Seizures in Cats with FIP

Timmann, D., S. Cizinauskas, et al. (2008). "Retrospective analysis of seizures associated with feline infectious peritonitis in cats." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 9-15.

Seizures have been reported frequently in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) but have not been studied in detail in association with this disease. The purpose of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of neurological signs in a population of 55 cats with a histopathologically confirmed neurological form of FIP. Seizure patterns were determined and it was attempted to relate occurrence of seizures with age, breed, sex and neuropathological features. Fourteen cats had seizure(s), while 41 cats had no history of seizure(s). Generalised tonic-clonic seizures were seen in nine cats; and complex focal seizures were observed in four patients. The exact type of seizure could not be determined in one cat. Status epilepticus was observed in one patient but seizure clusters were not encountered. Occurrence of seizures was not related to age, sex, breed or intensity of the inflammation in the central nervous system. However, seizures were significantly more frequent in animals with marked extension of the inflammatory lesions to the forebrain (P=0.038). Thus, the occurrence of seizures in FIP indicates extensive brain damage and can, therefore, be considered to be an unfavourable prognostic sign.
>>PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Winn funded research
Foley, J., C. Rand, et al. (2003). "Inflammation and changes in cytokine levels in neurological feline infectious peritonitis." J Fel Med Surg 5(6): 313-322.
>>PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Timmann, D., S. Cizinauskas, et al. (2008). "Retrospective analysis of seizures associated with feline infectious peritonitis in cats." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 9-15.

Seizures have been reported frequently in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) but have not been studied in detail in association with this disease. The purpose of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of neurological signs in a population of 55 cats with a histopathologically confirmed neurological form of FIP. Seizure patterns were determined and it was attempted to relate occurrence of seizures with age, breed, sex and neuropathological features. Fourteen cats had seizure(s), while 41 cats had no history of seizure(s). Generalised tonic-clonic seizures were seen in nine cats; and complex focal seizures were observed in four patients. The exact type of seizure could not be determined in one cat. Status epilepticus was observed in one patient but seizure clusters were not encountered. Occurrence of seizures was not related to age, sex, breed or intensity of the inflammation in the central nervous system. However, seizures were significantly more frequent in animals with marked extension of the inflammatory lesions to the forebrain (P=0.038). Thus, the occurrence of seizures in FIP indicates extensive brain damage and can, therefore, be considered to be an unfavourable prognostic sign.
>>PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Winn funded research
Foley, J., C. Rand, et al. (2003). "Inflammation and changes in cytokine levels in neurological feline infectious peritonitis." J Fel Med Surg 5(6): 313-322.
>>PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Safety of IV Famotidine in Cats

de Brito Galvao, J. F. and L. A. Trepanier (2008). "Risk of hemolytic anemia with intravenous administration of famotidine to hospitalized cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(2): 325-9.

Famotidine is a histamine type 2 blocker, used to treat esophagitis, nausea and vomiting in cats. Anecdotally, famotidine has been associated with hemolytic anemia when given intravenously to cats, leading some clinicians to avoid this route of administration. The actual risk has not been fully evaluated, and many clinicians have never experienced adverse effects from IV use of famotidine in cats. The objective of this study was to determine if a significant drop in packed cell volume (PCV) was observed in hospitalized cats given famotidine IV compared to cats given the drug by the subcutaneous route (SC), or not at all. It was also hypothesized that when famotidine is given slowly IV, no signficant decrease in PCV would occur. A retrospective medical record review was performed involving 56 cats prescribed famotidine IV, 48 cats given famotidine SC, and 38 cats that were not prescribed the drug at all (control group). The IV famotidine was given by a standardized protocol in this study, with administration over a period of 5 minutes. No cats were given famotidine by rapid IV bolus. The median decrease in PCV was no different in cats that received famotidine by either route compared with the control group. No cats in the famotidine groups had any signs of hemolysis. In this retrospective study, famotidine was given IV to 56 hospitalized cats without evidence of hemolysis, and the IV route appeared safe when the drug was administered over 5 minutes. There did not appear to be a safety advantage of SC versus IV administration in this group of cats.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

de Brito Galvao, J. F. and L. A. Trepanier (2008). "Risk of hemolytic anemia with intravenous administration of famotidine to hospitalized cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(2): 325-9.

