Stability of Tritrichomonas foetus

Hale S, Norris JM, Slapeta J: Prolonged resilience of Tritrichomonas foetus in cat faeces at ambient temperature, Vet Parasitol 166:60, 2009.

This study, from the University of Sydney, Australia, was designed to investigate two culture methods for Tritrichomonas foetus, and to evaluate the effect of sample storage time on diagnostic utility. The two culture methods evaluated were InPouch TF-Feline (Bio-Med Diagnostics) and Modified Diamond's Medium. Two batches of normal cat feces were spiked with T. foetus prior to being stored either at room temperature or refrigerated. At different time points, small samples were taken from the original batches and tested in the culture systems. Both culture systems performed well. The accumulative sensitivity was found to be 83% and 100% for the InPouch TF-Feline and Modified Diamond's Medium respectively over a 6 hour period. The researchers were able to successfully culture T. foetus from feces that had been stored at room temperature for 24 hours. This finding may indicate that the environmental resilience of the organism may be more robust than previously thought, and that transmission may not be limited to close contact between cats. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Tolbert MK, Gookin J: Tritrichomonas foetus: A New Agent of Feline Diarrhea, Compend Contin Educ Vet 31:374, 2009.
>> PubMed Abstract

Stockdale HD, Givens MD, Dykstra CC et al: Tritrichomonas foetus infections in surveyed pet cats, Vet Parasitol 160:13, 2009.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Hale S, Norris JM, Slapeta J: Prolonged resilience of Tritrichomonas foetus in cat faeces at ambient temperature, Vet Parasitol 166:60, 2009.

This study, from the University of Sydney, Australia, was designed to investigate two culture methods for Tritrichomonas foetus, and to evaluate the effect of sample storage time on diagnostic utility. The two culture methods evaluated were InPouch TF-Feline (Bio-Med Diagnostics) and Modified Diamond's Medium. Two batches of normal cat feces were spiked with T. foetus prior to being stored either at room temperature or refrigerated. At different time points, small samples were taken from the original batches and tested in the culture systems. Both culture systems performed well. The accumulative sensitivity was found to be 83% and 100% for the InPouch TF-Feline and Modified Diamond's Medium respectively over a 6 hour period. The researchers were able to successfully culture T. foetus from feces that had been stored at room temperature for 24 hours. This finding may indicate that the environmental resilience of the organism may be more robust than previously thought, and that transmission may not be limited to close contact between cats. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Tolbert MK, Gookin J: Tritrichomonas foetus: A New Agent of Feline Diarrhea, Compend Contin Educ Vet 31:374, 2009.
>> PubMed Abstract

Stockdale HD, Givens MD, Dykstra CC et al: Tritrichomonas foetus infections in surveyed pet cats, Vet Parasitol 160:13, 2009.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Dexmedetomidine for Sedation & Analgesia in Cats

Slingsby, L.S., P.M. Taylor, and T. Monroe, Thermal antinociception after dexmedetomidine administration in cats: a comparison between intramuscular and oral transmucosal administration. J Feline Med Surg, 2009. 11(10): p. 829-34.

Dexmedetomidine belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. It has authorization for use as a sedative and premedication in dogs and cats in the United States and Europe (Dexdormitor; Pfizer, UK). The administration of dexmedetomidine causes dose dependent sedation and analgesia that may be reversed by the antagonist atipamezole (Antisedan; Pfizer, UK). In this randomized cross-over study of 12 cats, dexmedetomidine was administered either intramuscularly (IM) or oral transmucosally (OTM) at a dose of 40mcg/kg. Almost all the cats in this study vomited after dexmedetomidine administration. Cats were not fasted overnight prior to administration and this result would suggest fasting beforehand would be good practice. The OTM route provided equally good sedation and reduction in sensitivity to pain as the same dose administered IM. The researchers conclude that the OTM route of administration is a useful alternative to the IM route when administering dexmedetomidine to healthy cats. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Granholm, M., et al., Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine or medetomidine in cats and their reversal with atipamezole. Vet Anaesth Analg, 2006. 33(4): p. 214-23.
>> PubMed Abstract

Selmi, A., G. Mendes, and e. al, Evaluation of the sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of dexmedetomidine, dexmedetomidine-butorphanol, and dexmedetomidine-ketamine in cats. J Amer Vet Med Assoc, 2003. 222(1): p. 37-41.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Slingsby, L.S., P.M. Taylor, and T. Monroe, Thermal antinociception after dexmedetomidine administration in cats: a comparison between intramuscular and oral transmucosal administration. J Feline Med Surg, 2009. 11(10): p. 829-34.

Dexmedetomidine belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. It has authorization for use as a sedative and premedication in dogs and cats in the United States and Europe (Dexdormitor; Pfizer, UK). The administration of dexmedetomidine causes dose dependent sedation and analgesia that may be reversed by the antagonist atipamezole (Antisedan; Pfizer, UK). In this randomized cross-over study of 12 cats, dexmedetomidine was administered either intramuscularly (IM) or oral transmucosally (OTM) at a dose of 40mcg/kg. Almost all the cats in this study vomited after dexmedetomidine administration. Cats were not fasted overnight prior to administration and this result would suggest fasting beforehand would be good practice. The OTM route provided equally good sedation and reduction in sensitivity to pain as the same dose administered IM. The researchers conclude that the OTM route of administration is a useful alternative to the IM route when administering dexmedetomidine to healthy cats. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Granholm, M., et al., Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine or medetomidine in cats and their reversal with atipamezole. Vet Anaesth Analg, 2006. 33(4): p. 214-23.
>> PubMed Abstract

Selmi, A., G. Mendes, and e. al, Evaluation of the sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of dexmedetomidine, dexmedetomidine-butorphanol, and dexmedetomidine-ketamine in cats. J Amer Vet Med Assoc, 2003. 222(1): p. 37-41.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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