Archivaldo Reche Júnior

Skin fragility syndrome in a cat with cholangiohepatitis and hepatic lipidosis

A case of acquired skin fragility syndrome associated with hepatic disease in a 9-year-old, spayed female, domestic shorthair cat is described. The cat was admitted to the veterinary hospital of the University of São Paulo (Brazil) with a 6-week history of vomiting, inappetence and weight loss. Remarkable signs were weakness, lethargy and profound jaundice that had been present for 10 days according to the owner. On completion of the physical examination, when the cat was gently manipulated for blood collection the thoracic limb and interscapular skin tore. Liver enzymes and bilirubin levels were all above the normal range. On histological examination of skin and liver, Massons trichrome stain showed collagen fibre alteration and major hepatocyte abnormalities. Findings were consistent with feline skin fragility syndrome associated with cholangiohepatitis and hepatic lipidosis.

Semelhanças entre a doença idiopática do trato urinário inferior dos felinos e a cistite intersticial humana

Despite all the new diagnostic resources, the idiopathic feline lower urinary tract disease (iFLUTD) is still a problem to be solved in veterinary medicine. This review was carried out to compare the iFLUTD to interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder disease of human beings. The most important similarities of both diseases which will be discussed in the review are the urinary bladder neurogenic inflammation, the role of stress in the pathogenesis and/or exacerbation of clinical signs of both diseases (human and feline) and also the findings of the cystoscopy and histopathology. However, one can conclude that besides commercial diets, the might be some other explanation for the urinary bladder inflammation in cats with lower urinary tract disease.

Serum intact parathyroid hormone levels in cats with chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently observed in cats and it is characterized as a multisystemic illness, caused by several underlying metabolic changes, and secondary renal hyperparathyroidism (SRHPT) is relatively common; usually it is associated with the progression of renal disease and poor prognosis. This study aimed at determining the frequency of SRHPT, and discussing possible mechanisms that could contribute to the development of SRHPT in cats at different stages of CKD through the evaluation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, as well as acid-base status. Forty owned cats with CKD were included and divided into three groups, according to the stages of the disease, classified according to the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) as Stage II (n=12), Stage III (n=22) and Stage IV (n=6). Control group was composed of 21 clinically healthy cats. Increased serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentrations were observed in most CKD cats in all stages, and mainly in Stage IV, which hyperphosphatemia and ionized hypocalcemia were detected and associated to the cause for the development of SRHPT. In Stages II and III, however, ionized hypercalcemia was noticed suggesting that the development of SRHPT might be associated with other factors, and metabolic acidosis could be involved to the increase of serum ionized calcium. Therefore, causes for the development of SRHPT seem to be multifactorial and they must be further investigated, mainly in the early stages of CKD in cats, as hyperphosphatemia and ionized hypocalcemia could not be the only factors involved.

A orbifloxacina no tratamento das cistites bacterianas em gatos domésticos

The main goals of this study were the evaluation of orbifloxacin in the treatment of lower urinary tract infection in cats, and its toxicity mainly to kidney and/or liver. To achieve these goals, quantitative urine cultures were performed in 53 urine samples, collected from cats with signs of lower urinary tract infection. Bacterial cystitis was confirmed in 13 cats, however in only 10 samples the isolated bacteria was in vitro susceptible to orbifloxacin. These 10 cats with bacterial cystitis were submitted to the treatment with orbifloxacin (2.5mg kg-1 once a day/10 days). Seventy two hours after finishing the treatment, urine samples were collected and cultured again. The results were a negative urine culture for all ten cats. No signs of liver and/or kidney toxicity were observed in these cats since the serum liver enzymes alanine aminotranferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and serum albumin, besides urea and creatinine have not changed after using this drug. These results suggest that orbifloxacin can be safely used as an antibacterial drug for urinary tract infection in cats.