Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery最新文献

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 aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral molnupiravir (MPV; EIDD-2801) in cats with naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), with a subset of cats being administered a known immune stimulant (liposome-toll-like receptor agonist complex [LTC] orally.MethodsA prospective, open-label longitudinal single-center clinical trial was conducted. Cats with FIP were enrolled and treated with oral MPV (10-21 mg/kg PO q12h) for 84 days. A subset of cats (41 cats with effusive FIP) was randomized to concurrently be administered the oral immune stimulant. Cats were evaluated at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks followed by a 12-week observation period.ResultsA total of 73 cats were included in the study and 77% of the cats survived to 6 months. The median total bilirubin concentrations were significantly different (P = 0.0007) between the survivors vs non-survivors. Relapses occurred in 12% of the cats (at 9-99 days after discontinuing treatment), and all achieved remission during a second course of treatment. Clinicopathologic features associated with FIP normalized during the study period; however, some cats showed decreased cholesterol levels and lymphocytosis during treatment. No adverse effects necessitated discontinuation of either treatment. No effects of the LTC were apparent in this study.Conclusions and relevanceMPV administered at 10-21 mg/kg PO q12h for 12 weeks is well tolerated and an effective treatment (77% success) for all forms of naturally occurring FIP, with a relapse rate of 12%. These results support those of other studies showing that MPV is an effective treatment for cats diagnosed with FIP. Additional studies will be required to determine if any benefits might be derived from the LTC treatment.

Approximately 10% of cats with diabetes mellitus (diabetes) are euthanased at diagnosis and a further 10% euthanased within the first year of treatment, despite diabetes being a treatable disease. This review presents a spectrum of veterinary care aimed at providing practitioners with a range of treatment options to discuss with owners, potentially helping to prevent euthanasia at the time of diagnosis. Barriers such as owner concerns about lifestyle impact, pet welfare and presence of comorbidities contribute to decisions to euthanase, while financial limitations can significantly restrict access to veterinary care for cats with diabetes. This highlights the urgent need to implement a spectrum of care approach for feline diabetes with the aim of reducing euthanasia rates and improving owner and cat outcomes.

Case series summaryA retrospective, single-center case series describes five cats with primary portal vein hypoplasia (PVH). This case series outlines clinical signs, diagnostics, treatments and prognosis in cats diagnosed with primary PVH based on histopathology. Pathology records from cats that underwent liver biopsies were retrospectively searched to identify cats with histologic features of portal vein hypoperfusion. Patients with concurrent hepatic conditions such as portosystemic shunts, portal vein obstruction, arteriovenous fistulas and other hepatic conditions that complicate vasculature were excluded, leaving five cases for inclusion. In this case series, 3/5 cats were asymptomatic, with abnormalities detected on biochemistry or abdominal ultrasound, one cat presented with lethargy and one cat presented with gastrointestinal signs associated with a foreign body. Of the five cats in this series, four underwent treatment with follow-up biochemistry profiles. One cat in this study was a well-controlled diabetic and hyperthyroid, while one cat was newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism after biopsies, which complicated liver enzyme interpretation. Treatment protocols were variable and encompassed management of concurrent metabolic disorders, use of hepatoprotective medications, hepatic encephalopathy therapy, antimicrobial treatment, copper chelation and immunosuppressive therapy. A larger case series or a prospective study is necessary to establish the optimal treatment plan, as there were no established standards for managing this condition for this cohort. Four cats with confirmed follow-up had an average survival time of 878.5 days after diagnosis, indicating a favorable prognosis.Relevance and novel informationPVH is a stereotypical microscopic finding in liver portal tracts, most often linked to portosystemic shunts. It can occur with any condition that reduces portal blood flow. In the absence of a shunt, arteriovenous fistula or portal vein obstruction, it is termed primary portal vein hypoplasia, which is poorly characterized in cats.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined grapiprant and tapentadol on intraoperative physiological parameters, the occurrence of adverse events and postoperative analgesic efficacy in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy, using two multidimensional pain scales.MethodsA total of 60 mixed-breed female cats were enrolled in a randomized, prospective, blinded study. The animals were evenly distributed into four groups (n = 15 per group). In total, 51 animals completed the study; the control group received placebo (CON; n = 11), while the grapiprant group (GRA; n = 13) received grapiprant (3.8 ± 0.5 mg/kg), the tapentadol group (TAP; n = 14) received tapentadol (5.3 ± 1.2 mg/kg) and the grapiprant-tapentadol group (GT; n = 13) received a combination of grapiprant (4.2 ± 0.5 mg/kg PO) and tapentadol (5 ± 0.6 mg/kg PO) 1 hour before initiation of the standardized anesthesia protocol and surgical procedure. Physiological parameters were monitored during surgery, and postoperative pain was assessed for 6 h after extubation using the Short Form of the UNESP-Botucatu Feline Pain Score (UFESP-SF) and the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS), administered by two blinded evaluators.ResultsNo adverse effects or statistically significant differences in physiological parameters were observed between groups. The assessment of pain scores showed good reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficient values of 0.89 for the FGS and 0.91 for the UFESP-SF, supporting inter-rater agreement for both instruments. At 3 h postoperatively, FGS scores differed significantly between the CON and GT groups (P = 0.0363). Rescue analgesia requirements also varied among groups (P = 0.0110): the GT group required rescue at 3 h compared with 1 h in the CON group (P = 0.0007) and 2 h in the GRA group (P = 0.0058).Conclusions and relevanceThe results of this study showed that the analgesic effect of the grapiprant-tapentadol combination lasted up to 3 h in the postoperative period, which was longer than the 2 h of grapiprant and tapentadol alone, without compromising intraoperative physiological stability.

ObjectivesThis study described the pharmacokinetics of bupivacaine after bilateral maxillary and caudal inferior alveolar nerve blocks in adult cats under general anaesthesia.MethodsA total of 10 healthy adult cats (mean ± SD weight 4.8 ± 0.8 kg) were included in a randomised, prospective trial. The anaesthetic protocol consisted of acepromazine-methadone-propofol-isoflurane. Each cat randomly received 0.2 (BUPI2) or 0.3 ml (BUPI3) of bupivacaine 0.5% per site (4 and 6 mg per cat, respectively) (n = 5/group). Blood was collected before (time 0) and at 2, 7, 20, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480 and 600 mins after all dental blocks. Plasma concentrations of bupivacaine were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The pharmacokinetics of bupivacaine were described using a non-compartmental analysis.ResultsMean doses of bupivacaine were significantly different (BUPI2: 0.88 ± 0.14 mg/kg; BUPI3: 1.22 ± 0.21 mg/kg). For BUPI2 and BUPI3, mean maximum bupivacaine plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 825 ± 299 and 926 ± 197 ng/ml at 5.0 ± 2.7 and 9.6 ± 5.8 mins (time to peak concentration); mean area under the curve to the last measured concentration was 142 ± 36 and 180 ± 60 min*µg/ml; mean clearance was 5.4 ± 0.8 and 7 ± 5.7 ml/min/kg; mean elimination half-life was 245 ± 54 and 278 ± 90 mins; and mean residence time to the last measured concentration was 185 ± 13 and 182 ± 33 mins, respectively. Concentrations of bupivacaine were detected up to 600 mins (72 ± 22 ng/ml in BUPI2 and 104 ± 55 ng/ml in BUPI3).Conclusions and relevanceBilateral maxillary and caudal inferior alveolar nerve blocks using two volumes and doses of administration produced C_max below those reported to cause toxicity in cats. Further studies are warranted to investigate the pharmacodynamics of dental blocks in cats.