Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery最新文献

Objectives: To review diagnoses and infectious disease testing of cats with neutrophilic or pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis, and describe the history, clinicopathological abnormalities, diagnostic imaging findings, lymph node cytological/histological appearance, treatment response and outcome of steroid-responsive lymphadenitis in cats.

Methods: Medical records of 72 cats documented to have pyogranulomatous, neutrophilic or mixed lymphadenitis between January 2015 and December 2023 at a single referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) (25/72, 35%) was the most common cause of lymphadenitis and frequently pyogranulomatous. Neoplasia (11/72, 15%) was the overall next most common cause and the most common cause of neutrophilic lymphadenitis. The remaining diagnoses included nine cats (12.5%) with steroid-responsive lymphadenitis, eight (11%) inflammatory disease, seven (10%) other suspected bacterial infections, five (7%) mycobacterial infections, five (7%) neutrophilic to pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis of unclear cause and two (3%) toxoplasmosis with variable inflammatory lymphadenitis.Steroid-responsive lymphadenitis cases were often middle-aged (median 7 years 10 months) neutered males (6/9). Common signs included lethargy (7/9, 78%), hyporexia/anorexia (7/9, 78%), pyrexia (6/9, 78%), peripheral lymphadenopathy (6/9) and weight loss (5/9). Frequently affected lymph nodes were submandibular (5/9), popliteal (4/9) and jejunal (4/9). Cytology was more commonly neutrophilic (8/14, 57%) than pyogranulomatous (4/14, 29%). After variable infectious disease testing, all cats received prednisolone (median dose 1.25 mg/kg, range 0.5-2.3 mg/kg) for a median of 5.75 months (range 4-11 months). All improved initially; relapse occurred in 33% during treatment, following tapering or discontinuation. Two cats (22%) were euthanised after relapse; one developed neurological signs.

Conclusions and relevance: Steroid-responsive lymphadenitis should be considered in cats presenting with inflammatory lymphadenopathy when no identifiable underlying infectious, inflammatory or neoplastic cause is identified, and most cases respond well to glucocorticoid treatment.

Objectives: Evaluate the association between serum amyloid A [SAA] concentrations and proteinuria in cats without known pre-renal, renal and post-renal causes of proteinuria and to document the magnitude of proteinuria in these cases.

Methods: Cats with contemporaneous SAA and urine protein: creatinine ratio (UPC) data and without renal azotaemia, evidence of reduced urine concentrating ability, active urine sediment, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and recent steroid administration were included. Cats with SAA >3.9 µg/dL were classified as having increased SAA. UPC was compared between cats with and without increased SAA using the Mann Whitney U test, comparisons between the proportion of cases classified as proteinuric (UPC>0.4 or UPC >0.2) between the groups were made using the Fisher's Exact test and correlations were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between SAA and UPC.

Results: UPC was significantly higher in the increased SAA group than in the normal SAA (0.32 [0.11-1.25] vs. 0.17 [0.08-0.59]; P=0.002) and cats with increased SAA were also more likely to be borderline or overtly proteinuric (UPC >0.2) than cats in the normal SAA group (72% vs. 36%; P=0.02). There was also a moderate positive correlation between UPC and SAA (rs=0.519; P<0.001).

Conclusions and relevance: increased urine protein: creatinine ratio is associated with increased SAA concentrations in cats, although the severity of proteinuria in these cases is usually mild. Systemic inflammation might contribute to proteinuria in some cats, although further studies are required to establish a causal relationship.

Objectives: The Lykoi is a recently recognised feline breed with a unique coat phenotype caused by six variants of the Hairless (HR) gene. A specific severe cutaneous comedonal syndrome has been reported in this breed. Objective was to carry out a clinical, histopathological, and genetic characterisation of this syndrome.

Methods: Prospective data collection included clinical evaluation, skin biopsies for histopathology, trichoscopic examination of hair shafts, blood sampling for haematology and biochemistry, cutaneous swabs for bacteriological culture and buccal swabs for DNA extraction and genotyping.

