Diagnosis of Fetal Loss in Cats

Schlafer, D. H. (2008). "Canine and feline abortion diagnostics." Theriogenology 70(3): 327-331.

Knowledge of the causes of pregnancy loss in the cat is limited and the success rate for making a definitive diagnosis is disappointingly low. However, there are opportunities to improve the diagnostic success rate. Causes of pregnancy failure are generally divided into infectious (bacterial, viral, etc.) and non-infectious causes (endocrine failure, endometrial disease, toxicities, genetic abnormalities, etc). This review articles describes how to conduct a thorough examination of aborted fetuses and placentas as well as microbiological techniques. Factors such as prompt submission of samples, use of special transport media, providing complete histories and full tissue sets can greatly improve feline abortion diagnostic rates.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Pretzer, S. D. (2008). "Bacterial and protozoal causes of pregnancy loss in the bitch and queen." Theriogenology 70(3): 320-326.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Schlafer, D. H. (2008). "Canine and feline abortion diagnostics." Theriogenology 70(3): 327-331.

Knowledge of the causes of pregnancy loss in the cat is limited and the success rate for making a definitive diagnosis is disappointingly low. However, there are opportunities to improve the diagnostic success rate. Causes of pregnancy failure are generally divided into infectious (bacterial, viral, etc.) and non-infectious causes (endocrine failure, endometrial disease, toxicities, genetic abnormalities, etc). This review articles describes how to conduct a thorough examination of aborted fetuses and placentas as well as microbiological techniques. Factors such as prompt submission of samples, use of special transport media, providing complete histories and full tissue sets can greatly improve feline abortion diagnostic rates.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Pretzer, S. D. (2008). "Bacterial and protozoal causes of pregnancy loss in the bitch and queen." Theriogenology 70(3): 320-326.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More

Flea Control for Cats: Frontline Plus versus Promeris

Franc, M. and F. Beugnet (2008). "A comparative evaluation of the speed of kill and duration of efficacy against weekly infestations with fleas on cats treated with fipronil-(S)-methoprene or metaflumizone." Vet Ther 9(2): 102-10.

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is found world-wide on many species of mammals including cats. Only the adult life stage of the flea resides on the cat while all other stages exist in the environment. On-animal flea control products may take different approaches, such as ensuring no fleas survive long enough to reproduce or disrupting the viability of flea eggs. Metaflumizone (Promeris, Fort Dodge Animal Health) was recently introduced for flea control use on cats as a topical spot-on. This study, funded by Merial, was designed to compare the speed of kill and duration of flea kill of commercially available formulations of Promeris and fipronil–(S)-methoprene (Frontline Plus, Merial) in cats in order to determine which active ingredient would be best suited to eliminate fleas before they produce eggs. Speed of kill efficacies were assessed against existing infestations and against infestations at day 7. Efficacy was also assessed 24 and 48 hours after weekly flea infestations through day 42. Cats treated with Frontline Plus had significantly fewer fleas than those treated with Promeris at 12 and 18 hours after treatment and on the day 7 infestations. Frontline Plus-treated cats also had significantly fewer fleas than Promeris-treated cats for all 24-hour counts from initial treatment on day 0 through infestation day 42.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Holzmer, S., J. A. Hair, et al. (2007). "Efficacy of a novel formulation of metaflumizone for the control of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) on cats." Vet Parasitol 150(3): 219-24.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Franc, M. and F. Beugnet (2008). "A comparative evaluation of the speed of kill and duration of efficacy against weekly infestations with fleas on cats treated with fipronil-(S)-methoprene or metaflumizone." Vet Ther 9(2): 102-10.

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is found world-wide on many species of mammals including cats. Only the adult life stage of the flea resides on the cat while all other stages exist in the environment. On-animal flea control products may take different approaches, such as ensuring no fleas survive long enough to reproduce or disrupting the viability of flea eggs. Metaflumizone (Promeris, Fort Dodge Animal Health) was recently introduced for flea control use on cats as a topical spot-on. This study, funded by Merial, was designed to compare the speed of kill and duration of flea kill of commercially available formulations of Promeris and fipronil–(S)-methoprene (Frontline Plus, Merial) in cats in order to determine which active ingredient would be best suited to eliminate fleas before they produce eggs. Speed of kill efficacies were assessed against existing infestations and against infestations at day 7. Efficacy was also assessed 24 and 48 hours after weekly flea infestations through day 42. Cats treated with Frontline Plus had significantly fewer fleas than those treated with Promeris at 12 and 18 hours after treatment and on the day 7 infestations. Frontline Plus-treated cats also had significantly fewer fleas than Promeris-treated cats for all 24-hour counts from initial treatment on day 0 through infestation day 42.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Holzmer, S., J. A. Hair, et al. (2007). "Efficacy of a novel formulation of metaflumizone for the control of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) on cats." Vet Parasitol 150(3): 219-24.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More