Famotidine is a histamine type 2 blocker, used to treat esophagitis, nausea and vomiting in cats. Anecdotally, famotidine has been associated with hemolytic anemia when given intravenously to cats, leading some clinicians to avoid this route of administration. The actual risk has not been fully evaluated, and many clinicians have never experienced adverse effects from IV use of famotidine in cats. The objective of this study was to determine if a significant drop in packed cell volume (PCV) was observed in hospitalized cats given famotidine IV compared to cats given the drug by the subcutaneous route (SC), or not at all. It was also hypothesized that when famotidine is given slowly IV, no signficant decrease in PCV would occur. A retrospective medical record review was performed involving 56 cats prescribed famotidine IV, 48 cats given famotidine SC, and 38 cats that were not prescribed the drug at all (control group). The IV famotidine was given by a standardized protocol in this study, with administration over a period of 5 minutes. No cats were given famotidine by rapid IV bolus. The median decrease in PCV was no different in cats that received famotidine by either route compared with the control group. No cats in the famotidine groups had any signs of hemolysis. In this retrospective study, famotidine was given IV to 56 hospitalized cats without evidence of hemolysis, and the IV route appeared safe when the drug was administered over 5 minutes. There did not appear to be a safety advantage of SC versus IV administration in this group of cats.
>> PubMed abstract

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Measurement of Heart Size in Cats

Ghadiri, A., R. Avizeh, et al. (2008). "Radiographic measurement of vertebral heart size in healthy stray cats." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 61-5.

Determination of heart size on chest radiographs is important when evaluating cats for cardiac disease. An enlarged cardiac silhouette is an indicator of cardiac disease. However, determination of cardiac size is usually subjective. In recent years, a cardiac measurement technique called the vertebral heart size or score (VHS) has been investigated as a less biased assessment of cardiac size. VHS compares cardiac dimensions with the length of mid-thoracic vertebrae. It has previously been evaluated in mixed groups of obese and non-obese cats of various ages, breeds, and sizes. Different breeds of dogs may have different normal reference values for VHS but it is not known if there is variability in normal reference values for different populations of cats. The objective of this study was to determine VHS in clinically normal, domestic shorthair, non-obese stray cats. The study was performed in Ahvaz, Iran. Left and right lateral, dorsoventral and ventrodorsal radiographs were taken and evaluated. Absolute measurements and vertebral heart scale values were slightly smaller than those previously reported in the literature, indicating that normal reference values may vary by breed or population in cats.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Litster, A. and J. Buchanan (2000). "Vertebral scale system to measure heart size in radiographs of cats." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 216(2): 210-214.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Ghadiri, A., R. Avizeh, et al. (2008). "Radiographic measurement of vertebral heart size in healthy stray cats." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 61-5.

Determination of heart size on chest radiographs is important when evaluating cats for cardiac disease. An enlarged cardiac silhouette is an indicator of cardiac disease. However, determination of cardiac size is usually subjective. In recent years, a cardiac measurement technique called the vertebral heart size or score (VHS) has been investigated as a less biased assessment of cardiac size. VHS compares cardiac dimensions with the length of mid-thoracic vertebrae. It has previously been evaluated in mixed groups of obese and non-obese cats of various ages, breeds, and sizes. Different breeds of dogs may have different normal reference values for VHS but it is not known if there is variability in normal reference values for different populations of cats. The objective of this study was to determine VHS in clinically normal, domestic shorthair, non-obese stray cats. The study was performed in Ahvaz, Iran. Left and right lateral, dorsoventral and ventrodorsal radiographs were taken and evaluated. Absolute measurements and vertebral heart scale values were slightly smaller than those previously reported in the literature, indicating that normal reference values may vary by breed or population in cats.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Litster, A. and J. Buchanan (2000). "Vertebral scale system to measure heart size in radiographs of cats." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 216(2): 210-214.
>> PubMed abstract

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Blood Pressure and Survival in Sick Cats

Silverstein, D. C., F. A. Wininger, et al. (2008). "Relationship between Doppler blood pressure and survival or response to treatment in critically ill cats: 83 cases (2003-2004)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(6): 893-7.

