Insulinoma in a Cat

Greene, S. N. and R. M. Bright (2008). "Insulinoma in a cat." J Small Anim Pract 49(1): 38-40.

Insulinomas are functional pancreatic tumors producing insulin. The abnormal release of insulin drives blood glucose concentrations below normal and produces the typical clinical signs associated with insulinoma (e.g., seizures, weakness, collapse, muscle twitching, etc.). They are uncommon tumours in dogs and cats and are often malignant. Insulinomas are suspected when an adult cat is presented with suggestive clinical signs and persistent hypoglycemia. In this case report, a 14-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented with seizures and hypoglycemia. Investigation revealed low blood glucose concurrent with normal insulin levels. Medical and dietary management were attempted without success. At exploratory laparotomy, a well-defined mass was found in the pancreas. The mass was resected and identified on histopathology as an islet cell carcinoma - consistent with an insulinoma. The patient has had no recurrence of clinical signs in over 32 months post-surgery. This case is unique because of the apparent lack of local recurrence and development of metastatic disease, leading to the prolonged survival.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Kraje, A. (2003). "Hypoglycemia and irreversible neurologic complications in a cat with insulinoma." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 223(6): 812-814.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Greene, S. N. and R. M. Bright (2008). "Insulinoma in a cat." J Small Anim Pract 49(1): 38-40.

Insulinomas are functional pancreatic tumors producing insulin. The abnormal release of insulin drives blood glucose concentrations below normal and produces the typical clinical signs associated with insulinoma (e.g., seizures, weakness, collapse, muscle twitching, etc.). They are uncommon tumours in dogs and cats and are often malignant. Insulinomas are suspected when an adult cat is presented with suggestive clinical signs and persistent hypoglycemia. In this case report, a 14-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented with seizures and hypoglycemia. Investigation revealed low blood glucose concurrent with normal insulin levels. Medical and dietary management were attempted without success. At exploratory laparotomy, a well-defined mass was found in the pancreas. The mass was resected and identified on histopathology as an islet cell carcinoma - consistent with an insulinoma. The patient has had no recurrence of clinical signs in over 32 months post-surgery. This case is unique because of the apparent lack of local recurrence and development of metastatic disease, leading to the prolonged survival.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Kraje, A. (2003). "Hypoglycemia and irreversible neurologic complications in a cat with insulinoma." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 223(6): 812-814.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Kidney Insufficiency After Treatment for Feline Hyperthyroidism

Riensche, M. R., T. K. Graves, et al. (2008). "An investigation of predictors of renal insufficiency following treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats." J Feline Med Surg 10(2): 160-6.

Renal insufficiency is a common finding in older cats, affecting about 30% of cats over age 15. Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder in cats, and it appears to be increasing in incidence over time. Hyperthyroidism can mask underlying renal disease by causing an increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Treatment of hyperthyroidism leads to a decrease in GFR and an increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Different treatments exist for hyperthyroidism in cats, including reversible (methimazole) and irreversible (thyroidectomy, radioiodine) options. The ability to predict which cats will develop renal insufficiency after treatment for hyperthyroidism would help guide treatment decisions. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if routine pre-treatment clinical data can be used to predict the development of overt renal insufficiency following treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. Medical records were reviewed for 39 nonazotemic cats undergoing treatment for hyperthyroidism at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois. The records were reviewed for for signalment, clinical signs, and serum biochemical, hematologic and urinalysis findings before and after treatment for hyperthyroidism. Cats that developed renal insufficiency within 6 months after treatment (n=20) were compared to cats that did not (n=19). No significant differences could be detected between the groups with respect to the parameters measured. The study suggests that the results of routine pre-treatment clinical data cannot be used to predict renal function after treatment for hyperthyroidism, and that a trial of methimazole therapy is indicated before choosing irreversible treatment such as radioiodine.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Boag, A. K., R. Neiger, et al. (2007). "Changes in the glomerular filtration rate of 27 cats with hyperthyroidism after treatment with radioactive iodine." Vet Rec 161(21): 711-5.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Riensche, M. R., T. K. Graves, et al. (2008). "An investigation of predictors of renal insufficiency following treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats." J Feline Med Surg 10(2): 160-6.

