Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery最新文献

Objectives: To evaluate the associations between sex, age, breed and collection site on platelet count and platelet clumping in feline blood samples.

Methods: Cats presenting to a primary care feline hospital from January 2016 to January 2017 were recruited. Any cat undergoing blood collection for a complete blood count was eligible. Cats were excluded if they were receiving clopidogrel or aspirin, had a disease known to affect platelet function, or if they required sedation for phlebotomy. All cats had their sex, age, site of venipuncture, platelet count, degree of platelet clumping and platelet morphology recorded.

Results: In total, 649 cats were prospectively recruited. Of these, 579 (89%) cats had no clumping observed on blood smears. A significant association (P = 0.025) was found between sex and platelet count, with females having lower platelet counts. No significant association was found between sex and degree of platelet clumping (P = 0.323). Age did not have a statistically significant association with platelet clumping (P = 0.959); however, it did have a small significant (P = 0.003) positive correlation with platelet count. There was no significant effect of purebred status on platelet count (P = 0.457); however, the domestic group had a higher rate of platelet clumping (P = 0.009). No association was found between platelet count (P = 0.322) or degree of platelet clumping (P = 0.793) and collection site. When considering platelet clumping as a binary outcome, no association was found with sex (P = 0.292), age (P = 0.681), site of collection (P = 0.809) or breed (P = 0.264).

Conclusions and relevance: The lack of effect of collection site/technique suggests that multiple sites of collection are valid when accurate platelet counts are important. The finding of lower platelet counts in younger and female cats may highlight the need to recognize age and sex when considering the management and monitoring of platelet counts and platelet disorders. Additional studies are needed to understand breed variation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe signalment, clinicopathological findings, management practices and the occurrence of comorbidities in feline diabetes mellitus (DM) in Germany.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using questionnaires and laboratory submissions to a commercial laboratory, Antech Lab Germany, between May 2021 and July 2022. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of DM by the attending veterinarian and submission of a completed questionnaire besides blood samples. Laboratory testing included haematology, serum biochemistry, concentration of total thyroxine (TT4), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), cobalamin (COB), fructosamine, b-hydroxybutyrate and DGGR (1,2-O-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-[6'-methylresorufin] ester) lipase activity. Data are presented as the median (range) and analysed by non-parametric tests. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The median (range) age of the 144 diabetic cats at diagnosis was 11 years (0.9-18.7), 66.4% were male, 84.6% were domestic shorthair, 50.4% were currently overweight and 61.5% were previously overweight (body condition score >5/9). Most cats were treated with insulin (84%), most commonly protamine zinc insulin (57.5%). Blood glucose curves or continuous glucose monitoring alone or in combination with other methods were performed to adjust insulin therapy in 70.6% of cats. Based on questionnaires, 78.6% were poorly controlled and 21.4% were well controlled. Increased TT4 occurred in 3/139 and hyperthyroidism was known in 5/139 cats (frequency of known/suspected hyperthyroidism: 5.8% [n = 8/139]); 17.5% (n = 17/97) had increased IGF-1 (IGF-1 >746 ng/ml, cut-off for hypersomatotropism with the chemiluminescence assay used in this study); 24.5% (n = 34/139) had COB <295.2 pmol/l and 54.2% (n = 78/144) had increased DGGR. Cats with IGF-1 >746 ng/ml were receiving a higher insulin dose than cats with IGF-1 ≤746 ng/ml (median 1.63 vs 0.86 U/kg/day, P = 0.018).

Conclusion and relevance: Increased DGGR and increased IGF-1 indicating hypersomatotropism are common in diabetic cats and should be tested for. Almost one-quarter of diabetic cats might require COB supplementation.

Objectives: Serum galectin-3 (sGal-3) is a protein present in renal tubules and increases in experimental rodent models of acute kidney injury. The aim of this study was to compare sGal-3 concentrations in healthy cats and cats with ureteral obstruction (UO).

