Treatment of Feline Herpesvirus with Cidofovir

Fontenelle, J. P., C. C. Powell, et al. (2008). "Effect of topical ophthalmic application of cidofovir on experimentally induced primary ocular feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats." Am J Vet Res 69(2): 289-93.

The efficacy of twice-daily topical application of 0.5% cidofovir in cats with experimentally induced ocular feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infection was evaluated in this project. Twelve cats were infected with an FHV-1 field strain and divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received 1 drop of cidofovir solution in both eyes twice daily for 2 weeks, starting on day 4. The control group received 1 drop of the same solution but without cidofovir. The cats were evaluated with a standard scoring system for 24 days. Ocular viral shedding was assessed with PCR every 3 days. During the treatment period, the clinical scores and amount of viral shedding were significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. No systemic or local adverse effects were seen in the cats treated with cidofovir, and all cats were monitored for at least 1 year following the end of the project. Cidofovir may represent an effective new treatment for FHV-1 with the added benefits of causing less local irritation than currently available topical treatments, and requiring less frequent administration.
>> PubMed abstract

For further reading:
van der Meulen, K., B. Garre, et al. (2006). "In vitro comparison of antiviral drugs against feline herpesvirus 1." BMC Vet Res 2: 13.
>> Free full text article

Sandmeyer, L. S., C. B. Keller, et al. (2005). "Effects of cidofovir on cell death and replication of feline herpesvirus-1 in cultured feline corneal epithelial cells." Am J Vet Res 66(2): 217-22.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Fontenelle, J. P., C. C. Powell, et al. (2008). "Effect of topical ophthalmic application of cidofovir on experimentally induced primary ocular feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats." Am J Vet Res 69(2): 289-93.

The efficacy of twice-daily topical application of 0.5% cidofovir in cats with experimentally induced ocular feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infection was evaluated in this project. Twelve cats were infected with an FHV-1 field strain and divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received 1 drop of cidofovir solution in both eyes twice daily for 2 weeks, starting on day 4. The control group received 1 drop of the same solution but without cidofovir. The cats were evaluated with a standard scoring system for 24 days. Ocular viral shedding was assessed with PCR every 3 days. During the treatment period, the clinical scores and amount of viral shedding were significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. No systemic or local adverse effects were seen in the cats treated with cidofovir, and all cats were monitored for at least 1 year following the end of the project. Cidofovir may represent an effective new treatment for FHV-1 with the added benefits of causing less local irritation than currently available topical treatments, and requiring less frequent administration.
>> PubMed abstract

For further reading:
van der Meulen, K., B. Garre, et al. (2006). "In vitro comparison of antiviral drugs against feline herpesvirus 1." BMC Vet Res 2: 13.
>> Free full text article

Sandmeyer, L. S., C. B. Keller, et al. (2005). "Effects of cidofovir on cell death and replication of feline herpesvirus-1 in cultured feline corneal epithelial cells." Am J Vet Res 66(2): 217-22.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Quality of FeLV & FIV Tests

Hartmann, K., P. Griessmayr, et al. (2007). "Quality of different in-clinic test systems for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection." J Feline Med Surg 9(6): 439-45.


There are many commerical kits available for in-clinic diagnosis of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This study evaluated seven FIV and eight FeLV test kits. The researchers tested 536 serum samples from randomly selected cats. Positive FIV tests were confirmed with Western blot and positive FeLV tests were confirmed by virus isolation. Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of eact test were determined. All test kits performed well, with the exception of one kit that produced unacceptable numbers of invalid test results and results that are difficult to interpret. Positive test results should always be confirmed, especially in a healthy cat from a low-risk environment.
>> PubMed abstract


Current retroviral testing guidelines from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Hartmann, K., P. Griessmayr, et al. (2007). "Quality of different in-clinic test systems for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection." J Feline Med Surg 9(6): 439-45.


There are many commerical kits available for in-clinic diagnosis of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This study evaluated seven FIV and eight FeLV test kits. The researchers tested 536 serum samples from randomly selected cats. Positive FIV tests were confirmed with Western blot and positive FeLV tests were confirmed by virus isolation. Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of eact test were determined. All test kits performed well, with the exception of one kit that produced unacceptable numbers of invalid test results and results that are difficult to interpret. Positive test results should always be confirmed, especially in a healthy cat from a low-risk environment.
>> PubMed abstract


Current retroviral testing guidelines from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners


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Outcome of Cats with Lymphoma

Kiselow, M. A., K. M. Rassnick, et al. (2008). "Outcome of cats with low-grade lymphocytic lymphoma: 41 cases (1995-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(3): 405-10.