Results: Eleven privately owned Lykoi cats were recruited, including those with varying degrees of skin involvement and one healthy cat. Cats were aged 1.5 to 7 years at the time of diagnosis. Clinical presentation was characterised by papular lesions and comedones that ranged from severe generalised forms (6/10), moderate regional forms (2/10) and mild scattered forms (2/10). Histopathological lesions from skin biopsies revealed infundibular follicular cysts (9/10), sebaceous glands (duct) cysts (10/10), and sweat gland cysts (5/10). Genetic analysis identified five of the six described HR variants among the ten affected Lykoi and the control Lykoi.

Conclusion and relevance: This cutaneous syndrome shows a variable clinical severity not fully explained by genotype alone. The consistent presence of cysts from all three adnexal structures, even in clinically unaffected skin, supports the recognition of a novel skin condition, which we propose to name cutaneous adnexal polycystic syndrome (CAPS) in Lykoi cats. Further research is needed to elucidate its pathogenesis.

This retrospective case series describes seven diabetic cats treated with velagliflozin that were considered non-ideal candidates for this therapy. These more complicated diabetic feline cases were referred to the Small Animal Department, Ghent University. Sole inclusion criterion for this case series was treatment with velagliflozin (Senvelgo; Boehringer Ingelheim) after diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Data on signalment, medical history, clinical findings, diagnostics, treatment, response and outcomes were available for all cats. The initial consultation for all cats took place between March 2024 and May 2025. Current literature on the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in feline patients remains limited, with most studies involving highly selected populations with strict exclusion criteria. This case series describes the use of velagliflozin in non-ideal candidates for SGLT2 inhibitor therapy, aiming to support clinicians managing such cases and to provide usefull information for future studies. In these non-ideal cases, the use of velagliflozin may be considered off-label; its administration should comply with local ethical and legal regulations, with informed client consent obtained. Consultation with a veterinary specialist is recommended when clinical experience is limited. This case series includes diabetic cats with suspected and/or confirmed comorbidities that complicate diabetes management, such as hypersomatotropism and chronic kidney disease. In addition, it reports on the concurrent use of other treatments, including cabergoline and insulin. The potential interaction and possible synergistic effects of these combined therapies represent an area of interest for future research. To ensure optimal glycemic control and enable individualized dosing, four of the presented cases were closely monitored using continuous glucose monitoring. Furthermore, the availability of ketone concentrations in both urine and/or blood provided valuable insight into the metabolic changes associated with this new treatment. The role of ketone monitoring in predicting treatment response and identifying potential adverse effects represents another important area for future research.

ObjectivesTo model the feeding and elimination behaviours of healthy domestic cats using data from connected devices. It was hypothesised that these behaviours would follow a regular circadian pattern.MethodsSmart feeders and connected litter boxes recording interactions: date, time, duration, quantity of faeces and urine produced, and kibble intake were used. Data collected were processed using a Python script performing a Fourier Transform to extract frequencies related to the studied behaviours and model them using sinusoidal functions. Behavioural variability was assessed by daily variation of mean-standard deviation pairs of daily data and by evolution of measurements over the observation period with 5-day moving averages.ResultsReconstructed signal from the obtained frequencies showed a pattern similar to the observed behaviours. The construction of patterns based on behaviour measurements demonstrated feeding and litter box use habits among all cats. The analysis of the variability indicated low variation over the observation period.Conclusions and relevanceModelling eating and elimination behaviours of healthy cats based on signals from connected devices was possible. Establishing such baseline behavioural profiles might help improve health and well-being issues detection in cats.

Objectives: To characterise the clinical presentation, radiographic findings and treatment of idiopathic carpal hyperextension (ICH) in cats.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for cats diagnosed with ICH between 2018-2025 across multiple institutions. Data collected included signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment approaches and outcome.

