Lactoferrin for Cats with FIV

Kobayashi, S., R. Sato, et al. (2008). "Effect of bovine lactoferrin on functions of activated feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells during chronic feline immunodeficiency virus infection." J Vet Med Sci 70(5): 429-35.

Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection have chronic overactivation of immune and inflammatory responses, resulting in immune dysfunction. Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein that plays an important role in immunological defense systems. A previous study by these researchers showed that oral administration of bovine LF improved clinical signs in FIV-infected cats with severe stomatitis. In this study, the in vitro effect of bovine LF on proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cytokine regulation was studied in blood samples from cats in the asymptomatic carrier and the AIDS-related complex phases of FIV. The results suggest that therapy with bovine LF may help modulate immune dysfunction in cats in the terminal stages of FIV infection, and further research is warranted.
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Related articles:
Sato, R., O. Inanami, et al. (1996). "Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin for treatment of intractable stomatitis in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-positive and FIV-negative cats." Am J Vet Res 57(10): 1443-6.
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Kobayashi, S., R. Sato, et al. (2008). "Effect of bovine lactoferrin on functions of activated feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells during chronic feline immunodeficiency virus infection." J Vet Med Sci 70(5): 429-35.

Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection have chronic overactivation of immune and inflammatory responses, resulting in immune dysfunction. Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein that plays an important role in immunological defense systems. A previous study by these researchers showed that oral administration of bovine LF improved clinical signs in FIV-infected cats with severe stomatitis. In this study, the in vitro effect of bovine LF on proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cytokine regulation was studied in blood samples from cats in the asymptomatic carrier and the AIDS-related complex phases of FIV. The results suggest that therapy with bovine LF may help modulate immune dysfunction in cats in the terminal stages of FIV infection, and further research is warranted.
>> Free full text article

Related articles:
Sato, R., O. Inanami, et al. (1996). "Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin for treatment of intractable stomatitis in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-positive and FIV-negative cats." Am J Vet Res 57(10): 1443-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Hematuria Associated With Glomerular Disease in Abyssinian Cats

White, J. D., J. M. Norris, et al. (2008). "Persistent haematuria and proteinuria due to glomerular disease in related Abyssinian cats." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(3): 219-229.

Hematuria is a common problem in feline medicine, and may be caused by upper or lower urinary tract disease. In humans, glomerular disease is a common cause of hematuria. However, in dogs and cats, this is not typically the case. While renal failure is often diagnosed in cats, glomerular pathology is not usually present. The only known familial renal diseases in cats are renal amyloidosis in Abyssinians and polycystic kidney disease in Persians. This paper describes glomerular disease in eight, closely related young Abyssinian cats in Australia, characterised by hematuria and proteinuria.
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Related articles:
Grauer, G. F. (2007). "Measurement, interpretation, and implications of proteinuria and albuminuria." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 37(2): 283-95, vi-vii.
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White, J. D., J. M. Norris, et al. (2008). "Persistent haematuria and proteinuria due to glomerular disease in related Abyssinian cats." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(3): 219-229.

Hematuria is a common problem in feline medicine, and may be caused by upper or lower urinary tract disease. In humans, glomerular disease is a common cause of hematuria. However, in dogs and cats, this is not typically the case. While renal failure is often diagnosed in cats, glomerular pathology is not usually present. The only known familial renal diseases in cats are renal amyloidosis in Abyssinians and polycystic kidney disease in Persians. This paper describes glomerular disease in eight, closely related young Abyssinian cats in Australia, characterised by hematuria and proteinuria.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Grauer, G. F. (2007). "Measurement, interpretation, and implications of proteinuria and albuminuria." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 37(2): 283-95, vi-vii.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs

Looney, A. L., M. W. Bohling, et al. (2008). "The Association of Shelter Veterinarians veterinary medical care guidelines for spay-neuter programs." J Am Vet Med Assoc 233(1): 74-86.

