Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery最新文献

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of hyperthyroidism in Spain, including its geographical distribution and prevalence across different age groups.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Samples submitted to a reference laboratory to evaluate serum total thyroxine concentration (TT4) during a 3-year period were evaluated (n = 27,888). A cat was considered hyperthyroid if the TT4 concentration was greater than 60.4 nmol/l (4.7 μg/dl). Hyperthyroid cats were classified based on their TT4 concentration at diagnosis as mildly (TT4 60.4-124.8 nmol/l [4.7-9.7 μg/dl]), moderately (TT4 124.8-249.68 nmol/l [9.7-19.4 μg/dl]) or severely (TT4 >249.6 nmol/l [>19.4 μg/dl]) hyperthyroid. The samples were also grouped by life stage, into young adults (1-6 years old), mature adults (7-10 years old) and seniors (>10 years old). The study included samples from 17 regions of Spain and geographical mapping was based on seven domains.

Results: One thousand seven hundred and twenty-two out of 27,888 cats (6.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.9-6.5) were classified as hyperthyroid. Within the hyperthyroid group, ages ranged from 2 to 25 years old, with a median of 14 years. Within the hyperthyroid population, 14/368 (3.8%), 27/368 (7.3%) and 327/368 (88.8%) were young adults, mature adults and seniors, respectively. The prevalence of hyperthyroidism in this laboratory-based sample in Spain was 2.7 (95% CI = 0.4-5.7) to 6.9% (95% CI = 6.4-7.4), depending on the geographical region. During the study period, 8.2% of cases that were initially non-hyperthyroid were later diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

Conclusions and relevance: Prevalence of hyperthyroidism in Spain is 6.2% (95% CI = 5.9-6.5) overall and 7.9% (95% CI = 7.2-8.8) in cats older than 10 years. The distribution of the disease is heterogeneous between different geographical regions. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to determine the risk factors in each region and understand the reasons for this variation.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to establish the incidence of dystocia in pedigree cat breeds and investigate mortality rates in kittens up to the age of 12 weeks.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted that utilised convenience sampling. Registered cat breeders from 29 countries whose cats had given birth within a single year (2019) were asked to complete an online questionnaire. This study is the third in a series over 30 years that have assessed changes in birth-related statistics in cat breeds.

Results: Data were collected from 448 breeders on 853 litters, with 3560 live-born kittens from 45 pedigree breeds (as per the queens' breed). The incidence of dystocia that required veterinary intervention was 14.9% and varied by breed (range 0-22.2%). Caesarean section was required for 10.7% of litters, most commonly in Cornish Rex cats. Despite apparent breed variation, there was no statistically significant difference among breeds. Queens aged over 5 years and litters of more than six kittens were associated with a reduced risk of dystocia, whereas a longer gestation period increased the risk. Bengal cats had the highest cumulative kitten mortality up to the age of 12 weeks (23.4%). Significant breed differences (P <0.001) were noted, with Ragdoll and Norwegian Forest Cats having lower litter mortality compared with Bengal and British Shorthair/Longhair cats.

Conclusions and relevance: The incidence of dystocia in pedigree cats was higher than the historical values for non-pedigree and pedigree cats. The age of the queen, gestation length and litter size affected the incidence of dystocia. Kitten mortality was affected by the requirement for caesarean section, presence of birth defects and breed.

Objectives: Window entrapment in cats can lead to reduced blood flow to the spinal cord, muscles and nerves, resulting in ischaemic neuromyelomyopathy. The severity and duration of entrapment greatly influence clinical and neurological outcomes, as well as prognosis. The aim of the present retrospective multicentric study (2005-2022) was to describe clinical, neurological and selected clinicopathological findings, as well as the outcome of cats trapped in bottom-hung windows, presented to both first-opinion and referral-only clinics.

Methods: The study included cats with detailed clinical and neurological evaluations at admission, along with at least one of the following biochemical parameters: creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, urea and/or creatinine. Clinical and neurological parameters evaluated in the study included rectal temperature, femoral pulse, gait, urinary bladder function, tail function and survival to discharge. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for survival and each clinical, neurological and biochemical variable.

Results: Of the 70 cats that met the inclusion criteria, only seven (10%) died or were euthanased during hospitalisation. Nevertheless, with the available data, we found evidence of an association between clinical and neurological status and survival, with tail function being the strongest association. Cats lacking tail sensation, motor function and/or tonus were more likely to die than cats with normal tail function or only mild abnormalities (OR = 24). Similarly, cats with severe hypothermia or an absent femoral pulse were less likely to survive (OR = 12.75 and 7.5, respectively). In this sample (with a relatively low number of deaths), we did not find evidence of an association between CK, AST and ALT activity with survival. However, the only two cats with severe increases in creatinine died.

Conclusions and relevance: Assessment of gait, urinary bladder function, femoral pulse, rectal temperature and particularly tail function is promising for predicting outcomes in cats with window entrapment trauma.