Results: The study population comprised 12 cats aged 4 months to 12 years 10 months (median 4 years 3 months) with 20 affected carpi. The age distribution showed two peaks: one in younger cats (0-2 years) and another in older cats (9-13 years), with a high proportion of purebreds, notably Shorthair (n=6). All cats presented with carpal hyperextension without history of significant trauma. Eight cats were bilaterally affected (66%), one cat initially presented with bilateral disease, while seven developed contralateral involvement 2-36 months after initial presentation. Common clinical findings included a palmigrade stance (100%), thoracic limb lameness (66%) and carpal swelling (16%). Cats without lameness had normal weight bearing with an abnormal stance or gait (mechanical lameness). Radiologically, increased angulation at the antebrachiocarpal joint was seen on all stressed radiographs and hyperextension at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints in five cats (42%). All cats were initially managed conservatively (mainly rest and NSAIDs), four carpi treated conservatively with long term follow up had a good outcome, the outcome was unknown in the hyperextension persistent in eight carpi. In the other four cats (eight carpi), bilateral pancarpal arthrodesis surgery was performed, single staged in one cat and at separate times in the other three cats following development of carpal hyperextension in the contralateral limb.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: ICH represents a clinical entity in cats characterised by carpal hyperextension without trauma history, frequent bilateral involvement andbreed predisposition for Shorthair cats. There is a potential for delayed contralateral limb involvement, so long-term monitoring is recommended.

ObjectivesThis study investigated the inter-rater reliability, agreement and responsiveness of the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) in brachycephalic cats.MethodsA total of 28 brachycephalic cats (mean age 6.6 ± 4.4 years, mean weight 4.2 ± 1.0 kg) undergoing ocular surgery were included in a prospective, randomised, blinded study. Cats presenting fear-anxiety behaviours were not enrolled. In total, 95 images of these cats were collected from video recordings pre- and postoperatively (before/after analgesia), scored by four raters using the FGS and compared with real-time scores. Limits of agreement (LoAs) and bias were evaluated using the Bland-Altman method (good or poor agreement if bias <0.1 or >0.1, respectively). Inter-rater reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; <0.50 = poor, 0.50-0.75 = moderate, 0.76-0.90 = good and >0.90 = excellent reliability). Generalised linear mixed models evaluated responsiveness (P <0.05).ResultsInter-rater reliability (ICC_single) was poor for muzzle tension (0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36-0.58) and whiskers change (0.34, 95% CI 0.22-0.46), good for ear (0.81, 95% CI 0.74-0.86) and eye position (0.84, 95% CI 0.79-0.88), moderate for head position (0.71, 95% CI 0.59-0.79) and good for FGS total ratio scores (0.76, 95% CI 0.68-0.82). LoAs were in the range of -0.37 to 0.22 with a bias of -0.08, suggesting that some cats could have their scores affected in comparison with real-time scores. Mean FGS total scores decreased after analgesia pre- (0.56 ± 0.10 vs 0.38 ± 0.15; P = 0.005) and postoperatively (0.60 ± 0.18 vs 0.36 ± 0.15; P <0.001).Conclusions and relevanceThe FGS is a responsive pain-scoring instrument in brachycephalic cats with ocular pain, with good agreement and excellent inter-rater reliability for total ratio scores. Pain may be overestimated using image assessment in some brachycephalic cats.

