Onset of immunity in kittens after vaccination with a non-adjuvanted vaccine against feline panleucopenia, feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus

The induction of a quick onset of immunity against feline parvovirus (FPV), feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) is critical both in young kittens after the decline of maternal antibodies and in cats at high risk of exposure. The onset of immunity for the core components was evaluated in 8–9 week old specific pathogen free kittens by challenge 1 week after vaccination with a combined modified live (FPV, FHV) and inactivated (FCV) vaccine. The protection obtained 1 week after vaccination was compared to that obtained when the challenge was performed 3–4 weeks after vaccination. The protocol consisted of a single injection for vaccination against FPV and two injections 4 weeks apart for FHV and FCV.At 1 week after vaccination, the kittens showed no FPV-induced clinical signs or leukopenia following challenge, and after FCV and FHV challenges the clinical score was significantly lower in vaccinated animals than in controls. Interestingly, the relative efficacy of the vaccination was comparable whether the animals were challenged 1 week or 3–4 weeks after vaccination, indicating that the onset of protection occurred within 7 days of vaccination. Following the 1-week challenge, excretion of FPV, FHV and FCV was significantly reduced in vaccinated cats compared to control kittens, confirming the onset of immunity within 7 days of vaccination.     

Stimulation of airway neutrophils following dexamethasone administration and equid herpesvirus-2 challenge in horses

The aim of this study was to investigate neutrophil stimulation following experimentally-induced airway inflammation in healthy horses. Six horses received dexamethasone and four were then inoculated with equid herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2). Significant neutrophilia was detected in tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for up to 6 days. Concentrations of neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were significantly increased compared to baseline for up to 14 days in tracheal washes and both markers were significantly correlated with neutrophil counts. Serum levels of surfactant protein D were not significantly modified throughout the study. These results suggest that dexamethasone administration with or without EHV-2 inoculation is associated with a sustainable activation and degranulation of neutrophils in the trachea along with moderate modifications detectable in the lower airways.     

Adrenalectomy and caval thrombectomy in a cat with primary hyperaldosteronism

A 13-year-old, castrated male, domestic longhaired cat was diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism from an adrenal gland tumor and a thrombus in the caudal vena cava. Clinical signs included cervical ventriflexion, lethargy, weakness, inappetence, and diarrhea. Laboratory tests revealed hypokalemia, normonatremia, hyperglycemia, hypophosphatemia, and elevated creatine kinase activity. Hypokalemia worsened despite oral potassium supplementation. An adrenalectomy and caval thrombectomy were successfully performed utilizing deliberate hypothermia followed by progressive rewarming.