Methods: This was a retrospective study. Banked serum was used for sGal-3 evaluations in 15 healthy control cats and 22 cats with UO. For the control cats, creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine were within reference intervals and ultrasound showed minimal to no kidney changes. A feline-specific sGal-3 ELISA was used to determine sGal-3 concentrations. Samples were analyzed in duplicate, and results were included if the coefficient of variation between samples was <20%. Shapiro-Wilk testing was used to evaluate for normality and parametric statistics were performed. P <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Mean (±SD) sGal-3 was lower in healthy cats (274.3 ± 146.5 pg/ml) than in cats with UO (707.7 ± 223.3 pg/ml; P <0.0001). There was no difference in sGal-3 concentrations between cats with unilateral or bilateral UO (P = 0.24) and no correlation between sGal-3 and creatinine, body weight or age. With a cutoff of 500 pg/ml, sGal-3 had a sensitivity of 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.95) and specificity of 100% (95% CI 0.79-1.00) for differentiating cats with UO from healthy cats.

Conclusions and relevance: An early diagnosis of UO is critical, given its associated morbidity and mortality. Given the differences in sGal-3 concentrations in healthy cats and those with UO in this study, sGal-3 shows potential for an early UO diagnosis; however, further research is needed.

Objectives: The primary objective of this investigation was to ultrasonographically evaluate the caudal vena cava to aorta (CVC:Ao) ratio in healthy, conscious cats and to generate reference intervals. A secondary objective was to identify the site of examination with the least intra- and inter-observer variability. This investigation was undertaken to assess whether the CVC:Ao ratio holds promise as a technique to assess intravascular volume responsiveness in cats.

Methods: In total, 42 healthy cats were included for reference interval generation. Ultrasound examinations were performed by two operators with each examination performed twice by each operator on the same occasion. Examinations were performed on conscious cats in left lateral recumbency. Ultrasound sites investigated were the subxiphoid, hepatic intercostal, hepatorenal and iliac bifurcation. Operators also assessed each site for 'ease of visualisation' on a scale of 0-3.

Results: Reference intervals were generated for the CVC:Ao ratio at all four ultrasonographic sites. While each site demonstrated low variability around its mean ratio, all sites exhibited significant intra- and inter-observer variability. The hepatorenal and iliac bifurcation sites were found to be the easiest to visualise (score 3; well-defined visualisation of both vessels) and had reference intervals of 0.8-1.41 and 0.75-1.2, respectively.

Conclusions and relevance: The ultrasonographic assessment of the CVC:Ao ratio was possible at four anatomical locations in the cat. The hepatorenal and iliac bifurcation may offer more readily assessable CVC:Ao ratios. Further studies are necessary to assess the utility of the CVC:Ao ratio in disease states, including in hypovolaemia and hypervolaemia.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences in intraoperative nociception, incision size and operative time between midline (OVEm) and flank ovariectomy (OVEf) in feral or stray cats.

Methods: Two groups of animals, the OVEm group (n = 19) and the OVEf group (n = 19), were evaluated at six intraoperative time points. Cats assigned to both groups were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (20 μg/kg IM) and methadone (0.2 mg/kg IM). General anaesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol to effect and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. The data collected included heart rate, non-invasive systolic and median blood pressure, respiratory rate, weight, body condition score, surgical time, incision size and rescue analgesia.

Results: Significant differences were observed between surgical approaches, with larger incision size (P <0.001) and longer surgery time (P = 0.04) in the OVEm group. No significant differences between surgical approaches were detected regarding intraoperative nociception (P >0.05).

Conclusions and relevance: Based on intraoperative nociception, there is no strong reason to advocate a preferred surgical approach for feline OVE in sterilisation programmes; however, considering surgery time and incision size, the OVEf approach may contribute to the sterilisation of more animals and reduce the risk of wound dehiscence as it allows for smaller incisions to be made in animals where postoperative wound control is difficult or impossible.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the safety and effectiveness of thoracic or lumbar partial lateral corpectomy (PLC) in cats with spinal cord compression due to intervertebral disc herniation (IVH).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 12 client-owned cats from two academic and one private referral veterinary centres. Cross-sectional imaging was available in 12 cats for evaluation of disc herniation. Nine cats had postoperative imaging for evaluation of slot creation and decompression. Neurological examination was performed for assessment of pre- and postoperative status. Complications were evaluated.

