Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery最新文献

Fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH) facilitates visualisation of intracellular bacteria in tissues. There is little research looking at the role of intracellular bacteria in inflammatory disease within feline medicine.To determine whether bacteria are present in feline cardiac, hepatic and renal tissues where inflammation has been identified and compare the location of any bacteria with areas of inflammation within those tissues.Study group (SG) cases were selected from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine's pathology archive, 2012-2022. 23 cases fulfilled inclusion requirements. Three sequential sections were assessed by FISH (using eubacterial and non-eubacterial probes) and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Control group (CG) cases were selected from the same archive (n=6) where death was trauma-related; no other disease states were noted; the same three tissues were available for testing. Known bacteria-positive sections were included with each batch of slides processed to confirm successful hybridization.52.12%, CI 30.6-73.2 SG cases demonstrated bacteria within some or all tissues tested. 78.3%, CI 56.3-92.5 demonstrated the presence of inflammatory cells (IC) in one or more tissues. Of the IC-positive SG cases, 61.1%, CI 35.7-82.7 demonstrated bacteria by FISH; the presence of bacteria in either the liver or kidney, was frequently associated with the presence of IC 77.7%, CI 40.0-97.2 cases and 80%, CI 28.4-99.5 cases respectively. In these, IC distribution did not match bacterial distribution. Of CG cases, 83.3%, CI 35.9-99.6 were negative for IC. Notably, in the IC-negative CG cases, two were positive for bacteria by FISH 40%, CI 5.3-85.3. Pearson-Chi2-test demonstrated a Chi2 of 0.71; P=0.40.Despite this pilot study being limited by a small sample size, bacteria were successfully detected within FFPE samples of feline heart, liver and kidney. We demonstrated that bacteria may not co-locate with all instances of inflammation, suggesting the need for greater vigilance for the presence of fastidious bacteria and/or low-grade infection.

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.

ObjectivesThis study investigated the presence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) in the circulation as a prognostic factor in critically ill cats.MethodsCritically ill cats were prospectively included over 11 months if they fulfilled at least 3/4 systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria or if their general condition was severely reduced. All cats underwent a physical examination and blood collection for haematological and clinical chemical parameters, including NRBCs at admission and during hospitalisation. Outcome was defined as survival to 28 days after discharge from hospital. For manual microscopic NRBC count, 300 nucleated cells were examined and recorded as relative NRBC count (rNRBC). Absolute NRBC (aNRBC) numbers were calculated from those values: aNRBC = rNRBC × (white blood cell [WBC]/100).ResultsNRBCs, and most commonly metarubricytes, were detected in 25/94 critically ill cats. Primary underlying diseases were infectious (n = 10), neoplastic (n = 33), metabolic (n = 29), cardiovascular (n = 10), neurological (n = 5) and miscellaneous (n = 7). A positive correlation of absolute NRBCs with corrected WBCs (r = 0.448) was observed. After 28 days, 18 cats were still alive and 76 cats did not survive. Mortality did not differ between NRBC-positive and NRBC-negative cats (P = 0.641). Absolute NRBC count was 0.382 × 10⁹/l (range 0.032-28.990) and did not differ between survivors and non-survivors. Anaemia was not associated with NRBCs. All but one of the six NRBC-positive cats on day 2 did not survive.Conclusions and relevanceNRBCs can be observed in the blood of critically ill cats; however, their occurrence did not have a prognostic value.

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of corneal injury in cats undergoing general anesthesia (GA) while receiving prophylactic ocular lubrication, identify risk factors for corneal injury and quantify the effect of GA on tear production in cats.MethodsA total of 42 cats undergoing GA for non-ophthalmic procedures were included. Before GA, an ocular examination including a Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1) and fluorescein stain (FS) was performed. Prophylactic lubrication was administered at the time of anesthetic induction and repeated every 15 mins until extubation. At 1 h after extubation, STT-1 and FS were performed and repeated hourly for 4 h. A Shapiro-Wilk test and paired t-test compared STT-1 results before and after GA. Logistic regression was used to analyze corneal injury and possible risk factors for corneal injury.ResultsNo cats developed FS uptake consistent with corneal ulceration. In total, 14 cats and 23 (27.4%) eyes developed corneal erosion at all time points. There was a significant decrease in tear production at all four time points after GA. Pre-medication opioid choice and corneal exposure were identified as significant risk factors for corneal injury.Conclusions and relevanceCorneal ulceration did not develop after GA in this study. There was a significant decrease in tear production in cats for at least 4 h after GA. Cats appear to have a higher prevalence of corneal injury after GA compared with dogs. Frequent eye lubrication is recommended for feline patients during and after GA.

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.

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.