Assessment of Sick Cats

Aroch I, Keidar I, Himelstein A et al: Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum creatine-kinase activity in ill cats: a retrospective study of 601 cases, J Feline Med Surg 12:466, 2010.

Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity is commonly used to assess skeletal muscle damage in veterinary medicine. It is included in most serum biochemistry laboratory profiles performed. This was a retrospective study of 601 cases of ill cats aiming to evaluate the prevalence of increased CK activity. Median serum CK was 402 U/L. A previous study concluded that serum CK activity could possibly serve as a useful marker of the nutritional status of ill cats. This study indicated that 10% of the cats had marked increases of serum CK activity that were more than 20-fold above the upper limit of the reference range (URL). They found that cats with increased serum CK activity have a higher proportion of systemic clinical signs, suggesting a more severe disease compared to cats with normal CK activity. Therefore, when serum CK is increased in cats, this should probably be a marker of a more severe disease. Other factors, such as intramuscular injections and excessive restraint, could also contribute to increased CK activity. Serum CK activity is not a good predictor of outcome. Yet, when serum CK activity is extremely increased (7500 U/l or 30-fold the URL), it is associated with a higher mortality and can serve as a negative prognostic indicator. [VT]

Related articles:
Fascetti A, Mauldin G, Mauldin G: Correlation between serum creatinine kinase activities and anorexia in cats, J Vet Intern Med 11:9, 1997.

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Aroch I, Keidar I, Himelstein A et al: Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum creatine-kinase activity in ill cats: a retrospective study of 601 cases, J Feline Med Surg 12:466, 2010.

Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity is commonly used to assess skeletal muscle damage in veterinary medicine. It is included in most serum biochemistry laboratory profiles performed. This was a retrospective study of 601 cases of ill cats aiming to evaluate the prevalence of increased CK activity. Median serum CK was 402 U/L. A previous study concluded that serum CK activity could possibly serve as a useful marker of the nutritional status of ill cats. This study indicated that 10% of the cats had marked increases of serum CK activity that were more than 20-fold above the upper limit of the reference range (URL). They found that cats with increased serum CK activity have a higher proportion of systemic clinical signs, suggesting a more severe disease compared to cats with normal CK activity. Therefore, when serum CK is increased in cats, this should probably be a marker of a more severe disease. Other factors, such as intramuscular injections and excessive restraint, could also contribute to increased CK activity. Serum CK activity is not a good predictor of outcome. Yet, when serum CK activity is extremely increased (7500 U/l or 30-fold the URL), it is associated with a higher mortality and can serve as a negative prognostic indicator. [VT]

Related articles:
Fascetti A, Mauldin G, Mauldin G: Correlation between serum creatinine kinase activities and anorexia in cats, J Vet Intern Med 11:9, 1997.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

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Physiotherapy helps Hamilton mum who suffered years of pain due to serious spinal condition

A LANARKSHIRE mum has endured years of pain and discomfort – due to a serious spinal condition.

Four years ago Pamela Alston, from Quarter, began to suffer extreme back pain at work. She was diagnosed with the condition scoliosis.

This causes excessive curvature of the spine.

And, if left untreated, can lead to fatal heart and lung problems.

Pamela ( 22), a customer services advisor with First Direct, found it almost impossible to sit at her desk at work all day.

When she went to her GP she was shocked to discover the pain was due to a significant curve in her spine.

Pamela was later informed the only option available to her was to undergo basic physiotherapy or to have spinal fusion surgery.

She said: “I was devastated. I’d only just discovered I was expecting my first baby.

“However, this was clouded by being diagnosed with such a serious condition.

“I was only able to get physiotherapy during the first trimester of my pregnancy.

“The NHS could not recommend any other treatment other than surgery, but my condition was considered not to be severe enough to warrant having my spine fused.

“I felt like I was in limbo.”

Pamela had baby Jessica in January 2007. Some time later she felt well enough to return to her hobby of dancing.

However, she was advised to give this up because of her spine condition.

While surfing the internet, Pamela came across a clinic which offered non-surgical treatments for the condition.

The clinic told her the pain she had been experiencing was due to an imbalance of the muscles surrounding her spine which was caused by scoliosis.