Objectives: Several anaesthetic protocols for caesarean section (c-section) have been described in dogs; however, anaesthesiological studies in cats undergoing c-section are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the viability and outcome of kittens born from queens undergoing emergency c-section and receiving propofol or alfaxalone for anaesthetic induction and isoflurane for maintenance of general anaesthesia.

Methods: All cats admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Bologna between January 2014 and December 2022 for dystocia that had undergone an emergency c-section were analysed in this retrospective study. The queens received propofol 2-6 mg/kg IV (group P) or alfaxalone 1-3 mg/kg IV (group A) administered slowly; general anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. Survival of all the kittens was evaluated at birth and after 24 h; in addition, heart rate, respiratory rate and mucous membrane colour were evaluated in the kittens at birth.

Results: Of the 14 cats included in the study, eight received alfaxalone (group A) and six received propofol (group P) for induction of the general anaesthesia. A total of 50 kittens were born by c-section: 30 kittens in group A and 20 in group P. The overall survival of the kittens was 90% at birth: 96.7% (29/30) for group A and 80% (16/20) for group P. The 24 h survival rate was 93.1% for group A and 87.5% for group P.

Conclusions and relevance: The results of the present study demonstrated that in cats undergoing c-section, both alfaxalone and propofol are feasible for the induction of general anaesthesia.

Objectives: Feline nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) is an uncommon disease in cats. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome with endoscopic and surgical treatments.

Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records were searched for cases of NPS and cases were divided into three groups: endoscopic treatment (balloon dilation); surgical treatment; or no treatment. Data are presented as median and range. Success rates and length of post-procedure corticosteroid treatment were compared between the two treated groups.

Results: A total of 21 cases were included: 10 males and 11 females (median age 6.7 years, range 0.5-14.4). Clinical signs at the time of initial presentation included permanent stertor (19/21), increased respiratory efforts (9/21), nasal discharge (9/21) and cough/reverse sneezing (6/21) with a duration in the range of 3-60 months. Diagnosis was based on endoscopy (21 cases) and CT (19 cases). In total, 12 cases were treated with endoscopic balloon dilation; 11 cases demonstrated a complete resolution of clinical signs (two cats had two dilations) and one case showed incomplete improvement after one balloon dilation but was successfully treated surgically. Eight cats were treated surgically (including one cat that was originally treated with balloon dilation), including seven cases with complete resolution of clinical signs and one case with a rostral NPS that failed to respond. Two cats were not treated and are still alive more than 3 years after diagnosis. The success rate was not different between the endoscopic (11/12) and surgically treated cases (7/8) (P = 0.85). The outcome was considered excellent in most of the cases as 18/23 procedures were successful, at least until the medium term, and 15/18 treated cats had no clinical signs of minimal stertor at follow-up.

Conclusions and relevance: This preliminary study suggests that minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of NPS has a high success rate and should be attempted in all cases with perforate stenotic membranes. When not achievable, extended palatoplasty can be recommended as a good alternative.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the all-cause mortality rate in cats hospitalized by the soft tissue surgery service of an academic referral hospital over a 5-year period and to identify specific risk factors for mortality. The hypotheses were that the all-cause mortality rate during hospitalization would be low, and cats undergoing emergency surgery and those with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status of 3 or more would be at increased risk for mortality.

Methods: The case log of cats hospitalized by the soft tissue surgery service at the University of Georgia was searched retrospectively to identify all cats hospitalized in the years 2015-2020. Data collected about each cat included age, sex and neuter status, weight, body condition score (1-9), pre-existing heart disease, chronic kidney disease, concurrent infection or cancer, emergency status, time of surgery (daytime vs after hours, which was defined as after 4 pm), if the surgery was performed on a weekday or weekend, and general type of surgery. Univariable logistic regressions were implemented to test and estimate odds ratios for the effects of risk factors on in-hospital mortality. A multivariable logistic regression was developed that initially included all risk factors with P <0.05 on univariable analysis. Log-likelihood ratio test P values and profile-likelihood confidence intervals were reported.

Results: The all-cause mortality rate was 6.1%. Analysis was limited because of low mortality, but multivariable analysis identified increasing ASA status and emergency surgery as significant risk factors for increased mortality while hospitalized.

Conclusions and relevance: The findings of this study confirmed that increasing ASA status and emergency procedures are significant risk factors for mortality in cats. Clinicians should be aware of these risk factors and consider how to best monitor and manage these feline patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine if cats administered robenacoxib immediately after gastrointestinal surgery have a similar complication rate to cats that were not administered robenacoxib.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for 154 cats that underwent gastrointestinal surgery between December 2015 and September 2021 in this retrospective study. Data collected included patient signalment, presenting complaint, surgical procedure(s) performed, robenacoxib administration and major postoperative complications. Cats were excluded if they did not have a 2-week postoperative follow-up examination. Two groups were analyzed: group R (postoperative robenacoxib administration) consisted of 43 cats; and group C (no postoperative robenacoxib administration) consisted of 111 cats.