Critically ill cats pose special challenges in veterinary medicine. Standard means of monitoring cardiovascular status include temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate (TPR) and blood pressure (BP). Both Doppler and oscillometric methods are routinely used to monitor BP in cats. Hypotension in cats is defined as a BP of under 80-90 mm Hg. Intermittent or prolonged hypotension can lead to serious consequences, such as impaired perfusion and decreased oxygen delivery, causing organ damage or failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Doppler BP and survival or response to treatment in critically ill cats. The study is a retrospective case series involving the records of 83 cats. In addition to BP, other factors evaluated included survival to discharge, heart rate, rectal temperature, packed cell volume (PCV), plasma pH, serum ionized calcium, disease process, body weight, age, duration of hospitalization, and catecholamine treatment. Of the 83 cats, 39 were considered hypotensive and 44 were normotensive. Overall survival rate was 53%, with a significantly higher mortality rate amongst hypotensive patients. Of the other variables, only low rectal temperature and low PCV were significantly associated with hypotension. Monitoring for and correcting hypotension should be addressed in hospitalized, critically ill cats.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Lin, C. H., C. J. Yan, et al. (2006). "Systolic blood pressure of clinically normal and conscious cats determined by an indirect Doppler method in a clinical setting." J Vet Med Sci 68(8): 827-32.
>> Free, full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Silverstein, D. C., F. A. Wininger, et al. (2008). "Relationship between Doppler blood pressure and survival or response to treatment in critically ill cats: 83 cases (2003-2004)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(6): 893-7.

Critically ill cats pose special challenges in veterinary medicine. Standard means of monitoring cardiovascular status include temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate (TPR) and blood pressure (BP). Both Doppler and oscillometric methods are routinely used to monitor BP in cats. Hypotension in cats is defined as a BP of under 80-90 mm Hg. Intermittent or prolonged hypotension can lead to serious consequences, such as impaired perfusion and decreased oxygen delivery, causing organ damage or failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Doppler BP and survival or response to treatment in critically ill cats. The study is a retrospective case series involving the records of 83 cats. In addition to BP, other factors evaluated included survival to discharge, heart rate, rectal temperature, packed cell volume (PCV), plasma pH, serum ionized calcium, disease process, body weight, age, duration of hospitalization, and catecholamine treatment. Of the 83 cats, 39 were considered hypotensive and 44 were normotensive. Overall survival rate was 53%, with a significantly higher mortality rate amongst hypotensive patients. Of the other variables, only low rectal temperature and low PCV were significantly associated with hypotension. Monitoring for and correcting hypotension should be addressed in hospitalized, critically ill cats.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Lin, C. H., C. J. Yan, et al. (2006). "Systolic blood pressure of clinically normal and conscious cats determined by an indirect Doppler method in a clinical setting." J Vet Med Sci 68(8): 827-32.
>> Free, full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Levetiracetam for Epilepsy in Cats

Bailey, K. S., C. W. Dewey, et al. (2008). "Levetiracetam as an adjunct to phenobarbital treatment in cats with suspected idiopathic epilepsy." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(6): 867-72.

