Toxoplasma and Bartonella in Pennsylvania Cats

Dubey JP, Bhatia CR, Lappin MR, et al. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. antibodies in cats from Pennsylvania. J Parasitol 2009;95:578-580.

Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens that infect cats. Good prevalence studies of these organisms in cats are lacking. The researchers examined blood samples from 210 cats at a humane shelter in Bensalem, Pennsylvania from January to July 2008 for antibodies to these pathogens. Nearly 20% of the cats tested positive for T. gondii, which is lower than previous studies in other geographic areas both in the United States and elsewhere in the world. That may be due to the fact that nearly a quarter of the cats tested were kittens. Seroprevalence increased with the age of the cat. Over 25% of cats tested were seropositive for Bartonella spp. Seventeen cats had antibodies to both organisms, but there was no correlation between T. gondii and Bartonella spp. seropositivity. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
DeFeo ML, Dubey JP, Mather TN, et al. Epidemiologic investigation of seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in cats and rodents. Am J Vet Res 2002;63:1714-1717.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lappin MR, Breitschwerdt EB, Brewer M, et al. Prevalence of Bartonella species antibodies and Bartonella species DNA in the blood of cats with and without fever. J Feline Med Surg 2009;11:141-148.
>> PubMed Abstract

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

Dubey JP, Bhatia CR, Lappin MR, et al. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. antibodies in cats from Pennsylvania. J Parasitol 2009;95:578-580.

Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens that infect cats. Good prevalence studies of these organisms in cats are lacking. The researchers examined blood samples from 210 cats at a humane shelter in Bensalem, Pennsylvania from January to July 2008 for antibodies to these pathogens. Nearly 20% of the cats tested positive for T. gondii, which is lower than previous studies in other geographic areas both in the United States and elsewhere in the world. That may be due to the fact that nearly a quarter of the cats tested were kittens. Seroprevalence increased with the age of the cat. Over 25% of cats tested were seropositive for Bartonella spp. Seventeen cats had antibodies to both organisms, but there was no correlation between T. gondii and Bartonella spp. seropositivity. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
DeFeo ML, Dubey JP, Mather TN, et al. Epidemiologic investigation of seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in cats and rodents. Am J Vet Res 2002;63:1714-1717.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lappin MR, Breitschwerdt EB, Brewer M, et al. Prevalence of Bartonella species antibodies and Bartonella species DNA in the blood of cats with and without fever. J Feline Med Surg 2009;11:141-148.
>> PubMed Abstract

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

Read More

Thyroid Hormone Testing

Rutland BE, Nachreiner RF, Kruger JM. Optimal testing for thyroid hormone concentration after treatment with methimazole in healthy and hyperthyroid cats. J Vet Intern Med 2009;23:1025-1030.

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrinopathies of cats and its prevalence is increasing in recent years. Methimazole is commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism and its action is to suppress thyroid hormone synthesis. The optimal time for blood sampling to monitor therapeutic efficacy, and the amount of variation in thyroid hormone concentrations 24 hours post administration of methimazole have not been determined. In this study, healthy cats were given steadily increasing doses of oral methimazole until a steady state of thyroid suppression was achieved. It was found that there is a significant and sustained suppression of total thyroxine (TT4), total tri-iodothyronine (TT3), free T3, and free T4 concentrations for 24 hours after a once daily methimazole administration in healthy cats. The time to thyroid gland suppression in healthy cats was 2-5 weeks. In addition, a retrospective study of 889 thyroid profiles from methimazole-treated hyperthyroid cats was reviewed. The review noted that in hyperthyroid cats, there was no significant relationship between thyroid hormone concentrations and time post-pill or dosing interval. The conclusion was timing of blood sampling after oral methimazole administration does not appear to be a significant factor when assessing response to treatment. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Trepanier L, Hoffman S, Kroll M, et al. Efficacy and safety of once versus twice daily administration of methimazole in cats with hyperthyroidism. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003;222:954-958.
>> PubMed Abstract

Trepanier LA. Pharmacologic management of feline hyperthyroidism. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2007;37:775-788, vii.
>> PubMed Abstract

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

Rutland BE, Nachreiner RF, Kruger JM. Optimal testing for thyroid hormone concentration after treatment with methimazole in healthy and hyperthyroid cats. J Vet Intern Med 2009;23:1025-1030.

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrinopathies of cats and its prevalence is increasing in recent years. Methimazole is commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism and its action is to suppress thyroid hormone synthesis. The optimal time for blood sampling to monitor therapeutic efficacy, and the amount of variation in thyroid hormone concentrations 24 hours post administration of methimazole have not been determined. In this study, healthy cats were given steadily increasing doses of oral methimazole until a steady state of thyroid suppression was achieved. It was found that there is a significant and sustained suppression of total thyroxine (TT4), total tri-iodothyronine (TT3), free T3, and free T4 concentrations for 24 hours after a once daily methimazole administration in healthy cats. The time to thyroid gland suppression in healthy cats was 2-5 weeks. In addition, a retrospective study of 889 thyroid profiles from methimazole-treated hyperthyroid cats was reviewed. The review noted that in hyperthyroid cats, there was no significant relationship between thyroid hormone concentrations and time post-pill or dosing interval. The conclusion was timing of blood sampling after oral methimazole administration does not appear to be a significant factor when assessing response to treatment. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Trepanier L, Hoffman S, Kroll M, et al. Efficacy and safety of once versus twice daily administration of methimazole in cats with hyperthyroidism. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003;222:954-958.
>> PubMed Abstract

Trepanier LA. Pharmacologic management of feline hyperthyroidism. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2007;37:775-788, vii.
>> PubMed Abstract

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

Read More