This retrospective case series looked at 41 cats with confirmed lymphoma of various organs treated with prednisone and chlorambucil. Common clinical signs included vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and diarrhea. The majority of cats tested had low serum cobalamin levels. Most cats (68%) had lymphoma confined to the gastrointestinal tract. A complete response to treatment was achieved in 58% of cats, and 39% achieved a partial response. Overall median survival time was 704 days. This study shows that most cats diagnosed with lymphocytic lymphoma will respond to treatment with prednisone and chlorambucil.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Hadden, A. G., S. M. Cotter, et al. (2008). "Efficacy and Toxicosis of VELCAP-C Treatment of Lymphoma in Cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(1): 153-7.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Kiselow, M. A., K. M. Rassnick, et al. (2008). "Outcome of cats with low-grade lymphocytic lymphoma: 41 cases (1995-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(3): 405-10.

This retrospective case series looked at 41 cats with confirmed lymphoma of various organs treated with prednisone and chlorambucil. Common clinical signs included vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and diarrhea. The majority of cats tested had low serum cobalamin levels. Most cats (68%) had lymphoma confined to the gastrointestinal tract. A complete response to treatment was achieved in 58% of cats, and 39% achieved a partial response. Overall median survival time was 704 days. This study shows that most cats diagnosed with lymphocytic lymphoma will respond to treatment with prednisone and chlorambucil.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Hadden, A. G., S. M. Cotter, et al. (2008). "Efficacy and Toxicosis of VELCAP-C Treatment of Lymphoma in Cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(1): 153-7.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Liver Function and Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Berent, A. C., K. J. Drobatz, et al. (2007). Liver function in cats with hyperthyroidism before and after 131I therapy. J Vet Intern Med 21(6): 1217-23.

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disease of senior cats, and many patients have changes in liver enzymes and other markers of liver function at the time of diagnosis. The clinical significance of these markers of liver damage is unknown. In this study, the liver function of 19 cats with naturally occurring hyperthyroidism was evaluated before and after I-131 therapy. The majority of the cats (15/19) had significant increases in at least one liver enzyme, yet functional testing was normal. All hyperthyroid cats had normal livers on ultrasound examination. All cats responded to treatment with I-131 and all changes in liver enzymes returned to normal. This study supports the conclusion that investigation for liver disease is unnecessary in most cats with hyperthyroidism.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Archer, F. J. and S. M. Taylor (1996). Alkaline phosphatase bone isoenzyme and osteocalcin in the serum of hyperthyroid cats. Can Vet J 37(12): 735-9.
[Free full text article]

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Berent, A. C., K. J. Drobatz, et al. (2007). Liver function in cats with hyperthyroidism before and after 131I therapy. J Vet Intern Med 21(6): 1217-23.

Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disease of senior cats, and many patients have changes in liver enzymes and other markers of liver function at the time of diagnosis. The clinical significance of these markers of liver damage is unknown. In this study, the liver function of 19 cats with naturally occurring hyperthyroidism was evaluated before and after I-131 therapy. The majority of the cats (15/19) had significant increases in at least one liver enzyme, yet functional testing was normal. All hyperthyroid cats had normal livers on ultrasound examination. All cats responded to treatment with I-131 and all changes in liver enzymes returned to normal. This study supports the conclusion that investigation for liver disease is unnecessary in most cats with hyperthyroidism.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Archer, F. J. and S. M. Taylor (1996). Alkaline phosphatase bone isoenzyme and osteocalcin in the serum of hyperthyroid cats. Can Vet J 37(12): 735-9.
[Free full text article]

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Efficacy of Transdermal Atenolol for Cats

Macgregor, J. M., J. E. Rush, et al. (2008). "Comparison of pharmacodynamic variables following oral versus transdermal administration of atenolol to healthy cats." Am J Vet Res 69(1): 39-44.

Atenolol is often prescribed for cats with certain types of heart disease, most notably some forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The drug is typically prescribed as 1/4 of a 25 mg tablet every 12 hours. Long term daily administration of oral medication may be very difficult for some owners to achieve. In recent years, there has been great interest in transdermal formulations of medication for cats. Few studies have reported on the efficacy of transdermal gel medications for cats, and of those that have been published the results are not always promising. In this project, atenolol was administered to 7 healthy cats, either orally or as a transdermal gel. Blood levels of atenolol were tested to determine efficacy of the route of administration. The difference between the two routes of administration was significant, with transdermal atenolol providing lower and inconsistent blood levels compared to oral administration.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Helms, S. R. (2007). "Treatment of feline hypertension with transdermal amlodipine: a pilot study." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 43(3): 149-156.

Lecuyer, M., S. Prini, et al. (2006). "Clinical efficacy and safety of transdermal methimazole in the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism." Can Vet J 47(2): 131-5. [Free full text article]

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Macgregor, J. M., J. E. Rush, et al. (2008). "Comparison of pharmacodynamic variables following oral versus transdermal administration of atenolol to healthy cats." Am J Vet Res 69(1): 39-44.