Results: Seven cats had severe (>50%), four moderate (>20 to <50%) and one mild (<20%) spinal cord compression on cross-sectional imaging. IVH occurred at Th12-13 in five cases, at L1-2 in two cases and at Th3-4, Th13-L1, L4-5 and L5-6 in one case each. After PLC, two cats had insufficient decompression (>20% remaining spinal cord compression), five had good decompression (<20% remaining spinal cord compression) and complete decompression (normal shape of the spinal cord) was achieved in two cats. Outcomes included five cats with an excellent result, three with significant improvement, one with mild improvement and three cats that died intra- or postoperatively due to extensive intraoperative bleeding. One cat was euthanased as a result of neurological deterioration 5 months postoperatively. The median follow-up period was 13.2 months (range 0 days to 84 months).

Conclusions and relevance: PLC in cats offers a potential treatment option for IVH to decompress the spinal cord. Fatal haemorrhage associated with this surgery is a significant risk, as occurred in 25% of the cats in this study. Surgeons should especially be aware of the potential for intraoperative haemorrhage and the need for sufficient slot creation to achieve sufficient spinal cord decompression and avoid complications.

Practical relevance: A significant number of genetic variants are known for domestic cats and their breeds. Several DNA variants are causal for inherited diseases and most of the variants for phenotypic traits have been discovered. Genetic testing for these variants can support breeding decisions for both health and aesthetics. Genetic testing can also be used to monitor for the health of, or provide targeted therapy for, an individual cat and, more widely, can progress scientific discovery. Technological improvements have led to the development of large panel genetic testing, which can provide many DNA results for a low cost.

Clinical challenges: With the development of large panel genetic testing has come companies that can carry out this service, but which company is best to use may not always be clear - more tests are not necessarily better. Usage and interpretation of genetic data and how the results are presented by commercial laboratories may also be confusing for veterinary practitioners and owners, leading to misinterpretations for healthcare, improper genetic counseling, and poor breed and population management.

Evidence base: The information provided in this review draws on scientific articles reporting the discovery, and discussing the meaning and implications, of DNA variants, as well as information from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA) website, which documents all the DNA variant discoveries. The author also provides suggestions and recommendations based on her personal experience and expertise in feline genetics.

Audience: This review is aimed at general practitioners and discusses the genetic tests that can be performed, what to consider when choosing a testing laboratory and provides genetic testing counseling advice. Practitioners with a high proportion of cat breeder clientele will especially benefit from this review and all veterinarians should realize that genetic testing and genomic medicine should be part of diagnostic plans and healthcare for their cat clients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the complication rates and long-term outcomes, as well as to refine case selection criteria for cats undergoing trochlear ridge augmentation (TRA) using an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene implant (UHMWPEI) for the treatment of patellar luxation (PL).

Methods: The clinical records from two referral veterinary hospitals were searched for cases that fitted defined inclusion criteria. A short-term assessment was based on examination and radiography at 8 weeks postoperatively. The long-term assessment was carried out at least 2 years postoperatively through examination and radiography, and less commonly via questionnaire.

Results: A total of 44 stifles in 39 patients with PL grade 2 (n = 19), 3 (n = 22) or 4 (n = 3) met the inclusion criteria. TRA using UHMWPEI was associated with minor complications in 20% of cases and major complications in 7% of cases. Minor complications included seroma formation (n = 5), superficial wound infection (n = 2), prolonged discomfort for a few weeks postoperatively (n = 1) and transient postoperative azotaemia (n = 1). After surgical correction of medial PL, one skeletally immature case developed transient grade 1 lateral PL, which resolved without intervention. Major complications comprised implant removal for ongoing lameness (n = 3). Degenerative joint disease, with mineralisation that was often marked, was noted in 26/35 (74%) cases that were available for radiographic follow-up 2 years or more after TRA. Nevertheless, good or very good long-term functional outcomes were achieved for 93% of cases.

