Yeast Overgrowth in Cats With Allergic Skin Disease

Ordeix, L., F. Galeotti, et al. (2007). "Malassezia spp. overgrowth in allergic cats." Vet Dermatol 18(5): 316-23.

Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) are yeasts found on the skin surface of animals and humans. A series of 18 cats with skin disease is reported; 16 of which were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. All were diagnosed with overgrowth of Malassezia on cytological examination or fungal culture. Skin lesions included multifocal alopecia, erythema, crusting and greasy adherent brownish scales. Treatment consisted of antifungal therapy alone, antifungal plus antibacterial therapy, or antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. After 3 to 4 weeks, substantial improvement was seen in all cats treated with combination therapy, and in 71% of cats treated with antifungal therapy alone. Malassezia overgrowth may be a secondary problem in some allergic cats, especially those with greasy adherent brownish scales.
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Related article:
Ahman, S., N. Perrins, et al. (2007). "Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole--a pilot study." Vet Dermatol 18(3): 171-4.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Ordeix, L., F. Galeotti, et al. (2007). "Malassezia spp. overgrowth in allergic cats." Vet Dermatol 18(5): 316-23.

Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) are yeasts found on the skin surface of animals and humans. A series of 18 cats with skin disease is reported; 16 of which were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. All were diagnosed with overgrowth of Malassezia on cytological examination or fungal culture. Skin lesions included multifocal alopecia, erythema, crusting and greasy adherent brownish scales. Treatment consisted of antifungal therapy alone, antifungal plus antibacterial therapy, or antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. After 3 to 4 weeks, substantial improvement was seen in all cats treated with combination therapy, and in 71% of cats treated with antifungal therapy alone. Malassezia overgrowth may be a secondary problem in some allergic cats, especially those with greasy adherent brownish scales.
>> PubMed abtract

Related article:
Ahman, S., N. Perrins, et al. (2007). "Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole--a pilot study." Vet Dermatol 18(3): 171-4.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Efficacy of Amoxicillin for Common Cat Infections

Roy, J., S. Messier, et al. (2007). "Clinical and in vitro efficacy of amoxicillin against bacteria associated with feline skin wounds and abscesses." Can Vet J 48(6): 607-11.

One of the most common cat health problems seen by veterinarians is skin or wound infections, typically due to injuries from fighting with other cats. Such infections are typically treated by cleansing the wound and prescribing a broad spectrum antibiotic. Veterinarians are concerned about emerging bacterial resistance problems, and are encouraged to use antimicrobial agents wisely, reserving newer and more powerful antibiotics for serious infections and resistant cases. This study was designed to determine if a common older antibiotic, amoxicillin, was still effective for treatment of this type of infection. The study examined bacterial cultures from the wounds of 122 cats and tested the isolates for sensitivity to amoxicillin. The global success rate was over 95%, demonstrating that amoxicillin is still a good choice for common skin and wound infections in cats.
>> Free full text article from PubMed Central

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Roy, J., S. Messier, et al. (2007). "Clinical and in vitro efficacy of amoxicillin against bacteria associated with feline skin wounds and abscesses." Can Vet J 48(6): 607-11.

One of the most common cat health problems seen by veterinarians is skin or wound infections, typically due to injuries from fighting with other cats. Such infections are typically treated by cleansing the wound and prescribing a broad spectrum antibiotic. Veterinarians are concerned about emerging bacterial resistance problems, and are encouraged to use antimicrobial agents wisely, reserving newer and more powerful antibiotics for serious infections and resistant cases. This study was designed to determine if a common older antibiotic, amoxicillin, was still effective for treatment of this type of infection. The study examined bacterial cultures from the wounds of 122 cats and tested the isolates for sensitivity to amoxicillin. The global success rate was over 95%, demonstrating that amoxicillin is still a good choice for common skin and wound infections in cats.
>> Free full text article from PubMed Central

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Risks from Adjuvanted Vaccines in Cats

Day, M. J., H. A. Schoon, et al. (2007). "A kinetic study of histopathological changes in the subcutis of cats injected with non-adjuvanted and adjuvanted multi-component vaccines." Vaccine 25(20): 4073-84.

