Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery最新文献

ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare three different fixation techniques for tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT) in cats in a non-cyclic load-to-failure model. The objective was to determine whether there was a significant difference between the maximum load at failure (MLF) and stiffness between a two-pin tension band wire construct (2PTBW), a two-pin construct with a maintained distal cortical attachment (2PDA) and a two-pin construct (2P), and to report the modes of failure of each group.MethodsTibiae from cat cadavers (n = 40) were allocated to one of four groups: 2PTBW, 2PDA, 2P and control (no surgery). The respective technique was performed on each tibia with a vertical alignment of the pins. Biomechanical testing was performed in a non-cyclic load-to-failure model; MLF, stiffness and mode of failure were recorded. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and pairwise comparisons.ResultsThe 2P group had a significantly lower MLF than the 2PTBW, 2PDA and control groups (P <0.05) and a significantly lower stiffness than the 2PDA and control groups (P <0.05). There was no significant difference between 2PTBW and 2PDA. The most common mode of failure in the 2PTBW group was vertical tearing of the tibial tuberosity, while in the 2PDA group, the distal cortical attachment fractured and the pins subsequently pulled out. The 2P group most commonly failed because of pin pull-out.Conclusions and relevanceThe 2PDA technique demonstrated similar strength to the 2PTBW technique in a load-to-failure model. The 2P technique was the weakest of the three. This study provides a foundation for further clinical research.

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the use of the feline Glasgow Composite Measured Pain Scale (CMPS-f) at home and in a veterinary hospital. The hypothesis was that pain-free cats would score higher in the CMPS-f when in a stressful situation than when calm and relaxed; that is, healthy but stressed cats could appear to be in discomfort or pain.MethodsHealthy, non-painful adult cats owned by clinical staff were included in a prospective clinical trial with two observers (caregiver [CG] and researcher). Cats were scored by their CG at home (H), after arrival at the clinic (C1) and after a routine health check (C2). A researcher pain-scored the cats at C1 and C2 concurrently with the CG. Friedmann's test with Dunn's multiple comparison test was used. The level of significance was set to an alpha of 5%.ResultsData from 17 cats were included in the statistical analysis. Scores by the CG and researcher at C2 were higher compared with H (P <0.01 and P <0.01, respectively) and C1 (P = 0.02 and P <0.01, respectively). The mean increase in CMPS-f scores from H to C2 and from C1 to C2 was 5.8 and 4.1, respectively. At C2, the CMPS-f intervention level of 5/20 and above, indicating pain, was reached in 11/17 cats. There was no significant difference in the scores assigned by the CG and researcher within each time point.Conclusions and relevancePain scores recorded after examinations in the clinic were significantly higher than those recorded at home. This suggests that stress may lead to a misinterpretation of the CMPS-f, potentially affecting the recognition of pain in cats during clinical assessments.

Oral and dental diseases are commonplace in cats, imposing a responsibility on primary care veterinarians to provide high quality oral healthcare for their feline patients. While patient assessment begins with an examination of the conscious cat, further assessment under anesthesia is necessary for the purposes of radiography and treatment, making anesthesia an essential component of feline dentistry. Because feline patients with oral and dental diseases, as well as those convalescing from surgery, generally experience pain, multimodal perioperative analgesia and anesthesia are standard features of oral and dental care. The '2025 FelineVMA feline oral health and dental care guidelines' are coauthored by a Task Force of board-certified veterinary specialists and a veterinary technician specialist in dentistry convened by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA). These experts have compiled evidence-guided recommendations for optimal oral health and dental care, including therapeutic interventions, in general feline practice. The focus is on the most commonly encountered oral and dental diseases in cats. These include periodontal disease, early-onset gingivitis, tooth resorption, endodontic disease and tooth trauma, feline chronic gingivostomatitis, developmental abnormalities such as malocclusion, and oral masses and growths, as well as various miscellaneous conditions. An extensive bibliography provides additional resources that extend beyond the topics reviewed in these Guidelines. Caregivers should be active participants in their cat's oral and dental healthcare. Veterinary team members can empower their patients' caregivers by educating them on signs of oral and dental disease in their cats and by providing home care guidance for maintaining oral and dental health. In any high-performing practice that cares for cats, the entire practice team are advocates for oral and dental care, and are knowledgeable about the principles of prevention and treatment of this important assortment of diseases.