Increasing attention has been focused on spay/neuter programs as tools for reduction of the euthanasia of unwanted and unowned cats (and dogs). There are many different types of programs in operation, such as mobile clinics, shelter services, feral cat programs, and various veterinarian-supported low cost programs. Many spay-neuter programs have been established to provide quality spay-neuter services to large numbers of cats and dogs. The proliferation and diversity of these programs has created a need for guidelines for appropriate veterinary medical care in these settings. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians convened a task force consisting of 22 veterinarians from every region of the United States in December 2006. The guidelines they developed consist of recommendations for preoperative care, anesthetic management, surgical care, and postoperative care and are based on current principles of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, microbiology, and surgical practice, as determined by means of reviews of the scientific literature and expert opinion.
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Related articles:
Hughes, K. L., M. R. Slater, et al. (2002). "The effects of implementing a feral cat spay/neuter program in a Florida county animal control service." J Appl Anim Welf Sci 5(4): 285-98.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Looney, A. L., M. W. Bohling, et al. (2008). "The Association of Shelter Veterinarians veterinary medical care guidelines for spay-neuter programs." J Am Vet Med Assoc 233(1): 74-86.

Increasing attention has been focused on spay/neuter programs as tools for reduction of the euthanasia of unwanted and unowned cats (and dogs). There are many different types of programs in operation, such as mobile clinics, shelter services, feral cat programs, and various veterinarian-supported low cost programs. Many spay-neuter programs have been established to provide quality spay-neuter services to large numbers of cats and dogs. The proliferation and diversity of these programs has created a need for guidelines for appropriate veterinary medical care in these settings. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians convened a task force consisting of 22 veterinarians from every region of the United States in December 2006. The guidelines they developed consist of recommendations for preoperative care, anesthetic management, surgical care, and postoperative care and are based on current principles of anesthesiology, critical care medicine, microbiology, and surgical practice, as determined by means of reviews of the scientific literature and expert opinion.
>> Free full text article

Related articles:
Hughes, K. L., M. R. Slater, et al. (2002). "The effects of implementing a feral cat spay/neuter program in a Florida county animal control service." J Appl Anim Welf Sci 5(4): 285-98.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Tissue Doppler Imaging for Feline HCM

Koffas, H., J. Dukes-McEwan, et al. (2008). "Colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging in healthy cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." J Small Anim Pract 49(7): 330-338.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease of cats. It appears to be hereditary in some families of cats, and genetic mutations causing HCM have been identified in the Maine Coon cat and Ragdoll cat. Definitive diagnosis of HCM is accomplished by ultrasound imaging. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a tool for quantification of myocardial function, and has been used in humans, dogs and cats. TDI may allow for improved identification of myocardial functional abnormalities, and may be superior to conventional ultrasound for identification of cats affected with HCM. Colour M-mode TDI is one of the applications of the TDI technique that has not yet been studied in cats. This prospective study was carried out to investigate the differences in some of the colour M-mode TDI indices between normal cats and cats with HCM. We hypothesised that these new TDI techniques would discriminate between the healthy and the diseased myocardium. Myocardial velocity gradient and mean myocardial velocities were measured by colour M-mode TDI in the left ventricular free wall of 20 normal cats and 17 cats with HCM. The study showed that myocardial velocity gradients recorded by colour M-mode TDI can discriminate between the healthy and diseased myocardium. This technique shows promise for discriminating normal from affected cats when screening cats for HCM.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Simpson, K. E., B. C. Devine, et al. (2007). "Assessment of the repeatability of feline echocardiography using conventional echocardiography and spectral pulse-wave Doppler tissue imaging techniques." Vet Radiol Ultrasound 48(1): 58-68.
>> PubMed Abstract