Renal insufficiency is a common finding in older cats, affecting about 30% of cats over age 15. Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder in cats, and it appears to be increasing in incidence over time. Hyperthyroidism can mask underlying renal disease by causing an increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Treatment of hyperthyroidism leads to a decrease in GFR and an increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Different treatments exist for hyperthyroidism in cats, including reversible (methimazole) and irreversible (thyroidectomy, radioiodine) options. The ability to predict which cats will develop renal insufficiency after treatment for hyperthyroidism would help guide treatment decisions. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if routine pre-treatment clinical data can be used to predict the development of overt renal insufficiency following treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. Medical records were reviewed for 39 nonazotemic cats undergoing treatment for hyperthyroidism at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois. The records were reviewed for for signalment, clinical signs, and serum biochemical, hematologic and urinalysis findings before and after treatment for hyperthyroidism. Cats that developed renal insufficiency within 6 months after treatment (n=20) were compared to cats that did not (n=19). No significant differences could be detected between the groups with respect to the parameters measured. The study suggests that the results of routine pre-treatment clinical data cannot be used to predict renal function after treatment for hyperthyroidism, and that a trial of methimazole therapy is indicated before choosing irreversible treatment such as radioiodine.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Boag, A. K., R. Neiger, et al. (2007). "Changes in the glomerular filtration rate of 27 cats with hyperthyroidism after treatment with radioactive iodine." Vet Rec 161(21): 711-5.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Helicobacter and Lymphoma in Cats

Bridgeford, E. C., R. P. Marini, et al. (2008). "Gastric Helicobacter species as a cause of feline gastric lymphoma: A viable hypothesis." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123(1-2): 106-13.

In humans and other animals, gastric Helicobacter spp. bacteria are associated with chronic inflammation. In this study, the relationship between Helicobacter heilmannii and gastric lymphoma in cats was examined. Gastric specimens were collected via biopsy or at necropsy from 47 pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease, such as vomiting and anorexia. The specimens were characterized as gastritis (14/47), lymphoma (31/47), or normal (2/47). Staining for Helicobacter organisms was positive in 29 of the specimens. These tissues were then further examined to determine the Helicobacter species involved. Of the cats characterized as having lymphoblastic lymphoma, 13/17 were positive for H. heilmannii. The association between gastric lymphoma in cats and H. heilmannii infection requires further investigation, especially to evaluate the frequency and strain distribution of H. heilmanni in both well cats and those with gastric lymphoma using prospective studies.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Priestnall, S. L., B. Wiinberg, et al. (2004). "Evaluation of "Helicobacter heilmannii" subtypes in the gastric mucosas of cats and dogs." J Clin Microbiol 42(5): 2144-51.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Bridgeford, E. C., R. P. Marini, et al. (2008). "Gastric Helicobacter species as a cause of feline gastric lymphoma: A viable hypothesis." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123(1-2): 106-13.

In humans and other animals, gastric Helicobacter spp. bacteria are associated with chronic inflammation. In this study, the relationship between Helicobacter heilmannii and gastric lymphoma in cats was examined. Gastric specimens were collected via biopsy or at necropsy from 47 pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease, such as vomiting and anorexia. The specimens were characterized as gastritis (14/47), lymphoma (31/47), or normal (2/47). Staining for Helicobacter organisms was positive in 29 of the specimens. These tissues were then further examined to determine the Helicobacter species involved. Of the cats characterized as having lymphoblastic lymphoma, 13/17 were positive for H. heilmannii. The association between gastric lymphoma in cats and H. heilmannii infection requires further investigation, especially to evaluate the frequency and strain distribution of H. heilmanni in both well cats and those with gastric lymphoma using prospective studies.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Priestnall, S. L., B. Wiinberg, et al. (2004). "Evaluation of "Helicobacter heilmannii" subtypes in the gastric mucosas of cats and dogs." J Clin Microbiol 42(5): 2144-51.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Congenital Abnormalities of the Feline Spine

Newitt, A., A. J. German, et al. (2008). "Congenital abnormalities of the feline vertebral column." Vet Radiol Ultrasound 49(1): 35-41.