ObjectivesHypersomatotropisim is an excessive production of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland, typically secondary to a pituitary tumour, which causes insulin-resistant diabetes and the clinical syndrome of acromegaly. Studies have shown the prevalence of hypersomatotropism among diabetic cats in the UK, Switzerland and the Netherlands to be in the range of 17.8-26%. The prevalence of hypersomatotropism in Australia is not known. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of hypersomatotropism in diabetic cats in Australia.MethodsResidual serum samples from cats with increased fructosamine or increased blood glucose and a clinical history of diabetes were submitted for the measurement of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Hypersomatotropism was defined as an IGF-1 of 1000 ng/ml or more. The prevalence and associated confidence interval were calculated (Jeffrey's method). Clinicopathological features between diabetic cats with and without hypersomatotropism were compared.ResultsSerum samples from 87 cats were included in the final analysis. IGF-1 was above 1000 ng/ml in 14 cats. The absolute prevalence of IGF-1 was 16%; therefore, the prevalence of hypersomatotropism (IGF-1 levels >1000 ng/ml) in an Australian population is estimated to be in the range of 9.5-24.9%. No significant difference was detected between breed (pedigree vs domestic), sex, age nor location (metropolitan vs regional) in cats with and without hypersomatotropism. Glucose and fructosamine concentrations did not differ between cats with and without hypersomatropism (P = 0.9 and P = 0.57, respectively).Conclusions and relevanceHypersomatotropism is an increasingly recognised condition in the feline population as a major contributor to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of hypersomatotropism in Australian diabetic cats is 16%, which is similar to results from other countries. Clinical features cannot be used to distinguish diabetic cats with and without hypersomatotropism, so screening using a validated IGF-1 assay is necessary.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate the extent and type of inflammation using the complete blood count (CBC) and selected CBC-derived inflammatory markers (neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio [NLR], monocyte:lymphocyte ratio [MLR] and systemic inflammation response index [SIRI]) in cats with cardiomyopathy stages American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) B and ACVIM C vs healthy cats. The second aim was to find any differences in CBC and CBC-derived inflammatory markers between cardiogenic pleural effusion and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.MethodsFor comparison between the control, ACVIM B and ACVIM C groups, one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) or Quade's non-parametric ANCOVA, with age included as a covariate, was used. The independent t-test or Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of data between cats with pulmonary oedema and those with pleural effusion. A value of P ⩽0.05 was considered significant.ResultsA total of 66 cats with cardiomyopathy (33 ACVIM B and 33 ACVIM C) and 24 healthy cats were included in the study. Cats in the ACVIM C group had a significantly higher white blood cell concentration than those in the ACVIM B control groups. Cats in the ACVIM C group had significantly higher neutrophil concentration, NLR, MLR and SIRI than healthy cats. Cats in the ACVIM B group had a significantly higher NLR and SIRI than healthy cats. Cats with pulmonary oedema and cats with pleural effusion did not differ significantly in any of the investigated CBC and selected CBC-derived inflammatory markers.Conclusions and relevanceThese results support the presence of inflammation in feline cardiomyopathies, particularly in the ACVIM C stage. With the parameters used, no differences in the extent or type of inflammation between cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion was demonstrable.

ObjectivesFeline bocavirus (FBoV) is a single-stranded DNA virus of the genus Bocaparvovirus, family Parvoviridae. First identified in 2012, it comprises three species - FBoV-1, FBoV-2 and FBoV-3 - and is globally distributed. Although associated with gastrointestinal disease in cats, its pathogenesis and shedding patterns remain unclear. This study investigated the shedding dynamics of FBoV in naturally infected cats with gastrointestinal signs.MethodsA longitudinal sampling approach was employed in three separate multi-cat households, involving seven symptomatic cats across multiple time points. Initial FBoV screening was performed using conventional PCR and three singleplex TaqMan-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed to detect and quantify FBoV-1, FBoV-2 and FBoV-3. The established singleplex qPCR assays were used for subsequent monitoring. Coinfection with other enteric viruses, particularly feline coronavirus (FCoV), was also evaluated.ResultsFBoV-1 and FBoV-2 were detected in multiple cats from house A, with coinfection observed in 5/9 (55.6%) cats and FBoV-1 alone in 1/9 cats. In contrast, only FBoV-1 was identified in cats from houses B and C. FCoV was frequently codetected in all households. qPCR revealed significant variation in viral load over time and across sample types. Positive viral detection persisted for 10-14 days after the resolution of clinical signs in most cases. Notably, one hospital-resident cat continued to present FBoV-1 for up to 65 days.Conclusions and relevanceThis is the first study to characterise FBoV load, and possibly shedding dynamics, in naturally infected cats using route-specific sampling and species-specific quantification. Findings demonstrate that FBoV can be present well beyond the clinical phase of illness, highlighting the possible risk of prolonged transmission or shedding in multi-cat environments. These insights are important for understanding FBoV pathogenesis and developing effective feline disease control strategies.

