Cats and Dietary Sodium

Xu, H., D.P.L. Laflamme, and G.L. Long, Effects of dietary sodium chloride on health parameters in mature cats. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(6): p. 435-441.

High sodium diets are often used for cats to increase water intake and urine output, both beneficial goals for treatment of lower urinary tract disease. A study published in 2006 suggested that increased dietary sodium might have adverse effects on the kidneys. The objective of this controlled, prospective study was to evaluate the effect of different salt contents in diets fed to mature cats for a period of 6 months. No adverse effects were noted, including effects on food intake, body weight, hydration, blood pressure, and kidney function. These results are consistent with the majority of other studies which indicate that sodium at 1.5% of the diet (DM) is not harmful to healthy cats. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kirk, C.A., D.E. Jewell, and S.R. Lowry, Effects of sodium chloride on selected parameters in cats. Vet Ther, 2006. 7(4): p. 333-46.
>> PubMed Abstract

Luckschander, N., et al., Dietary NaCl does not affect blood pressure in healthy cats. J Vet Intern Med, 2004. 18(4): p. 463-467.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Xu, H., D.P.L. Laflamme, and G.L. Long, Effects of dietary sodium chloride on health parameters in mature cats. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(6): p. 435-441.

High sodium diets are often used for cats to increase water intake and urine output, both beneficial goals for treatment of lower urinary tract disease. A study published in 2006 suggested that increased dietary sodium might have adverse effects on the kidneys. The objective of this controlled, prospective study was to evaluate the effect of different salt contents in diets fed to mature cats for a period of 6 months. No adverse effects were noted, including effects on food intake, body weight, hydration, blood pressure, and kidney function. These results are consistent with the majority of other studies which indicate that sodium at 1.5% of the diet (DM) is not harmful to healthy cats. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kirk, C.A., D.E. Jewell, and S.R. Lowry, Effects of sodium chloride on selected parameters in cats. Vet Ther, 2006. 7(4): p. 333-46.
>> PubMed Abstract

Luckschander, N., et al., Dietary NaCl does not affect blood pressure in healthy cats. J Vet Intern Med, 2004. 18(4): p. 463-467.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Understanding FIP

Regan, A.D., R.D. Cohen, and G.R. Whittaker, Activation of p38 MAPK by feline infectious peritonitis virus regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production in primary blood-derived feline mononuclear cells. Virology, 2009. 384(1): p. 135-43.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease of cats associated with feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection, a common enteric virus of cats. How this virus leads to the lethal disease is not clear, as most infected cats do not develop disease. Cytokines are proteins secreted from cells, including cells of the immune system, that are important in mediating an effective immune response. Cats with FIP have abnormal cytokine production that may contribute to the disease FIP. In this study, the investigators examined the effects of the FIP virus on certain white blood cells collected from cats, in a laboratory environment. These cells are the target of the FCoV in cases of FIP. The investigators showed that an important cellular pathway responsible for inducing inflammation is activated by the virus, and is a key contributor to the disease observed in cats with FIP. The raises the possibility that inhibitors of this pathway may be beneficial in the treatment of FIP. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Takano, T., et al., Neutrophil survival factors (TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and G-CSF) produced by macrophages in cats infected with feline infectious peritonitis virus contribute to the pathogenesis of granulomatous lesions. Arch Virol, 2009.
>> PubMed Abstract

Giordano, A. and S. Paltrinieri, Interferon-gamma in the serum and effusions of cats with feline coronavirus infection. Vet J, 2009. 180(3): p. 396-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Regan, A.D., R.D. Cohen, and G.R. Whittaker, Activation of p38 MAPK by feline infectious peritonitis virus regulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production in primary blood-derived feline mononuclear cells. Virology, 2009. 384(1): p. 135-43.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease of cats associated with feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection, a common enteric virus of cats. How this virus leads to the lethal disease is not clear, as most infected cats do not develop disease. Cytokines are proteins secreted from cells, including cells of the immune system, that are important in mediating an effective immune response. Cats with FIP have abnormal cytokine production that may contribute to the disease FIP. In this study, the investigators examined the effects of the FIP virus on certain white blood cells collected from cats, in a laboratory environment. These cells are the target of the FCoV in cases of FIP. The investigators showed that an important cellular pathway responsible for inducing inflammation is activated by the virus, and is a key contributor to the disease observed in cats with FIP. The raises the possibility that inhibitors of this pathway may be beneficial in the treatment of FIP. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Takano, T., et al., Neutrophil survival factors (TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and G-CSF) produced by macrophages in cats infected with feline infectious peritonitis virus contribute to the pathogenesis of granulomatous lesions. Arch Virol, 2009.
>> PubMed Abstract

Giordano, A. and S. Paltrinieri, Interferon-gamma in the serum and effusions of cats with feline coronavirus infection. Vet J, 2009. 180(3): p. 396-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Risk Factors for FIV Infection

Murray, J.K., et al., Risk factors for feline immunodeficiency virus antibody test status in Cats Protection adoption centres (2004). Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(6): p. 467-473.

This study determined the prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) within a group of cats entering 10 United Kingdom adoption centres run by Cat Protection. All cats entering the facilities were tested for FIV using a rapid enzyme immunoassay antibody test. The overall prevalence of positive test results was 3.1%, while the prevalence at different adoption centres varied from 0.8% to 6.7%. Male cats were found to be approximately three times more likely than female cats to be FIV positive. The previous history of the cat was also shown to be associated with FIV status, where cats admitted from stray or feral backgrounds were approximately three times more likely to be FIV positive than those cats surrendered by their owners. Cats in poor health were four times more likely to be positive than those with fair to good health. There was no evidence found for an association between neuter status and FIV test results. The study may help adoption centres identify those cats with an increased risk of FIV for routine FIV testing. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Levy, J.K., et al., Seroprevalence of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among cats in North America and risk factors for seropositivity. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2006. 228(3): p. 371-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

Macieira, D.B., et al., Prevalence and risk factors for hemoplasmas in domestic cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus and/or feline leukemia virus in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. J Feline Med Surg, 2008. 10(2): p. 120-9.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Murray, J.K., et al., Risk factors for feline immunodeficiency virus antibody test status in Cats Protection adoption centres (2004). Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(6): p. 467-473.

This study determined the prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) within a group of cats entering 10 United Kingdom adoption centres run by Cat Protection. All cats entering the facilities were tested for FIV using a rapid enzyme immunoassay antibody test. The overall prevalence of positive test results was 3.1%, while the prevalence at different adoption centres varied from 0.8% to 6.7%. Male cats were found to be approximately three times more likely than female cats to be FIV positive. The previous history of the cat was also shown to be associated with FIV status, where cats admitted from stray or feral backgrounds were approximately three times more likely to be FIV positive than those cats surrendered by their owners. Cats in poor health were four times more likely to be positive than those with fair to good health. There was no evidence found for an association between neuter status and FIV test results. The study may help adoption centres identify those cats with an increased risk of FIV for routine FIV testing. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Levy, J.K., et al., Seroprevalence of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among cats in North America and risk factors for seropositivity. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 2006. 228(3): p. 371-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

Macieira, D.B., et al., Prevalence and risk factors for hemoplasmas in domestic cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus and/or feline leukemia virus in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. J Feline Med Surg, 2008. 10(2): p. 120-9.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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