Results: Complications occurred in 10/43 (23.2%) cats in group R and 34/111 (30.6%) cats in group C. Major complications occurred in 1/43 (2.3%) in group R and 14/111 (12.6%) in group C. Minor complications occurred in 9/43 (20.9%) cats in group R and 20/111 (18.0%) cats in group C. One of 43 cats (2.3%) in group R and 10/111 (9.0%) cats in group C were euthanized or died within 0-16 days after gastrointestinal surgery.

Conclusions and relevance: Cats that were administered robenacoxib postoperatively did not have an increase in major postoperative complications after gastrointestinal surgery compared with cats that were administered an alternative analgesic medication. The use of robenacoxib in cats after gastrointestinal surgery may be a safe analgesic option for postoperative pain control.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of transmucosal glucagon powder (Baqsimi; Amphastar Pharmaceuticals) on blood glucose (BG) concentrations in healthy cats and describe adverse reactions to its administration.

Methods: A randomized, controlled, crossover study was conducted on six healthy cats with a 7-day washout period between treatments. Transmucosal glucagon powder was administered intranasally and rectally and compared with intranasal placebo. Blood was collected at -15 and -1 mins before glucagon administration and 5, 15, 25, 35, 45 and 60 mins after to evaluate BG, plasma glucagon concentrations (pGlucagon) and plasma potassium concentrations (K⁺). Stress scores and adverse effects were recorded at all time points.

Results: Median pGlucagon in the nasal and rectal groups increased from baseline (nasal: 12.2 pmol/l, range 3.5-44.1; rectal: 6.9 pmol/l, range 2.9-21.1) to 218.5 pmol/l (range 7.9-349.8; P = 0.02) and 349.8 pmol/l (range 67.4-349.8; P = 0.01), respectively, 15 mins after administration. Median BG increased from baseline (101 mg/dl, range 91-110) 15 mins after nasal (137.5 mg/dl, range 104-251; P = 0.006) and rectal (229 mg/dl, range 99-285; P = 0.002) administration. Median K+ decreased from baseline (nasal: 3.8 mmol/l, range 3.6-4.1; rectal: 3.7 mmol/l, range 3.5-3.9) to 3.4 mmol/l (range 3.1-3.6; P = 0.04) at 15 mins with nasal administration, and to 3.2 mmol/l (range 3.1-3.6; P = 0.04) at 15 mins and 3.1 mmol/l (range 2.9-3.4; P = 0.01) at 25 mins with rectal administration. No significant changes were detected in the placebo group. No serious adverse effects were noted.

Conclusions and relevance: Transmucosal glucagon administration is effective in raising BG with minimal side effects in healthy cats. Future studies are needed to quantify the efficacy and safety of transmucosal glucagon in diabetic cats, especially during hypoglycemic crises.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate in a randomized, triple-masked, placebo-controlled trial, outcomes for kittens with ocular manifestations of infectious upper respiratory disease (IURD) treated with an ophthalmic and oral antibiotic only vs those also treated with famciclovir.

Methods: Kittens were stratified into three age (1 to <4, 4 to <8 or 8-12 weeks) and two disease severity ('mild' [total disease score 1-11] or 'severe' [total disease score 12-23]) groups and randomized to receive approximately 5 mg/kg doxycycline either with placebo (group D) or with approximately 90 mg/kg famciclovir (group DF) PO q12h. Caregivers scored clinical signs once daily for 21 days. Ophthalmic examinations and scoring by veterinarians were completed on days 1 and 21. Ophthalmic and clinical resolution were defined as scores of zero for all ocular signs and all ocular and respiratory signs, respectively. Ophthalmic and clinical recovery were defined by absence of active inflammation.

Results: For kittens with mild disease, those in group D were slower than those in group DF to achieve clinical recovery (P = 0.049) and clinical resolution (P = 0.030), but not ophthalmic recovery (P = 0.064) or ophthalmic resolution (P = 0.089). Kittens with mild disease and receiving famciclovir achieved predicted 75% clinical resolution 4-5 days earlier than kittens with mild disease and receiving doxycycline alone, and kittens with severe disease (regardless of treatment group). Significantly fewer kittens in group DF developed corneal disease than in group D (P = 0.016). All five kittens whose clinical signs worsened sufficiently to be removed from the study were in group D.

Conclusions and relevance: The addition of famciclovir to standard antibiotic treatment may reduce corneal disease, length of stay and time to adoption for shelters and rescue groups, thereby increasing capacity for care. Early administration of famciclovir in kittens exhibiting mild ocular manifestations of IURD may be preferable to delaying this treatment until the disease progresses to a severe stage.