Nasopharyngeal diseases in cats: a retrospective study of 53 cases (1991-1998)

The records of 53 cats with nasopharyngeal disease were examined. Of the cats with nasopharyngeal disease, 49% had lymphosarcoma and 28% had polyps. Clinical signs in these cats were compared to 24 cats with nasal disease alone. Cats with only nasal disease more commonly had historical nasal discharge and sneeze, whereas cats with nasopharyngeal disease more often had stertorous respiration, phonation change, and typically reported less nasal discharge or sneeze. It is important to include nasopharyngeal disease in the differential diagnosis for cats with nasal discharge, sneeze, stertor, or phonation change.     

Heinz Body Formation Associated With Ketoacidosis in Diabetic Cats

Oxidative damage plays an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes and diabetic complications. Feline hemoglobin is uniquely susceptible to oxidative denaturation; therefore, Heinz body formation is a highly sensitive indicator of in vivo oxidative stress in this species. Heinz bodies also contribute to anemia. We investigated hematological and clinical biochemical changes in 30 cats with spontaneous diabetes mellitus (as compared to 15 healthy control cats) and evaluated the relationship of these changes to erythrocyte oxidative damage. Cats were categorized as ketoacidotic or nonketoacidotic based on their clinical presentation and the presence of urine ketones. Ketoacidotic cats had significantly ( P = .0009) more Heinz bodies (28.3% ± 9.1 %) than nonketotic diabetic cats (6.5% ± 1.60%) and healthy control cats (0.6% ± 0.2%). Percent Heinz bodies in diabetic cats directly correlated with plasma β-hydroxy-butyrate concentration ( r = .622; P = .0002), as well as with serum chloride concentration ( r = -0.576; P = 0.0009) and the number of monocytes ( r = .536; P = .0023). Percent Heinz bodies were negatively correlated with erythrocyte glutathione concentrations. Erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation was slightly but not significantly increased in diabetic cats. There were no significant associations between percent Heinz bodies and degree of anemia, hyperglycemia, or glycohemoglobin. These data indicate that ketones are associated with oxidative hemoglobin damage in cats, and suggest that ketone metabolism, ie by cytochrome P450 2E1, may be a potential source of in vivo oxygen radical generation in animals with ketosis.     

Optimal fecal assessment

Fecal testing is a common component of most gastrointestinal work-ups. A multitude of diagnostic techniques are available for identifying parasites and pathogens, or showing abnormalities of flora. Optimal fecal assessment involves careful formulation of a differential list based on signalment, history, and clinical signs. Tests should be selected and interpreted based on their relative sensitivity and specificity for specific conditions. It is essential to use effective testing methods for the etiologies of concern. This article reviews the plethora of diagnostic techniques available for fecal assessment. Indications, limitations, and issues of specimen handling for each technique are discussed. The optimal approach to the diagnosis of some common parasites, pathogens, abnormalities of flora, and metabolic conditions are covered.     

A comparison of owner management and complications in 67 cats with esophagostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes

Esophagostomy feeding tubes were placed in 46 cats. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes were placed in 21 cats. Owner management and complications and facility of use were evaluated retrospectively by review of medical records and owner survey. Both tube types were equally effective for maintenance of body weight, ease of owner management, and complication rates. All of 12 owners surveyed were comfortable with PEG tube management. Ninety-six percent of 24 owners surveyed were comfortable with esophagostomy tube management. The esophagostomy tube can be placed less invasively, without specialized equipment, making it an excellent alternative to the PEG tube.     

Aquaculture: opportunities for the nineties.

The aquacultural industry in the United States has expanded at a rapid rate since 1980. This expansion has been driven by increased demand for fisheries products, a leveling off of commercial landings, and the ability of the industry to produce a competitively priced, high-quality product. As the demand for fisheries products increases during the next 10 yr, aquacultural production will play an increasingly important role in meeting the global demand for fisheries products. World aquacultural production reached over 13 million tons in 1987. Aquacultural production in the United States reached an all-time high of 292,457 t in 1988. Opportunities for continued expansion of the industry are good. The industry must continue to develop sound marketing strategies and continue to improve production efficiency. Additionally, a number of important economic, geophysical, social, and political factors will affect the development of the industry.     

Determination of sulfur amino acids and tryptophan in foods and food and feed ingredients: collaborative study

Samples of 4 foods, 1 animal feed, isolated soy protein, and beta-lactoglobulin were analyzed by 9 laboratories to determine concentrations of cysteine as cysteic acid, methionine as methionine sulfone, and tryptophan. Sulfur amino acids were determined by AOAC method 43.A08-43.A13 for food and feed ingredients, in which samples are oxidized with performic acid before protein hydrolysis with 6N HCl. Tryptophan was determined after protein hydrolysis with 4.2N NaOH. In both methods, free amino acids were separated by ion-exchange or reverse-phase chromatography. Each laboratory was provided with detailed methods and with sealed vials containing solutions of standards. Samples were analyzed in duplicate, and variation between laboratories was determined. Coefficients of variation between laboratories for the 6 samples ranged from 5.50 to 11.8% for methionine as methionine sulfoxide, 8.59 to 17.3% for cysteine as cysteic acid, and 3.87 to 16.1% for tryptophan. Amino acid recoveries were determined by analysis of beta-lactoglobulin and were based on expected levels of each amino acid obtained from amino acid sequence data. The mean recovery of cysteine was 97% with a range of 88-119%. For methionine, mean recovery was 98% (range 89-115%) and for tryptophan, 85% (range 59-102%). Method 43.A08-43.A13 for food and feed ingredients has been adopted official first action for determination of cysteine and methionine in processed foods. The alkaline hydrolysis method has been adopted official first action for determination of tryptophan in foods and food and feed ingredients.     

Four cats with fungal rhinitis

Fungal rhinitis is uncommon in the cat and cases of nasal aspergillosis-penicilliosis have been rarely reported. Signs of fungal rhinitis include epistaxis, sneezing, mucopurulent nasal discharge and exophthalmos. Brachycephalic feline breeds seem to be at increased risk for development of nasal aspergillosis-penicilliosis. Computed tomography (CT) imaging and rhinoscopy are useful in assessing the extent of the disease and in obtaining diagnostic samples. Fungal culture may lead to false negative or positive results and must be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests. Serological testing was not useful in two cats tested. The cats in this study were treated with oral itraconazole therapy. When itraconazole therapy was discontinued prematurely, clinical signs recurred. Hepatotoxicosis is a possible sequel to itraconazole therapy.     

Clinical effects of short-term oral budesonide on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

Six dogs were entered into a 30-day, prospective, nonrandomized, uncontrolled clinical trial evaluating the effects of an oral preparation of budesonide on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during therapeutic management of active inflammatory bowel disease. Oral budesonide, at a dose of 3 mg/m(2), was administered once daily. Upon entry and completion of the trial, serum basal cortisol, adrenocorticotropic (ACTH)-stimulated cortisol, endogenous ACTH concentration, serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) activity, and urine specific gravity were evaluated, as well as owner assessment of glucocorticoid-associated side effects. Significant suppression of the HPA axis occurred. No significant differences in SAP activity, urine specific gravity, or owner-subjective assessments were detected.