Thymoma in a Cat

Fidel, J. L., I. S. Pargass, et al. (2008). "Granulocytopenia associated with thymoma in a domestic shorthaired cat." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 44(4): 210-7.

Thymomas are uncommon tumours generally found in senior cats (median age 9.5 years). Diseases reportedly associated with thymomas in cats include paraneoplastic disorders, autoimmune diseases, myasthenia gravis, and exfoliative dermatitis. Granulocytopenia is reported to occur in humans with thymoma but has never been reported in cats. In this case report, a 5-year old spayed female cat with a mass in the cranial mediastinum was diagnosed with thymoma on biopsy of the mass. The tumor was treated with radiation therapy and responded well, but immune-mediated granulocytopenia developed. The granulocytopenia was successfully treated with prednisone and cyclosporine, eventually allowing for surgical removal of the thymoma.
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Related articles:
Zitz, J. C., S. J. Birchard, et al. (2008). "Results of excision of thymoma in cats and dogs: 20 cases (1984-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(8): 1186-92.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Fidel, J. L., I. S. Pargass, et al. (2008). "Granulocytopenia associated with thymoma in a domestic shorthaired cat." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 44(4): 210-7.

Thymomas are uncommon tumours generally found in senior cats (median age 9.5 years). Diseases reportedly associated with thymomas in cats include paraneoplastic disorders, autoimmune diseases, myasthenia gravis, and exfoliative dermatitis. Granulocytopenia is reported to occur in humans with thymoma but has never been reported in cats. In this case report, a 5-year old spayed female cat with a mass in the cranial mediastinum was diagnosed with thymoma on biopsy of the mass. The tumor was treated with radiation therapy and responded well, but immune-mediated granulocytopenia developed. The granulocytopenia was successfully treated with prednisone and cyclosporine, eventually allowing for surgical removal of the thymoma.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Zitz, J. C., S. J. Birchard, et al. (2008). "Results of excision of thymoma in cats and dogs: 20 cases (1984-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(8): 1186-92.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Prevalence of a Genetic Mutation for HCM in Maine Coon Cats

Fries, R., A. M. Heaney, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of the myosin-binding protein C mutation in Maine Coon cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(4): 893-896.

The most common cardiac disease of cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In several cat breeds, including the Maine Coon, the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Previously, a single base pair change in the myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene, which changes a conserved amino acid and alters protein conformation, was been identified in some Maine Coon cats with HCM. The prevalence of the MYBPC3 mutation in the Maine Coon cat population is not known, but genetic screening has allowed determination of the percentage of genetically affected cats worldwide. This retrospective study reviewed records of 3,310 samples submitted for evaluation of the Maine Coon MYBPC3 mutation to the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory database at Washington State University. In this population of cats, Maine Coons accounted for all the samples positive for this mutation. The worldwide percentage of Maine Coon cats carrying the MYBPC3 mutation was 34%.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Meurs, K., X. Sanchez, et al. (2005). "A cardiac myosin binding protein C mutation in the Maine Coon cat with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Hum Mol Genet 14(23): 3587-3593.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Fries, R., A. M. Heaney, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of the myosin-binding protein C mutation in Maine Coon cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(4): 893-896.

The most common cardiac disease of cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In several cat breeds, including the Maine Coon, the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Previously, a single base pair change in the myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene, which changes a conserved amino acid and alters protein conformation, was been identified in some Maine Coon cats with HCM. The prevalence of the MYBPC3 mutation in the Maine Coon cat population is not known, but genetic screening has allowed determination of the percentage of genetically affected cats worldwide. This retrospective study reviewed records of 3,310 samples submitted for evaluation of the Maine Coon MYBPC3 mutation to the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory database at Washington State University. In this population of cats, Maine Coons accounted for all the samples positive for this mutation. The worldwide percentage of Maine Coon cats carrying the MYBPC3 mutation was 34%.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Meurs, K., X. Sanchez, et al. (2005). "A cardiac myosin binding protein C mutation in the Maine Coon cat with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Hum Mol Genet 14(23): 3587-3593.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Propofol for Cats with Hepatic Lipidosis

Posner, L. P., M. Asakawa, et al. (2008). "Use of propofol for anesthesia in cats with primary hepatic lipidosis: 44 cases (1995-2004)." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 232(12): 1841-1843.

Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) is a common disease in cats and is typically found in obese cats that have suffered a period of inappetance. A significant part of successful treatment is nutritional supplemention, often given through a gastrotomy or esophagostomy tube. Feeding tubes must be placed under anesthesia, and care must be taken in the choice of anesthetic regime. Concern has been expressed over the use of propofol in cats with hepatic lipidosis since it is primarily metabolized via the liver, although there is also some extrahepatic metabolism. In this retrospective case series, the medical records of 44 cats (21 female, 23 male) with hepatic lipidosis admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, from January 1995 to December 2004 were examined. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 15 years, and body weights ranged from 1.8 to 9.0 kg. Twenty-seven of the cats had been administered propofol. There was no significant association between the use of propofol or the dosage of propofol and any risk factor, including the need for blood products, number of hours in the ICU, or survival. The use of propofol did not increase morbidity or mortality, and the researchers conclude that propofol can be given to cats with hepatic lipidosis for placement of a feeding tube.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Bley, C. R., M. Roos, et al. (2007). "Clinical assessment of repeated propofol-associated anesthesia in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(9): 1347-53.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Posner, L. P., M. Asakawa, et al. (2008). "Use of propofol for anesthesia in cats with primary hepatic lipidosis: 44 cases (1995-2004)." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 232(12): 1841-1843.

Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) is a common disease in cats and is typically found in obese cats that have suffered a period of inappetance. A significant part of successful treatment is nutritional supplemention, often given through a gastrotomy or esophagostomy tube. Feeding tubes must be placed under anesthesia, and care must be taken in the choice of anesthetic regime. Concern has been expressed over the use of propofol in cats with hepatic lipidosis since it is primarily metabolized via the liver, although there is also some extrahepatic metabolism. In this retrospective case series, the medical records of 44 cats (21 female, 23 male) with hepatic lipidosis admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, from January 1995 to December 2004 were examined. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 15 years, and body weights ranged from 1.8 to 9.0 kg. Twenty-seven of the cats had been administered propofol. There was no significant association between the use of propofol or the dosage of propofol and any risk factor, including the need for blood products, number of hours in the ICU, or survival. The use of propofol did not increase morbidity or mortality, and the researchers conclude that propofol can be given to cats with hepatic lipidosis for placement of a feeding tube.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Bley, C. R., M. Roos, et al. (2007). "Clinical assessment of repeated propofol-associated anesthesia in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(9): 1347-53.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More