In the last decade, considerable attention has been focused on the role of inflammation in the formation of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. This study evaluated the subcutaneous tissue response to a single injection of a multi-component vaccine in 3 groups of cats, plus a control group given saline. Group 1 cats were given a non-adjuvanted vaccine, Group 2 cats were given a lipid-based adjuvanted vaccine, and Group 3 cats were given an alum-Quil A adjuvanted vaccine. The injection sites were biopsied at various time points and examined for inflammation and evidence of tissue repair. At all time points, there was significantly less inflammation associated with injection of the non-adjuvanted vaccine. Cats given the adjuvanted vaccines had evidence of residual adjuvant material inside macrophages even at 62 days post-injection.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information on feline vaccinations:
The 2006 Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation library

Day, M. J., H. A. Schoon, et al. (2007). "A kinetic study of histopathological changes in the subcutis of cats injected with non-adjuvanted and adjuvanted multi-component vaccines." Vaccine 25(20): 4073-84.

In the last decade, considerable attention has been focused on the role of inflammation in the formation of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. This study evaluated the subcutaneous tissue response to a single injection of a multi-component vaccine in 3 groups of cats, plus a control group given saline. Group 1 cats were given a non-adjuvanted vaccine, Group 2 cats were given a lipid-based adjuvanted vaccine, and Group 3 cats were given an alum-Quil A adjuvanted vaccine. The injection sites were biopsied at various time points and examined for inflammation and evidence of tissue repair. At all time points, there was significantly less inflammation associated with injection of the non-adjuvanted vaccine. Cats given the adjuvanted vaccines had evidence of residual adjuvant material inside macrophages even at 62 days post-injection.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information on feline vaccinations:
The 2006 Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation library

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Lily Toxicity in a Cat

Berg, R. I., T. Francey, et al. (2007). "Resolution of acute kidney injury in a cat after lily (Lilium lancifolium) intoxication." J Vet Intern Med 21(4): 857-9.

This is a case report of a young male cat that suffered acute kidney failure after ingestion of orange tiger lily flowers (Lilium lancifolium). After 12 days of intensive care, including hemodialysis and an esophageal feeding tube, the cat recovered fully. Easter lily toxicity usually causes death in cats due to severe kidney damage. Common signs of toxicity include vomiting, increased thirst and urination, disorientation, swelling of the face and paws, and seizures.

More from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners:
Lily ingestion toxicity in cats

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation library

Berg, R. I., T. Francey, et al. (2007). "Resolution of acute kidney injury in a cat after lily (Lilium lancifolium) intoxication." J Vet Intern Med 21(4): 857-9.

This is a case report of a young male cat that suffered acute kidney failure after ingestion of orange tiger lily flowers (Lilium lancifolium). After 12 days of intensive care, including hemodialysis and an esophageal feeding tube, the cat recovered fully. Easter lily toxicity usually causes death in cats due to severe kidney damage. Common signs of toxicity include vomiting, increased thirst and urination, disorientation, swelling of the face and paws, and seizures.

More from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners:
Lily ingestion toxicity in cats

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation library

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Cefovecin, A New Long-Lasting Antibiotic For Cats

Stegemann, M. R., J. Sherington, et al. (2007). "The efficacy and safety of cefovecin in the treatment of feline abscesses and infected wounds." J Small Anim Pract 48(12): 683-9.

Cefovecin (Convenia, Pfizer Animal Health) is a new third generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The drug has a very long half-life, so that a single injection lasts 14 days in cats. The objective of this project was to determine the efficacy and safety of cefovecin for the treatment of cat bite wounds and abscesses. Cats enrolled in the study were either given cefovecin or oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Efficacy was 100% for both drugs, showing that the new long-lasting antibiotic injection is as effective as 14 days of oral treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Stegemann, M. R., J. Sherington, et al. (2006). "Pharmacokinetics of cefovecin in cats." J Vet Pharmacol Ther 29(6): 513-24.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Stegemann, M. R., J. Sherington, et al. (2007). "The efficacy and safety of cefovecin in the treatment of feline abscesses and infected wounds." J Small Anim Pract 48(12): 683-9.

Cefovecin (Convenia, Pfizer Animal Health) is a new third generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The drug has a very long half-life, so that a single injection lasts 14 days in cats. The objective of this project was to determine the efficacy and safety of cefovecin for the treatment of cat bite wounds and abscesses. Cats enrolled in the study were either given cefovecin or oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Efficacy was 100% for both drugs, showing that the new long-lasting antibiotic injection is as effective as 14 days of oral treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Stegemann, M. R., J. Sherington, et al. (2006). "Pharmacokinetics of cefovecin in cats." J Vet Pharmacol Ther 29(6): 513-24.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More