Koffas, H., J. Dukes-McEwan, et al. (2003). "Peak mean myocardial velocities and velocity gradients measured by color m-mode tissue doppler imaging in healthy cats." J Vet Intern Med 17(4): 510-524.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Koffas, H., J. Dukes-McEwan, et al. (2008). "Colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging in healthy cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." J Small Anim Pract 49(7): 330-338.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease of cats. It appears to be hereditary in some families of cats, and genetic mutations causing HCM have been identified in the Maine Coon cat and Ragdoll cat. Definitive diagnosis of HCM is accomplished by ultrasound imaging. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a tool for quantification of myocardial function, and has been used in humans, dogs and cats. TDI may allow for improved identification of myocardial functional abnormalities, and may be superior to conventional ultrasound for identification of cats affected with HCM. Colour M-mode TDI is one of the applications of the TDI technique that has not yet been studied in cats. This prospective study was carried out to investigate the differences in some of the colour M-mode TDI indices between normal cats and cats with HCM. We hypothesised that these new TDI techniques would discriminate between the healthy and the diseased myocardium. Myocardial velocity gradient and mean myocardial velocities were measured by colour M-mode TDI in the left ventricular free wall of 20 normal cats and 17 cats with HCM. The study showed that myocardial velocity gradients recorded by colour M-mode TDI can discriminate between the healthy and diseased myocardium. This technique shows promise for discriminating normal from affected cats when screening cats for HCM.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Simpson, K. E., B. C. Devine, et al. (2007). "Assessment of the repeatability of feline echocardiography using conventional echocardiography and spectral pulse-wave Doppler tissue imaging techniques." Vet Radiol Ultrasound 48(1): 58-68.
>> PubMed Abstract

Koffas, H., J. Dukes-McEwan, et al. (2003). "Peak mean myocardial velocities and velocity gradients measured by color m-mode tissue doppler imaging in healthy cats." J Vet Intern Med 17(4): 510-524.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Thymoma in a Cat

Fidel, J. L., I. S. Pargass, et al. (2008). "Granulocytopenia associated with thymoma in a domestic shorthaired cat." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 44(4): 210-7.

Thymomas are uncommon tumours generally found in senior cats (median age 9.5 years). Diseases reportedly associated with thymomas in cats include paraneoplastic disorders, autoimmune diseases, myasthenia gravis, and exfoliative dermatitis. Granulocytopenia is reported to occur in humans with thymoma but has never been reported in cats. In this case report, a 5-year old spayed female cat with a mass in the cranial mediastinum was diagnosed with thymoma on biopsy of the mass. The tumor was treated with radiation therapy and responded well, but immune-mediated granulocytopenia developed. The granulocytopenia was successfully treated with prednisone and cyclosporine, eventually allowing for surgical removal of the thymoma.
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Related articles:
Zitz, J. C., S. J. Birchard, et al. (2008). "Results of excision of thymoma in cats and dogs: 20 cases (1984-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(8): 1186-92.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Fidel, J. L., I. S. Pargass, et al. (2008). "Granulocytopenia associated with thymoma in a domestic shorthaired cat." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 44(4): 210-7.

Thymomas are uncommon tumours generally found in senior cats (median age 9.5 years). Diseases reportedly associated with thymomas in cats include paraneoplastic disorders, autoimmune diseases, myasthenia gravis, and exfoliative dermatitis. Granulocytopenia is reported to occur in humans with thymoma but has never been reported in cats. In this case report, a 5-year old spayed female cat with a mass in the cranial mediastinum was diagnosed with thymoma on biopsy of the mass. The tumor was treated with radiation therapy and responded well, but immune-mediated granulocytopenia developed. The granulocytopenia was successfully treated with prednisone and cyclosporine, eventually allowing for surgical removal of the thymoma.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Zitz, J. C., S. J. Birchard, et al. (2008). "Results of excision of thymoma in cats and dogs: 20 cases (1984-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(8): 1186-92.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Prevalence of a Genetic Mutation for HCM in Maine Coon Cats

Fries, R., A. M. Heaney, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of the myosin-binding protein C mutation in Maine Coon cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(4): 893-896.