And, after being treated at the clinic in England, her pain declined. She has to make a trip to the clinic for one day every six weeks for check-ups.

Pamela said this week: “I now feel much happier with my posture and physical appearance. I’m now pain free and no longer at risk from major surgery.

“I’ve learned so much about my condition and I now feel in control. I know the exercises I need to do in order to remain pain-free.”

A LANARKSHIRE mum has endured years of pain and discomfort – due to a serious spinal condition.

Four years ago Pamela Alston, from Quarter, began to suffer extreme back pain at work. She was diagnosed with the condition scoliosis.

This causes excessive curvature of the spine.

And, if left untreated, can lead to fatal heart and lung problems.

Pamela ( 22), a customer services advisor with First Direct, found it almost impossible to sit at her desk at work all day.

When she went to her GP she was shocked to discover the pain was due to a significant curve in her spine.

Pamela was later informed the only option available to her was to undergo basic physiotherapy or to have spinal fusion surgery.

She said: “I was devastated. I’d only just discovered I was expecting my first baby.

“However, this was clouded by being diagnosed with such a serious condition.

“I was only able to get physiotherapy during the first trimester of my pregnancy.

“The NHS could not recommend any other treatment other than surgery, but my condition was considered not to be severe enough to warrant having my spine fused.

“I felt like I was in limbo.”

Pamela had baby Jessica in January 2007. Some time later she felt well enough to return to her hobby of dancing.

However, she was advised to give this up because of her spine condition.

While surfing the internet, Pamela came across a clinic which offered non-surgical treatments for the condition.

The clinic told her the pain she had been experiencing was due to an imbalance of the muscles surrounding her spine which was caused by scoliosis.

And, after being treated at the clinic in England, her pain declined. She has to make a trip to the clinic for one day every six weeks for check-ups.

Pamela said this week: “I now feel much happier with my posture and physical appearance. I’m now pain free and no longer at risk from major surgery.

“I’ve learned so much about my condition and I now feel in control. I know the exercises I need to do in order to remain pain-free.”

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Efficacy of a Vaccine for FIV

Huang C, Conlee D, Gill M et al: Dual-subtype feline immunodeficiency virus vaccine provides 12 months of protective immunity against heterologous challenge, J Feline Med Surg 12:451, 2010.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes progressive impairment of the feline immune system, in time leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A hallmark of FIV infection is the depletion of CD4+ T cells and a reduction in the CD4:CD8 lymphocyte ratio. This study’s purpose was to evaluate whether a 1-year duration of immunity against sub-type B FIV is attainable with the Fel-O-Vax FIV vaccine. Fourteen vaccinated cats were challenged with a subtype-B FIV strain 54 weeks after final vaccination. Ten of the fourteen vaccinated cats were fully protected for 48 weeks against infection with this FIV subtype. The levels of anti-FIV antibody noted for the vaccinated cats suggests that the three-dose vaccination regimen is capable of establishing and maintaining immunologic memory for at least 12 months. [VT]

Related articles:
Levy J, Crawford C, Hartmann K et al: 2008 American Association of Feline Practitioners' feline retrovirus management guidelines, J Feline Med Surg 10:300, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Huang C, Conlee D, Gill M et al: Dual-subtype feline immunodeficiency virus vaccine provides 12 months of protective immunity against heterologous challenge, J Feline Med Surg 12:451, 2010.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes progressive impairment of the feline immune system, in time leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A hallmark of FIV infection is the depletion of CD4+ T cells and a reduction in the CD4:CD8 lymphocyte ratio. This study’s purpose was to evaluate whether a 1-year duration of immunity against sub-type B FIV is attainable with the Fel-O-Vax FIV vaccine. Fourteen vaccinated cats were challenged with a subtype-B FIV strain 54 weeks after final vaccination. Ten of the fourteen vaccinated cats were fully protected for 48 weeks against infection with this FIV subtype. The levels of anti-FIV antibody noted for the vaccinated cats suggests that the three-dose vaccination regimen is capable of establishing and maintaining immunologic memory for at least 12 months. [VT]

Related articles:
Levy J, Crawford C, Hartmann K et al: 2008 American Association of Feline Practitioners' feline retrovirus management guidelines, J Feline Med Surg 10:300, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More