Nicki Reed

Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats with diarrhoea in the UK

Faecal samples from 111 cats with diarrhoea that were living in the UK were submitted for the assessment of Tritrichomonas foetus infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sixteen (14.4%) samples were found to be positive. In agreement with studies from the USA, infected cats were predominantly of a year of age or less and of a pedigree breed, with Siamese and Bengal cats specifically over-represented in this population.

CNS disease in the cat: Current knowledge of infectious causes

Practical relevance Neurological disease is a relatively common reason for referral, constituting approximately 10% of the feline referral caseload. Nearly one-third to one-half of these cases may be infectious in origin. As such, an awareness of infectious diseases causing central nervous system (CNS) signs in cats, and their clinical diagnosis and management, is relevant to anyone dealing with cats on a regular basis. Global importance Some conditions (eg, rabies) are more common in certain countries than others. Conditions such as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and toxoplasmosis are of global significance. Patient group Many infectious diseases may affect any feline population. Some, such as FIP, are more common in pedigree households, whereas others such as toxoplasmosis, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infections, are more likely to affect a single cat with an outdoor lifestyle. Equipment All patients benefit from thorough history taking and clinical, neurological and ophthalmic examinations, which all require minimal equipment. Infectious diseases may often be diagnosed on blood samples; however, definitive diagnosis may require more extensive investigation involving cerebrospinal fluid analysis or advanced imaging necessitating access to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Evidence base The information in this review, which summarises current knowledge of infectious diseases affecting the CNS, is collated from publications on the infectious diseases comprising previous research papers, review articles, case series, case reports and textbooks, supplemented by the clinical experience of the authors.

Nasopharyngeal Disease in Cats: 1. Diagnostic investigation

Practical relevance: Nasal discharge, sneezing and upper respiratory noise are frequent presenting signs in feline practice. Clinical challenges: The small nasal cavity of the cat can make visualisation of lesions challenging. In addition, investigations may identify only secondary complications of a disease process, rather than the initial aetiological agent. Global importance: Nasopharyngeal disease is a worldwide problem. However, fungal disease shows regional variations in prevalence. Audience: This review, aimed at general practitioners as well as those undertaking more specialist investigations in feline respiratory disease, aims to provide practical guidance on the approach necessary to obtain a diagnosis in cats with nasopharyngeal disease. It should also help to explain why a specific diagnosis may not always be possible. Equipment: While access to endoscopy and computed tomography is advantageous, extensive information can be gained from equipment readily available in all practices. Evidence base: The information presented in this article is based on peer-reviewed publications and the clinical experience of the authors.

Mycoplasma species in cats with lower airway disease: improved detection and species identification using a polymerase chain reaction assay

There is some evidence that Mycoplasma species may be associated with lower airway disease in cats. Retrospective and prospective studies were carried out on a total population of 76 cats but failed to identify any cases of Mycoplasma species infection by bacterial culture alone. The overall prevalence of bacterial infection (15.8%) was also lower than that identified in previous studies. When a molecular detection technique, the PCR-DGGE, was employed the prevalence of Mycoplasma species detected was 15.4%, with M felis, M gateae and M feliminutum species identified, although the significance of these Mycoplasma species in feline lower airway disease remains in question. However, the PCR-DGGE technique allowed species identification and indicated the presence of M feliminutum, a species not previously isolated from the lower airways of cats.

Nasopharyngeal Disease in Cats 2. Specific conditions and their management

Practical relevance: Nasopharyngeal disease is a common presenting problem in feline medicine. Clinical challenges: The management of feline nasopharyngeal disease can be challenging at a number of levels. In many cases, a specific diagnosis may remain elusive. Some conditions may not be curable so owners need to understand the requirement for long-term management. In addition, treatment may be compromised by poor patient compliance. Audience: This review, which is directed at any clinicians involved in the management of cats with nasopharyngeal disease, discusses acute rhinitis (cat ’flu) and a variety of conditions causing chronic rhinosinusitis/chronic nasopharyngeal disease. The intention is to assist treatment decision making by reviewing the most appropriate therapies from the options available for these patients. Evidence base: The information presented in this article is based on peer-reviewed publications and the clinical experience of the authors.

