred calves on a mixed dairy, beef and sheep farm in Devon. Conjunctival swabs were collected and tested for Chlamydophila spp. DNA using a PCR test that detects Chlamydophila abortus and Chlamydophila psittaci. Six of the calves tested gave a positive result. Further epidemiological observations and laboratory testing indicated that the adult dairy cows, from which the affected calves originated, were the most likely source of infection.     

An etiological investigation of domestic cats with conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract disease in Japan

Chlamydophila felis (C. felis), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) were detected in 39 (59.1%), 11 (16.7%) and 14 (21.2%) cats respectively, from 66 domestic cats presented with conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in 9 prefectures of Japan. Dual and multiple infections were found in 7 (10.6%) cats with both C. felis and FHV-1, 10 (15.2%) cats with both C. felis and FCV, and 1 (1.5%) cat with all three agents. C. felis was isolated from 11 (28.2%) of 39 PCR positive cats. Antigenic difference was found in a 96 kDa protein of our isolates and Fe/145 strain isolated in USA. In conclusion, C. felis is the most common agent of feline conjunctivitis and URTD, and the coinfection with C. felis, FHV-1 and FCV are also common in cats in Japan.     

Investigation of heart rate variability in a dog with upper respiratory tract obstruction

An eight-year-old bull mastiff presented with respiratory obstruction caused by a tumour dorsolateral to the larynx. Removal of the tumour was attempted but the dog died. A novel noninvasive measurement of heart rate variability and cardiac parasympathetic activity, recorded real-time from an electrocardiograph signal, was used to investigate cardiac rhythm in the dog. A simultaneous record of heart rate and cardiac parasympathetic activity showed severe sinus arrhythmia caused by the parasympathetic tone, in which the inspiratory heart rate exceeded 140 beats per minute (bpm) and the expiratory heart rate fell to below 60 bpm. The extent of respiratory modulation of the cardiac parasympathetic activity (vagal tone) has not been reported before using this technique on-line in a conscious, freely-behaving and spontaneously breathing animal. Non-invasive measurements of cardiac parasympathetic tone show great potential for the assessment of animals with systemic and cardiac disease including cardiac failure.     

A survey of feline viral upper respiratory tract infections

A survey of viruses associated with feline respiratory disease was conducted by culturing from 100 swabs collected from cats with respiratory disease and 50 swabs collected from a group of apparently healthy cats. In the first group, 27 herpesviruses and 24 caliciviruses were isolated from 50 cats, whereas 1 herpesvirus and 2caliciviruses were isolated from the second group. Caliciviruses were more commonly isolated from animals under 1 year old and appeared to be more closely associated than herpesviruses with buccal ulceration.     

Morphine administration in horses anaesthetized for upper respiratory tract surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of morphine administration on commonly monitored cardio-respiratory variables and recovery quality in horses undergoing anaesthesia and surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical study. ANIMALS: Thirty-eight thoroughbred horses, 32 geldings and six mares, 3-13 years old, weighing 411-600 kg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A standard anaesthetic technique was used. Twenty minutes after induction of anaesthesia horses received 0.1 mg kg(-1) (0.1 m) or 0.2 mg kg(-1) (0.2 m) morphine by intravenous injection. A control group did not receive morphine. Heart rate, respiratory rate (fr), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and blood gases were measured before morphine administration and every 10 minutes thereafter. Horses were positioned for 35 minutes in right lateral recumbency for tension palatoplasty by cautery and were then moved into dorsal recumbency for additional intraluminal surgery comprising one or more of aryepiglottic fold resection, sub-epiglottal mucosal resection, ventriculectomy and cordectomy. A subjective recovery score from 0 (worst) to 5 (best) was assigned by a single observer who was unaware of treatment group. Two-way repeated measures anova, one-way anova, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, and chi-squared tests were used to analyse the data where appropriate. RESULTS: Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)) decreased significantly over time and was significantly lower in horses that received morphine. One horse in the control group and two horses in each of the morphine groups had a PaO(2) <13 kPa. No other significant cardiopulmonary effects were detected. Recovery scores [median (range)] were higher in morphine recipients: 4 (2-5) in 0.1 m, 4 (3-5) in 0.2 m compared with 3 (2-4) in the control group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The lower PaO(2) in morphine recipients did not appear to be of clinical significance in healthy horses because the number of horses with a low PaO(2) was similar between groups. The quality of recovery was significantly better in morphine recipients. These results indicate that morphine may be considered for use in clinical cases although further work is required to assess the analgesic properties of the drug in this species.     

Lower respiratory tract infection due to Capnocytophaga cynodegmi in a cat with pulmonary carcinoma

A 10-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for coughing and lethargy. Thoracic radiographs revealed a soft tissue lung mass and diffuse peribronchial infiltrates. Bronchoscopy was performed and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi was cultured from bilateral bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Clinical signs and bacterial colonization resolved following treatment with enrofloxacin. A lung lobectomy was performed to remove the lung mass, which was diagnosed as pulmonary carcinoma. C cynodegmi is most frequently isolated from localized wound and corneal infections in humans. Specialized growth characteristics of C cynodegmi may result in low sensitivity for bacterial culture. To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the first report of C cynodegmi infection in a veterinary patient and only the second case in human or veterinary medicine where the organism has been isolated from a bronchoalveolar lavage sample. Based on this report, Capnocytophaga species should be considered as potential opportunistic pathogens.     

Evaluation of upper respiratory tract function during strenuous exercise in racehorses

Forty-six racehorses with a history of poor performance underwent endoscopic evaluation of laryngeal and pharyngeal function while exercising on a high-speed treadmill. This evaluation allowed the definitive diagnosis of intermittent or continual upper respiratory tract obstruction as a cause of poor performance, as well as the documentation of the dynamic functional anatomy of the obstruction. Ten of the horses (22%) were determined to have a functional abnormality of the upper respiratory tract. These abnormalities included epiglottic entrapment (1 horse), persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate during exercise (4 horses), and left laryngeal hemiplegia (5 horses). Thirty-two horses were observed to have signs of left laryngeal hemiparesis (asynchronous arytenoid movement) at rest that did not impair full laryngeal abduction during strenuous exercise.     

Diagnosis of upper respiratory tract diseases in the performance horse.

Wastage of performance horses because of respiratory dysfunction is common. Appropriate identification of the disease is paramount for treatment recommendations. Diagnostic modalities for upper respiratory tract dysfunction include a thorough physical examination, radiographic evaluation when appropriate, and upper respiratory tract endoscopy. Anatomical deviations or structural are easily identified during resting evaluation, while exercise testing is often necessary to assess thedynamic properties of the upper airway. Utilizing the many diagnostic tools available allows the clinician to make an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.