Uterine Disease in Cats

Hagman R, Karlstam E, Persson S et al: Plasma PGF(2alpha) metabolite levels in cats with uterine disease, Theriogenology 72:1180-87, 2009.

In many species of animals, uterine disease causes increases in levels of prostaglandin F2alpha, and this can be evaluated by measuring plasma levels of a metabolite called PGFM. In dogs, plasma PGFM levels are associated with the severity of uterine disease and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). SIRS is a serious inflammatory state affecting the whole body, often associated with sepsis. The objectives of this study were to investigate PGFM levels, the presence of SIRS, and clinical and laboratory parameters in cats with uterine disease. In total, 16 cats with uterine disease were evaluated (7 with pyometra, 7 with cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH), 2 with mucometra) as well as 14 healthy control cats. Cats with pyometra had higher PGFM levels than healthy cats, and cats with CEH had lower PGFM levels than healthy cats. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was present in 85% of the cats with pyometra, as well as in one cat with mucometra and one cat with CEH. Further investigation of the role of the SIRS and sepsis in cats with pyometra is needed. [SL]

Related articles:
Wiebe VJ, Howard JP: Pharmacologic advances in canine and feline reproduction, Top Companion Anim Med 24:71-99, 2009.

Nak D, Nak Y, Tuna B: Follow-up examinations after medical treatment of pyometra in cats with the progesterone-antagonist aglepristone, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 11:499-502, 2009.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Hagman R, Karlstam E, Persson S et al: Plasma PGF(2alpha) metabolite levels in cats with uterine disease, Theriogenology 72:1180-87, 2009.

In many species of animals, uterine disease causes increases in levels of prostaglandin F2alpha, and this can be evaluated by measuring plasma levels of a metabolite called PGFM. In dogs, plasma PGFM levels are associated with the severity of uterine disease and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). SIRS is a serious inflammatory state affecting the whole body, often associated with sepsis. The objectives of this study were to investigate PGFM levels, the presence of SIRS, and clinical and laboratory parameters in cats with uterine disease. In total, 16 cats with uterine disease were evaluated (7 with pyometra, 7 with cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH), 2 with mucometra) as well as 14 healthy control cats. Cats with pyometra had higher PGFM levels than healthy cats, and cats with CEH had lower PGFM levels than healthy cats. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was present in 85% of the cats with pyometra, as well as in one cat with mucometra and one cat with CEH. Further investigation of the role of the SIRS and sepsis in cats with pyometra is needed. [SL]

Related articles:
Wiebe VJ, Howard JP: Pharmacologic advances in canine and feline reproduction, Top Companion Anim Med 24:71-99, 2009.

Nak D, Nak Y, Tuna B: Follow-up examinations after medical treatment of pyometra in cats with the progesterone-antagonist aglepristone, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 11:499-502, 2009.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
New for 2010: subscribe to our e-newsletter

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Tritrichomonas Infection in the Uterus of a Cat

Dahlgren, S. S., B. Gjerde, et al. (2007). "First record of natural Tritrichomonas foetus infection of the feline uterus." J Small Anim Pract 48(11): 654-7.

Tritrichomonas foetus is an emerging intestinal parasite of cats, causing chronic large bowel diarrhea. In cattle, this protozoan parasite is a sexually transmitted pathogen, infecting the uterus of cows and the preputial cavity and urethral orifice of bulls. In this case report, the first feline record of T. foetus infection of the uterus is described in a 17-month old Exotic Shorthair queen in Norway with pyometra. This queen had no history of diarrhea. Three other cats in the cattery were diagnosed with T. foetus infection using PCR on fecal samples: a 4.5-year old Persian male with intermittent diarrhea, a 22-month old male Exotic Shorthair with normal feces, and a 2.5-year old female Persian with normal feces. Interestingly, T. foetus has never been identified in cattle in Norway, although it is a reportable disease.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Winn funded research
Kather, E. J., S. L. Marks, et al. (2007). "Determination of the in vitro susceptibility of feline Tritrichomonas foetus to 5 antimicrobial agents." J Vet Intern Med 21(5): 966-70.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Dahlgren, S. S., B. Gjerde, et al. (2007). "First record of natural Tritrichomonas foetus infection of the feline uterus." J Small Anim Pract 48(11): 654-7.

Tritrichomonas foetus is an emerging intestinal parasite of cats, causing chronic large bowel diarrhea. In cattle, this protozoan parasite is a sexually transmitted pathogen, infecting the uterus of cows and the preputial cavity and urethral orifice of bulls. In this case report, the first feline record of T. foetus infection of the uterus is described in a 17-month old Exotic Shorthair queen in Norway with pyometra. This queen had no history of diarrhea. Three other cats in the cattery were diagnosed with T. foetus infection using PCR on fecal samples: a 4.5-year old Persian male with intermittent diarrhea, a 22-month old male Exotic Shorthair with normal feces, and a 2.5-year old female Persian with normal feces. Interestingly, T. foetus has never been identified in cattle in Norway, although it is a reportable disease.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Winn funded research
Kather, E. J., S. L. Marks, et al. (2007). "Determination of the in vitro susceptibility of feline Tritrichomonas foetus to 5 antimicrobial agents." J Vet Intern Med 21(5): 966-70.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More