ObjectivesThe aims of the present study were characterisation of a population of cats presented to a single hospital, regarding clinical diagnoses, neuroanatomical localisation and aetiological disease distribution, and to provide guidance for better clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis in the setting of feline neurology.MethodsA retrospective, statistical descriptive study was conducted. The number of clinical diagnoses, neuroanatomical localisations and aetiological disease distributions - classified according to the vascular, inflammatory/infectious, traumatic, anomalous, metabolic, idiopathic, neoplastic, degenerative (VITAMIN D) system - were recorded, along with signalment and duration of clinical signs.ResultsNeurological disease amounted to 10% of the total cases seen in a single veterinary hospital over a period of 9 years. A total of 266 cats were included in the study; of these, 44% had lesions in the brain, 26.3% in the spinal cord, 25.6% in the neuromuscular system and 4.1% had diffuse signs of neurological disease. Neoplastic (77 cats, 28.9%), idiopathic (67 cats, 25.2%) and inflammatory/infectious (56 cats, 21.1%) were the most frequently recognised disease categories. Regarding brain disease, neoplastic (36.8%), idiopathic (34.2%) and inflammatory/infectious (16.2%) diseases were most frequently diagnosed, with idiopathic epilepsy, meningioma and paroxysmal dyskinesia the most common specific diagnoses. For spinal cord disease, neoplastic (31.4%) and degenerative (31.4%) conditions predominated, with ischaemic myelopathy, intervertebral disc extrusion and feline infectious peritonitis the most frequent diagnoses. Among neuromuscular diseases, idiopathic processes (39.7%) were the most common, with otitis media/interna as the leading diagnosis. For diffuse diseases, inflammatory/infectious conditions (54.5%) were most prevalent, with toxoplasmosis and undetermined neoplasia the most frequent clinical diagnosis.Conclusions and relevanceThis is the first study to describe feline neurological patients in the UK in terms of clinical diagnoses, neuroanatomical localisation and aetiological disease distribution. The findings add to current knowledge in feline neurology and may contribute to a more comprehensive list of differential diagnoses and improved recognition of neurological disease in cats.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to assess the effect of age on the ability of tracheal anastomoses in 24 feline cadaveric tracheae that were performed with two suture patterns to sustain distraction.MethodsTracheae were obtained from 16 immature and eight adult cats and were divided into three groups. Each trachea underwent end-to-end annular ligament anastomosis using a simple continuous pattern with a 4/0 polypropylene suture on a round-body needle. In one immature group, three additional simple interrupted tension-relieving sutures were placed. The samples were tested with a tensiometer set at a drop head speed of 50 mm/min, and failure during distraction was defined by tissue pull-through or suture material failure. The force and elongation at failure were compared among groups.ResultsTracheal anastomoses in immature cats failed at lower mean forces (11.49 ± 1.30 N) compared with those with tension-relieving sutures and with adult cats (19.74 ± 4.55 N and 18.02 ± 1.28 N, respectively) (P <0.001). Tracheae from both immature groups sustained greater mean elongation (46.60 ± 0.06% and 46.53 ± 0.06%) compared with those from the adult group (33.85 ± 0.11%) (P = 0.017 and 0.09, respectively).Conclusions and relevanceTracheal anastomoses with tension-relieving sutures in immature cats and anastomoses in adult cats showed greater resistance compared with immature cats without tension-relieving sutures. Tracheae from immature cats showed greater elasticity compared with adult cats. Immature cats may resist longer tracheal resection than adult cats, but reinforcement techniques are necessary to improve resistance to tension.

ObjectivesThe present study retrospectively examined effusive feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) cases to investigate whether baseline viral RNA loads and serum biomarkers are associated with treatment responses and to identify early prognostic indicators that will guide clinical decision-making.MethodsA total of 15 cats with effusive FIP that presented to a primary care veterinary hospital in Japan between August 2024 and August 2025 were included. The diagnosis was based on the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases guidelines, combining clinical presentation, laboratory findings and feline coronavirus (FCoV) RNA detection by RT-qPCR. Antiviral treatment included GS-441524, remdesivir, molnupiravir or adjunctive nirmatrelvir. Cats were retrospectively classified as high-responders (HRs), low-responders (LRs) or non-responders (NRs), based on the blood FCoV N gene RNA load 2 weeks after treatment initiation. LR and NR cats were combined (LR/NR, n = 10) in analyses. Viral RNA loads in ascitic fluid and blood, routine haematology, acute-phase proteins and serum protein fractions were compared between groups.ResultsAt treatment initiation, the LR/NR group had significantly higher blood N gene RNA loads (P <0.01) and ascitic fluid RNA loads (P <0.05) than the HR group. In contrast, no intergroup differences were detected in M gene loads. Routine haematological markers revealed higher total protein, globulin (Glb) and lactate dehydrogenase in the LR/NR group, and no significant differences in albumin (Alb), total bilirubin or serum amyloid A. A serum protein fraction analysis showed distinct profiles: the HR group had higher albumin:globulin ratios and higher Alb, alpha (α)1-, α2- and beta-Glb fractions, while the LR/NR group had a markedly higher gamma (γ)-Glb fraction. The persistence of blood viral RNA 2 weeks after treatment initiation, together with opposing changes in the α2- and γ-Glb fractions, emerged as promising predictors of treatment outcomes.Conclusions and relevanceBaseline blood N gene RNA loads and serum Glb fractions have potential as early prognostic indicators of therapeutic responses in effusive FIP. Some of these results support the utility of combining viral and host biomarkers to improve outcome predictions and treatment monitoring.