Levetiracetam (Keppra, UCB Pharma) is an anticonvulsant medication licensed for the treatment of epilepsy in humans. Anecdotally, it has been used as adjunctive therapy for epilepsy in dogs and cats. The goal of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and adverse effects of oral levetiracetam administered in conjunction with phenobarbital in cats with poorly controlled epilepsy. The study was designed as an open-label, noncomparative clinical trial. Twelve cats with epilepsy poorly controlled by phenobarbital or that had unacceptable adverse effects from phenobarbital were enrolled in the study. The cats were treated with levetiracetam at 20 mg/kg every 8 hours. Serum drug levels were measured after at least 1 week of treatment. Seizure frequency before and after initiation of therapy were compared, and any adverse effects were recorded. The median serum half-life for levetiracetam was 2.9 hours. Seizure frequency was significantly higher prior to treatment with levetiracetam (2.1 seizures/month versus 0.42 seizures/month). Seven of 10 cats had reduction in seizure frequency of equal to or greater than 50%. Two cats had transient lethargy and anorexia. The researchers conclude that levetiracetam is well tolerated in cats, and may be a useful adjunct therapy to phenobarbital for cats with idiopathic epilepsy.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Dewey, C. W. (2006). "Anticonvulsant therapy in dogs and cats." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 36(5): 1107-27, vii.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Bailey, K. S., C. W. Dewey, et al. (2008). "Levetiracetam as an adjunct to phenobarbital treatment in cats with suspected idiopathic epilepsy." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(6): 867-72.

Levetiracetam (Keppra, UCB Pharma) is an anticonvulsant medication licensed for the treatment of epilepsy in humans. Anecdotally, it has been used as adjunctive therapy for epilepsy in dogs and cats. The goal of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and adverse effects of oral levetiracetam administered in conjunction with phenobarbital in cats with poorly controlled epilepsy. The study was designed as an open-label, noncomparative clinical trial. Twelve cats with epilepsy poorly controlled by phenobarbital or that had unacceptable adverse effects from phenobarbital were enrolled in the study. The cats were treated with levetiracetam at 20 mg/kg every 8 hours. Serum drug levels were measured after at least 1 week of treatment. Seizure frequency before and after initiation of therapy were compared, and any adverse effects were recorded. The median serum half-life for levetiracetam was 2.9 hours. Seizure frequency was significantly higher prior to treatment with levetiracetam (2.1 seizures/month versus 0.42 seizures/month). Seven of 10 cats had reduction in seizure frequency of equal to or greater than 50%. Two cats had transient lethargy and anorexia. The researchers conclude that levetiracetam is well tolerated in cats, and may be a useful adjunct therapy to phenobarbital for cats with idiopathic epilepsy.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Dewey, C. W. (2006). "Anticonvulsant therapy in dogs and cats." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 36(5): 1107-27, vii.
>> PubMed abstract

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New Antiviral Treatment for Feline Calicivirus

Smith, A. W., P. L. Iversen, et al. (2008). "Virus-specific antiviral treatment for controlling severe and fatal outbreaks of feline calicivirus infection." Am J Vet Res 69(1): 23-32.

During the past decade, several outbreaks of severe systemic disease associated with feline calicivirus (FCV) have occurred with high mortality in the affected animals. This study details evaluation of a virus-specific antiviral phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) for treating 112 kittens involved in 3 natural outbreaks of disease in the United States. PMOs are molecules used to modify gene expression. This novel treatment modality has not previously been tested in cats. A calicivirus strain was isolated from a cat that died of natural hemorrhagic calicivirus disease and a PMO was synthesized. The PMO was administered on day 1 of clinical signs and continued for up to 7 days. Various antiviral doses were evaluated by comparing survival times, clinical recovery, and virus shedding. In the natural outbreaks, 47 of 59 treated cats survived, but only 3 of 31 untreated cats survived. PMO treatment reduced calicivirus shedding and improved clinical recovery. Virus-specific PMOs may be an effective modality for treatment of severe disease associated with feline calicivirus.
>> PubMed abstract

Related blog posts:
Virulent systemic calicivirus
Feline caliciviruses causing virulent systemic disease are genetically distinct


More on PMOs


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Smith, A. W., P. L. Iversen, et al. (2008). "Virus-specific antiviral treatment for controlling severe and fatal outbreaks of feline calicivirus infection." Am J Vet Res 69(1): 23-32.

