Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its efficacy in comparison with doxycycline in the treatment of Chlamydophila felis infection in cats with conjunctivitis

The concentrations of enrofloxacin were measured in the tears, saliva and serum of 14 cats with signs of upper respiratory tract infection and eight with no signs, after daily doses of 5 mg/kg. Enrofloxacin concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration of Chlamydophila felis were found in the saliva and tears of the cats with and without signs of upper respiratory tract infection. In a prospective randomised clinical trial, the efficacy of enrofloxacin against C. felis infection in cats with conjunctivitis was compared with the efficacy of doxycycline. Twenty-five cats were randomly assigned to treatment with either enrofloxacin or doxycycline for 14 days; 15 of the cats tested positive for C. felis by an immunofluorescent antibody test on conjunctival swabs. The two treatment groups showed equal improvements in the clinical signs of conjunctivitis and C. felis infection status; in each group three cats were still C. felis antigen-positive after the 14-day course of treatment, indicating a persistent infection. No side effects were observed in the cats treated with enrofloxacin.     

Polar constituents from the aerial parts of Origanum vulgare L. Ssp. hirtum growing wild in Greece

From the polar extracts of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum 19 compounds have been isolated. The structures and relative stereochemistry have been elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and determined as apigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, diosmetin, quercetin, eriodictyol, cosmoside, vicenin-2, caffeic acid, p-menth-3-ene-1,2-diol 1-O-beta-glucopyranoside, thymoquinol 2-O-beta-glucopyranoside, thymoquinol 5-O-beta-glucopyranoside, thymoquinol 2,5-O-beta-diglucopyranoside, 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid, 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid 12-O-beta-glucopyranoside, lithospermic acid B, rosmarinic acid, 10-epi-lithospermic acid, and epi-lithospermic acid B. The three latter products display unusual stereochemistry of the 3,4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid unit(s), which to the authors' best knowledge has never been reported before in similar compounds. Moreover, lithospermic acid B (and its stereoisomers), p-menth-3-ene-1,2-diol 1-O-beta-glucopyranoside, 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid, and 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid 12-O-beta-glucopyranoside were isolated for the first time from Origanum species.     

The 2006 American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel report

Vaccination is a medical procedure, and the decision to vaccinate should be based on a risk-based assessment for each cat and each vaccine.     

Pericardial effusion in a cat with feline infectious peritonitis

This case report describes the disease progression of a male cat with pericardial effusion. Clinical signs (dyspnea, lethargy, and weakness) started very acutely. The initial laboratory profile showed only an increase in alanine aminotransferase enzyme activity. Diagnostic imaging revealed pericardial effusion. Effusion analysis showed a Rivalta-positive, modified transudate. Detection of feline coronavirus antigen in macrophages was negative. General condition and laboratory parameters dramatically worsened within seven days. Therefore, the owners decided to euthanize the cat. Even if effusion variables are macroscopically and microscopically suspicious for FIP, a definitive diagnosis of FIP could only be made by histology (including immunhistochemical staining).     

Reference ranges for laboratory parameters in ferrets

The purpose of this study was to establish reference ranges (robust methods) for 51 laboratory parameters in ferrets for use in private practice. Current literature concerning reference values in ferrets is often based on small patient numbers, methods of blood sampling not suitable for practice, and outdated laboratory methods. Blood was collected from the V saphena lateralis of 111 clinically healthy ferrets (age 11 weeks to 9 years; 61 male, 50 female). Age, sex (male or female) and fasting status were taken into consideration. Parameters evaluated included haematological parameters (packed?cell volume, haemoglobin, erythrocytes, erythrocyte indices, white blood cells, differential blood counts, platelets) (Cell-Dyn3500R; microscopical differential blood count), serum parameters (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, α-amylase, lipase, cholinesterase, glucose, fructosamine, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, serum bile acids, bilirubin, urea, creatinine), serum electrolyte levels (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, iron) (Hitachi 911), and serum hormone concentrations (thyroxine, cortisol, oestradiol, progesterone) (Elecsys 1010). Results differing from reference ranges reported in current literature were attributed in most cases to the use of other blood sampling methods and laboratory equipment.     

Clinical efficacy of the acyclic nucleoside phosphonate 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (PMPDAP) in the treatment of feline immunodeficiency virus-infected cats

In in vitro studies, the acyclic nucleoside phosphonate 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)-2,6-diaminopurine (PMPDAP) inhibited the replication of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). No information about its clinical efficacy is available so far. The aim of this prospective placebo-controlled, double-blinded study was to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of PMPDAP in cats naturally infected with FIV. Twenty cats were randomly assigned to two treatment groups receiving either PMPDAP (25 mg/kg) or placebo twice per week subcutaneously for 6 weeks. The general health status (Karnofsky's score), clinical signs, laboratory, immunological, and surrogate parameters were evaluated. No significant differences were found between PMPDAP- and placebo-treated cats, although cats treated with PMPDAP showed a tendency for improvement in their Karnofsky's score and clinical signs. Haematological side effects were noted in the PMPDAP-treated cats. Thus, PMPDAP may be an option in treating cats if it becomes available for veterinarians, but side effects have been monitored.