Infertility in the Female Cat

Axnér, E., E. Ågren, et al. (2008). "Infertility in the cycling queen: seven cases." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(6): 566-576.

There are many potential causes of infertility in cats, and investigation must take into account many factors, such as nutrition, housing, environment, management, and infectious diseases. This study evaluated 7 queens with a history of infertility despite normal estrous behavior and normal mating behavior. All queens were over 18 months of age, and had been mated at least 3 times with fertile males without pregnancy. A detailed medical and reproductive history for each queen was recorded. Each cat had a complete physical examination, vaginal swabs for culture and cytology, and blood samples for infectious diseases and hormone levels. The uterus and ovaries of each cat were examined with ultrasound. Four of the queens were treated with antibiotics, and 2 went on to successfully deliver kittens. Of the other 2 treated cats, one was not mated again, and one was mated unsuccessfully. One queen was spayed due to the discovery of uterine pathology. For 2 of the queens, no definitive diagnosis was established and no treatment was given. In summary, 4 of the queens were diagnosed with uterine pathology, while no definitive diagnosis could be established for the remaining 3 queens. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Axner, E. (2008). "Updates on reproductive physiology, genital diseases and artificial insemination in the domestic cat." Reprod Domest Anim 43 Suppl 2: 144-9.
>> PubMed Abstract

Romagnoli, S. (2003). "Clinical approach to infertility in the queen." J Fel Med Surg 5(2): 143-146.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Axnér, E., E. Ågren, et al. (2008). "Infertility in the cycling queen: seven cases." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(6): 566-576.

There are many potential causes of infertility in cats, and investigation must take into account many factors, such as nutrition, housing, environment, management, and infectious diseases. This study evaluated 7 queens with a history of infertility despite normal estrous behavior and normal mating behavior. All queens were over 18 months of age, and had been mated at least 3 times with fertile males without pregnancy. A detailed medical and reproductive history for each queen was recorded. Each cat had a complete physical examination, vaginal swabs for culture and cytology, and blood samples for infectious diseases and hormone levels. The uterus and ovaries of each cat were examined with ultrasound. Four of the queens were treated with antibiotics, and 2 went on to successfully deliver kittens. Of the other 2 treated cats, one was not mated again, and one was mated unsuccessfully. One queen was spayed due to the discovery of uterine pathology. For 2 of the queens, no definitive diagnosis was established and no treatment was given. In summary, 4 of the queens were diagnosed with uterine pathology, while no definitive diagnosis could be established for the remaining 3 queens. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Axner, E. (2008). "Updates on reproductive physiology, genital diseases and artificial insemination in the domestic cat." Reprod Domest Anim 43 Suppl 2: 144-9.
>> PubMed Abstract

Romagnoli, S. (2003). "Clinical approach to infertility in the queen." J Fel Med Surg 5(2): 143-146.
>> PubMed Abstract

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

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Herpesvirus Infections in Cats

Westermeyer, H. D., S. M. Thomasy, et al. (2009). "Assessment of viremia associated with experimental primary feline herpesvirus infection or presumed herpetic recrudescence in cats." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(1): 99-104.

Feline herpesvirus-1 is associated with respiratory disease, often in kittens. Most infected cats remain latently infected for life; these latent infections may reactivate during times of stress. While herpesviruses in other species commonly spread to other tissues in infected animals via the bloodstream, this appears to be infrequent in cats. These researchers investigated the occurrence of virus in the blood of infected cats during acute infection, as well as during reactivation of latent infections. Following infection of six cats with FHV-1, virus was detected in the blood for up to two weeks post-infection. However, virus was not detected in the blood of 34 shelter cats, 25 of whom had evidence of FHV-associated disease and tested positive for the virus on conjunctival samples, using either virus isolation or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The authors conclude there may be a brief period of viremia in cats following acute infection, but none associated with reactivation of latent infection. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Maggs, D., M. Lappin, et al. (1999). "Evaluation of serologic and viral detection methods for diagnosing feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats with acute respiratory tract or chronic ocular disease." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 214(4): 502.
>> PubMed Abstract

Bannasch, M. and J. Foley (2005). "Epidemiologic evaluation of multiple respiratory pathogens in cats in animal shelters." J Fel Med Surg 7(2): 109-119.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Westermeyer, H. D., S. M. Thomasy, et al. (2009). "Assessment of viremia associated with experimental primary feline herpesvirus infection or presumed herpetic recrudescence in cats." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(1): 99-104.

Feline herpesvirus-1 is associated with respiratory disease, often in kittens. Most infected cats remain latently infected for life; these latent infections may reactivate during times of stress. While herpesviruses in other species commonly spread to other tissues in infected animals via the bloodstream, this appears to be infrequent in cats. These researchers investigated the occurrence of virus in the blood of infected cats during acute infection, as well as during reactivation of latent infections. Following infection of six cats with FHV-1, virus was detected in the blood for up to two weeks post-infection. However, virus was not detected in the blood of 34 shelter cats, 25 of whom had evidence of FHV-associated disease and tested positive for the virus on conjunctival samples, using either virus isolation or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The authors conclude there may be a brief period of viremia in cats following acute infection, but none associated with reactivation of latent infection. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Maggs, D., M. Lappin, et al. (1999). "Evaluation of serologic and viral detection methods for diagnosing feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats with acute respiratory tract or chronic ocular disease." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 214(4): 502.
>> PubMed Abstract

Bannasch, M. and J. Foley (2005). "Epidemiologic evaluation of multiple respiratory pathogens in cats in animal shelters." J Fel Med Surg 7(2): 109-119.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Heart Disease in Cats

Paige, C. F., J. A. Abbott, et al. (2009). "Prevalence of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 234(11): 1398-1403.

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of cardiomyopathy and the relationship between cardiomyopathy and heart murmurs in apparently healthy cats. The study included 103 privately owned and apparently healthy cats that were physically and echocardiographically examined independently by two investigators. Left ventricular wall thickness was determined using 2-dimensional echocardiography in short-axis and long-axis views. Sixteen of the cats examined had heart murmurs detected; of these, 5 had cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy was also identified in 16 cats; 15 had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and one had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The sensitivity and specificity of auscultatory detection of a heart murmur for diagnosis of cardiomyopathy were 31% and 87%, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that cardiomyopathy is common in healthy cats. In addition, detection of a heart murmur is not a reliable indicator of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Rush, J., L. Freeman, et al. (2002). "Population and survival characteristics of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: 260 cases (1990-1999)." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 220(2): 202-207.
>> PubMed Abstract

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.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Paige, C. F., J. A. Abbott, et al. (2009). "Prevalence of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 234(11): 1398-1403.

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of cardiomyopathy and the relationship between cardiomyopathy and heart murmurs in apparently healthy cats. The study included 103 privately owned and apparently healthy cats that were physically and echocardiographically examined independently by two investigators. Left ventricular wall thickness was determined using 2-dimensional echocardiography in short-axis and long-axis views. Sixteen of the cats examined had heart murmurs detected; of these, 5 had cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy was also identified in 16 cats; 15 had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and one had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The sensitivity and specificity of auscultatory detection of a heart murmur for diagnosis of cardiomyopathy were 31% and 87%, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that cardiomyopathy is common in healthy cats. In addition, detection of a heart murmur is not a reliable indicator of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Rush, J., L. Freeman, et al. (2002). "Population and survival characteristics of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: 260 cases (1990-1999)." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 220(2): 202-207.
>> PubMed Abstract

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.
>> PubMed Abstract

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

Read More