Conclusions and relevance: The currently available UHMWPEIs were shown to be suitable for treating PL grades 2, 3 or 4 in cats weighing ⩾3 kg. Delaying TRA until growth is completed is advised. The long-term follow-up suggested that the correction of PL in cats with UHMWPEI was sustained and that good function could be expected in the long term. Mineralisation overlying implants was common, but this was not appreciably correlated with adverse functional consequences.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare two groups of cats with lower respiratory tract disease, one with Mycoplasma felis detected by PCR in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (M+) and the other without (M-), with regard to signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic results, treatment response and survival.

Methods: All cats for which M felis was investigated by PCR in BALF between 2016 and 2023 were included. Cats with evidence of oropharyngeal contamination, or for which PCR results were under the quantification level, or without follow-up information were excluded. Cats that had received antibiotics effective against M felis before BALF collection were excluded if PCR results were negative. Follow-up information was retrieved from the medical records and by contacting referring veterinarians and owners.

Results: A total of 55 cats were included (19 in the M+ group and 36 in the M- group). Significant differences were detected between the two groups in the prevalence of systemic signs (M+: 0%, M-: 28%; P = 0.01), bronchial collapse on bronchoscopy (M+: 28%, M-: 6%; P = 0.03), radiographic alveolar lesions (M+: 57%, M-: 24%; P = 0.04), and percentage of neutrophils (M+: 65%, M-: 35%; P = 0.002) and eosinophils (M+: 9%, M-: 25%; P = 0.03) in the BALF. Antibiotics were used more frequently in M+ cats (M+: 90%, M-: 42%; P = 0.001) than in M- cats. No significant difference was found in treatment response (short term: P = 0.94, long term: P = 0.28) and risk of death (P = 0.42) between the two groups.

Conclusions and relevance: The presence of radiographic alveolar lesions and neutrophilia in BALF was significantly associated with the detection of M felis in BALF. This association might be causal, consequential or contextual (ie, sharing the same cause). The detection of M felis in BALF did not negatively impact prognosis but the necessity to treat M felis using targeted antibiotics remains to be determined.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate ground reaction forces (GRFs) in cats after unilateral total hip replacement (THR) and compare them with cats after femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO).

Methods: The databases of the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary University in Vienna and three referral clinics were searched for cats that had undergone unilateral THR with the BioMedtrix Micro total hip system or FHO more than 6 months previously. Owners were invited to complete a survey and bring their cats for re-examination, inlcuding clinical and orthopaedic examinations, hip radiography and a gait analysis using a pressure-sensitive plate.

Results: Nine cats were included in each group. Cats after THR showed larger GRF values (peak vertical force [PFz] and vertical impulse [IFz] normalised to total force [%TF]) on the operated limb. The resulting symmetry indices (SIs) were lower in terms of vertical force in 7/9 (78%) cats and vertical impulse in 6/9 (67%) cats between the hindlimbs in cats after THR compared with FHO - SI (PFz) = 3.31% ± 2.19% (THR) vs 4.84% ± 2.99% (FHO) and SI (IFz) = 5.17% ± 3.66% (THR) vs 8.27% ± 3.12% (FHO). Cats after FHO showed significantly lower muscle circumference and range of motion (ROM) at the operated hindlimb compared with the contralateral side, whereas cats after THR showed no statistically significant differences between their hindlimbs. Owner surveys revealed significant differences in their subjective assessment of activity and change in gait between the two groups, with better values for cats after THR.

Conclusions and relevance: This was the first study that measured GRFs in cats after THR. PFz (%TF) and IFz (%TF) values were higher in the operated limb of the THR group than in those of the FHO group, resulting in lower symmetry indices (indicating better symmetry) and better loading of the corresponding hindlimb. This finding is clinically relevant and can help in making decisions regarding the treatment of hip joint pathologies in cats.