Atenolol is often prescribed for cats with certain types of heart disease, most notably some forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The drug is typically prescribed as 1/4 of a 25 mg tablet every 12 hours. Long term daily administration of oral medication may be very difficult for some owners to achieve. In recent years, there has been great interest in transdermal formulations of medication for cats. Few studies have reported on the efficacy of transdermal gel medications for cats, and of those that have been published the results are not always promising. In this project, atenolol was administered to 7 healthy cats, either orally or as a transdermal gel. Blood levels of atenolol were tested to determine efficacy of the route of administration. The difference between the two routes of administration was significant, with transdermal atenolol providing lower and inconsistent blood levels compared to oral administration.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Helms, S. R. (2007). "Treatment of feline hypertension with transdermal amlodipine: a pilot study." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 43(3): 149-156.

Lecuyer, M., S. Prini, et al. (2006). "Clinical efficacy and safety of transdermal methimazole in the treatment of feline hyperthyroidism." Can Vet J 47(2): 131-5. [Free full text article]

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Feline Interferon as a Treatment for FIP

Ritz, S., H. Egberink, et al. (2007). "Effect of feline interferon-omega on the survival time and quality of life of cats with feline infectious peritonitis." J Vet Intern Med 21(6): 1193-7.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a devastating disease of young cats with no known effective treatment. Feline interferon-omega (Virbagen Omega, Virbac) has been used in Europe and other parts of the world to treat FIP, but its efficacy is unknown. The drug is currently not available in North America. This study evaluated the efficacy of feline interferon-omega on the survival time and quality of life in 37 privately owned cats with naturally occurring FIP. The study was designed as a placebo-controlled double-blind trial. There was no statistical difference in the survival time or other variables in cats receiving feline interferon-omega compared to cats receiving placebo.
>> PubMed abstract

Winn Feline Foundation funds 3 new studies on FIP in 2008

Bria Fund for FIP Research

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Ritz, S., H. Egberink, et al. (2007). "Effect of feline interferon-omega on the survival time and quality of life of cats with feline infectious peritonitis." J Vet Intern Med 21(6): 1193-7.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a devastating disease of young cats with no known effective treatment. Feline interferon-omega (Virbagen Omega, Virbac) has been used in Europe and other parts of the world to treat FIP, but its efficacy is unknown. The drug is currently not available in North America. This study evaluated the efficacy of feline interferon-omega on the survival time and quality of life in 37 privately owned cats with naturally occurring FIP. The study was designed as a placebo-controlled double-blind trial. There was no statistical difference in the survival time or other variables in cats receiving feline interferon-omega compared to cats receiving placebo.
>> PubMed abstract

Winn Feline Foundation funds 3 new studies on FIP in 2008

Bria Fund for FIP Research

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

Winn funded research

Janeczko, S., D. Atwater, et al. (2008). "The relationship of mucosal bacteria to duodenal histopathology, cytokine mRNA, and clinical disease activity in cats with inflammatory bowel disease." Vet Microbiol 128(1-2): 178-93.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term for a group of poorly understood gastrointestinal (GI) diseases of cats. Cats with IBD have uncontrolled intestinal inflammation but the inciting causes are poorly understood. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of intestinal mucosal bacteria to inflammation and clinical signs in cats with IBD. Biopsies of the duodenum were obtained from 27 cats: 17 cats sampled as part of diagnostic investigation for GI disease, and 10 control cats. The number of Enterobacteriaceae was higher in cats with clinical signs of GI disease than healthy cats. Total numbers of mucosal bacteria were associated with changes in mucosal architecture and the degree of inflammation. The results of this study suggest that mucosal bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and Clostridium are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD in cats.

>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Winn funded research

Janeczko, S., D. Atwater, et al. (2008). "The relationship of mucosal bacteria to duodenal histopathology, cytokine mRNA, and clinical disease activity in cats with inflammatory bowel disease." Vet Microbiol 128(1-2): 178-93.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term for a group of poorly understood gastrointestinal (GI) diseases of cats. Cats with IBD have uncontrolled intestinal inflammation but the inciting causes are poorly understood. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of intestinal mucosal bacteria to inflammation and clinical signs in cats with IBD. Biopsies of the duodenum were obtained from 27 cats: 17 cats sampled as part of diagnostic investigation for GI disease, and 10 control cats. The number of Enterobacteriaceae was higher in cats with clinical signs of GI disease than healthy cats. Total numbers of mucosal bacteria were associated with changes in mucosal architecture and the degree of inflammation. The results of this study suggest that mucosal bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and Clostridium are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD in cats.

>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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