Phimosis in Cats

May LR, Hauptman JG. Phimosis in cats: 10 cases (2000-2008). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. Nov-Dec 2009;45(6):277-283.

Medical records for ten cats diagnosed with phimosis were reviewed at Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Phimosis is a condition defined by the inability of the penis to be extruded beyond the preputial orifice due to either the absence of an opening or an abnormally small orifice. The problem can either be congenital or acquired. Causes of acquired phimosis included neoplasia, edema, inflammation or scarring secondary to trauma. Signs can vary from asymptomatic changes to narrowing severe enough to cause urine retention and death. The most common signs noted in this review were stranguria and pollakiuria, found in eight of ten cats. The median age of the cats was 18.6 weeks and diagnosis was made by physical examination alone. Surgical correction by widening the preputial orifice was performed in eight of the ten cats. Follow-up communications with owners indicated that surgical correction resolved the pre-operative clinical signs attributed to phimosis. [VT]

Related articles:
Bright SR, Mellanby RJ. Congenital phimosis in a cat. J Feline Med Surg. Dec 2004;6(6):367-370.

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May LR, Hauptman JG. Phimosis in cats: 10 cases (2000-2008). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. Nov-Dec 2009;45(6):277-283.

Medical records for ten cats diagnosed with phimosis were reviewed at Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Phimosis is a condition defined by the inability of the penis to be extruded beyond the preputial orifice due to either the absence of an opening or an abnormally small orifice. The problem can either be congenital or acquired. Causes of acquired phimosis included neoplasia, edema, inflammation or scarring secondary to trauma. Signs can vary from asymptomatic changes to narrowing severe enough to cause urine retention and death. The most common signs noted in this review were stranguria and pollakiuria, found in eight of ten cats. The median age of the cats was 18.6 weeks and diagnosis was made by physical examination alone. Surgical correction by widening the preputial orifice was performed in eight of the ten cats. Follow-up communications with owners indicated that surgical correction resolved the pre-operative clinical signs attributed to phimosis. [VT]

Related articles:
Bright SR, Mellanby RJ. Congenital phimosis in a cat. J Feline Med Surg. Dec 2004;6(6):367-370.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Characterization of FIP Mutants

Pederson N, Liu H, Dodd K, Pesavento P. Significance of coronavirus mutants in feces and diseased tissues of cats suffering from feline infectious peritonitis. Viruses. 2009;1(2):166-184.

This article describes viral characterization of the feline coronavirus found in feces versus diseased tissues of cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The researchers found that within a single cat, the viruses found in the intestinal tract and diseased tissue were almost 100% identical genetically. Minor differences were found in several of the genes of feline coronaviruses. Notably, the gene encoding a virus protein whose function remains unknown, the 3c protein, was almost always mutated in viruses found in FIP lesions. These mutations, while minor, are predicted to lead to a dysfunctional protein product. Viruses from the feces of these same cats however, almost always had intact, functional 3c genes. While the 3c mutation is not universal among FIP virus isolates, it does occur in the majority, and is speculated to play a significant role in FIP development. From this study, it also appears that the FIP mutants arose separately in each affected cat, rather than spreading cat-to-cat. Thus, horizontal transmission of FIP does not readily occur. More research into the function of the 3c gene product is needed to define its role in FIP. [MK]

Related articles:
Pedersen NC. A review of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection: 1963-2008. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(4):225-258.

Vennema H, Poland A, Foley J, Pedersen NC. Feline infectious peritonitis viruses arise by mutation from endemic feline enteric coronaviruses. Virology. Mar 30 1998;243(1):150-157.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
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Pederson N, Liu H, Dodd K, Pesavento P. Significance of coronavirus mutants in feces and diseased tissues of cats suffering from feline infectious peritonitis. Viruses. 2009;1(2):166-184.

This article describes viral characterization of the feline coronavirus found in feces versus diseased tissues of cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The researchers found that within a single cat, the viruses found in the intestinal tract and diseased tissue were almost 100% identical genetically. Minor differences were found in several of the genes of feline coronaviruses. Notably, the gene encoding a virus protein whose function remains unknown, the 3c protein, was almost always mutated in viruses found in FIP lesions. These mutations, while minor, are predicted to lead to a dysfunctional protein product. Viruses from the feces of these same cats however, almost always had intact, functional 3c genes. While the 3c mutation is not universal among FIP virus isolates, it does occur in the majority, and is speculated to play a significant role in FIP development. From this study, it also appears that the FIP mutants arose separately in each affected cat, rather than spreading cat-to-cat. Thus, horizontal transmission of FIP does not readily occur. More research into the function of the 3c gene product is needed to define its role in FIP. [MK]

Related articles:
Pedersen NC. A review of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection: 1963-2008. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(4):225-258.

Vennema H, Poland A, Foley J, Pedersen NC. Feline infectious peritonitis viruses arise by mutation from endemic feline enteric coronaviruses. Virology. Mar 30 1998;243(1):150-157.

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

Read More