Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery最新文献

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.

ObjectivesThe present study evaluated the safety and efficacy of intravenous, allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UMSCs) for client-owned cats with refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS).MethodsThis was a 90-day prospective, multi-site, baseline-controlled, clinical trial involving 46 cats with refractory FCGS after partial- or full-mouth extractions. Cats received two doses of 20 million UMSCs, 14 days apart. Effectiveness was evaluated at days 14, 28, 60 and 90 using owner-reported assessment of overall response (ORA), client-specific outcome measures (CSOM) of quality-of-life improvement and veterinarian-assessed global oral lesion score (GOLS) tissue healing. Safety assessments included clinical observations and clinical pathology.ResultsTreatment success rates at days 28, 60 and 90 were 61.4% (27/44), 76.3% (29/38) and 78.8% (26/33) for CSOM; 65.9% (29/44), 73.7% (28/38) and 75.8% (25/33) for ORA; and 31.8% (13/44), 47.5% (18/38) and 45.5% (15/33) for GOLS. CSOM and GOLS on day 14 after a single dose were 52.3% (23/44) and 25.0% (11/44), respectively. Cats treated within 6 months of tooth extraction had greater improvement in GOLS. There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes between cats with partial- or full-mouth extractions. Adverse events were generally mild and transient, with most related to underlying disease. All six serious adverse events were either unlikely to be due to, or in one case inconclusively attributed to, UMSC therapy.Conclusions and relevanceRepeated intravenous UMSC therapy was well tolerated and demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in quality of life in cats with refractory FCGS within 2 weeks of treatment. In addition, oral lesions continued to improve over time. These results support the safe and effective use of UMSCs for this life-threatening condition.

This article reviews the importance of a team approach in feline chronic pain management for optimal outcomes. It discusses the role of different stakeholders and the importance of collaboration, communication and strategies for improved experiences for cats and caregivers on their journey. Chronic pain is maladaptive and negatively impacts on all domains of animal welfare. It can occur by itself, but most commonly is secondary to other chronic conditions. Ensuring that cats suffering from chronic pain are managed effectively requires a collaborative approach between all stakeholders, including client care staff, veterinarians, veterinary nurses or technicians, veterinary support staff and clinic management, as well as the cat and the caregiver. The journey starts with clinical signs displayed by the cat and perceived by the caregiver, and ends, for most cases, with end-of-life considerations. Diagnosis of chronic pain and design of a treatment plan result from a partnership between the caregiver and veterinary team. Management of chronic pain is focused on maintaining quality of life while empowering caregivers to be part of the healthcare team, avoiding adverse effects from medication and balancing comorbidities. The journey for cats and their caregivers is influenced by numerous factors, including the clinical condition of the cat and the caregiver's response to different burdens, but mostly by the care they receive from the clinic and veterinary teams involved in the process. Empathetic communication is paramount and helps to optimise the cat's care while supporting caregivers.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine if there were any characteristic features of urethral ruptures (URs) on plain radiographs of cats.MethodsA retrospective, multicentre, case-control study was conducted. Radiographs including the perineum of 22 cats with UR and 70 cats without UR were blindly assessed by two reviewers, scrutinising for features including a perineal bulge, heterogeneous perineal tissue and visibility of the urinary bladder.ResultsA significant association was identified between URs and a perineal bulge (P ⩽0.003), resulting in a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity in the range of 38.6-47.1%, and between the presence of URs and a larger perineal bulge size (P <0.001). URs secondary to traumatic accidents were associated with a larger perineal bulge than those secondary to iatrogenic rupture. Cats with URs were more likely to have heterogeneous perineal tissue (P <0.001). There was a significant association between pelvic fractures and a perineal bulge (P ⩽0.001), but not between pelvic fractures and URs (P = 0.783). Binary logistic regression revealed associations between the reviewers' suspicion for a UR and the reviewers' recommendation for a lower urinary tract contrast study (LUTS) and a confirmed UR (P <0.001). There was no significant association between an invisible urinary bladder and the presence of a UR (P ⩾0.243).Conclusions and relevanceIdentification of a perineal bulge or heterogeneous perineal tissue in a cat may raise suspicion for a UR, especially in the absence of musculoskeletal injury, which is crucial in reducing time to diagnosis and, therefore, treatment. However, because of the low specificity, correlation with the clinical findings and confirmation or exclusion via a LUTS remains necessary. Visibility of a urinary bladder does not exclude UR.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to detect hypoglycaemia episodes and evaluate glucose dynamics and glycaemic variability in insulin-treated diabetic and healthy cats using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). Blood glucose curves are useful for managing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) but may miss the nadir and peak.MethodsA CGMS with a 7-day recording period (range 2.2-22.2 mmol/l) was implanted in six healthy and 10 insulin-treated diabetic cats to obtain 24-h glucose curves. For each cat, mean, minimum and maximum glucose concentration, SD and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated for the daytime and night-time.ResultsMost diabetic cats removed sensors prematurely, but 24-h curves were obtained in all; the only adverse effect of the device was mild local skin irritation. In healthy cats, nights had higher SD (0.6 mmol/l [range 0.2-0.8] vs 0.4 mmol/l [range 0.2-0.6]; P = 0.037) and CV (13% [range 5-23] vs 10% [range 4-16]; P = 0.041) compared with the days; mean, minimum and maximum glucose concentration showed no diurnal-nocturnal differences. In diabetic cats, no differences were observed for mean, minimum and maximum glucose concentrations, SD and CV. Hypoglycaemia episodes (<3.5 mmol/l) occurred in five healthy and four diabetic cats, either during the day or night. Compared with well-controlled diabetic cats, those with moderate to poor control had higher mean and maximum glucose concentrations during the 24 h and had higher SD during the day than at night.Conclusions and relevanceContinuous glucose monitoring revealed increased nocturnal glycaemic variability in healthy cats but not in diabetic cats. Furthermore, cats with moderately to poorly controlled DM had higher diurnal glycaemic variability than those well controlled. Low glucose concentrations occurred in both groups and at any time, emphasising the benefit of 24-h glucose curves in diabetic cats.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of capromorelin to manage weight loss in cats with unintended weight loss, as occurs in chronic kidney disease (CKD), in a randomized, masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical field study.MethodsA total of 176 client-owned cats with existing CKD and unintended weight loss of 5% or more were enrolled. Cats were randomized 2:1 to receive capromorelin or a vehicle placebo orally once daily for 55 days. Changes in body weight and safety parameters were monitored throughout the study.ResultsBody weight increased progressively with time in the capromorelin group and decreased in the placebo group. For the effectiveness population data sample (n = 112), mean change in body weight from day 0 to day 55 was +5.18% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.45-6.91) with capromorelin and -1.65% (95% CI -3.82 to 0.55) with placebo. The treatment effect (capromorelin minus placebo) from day 0 to day 55 was +6.81% (95% CI 4.21-9.42) with P <0.0001, representing +0.25 kg (95% CI 0.15-0.35) body weight. Hypersalivation was observed only in the capromorelin group (P <0.0001). For all other adverse events (AEs), there was no significant difference between the treatment groups: in the capromorelin group 96/118 (81.4%) cats and in the placebo group 41/58 (70.7%) cats had at least one reported AE (P = 0.3650).Conclusions and relevanceCapromorelin was safe and effective, and provides a valuable new option to maintain or increase body weight in cats with CKD.