In this retrospective study, radiographs from 200 cats were assessed to determine the incidence of congenital abnormalities of the spinal column. Congenital abnormalities were found in 46 cats (23%). No cats were identified with hemivertebrae or spina bifida, although block vertebrae were found in three cats. Transitional abnormalities were the most common, such as thoracicization of L1 (18 cats; 9%) and extra ribs on L1. Extra ribs were often smaller and fragmented and could be confused with rib fractures.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Bailey, C. S. and J. P. Morgan (1992). "Congenital spinal malformations." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 22(4): 985-1015.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Newitt, A., A. J. German, et al. (2008). "Congenital abnormalities of the feline vertebral column." Vet Radiol Ultrasound 49(1): 35-41.

In this retrospective study, radiographs from 200 cats were assessed to determine the incidence of congenital abnormalities of the spinal column. Congenital abnormalities were found in 46 cats (23%). No cats were identified with hemivertebrae or spina bifida, although block vertebrae were found in three cats. Transitional abnormalities were the most common, such as thoracicization of L1 (18 cats; 9%) and extra ribs on L1. Extra ribs were often smaller and fragmented and could be confused with rib fractures.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Bailey, C. S. and J. P. Morgan (1992). "Congenital spinal malformations." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 22(4): 985-1015.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Heart Failure in Diabetic Cats

Little, C. J. and G. Gettinby (2008). "Heart failure is common in diabetic cats: findings from a retrospective case-controlled study in first-opinion practice." J Small Anim Pract 49(1): 17-25.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in cats and the prevalence may be increasing. In people, death associated with diabetes is commonly due to cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the prognosis and cause of death in cats with diabetes mellitus diagnosed between 1999 and 2005 at a veterinary hospital in Kent, England. Nineteen cats with diabetes were each matched with three age-, breed-, and gender-matched control cats without diabetes. The incidence of heart disease in the diabetic cats was 26% versus 3.5% in the control cats. Cats with diabetes were 10.4 times more likely to have heart disease than non-diabetic cats. Survival time was significantly worse for cats with diabetes (median 385 days) versus control cats (median 718 days). All cats with heart failure died or were euthanized soon after the diagnosis. This study concluded that heart disease and failure is common in this population of cats with diabetes.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Ployngam, T., A. H. Tobias, et al. (2006). "Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone acetate administration in cats." Am J Vet Res 67(4): 583-7.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Little, C. J. and G. Gettinby (2008). "Heart failure is common in diabetic cats: findings from a retrospective case-controlled study in first-opinion practice." J Small Anim Pract 49(1): 17-25.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in cats and the prevalence may be increasing. In people, death associated with diabetes is commonly due to cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the prognosis and cause of death in cats with diabetes mellitus diagnosed between 1999 and 2005 at a veterinary hospital in Kent, England. Nineteen cats with diabetes were each matched with three age-, breed-, and gender-matched control cats without diabetes. The incidence of heart disease in the diabetic cats was 26% versus 3.5% in the control cats. Cats with diabetes were 10.4 times more likely to have heart disease than non-diabetic cats. Survival time was significantly worse for cats with diabetes (median 385 days) versus control cats (median 718 days). All cats with heart failure died or were euthanized soon after the diagnosis. This study concluded that heart disease and failure is common in this population of cats with diabetes.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Ployngam, T., A. H. Tobias, et al. (2006). "Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone acetate administration in cats." Am J Vet Res 67(4): 583-7.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More