ObjectivesThousands of cats in the USA are newly diagnosed with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) each year, and known FeLV-infected cats are increasingly adopted from shelters. This study investigated optimal sample types to identify FeLV-infected cats and predictors of long-term survival in a cohort of FeLV-positive cats followed for up to 8 years after diagnosis.MethodsPreviously, 127 FeLV p27 antigen-positive cats were enrolled in a prospective study. Whole blood, plasma and serum were collected at enrollment and monthly for 6 months. All sample types were tested on SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test (SNAP) monthly, and results from microtiter plate ELISA (PetChek) for p27 antigen and a quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) for proviral DNA were used for confirmation and classification of infection status (high positive, low positive or cryptic/negative). After the 6-month testing phase, cats entered a lifetime survival monitoring phase. Owner-reported status in the current study extended previous survival results by 4 years.ResultsTesting anticoagulated whole blood on SNAP at enrollment identified five and nine more FeLV-infected low positive cats (n = 29) than plasma or serum, respectively. Although some low positive (n = 11) cats demonstrated variable test results on SNAP with plasma and serum, others (n = 17) were SNAP positive with all three sample types and classified as low positive based on PetChek and qPCR results. After an additional 4 years of monitoring, low positive cats had not reached a median survival, with 19/29 (66%) cats still alive compared with 2/90 (2.2%) high positive cats.Conclusions and relevanceAnticoagulated whole blood on SNAP was a sensitive indicator of FeLV infection relative to plasma and serum and therefore should be the preferred diagnostic sample for FeLV antigen testing. Combining the results of whole blood antigen testing, PetChek and qPCR identified cats as high positive, low positive or cryptic/negative, with high positive cats having higher risk for early mortality. Use of these diagnostic tools facilitates the management of FeLV as a chronic condition.

Practical relevance: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common feline endocrine disease. Developments in therapy mean there are now more options for treatment, including various types of insulin and novel oral medications. Use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices has increased, providing more detailed information on affected cats. Selecting the appropriate treatment for DM, monitoring the cat's response and treating complications can present challenges, but these patients are nonetheless rewarding cases to manage for clinicians.

Aim: The '2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus in cats' provide practical information on the management of complex as well as more routine cases. The importance of a team approach, involving veterinary professionals and the caregiver, is emphasised as this is likely to optimise patient outcomesClinical challenges:The pathogenesis of DM in cats, including absolute or relative insulin deficiency, can complicate management. Moreover, conditions such as hypersomatotropism, which is a prevalent underlying cause, as well as comorbidities that are common in affected populations of cats, warrant special consideration. Selecting the most appropriate therapy for the individual cat with DM relies on a thorough assessment of the case, including testing for comorbidities, if indicated, and excellent communication with caregivers. Treatment with either insulin or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors may be appropriate and should be combined with a diet and a monitoring regimen that are suitable and manageable for both cat and caregiver. Monitoring, to determine the response to treatment and to detect complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycaemia, may include placement of a CGM device.

Evidence base: These Guidelines have been created by a panel of experts brought together by the International Cat Care (iCatCare) Veterinary Society. Information is based on the available literature, expert opinion and the panel members' experience.

ObjectivesThe primary goal of this survey was to gain insight into cat owners' perspectives with respect to multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) advice for obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis (O-FIC). The secondary goal was to describe the environmental management practices of cat owners.MethodsAn online survey of clients whose cats were managed medically for presumed O-FIC was completed.ResultsA total of 167 responses met the inclusion criteria. The proportions of cat owners receiving advice for MEMO varied with each aspect of environmental enrichment: diet (94%), water intake (86.2%), litter box (56.9%), private physical space (43.7%), social interaction (25.1%) and natural behavior (26.3%). For all these environmental enrichment categories, clients reported high compliance rates (88.9-97.6%), and veterinarians were the main source of advice. Cat owners indicated similar median satisfaction scores (with the thoroughness of advice), in the range of 77-82, for all aspects of environmental enrichment. Overall, respondents also reported encountering minimal challenges in terms of implementing MEMO and described their current management practices.Conclusions and relevanceCat owners report that certain aspects of MEMO are emphasized for O-FIC, such as diet and water intake. Recommendations for litter box management, private physical space, social interaction and natural behavior are aspects of environmental enrichment that are not as commonly provided to cat owners. If given MEMO recommendations, cat owners readily complied. Veterinarians were the main source of MEMO advice, suggesting that they are the key to providing recommendations pertaining to all aspects of environmental enrichment.