During the past decade, several outbreaks of severe systemic disease associated with feline calicivirus (FCV) have occurred with high mortality in the affected animals. This study details evaluation of a virus-specific antiviral phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) for treating 112 kittens involved in 3 natural outbreaks of disease in the United States. PMOs are molecules used to modify gene expression. This novel treatment modality has not previously been tested in cats. A calicivirus strain was isolated from a cat that died of natural hemorrhagic calicivirus disease and a PMO was synthesized. The PMO was administered on day 1 of clinical signs and continued for up to 7 days. Various antiviral doses were evaluated by comparing survival times, clinical recovery, and virus shedding. In the natural outbreaks, 47 of 59 treated cats survived, but only 3 of 31 untreated cats survived. PMO treatment reduced calicivirus shedding and improved clinical recovery. Virus-specific PMOs may be an effective modality for treatment of severe disease associated with feline calicivirus.
>> PubMed abstract

Related blog posts:
Virulent systemic calicivirus
Feline caliciviruses causing virulent systemic disease are genetically distinct


More on PMOs


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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New FIV Test Developed

Levy, J. K., P. C. Crawford, et al. (2008). "Differentiation of feline immunodeficiency virus vaccination, infection, or vaccination and infection in cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(2): 330-4.


Diagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is complicated by the fact that no commercially available tests can differentiate between naturally infected cats and cats that have been vaccinated against FIV. After vaccination, cats produce antibodies that to date have been indistinguishable from those induced by natural infection. A discriminant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed that detects antibodies against formalin-treated FIV whole virus and untreated transmembrane peptide. In this study, blood samples from 73 uninfected and unvaccinated cats, 89 uninfected FIV-vaccinated cats, 99 unvaccinated FIV-infected cats, and 3 FIV-infected and vaccinated cats were tested. The discriminate ELISA correctly identified all uninfected cats, giving a specificity of 100%. Of the FIV-infected cats, 99 were correctly identified, giving a sensitivity of 97.1%. Other than virus isolation, which is not widely available and is time-consuming and expensive, this discriminate ELISA is the most reliable test for diagnosis of FIV. When this test becomes available at referral diagnostic laboratories, a new strategy for FIV testing would be to use the existing patient-side antibody assay as a screening test, and confirm positive results with the discriminant ELISA.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Kusuhara, H., T. Hohdatsu, et al. (2007). "Serological differentiation of FIV-infected cats from dual-subtype feline immunodeficiency virus vaccine (Fel-O-Vax FIV) inoculated cats." Vet Microbiol 120(3-4): 217-25.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Levy, J. K., P. C. Crawford, et al. (2008). "Differentiation of feline immunodeficiency virus vaccination, infection, or vaccination and infection in cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(2): 330-4.


Diagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is complicated by the fact that no commercially available tests can differentiate between naturally infected cats and cats that have been vaccinated against FIV. After vaccination, cats produce antibodies that to date have been indistinguishable from those induced by natural infection. A discriminant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed that detects antibodies against formalin-treated FIV whole virus and untreated transmembrane peptide. In this study, blood samples from 73 uninfected and unvaccinated cats, 89 uninfected FIV-vaccinated cats, 99 unvaccinated FIV-infected cats, and 3 FIV-infected and vaccinated cats were tested. The discriminate ELISA correctly identified all uninfected cats, giving a specificity of 100%. Of the FIV-infected cats, 99 were correctly identified, giving a sensitivity of 97.1%. Other than virus isolation, which is not widely available and is time-consuming and expensive, this discriminate ELISA is the most reliable test for diagnosis of FIV. When this test becomes available at referral diagnostic laboratories, a new strategy for FIV testing would be to use the existing patient-side antibody assay as a screening test, and confirm positive results with the discriminant ELISA.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Kusuhara, H., T. Hohdatsu, et al. (2007). "Serological differentiation of FIV-infected cats from dual-subtype feline immunodeficiency virus vaccine (Fel-O-Vax FIV) inoculated cats." Vet Microbiol 120(3-4): 217-25.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More