Probiotics for Cats

Wynn, S. G. (2009). "Probiotics in veterinary practice." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 234(5): 606-613.

The definition of a probiotic is one of several “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Probiotics have luminal and mucosal effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune organ of the body. Mucosal effects would include interactions with immune cells and enterocytes. Luminal effects include chemical changes in ingesta and mucus as a result of the probiotic activity. Cats and dogs have high numbers of bacteria in the proximal portion of the gastrointestinal tract, more so than seen in humans. Cat feces contain high number of anaerobic bacteria, so the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus has been evaluated in the cat. The use of probiotics clearly seems to enhance immune function in cats and seems to have a role in the treatment of certain gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea). Other clinical effects are still being considered. However, probiotic products have a large variation in quality control and the safety factor is still being evaluated. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Weese, J. S. (2002). "Microbiologic evaluation of commercial probiotics." J Am Vet Med Assoc 220(6): 794-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

Weese, J. S. (2003). "Evaluation of deficiencies in labeling of commercial probiotics." Can Vet J 44(12): 982-3.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Wynn, S. G. (2009). "Probiotics in veterinary practice." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 234(5): 606-613.

The definition of a probiotic is one of several “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Probiotics have luminal and mucosal effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune organ of the body. Mucosal effects would include interactions with immune cells and enterocytes. Luminal effects include chemical changes in ingesta and mucus as a result of the probiotic activity. Cats and dogs have high numbers of bacteria in the proximal portion of the gastrointestinal tract, more so than seen in humans. Cat feces contain high number of anaerobic bacteria, so the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus has been evaluated in the cat. The use of probiotics clearly seems to enhance immune function in cats and seems to have a role in the treatment of certain gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea). Other clinical effects are still being considered. However, probiotic products have a large variation in quality control and the safety factor is still being evaluated. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Weese, J. S. (2002). "Microbiologic evaluation of commercial probiotics." J Am Vet Med Assoc 220(6): 794-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

Weese, J. S. (2003). "Evaluation of deficiencies in labeling of commercial probiotics." Can Vet J 44(12): 982-3.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More

Biochemical Testing for Feline Heart Disease

Zimmering, T. M., F. Meneses, et al. (2009). "Measurement of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide in plasma of cats with and without cardiomyopathy." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(2): 216-222.

Nt-proANP is a natriuretic peptide produced in the cardiac muscle cells of the atria. In humans, ANP concentrations are used to distinguish people with chronic heart failure and monitor progression of the disease, survivability, and the efficacy of cardiac interventions. Two recent studies in cats indicated that plasma ANP concentrations were higher in cats with cardiomyopathy (CM) than in healthy cats. This study looked at 43 cats that were divided into three groups: control cats, cats with cardiomyopathy without congestive heart failure (CM without CHF), and cats with cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure (CM with CHF). All cats had a physical examination, assessment of clinicopathologic variables that included plasma thyroxine concentration, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography. Each cat was assigned to one of the three groups based on results of these findings. A blood sample was taken from all 43 cats for a plasma Nt-proANP concentration using a human ELISA test kit. The first goal of the study was to determine whether Nt-proANP concentrations in cats with CM differ from concentrations in healthy cats. A second goal was to determine if there was a difference in values between cats with CM and no CHF from those cats that had CM with CHF. The results showed significant difference in Nt-proANP concentrations between the control cats that were healthy and the group with CM without CHF. The values were much higher in those cats assessed with CM only. The cats with CM with CHF had even significantly higher concentrations of Nt-proANP than the elevated values noted for the cats with CM and no CHF. Nt-proANP measurement could aid in the assessment of cats with cardiomyopathy and might be useful as a screening marker for the disease. The assay also has the potential for distinguishing between cats with CM without CHF and cats with CM and CHF. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Connolly, D. J., R. J. Soares Magalhaes, et al. (2008). "Circulating natriuretic peptides in cats with heart disease." J Vet Intern Med 22(1): 96-105.
>> PubMed Abstract

Biondo, A. W., E. J. Ehrhart, et al. (2003). "Immunohistochemistry of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in control cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Vet Pathol 40(5): 501-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Zimmering, T. M., F. Meneses, et al. (2009). "Measurement of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide in plasma of cats with and without cardiomyopathy." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(2): 216-222.

Nt-proANP is a natriuretic peptide produced in the cardiac muscle cells of the atria. In humans, ANP concentrations are used to distinguish people with chronic heart failure and monitor progression of the disease, survivability, and the efficacy of cardiac interventions. Two recent studies in cats indicated that plasma ANP concentrations were higher in cats with cardiomyopathy (CM) than in healthy cats. This study looked at 43 cats that were divided into three groups: control cats, cats with cardiomyopathy without congestive heart failure (CM without CHF), and cats with cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure (CM with CHF). All cats had a physical examination, assessment of clinicopathologic variables that included plasma thyroxine concentration, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography. Each cat was assigned to one of the three groups based on results of these findings. A blood sample was taken from all 43 cats for a plasma Nt-proANP concentration using a human ELISA test kit. The first goal of the study was to determine whether Nt-proANP concentrations in cats with CM differ from concentrations in healthy cats. A second goal was to determine if there was a difference in values between cats with CM and no CHF from those cats that had CM with CHF. The results showed significant difference in Nt-proANP concentrations between the control cats that were healthy and the group with CM without CHF. The values were much higher in those cats assessed with CM only. The cats with CM with CHF had even significantly higher concentrations of Nt-proANP than the elevated values noted for the cats with CM and no CHF. Nt-proANP measurement could aid in the assessment of cats with cardiomyopathy and might be useful as a screening marker for the disease. The assay also has the potential for distinguishing between cats with CM without CHF and cats with CM and CHF. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Connolly, D. J., R. J. Soares Magalhaes, et al. (2008). "Circulating natriuretic peptides in cats with heart disease." J Vet Intern Med 22(1): 96-105.
>> PubMed Abstract

Biondo, A. W., E. J. Ehrhart, et al. (2003). "Immunohistochemistry of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in control cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Vet Pathol 40(5): 501-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More