The most common cardiac disease of cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In several cat breeds, including the Maine Coon, the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Previously, a single base pair change in the myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene, which changes a conserved amino acid and alters protein conformation, was been identified in some Maine Coon cats with HCM. The prevalence of the MYBPC3 mutation in the Maine Coon cat population is not known, but genetic screening has allowed determination of the percentage of genetically affected cats worldwide. This retrospective study reviewed records of 3,310 samples submitted for evaluation of the Maine Coon MYBPC3 mutation to the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory database at Washington State University. In this population of cats, Maine Coons accounted for all the samples positive for this mutation. The worldwide percentage of Maine Coon cats carrying the MYBPC3 mutation was 34%.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Meurs, K., X. Sanchez, et al. (2005). "A cardiac myosin binding protein C mutation in the Maine Coon cat with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Hum Mol Genet 14(23): 3587-3593.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Fries, R., A. M. Heaney, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of the myosin-binding protein C mutation in Maine Coon cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(4): 893-896.

The most common cardiac disease of cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In several cat breeds, including the Maine Coon, the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Previously, a single base pair change in the myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) gene, which changes a conserved amino acid and alters protein conformation, was been identified in some Maine Coon cats with HCM. The prevalence of the MYBPC3 mutation in the Maine Coon cat population is not known, but genetic screening has allowed determination of the percentage of genetically affected cats worldwide. This retrospective study reviewed records of 3,310 samples submitted for evaluation of the Maine Coon MYBPC3 mutation to the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory database at Washington State University. In this population of cats, Maine Coons accounted for all the samples positive for this mutation. The worldwide percentage of Maine Coon cats carrying the MYBPC3 mutation was 34%.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Meurs, K., X. Sanchez, et al. (2005). "A cardiac myosin binding protein C mutation in the Maine Coon cat with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Hum Mol Genet 14(23): 3587-3593.
>> Free full text article

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Propofol for Cats with Hepatic Lipidosis

Posner, L. P., M. Asakawa, et al. (2008). "Use of propofol for anesthesia in cats with primary hepatic lipidosis: 44 cases (1995-2004)." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 232(12): 1841-1843.

Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) is a common disease in cats and is typically found in obese cats that have suffered a period of inappetance. A significant part of successful treatment is nutritional supplemention, often given through a gastrotomy or esophagostomy tube. Feeding tubes must be placed under anesthesia, and care must be taken in the choice of anesthetic regime. Concern has been expressed over the use of propofol in cats with hepatic lipidosis since it is primarily metabolized via the liver, although there is also some extrahepatic metabolism. In this retrospective case series, the medical records of 44 cats (21 female, 23 male) with hepatic lipidosis admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, from January 1995 to December 2004 were examined. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 15 years, and body weights ranged from 1.8 to 9.0 kg. Twenty-seven of the cats had been administered propofol. There was no significant association between the use of propofol or the dosage of propofol and any risk factor, including the need for blood products, number of hours in the ICU, or survival. The use of propofol did not increase morbidity or mortality, and the researchers conclude that propofol can be given to cats with hepatic lipidosis for placement of a feeding tube.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Bley, C. R., M. Roos, et al. (2007). "Clinical assessment of repeated propofol-associated anesthesia in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(9): 1347-53.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Posner, L. P., M. Asakawa, et al. (2008). "Use of propofol for anesthesia in cats with primary hepatic lipidosis: 44 cases (1995-2004)." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 232(12): 1841-1843.

Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) is a common disease in cats and is typically found in obese cats that have suffered a period of inappetance. A significant part of successful treatment is nutritional supplemention, often given through a gastrotomy or esophagostomy tube. Feeding tubes must be placed under anesthesia, and care must be taken in the choice of anesthetic regime. Concern has been expressed over the use of propofol in cats with hepatic lipidosis since it is primarily metabolized via the liver, although there is also some extrahepatic metabolism. In this retrospective case series, the medical records of 44 cats (21 female, 23 male) with hepatic lipidosis admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, from January 1995 to December 2004 were examined. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 15 years, and body weights ranged from 1.8 to 9.0 kg. Twenty-seven of the cats had been administered propofol. There was no significant association between the use of propofol or the dosage of propofol and any risk factor, including the need for blood products, number of hours in the ICU, or survival. The use of propofol did not increase morbidity or mortality, and the researchers conclude that propofol can be given to cats with hepatic lipidosis for placement of a feeding tube.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Bley, C. R., M. Roos, et al. (2007). "Clinical assessment of repeated propofol-associated anesthesia in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(9): 1347-53.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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