Cats with inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal small cell lymphoma have low serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal small cell lymphoma (ISCL) are common diseases in cats. The prevalence of alterations in the serum concentrations of fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamin D, in cats with IBD and ISCL is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives The objective of this study was to measure serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations in cats with IBD or ISCL. Serum 25(OH)D also was measured in healthy cats, and in hospitalized ill cats with nongastrointestinal diseases. Animals Eighty‐four cats were included in the study: 23 in the healthy group, 41 in the hospitalized ill group, and 20 in the IBD/ISCL group. Methods Retrospective study. Serum samples for vitamin D analysis were frozen at −20°C until serum 25(OH)D was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results Although there was overlap in serum 25(OH)D concentrations among the 3 groups, serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in the cats with IBD or ISCL compared to healthy cats (P < .0001) and hospitalized ill cats (P = .014). In the IBD/ISCL group, there was a significant moderate positive correlation between serum albumin and 25(OH)D concentrations (r = 0.58, P = .018). Conclusion and Clinical Importance The median serum concentration of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in cats with IBD/ISCL than in healthy cats and in hospitalized ill cats. Additional studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of hypovitaminosis D in cats with gastrointestinal diseases, to define the best management strategy to treat this complication, and to investigate its potential prognostic implications.

Serum Cardiac Troponin I concentrations in cats with anaemia – a preliminary, single‐centre observational study

OBJECTIVES A range of cardiovascular abnormalities have been associated with anaemia. However, it remains unclear whether anaemia is associated with cardiac myocyte damage in cats. The aim of this study was to assess if cats with anaemia have an increased prevalence of cardiac myocyte damage, as assessed by serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I, compared to non-anaemic, ill cats. METHODS Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in 18 anaemic cats and in 31 non-anaemic, ill cats with non-primary cardiac, non-renal and non-primary haematological disorders. RESULTS The serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in the anaemic group (0·43 ng/mL) were significantly higher (P=0·0002) than in the non-anaemic ill group (0·04 ng/mL). Using a cut-off of less than 0·16 ng/mL, 12 of the 18 anaemic cats had an increased serum cardiac troponin I concentration, which was significantly higher (P=0·005) than the non-anaemic ill cats (7 of 31 cats). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were higher in cats with anaemia in this study. Further studies are required to establish whether the anaemia or other confounding factors is the cause of the increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations.

Chronic gastric instability and presumed incomplete volvulus in dogs

Chronic gastric volvulus in dogs results in long-standing gastrointestinal signs unlike those of acute gastric dilatation and volvulus. This report describes chronic gastric volvulus in seven dogs. The majority of dogs presented with weight loss, chronic vomiting, lethargy and abdominal pain. A combination of radiographic, ultrasonographic and endoscopic imaging indicated altered positioning of gastric landmarks. Dynamic changes were identified in some cases. Exploratory coeliotomy and surgical gastropexy were performed in all dogs. Clinical signs improved or resolved in six of seven dogs postoperatively. Chronic gastric volvulus is an uncommon condition in dogs, but should be considered as a differential in cases presenting with the above clinical signs.

Assessment of five formulae to predict post-transfusion packed cell volume in cats.

This retrospective study aimed to identify the most accurate formula for estimating the increase in packed cell volume (PCV) after whole blood transfusion of cats, as several formulae have been reported but not validated. Forty cats, of varying breeds and gender, were included from two referral institutions after database searches over a 13 year period. Five formulae were used to calculate an estimated post-transfusion PCV based on the re-working of formulae for determining the volume of donor blood to be transfused; three formulae were derived from those previously reported in the feline literature and two from human paediatric medicine, where a similar mean blood volume has been described. Cats were subdivided into two groups, the first consisting of 17 cats with non-regenerative anaemia and the second consisting of 23 cats with ongoing losses such as haemolysis and haemorrhage; it was hypothesised that formulae could be more accurate for group 1 cats, whereas formulae applied to group 2 cats could have overestimated the post-transfusion PCV. Bland–Altman analysis was performed for all cats to compare the actual increase in PCV with the calculated increase for the five formulae. Formula 1 (PCV % increase = volume of blood transfused in ml/2 × bodyweight in kg) performed best overall and is easy to calculate; however, no single formula was highly accurate at predicting the PCV increase after whole blood transfusion in cats and, owing to the wide confidence intervals, these formulae should be applied judiciously in the clinical setting.

Chronic Rhinitis in the Cat

The cause of feline chronic rhinitis is incompletely understood and it is often a diagnosis of exclusion. History, clinical signs, and investigations performed to reach this diagnosis are discussed. Several treatment options are provided, although cure of this frustrating disease is rarely achieved.