Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma Treatment

Eckstein, C., F. Guscetti, et al. (2009). "A retrospective analysis of radiation therapy for the treatment of feline vaccine-associated sarcoma." Vet Comp Oncol 7(1): 54-68.

Feline vaccine-associated sarcomas occur in about 1 in 10,000 vaccinated cats, comprise about 40% of all skin tumors, and are the most frequent skin tumor in cats. These tumors are highly invasive and rapidly growing. This study, among other goals, examined the effect of curative radiation treatment on survival time after surgery. Curative treatment (higher dosages, more frequent administration) did improve outcome. Cats with a poorer prognosis and given reduced radiation therapy benefited from the addition of chemotherapy by increased survival time. Both protocols are legitimate options for vaccine-associated sarcomas. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kass, P. H., W. L. Spangler, et al. (2003). "Multicenter case-control study of risk factors associated with development of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 223(9): 1283-92.
>> PubMed Abstract

Romanelli, G., L. Marconato, et al. (2008). "Analysis of prognostic factors associated with injection-site sarcomas in cats: 57 cases (2001-2007)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(8): 1193-9.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Eckstein, C., F. Guscetti, et al. (2009). "A retrospective analysis of radiation therapy for the treatment of feline vaccine-associated sarcoma." Vet Comp Oncol 7(1): 54-68.

Feline vaccine-associated sarcomas occur in about 1 in 10,000 vaccinated cats, comprise about 40% of all skin tumors, and are the most frequent skin tumor in cats. These tumors are highly invasive and rapidly growing. This study, among other goals, examined the effect of curative radiation treatment on survival time after surgery. Curative treatment (higher dosages, more frequent administration) did improve outcome. Cats with a poorer prognosis and given reduced radiation therapy benefited from the addition of chemotherapy by increased survival time. Both protocols are legitimate options for vaccine-associated sarcomas. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kass, P. H., W. L. Spangler, et al. (2003). "Multicenter case-control study of risk factors associated with development of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 223(9): 1283-92.
>> PubMed Abstract

Romanelli, G., L. Marconato, et al. (2008). "Analysis of prognostic factors associated with injection-site sarcomas in cats: 57 cases (2001-2007)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(8): 1193-9.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Treatment of Feline Mammary Cancer

McNeill, C. J., K. U. Sorenmo, et al. (2009). "Evaluation of adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy for the treatment of feline mammary carcinoma." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23(1): 123-129.

Mammary carcinoma is the third most common cancer of cats. Female cats with a mean age of 10 to 12 years are primarily affected and approximately 90% of mammary tumors are malignant. Mammary tumors are characterized by local invasion into vasculature and surrounding tissues along with metastasis to distant locations such as draining lymph nodes, lungs, and other sites. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate whether adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy improved outcomes for cats with mammary carcinoma (MC) compared with surgery alone. Seventy-three cats with naturally occurring, biopsy-confirmed MC were included in the study. The surgery alone group contained 37 cats and 36 cats were in the surgery plus chemotherapy group (adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy). Median disease free survival and overall survival times were compared between groups. This study did not find a benefit to adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in cats with MC. Additional studies are recommended to determine whether certain patients with negative prognostic factors (e.g., tumor size at time of surgical intervention) may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Overley, B., F. S. Shofer, et al. (2005). "Association between ovarihysterectomy and feline mammary carcinoma." J Vet Intern Med 19(4): 560-3.
>> PubMed Abstract

Viste, J. R., S. L. Myers, et al. (2002). "Feline mammary adenocarcinoma: tumor size as a prognostic indicator." Can Vet J 43(1): 33-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

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McNeill, C. J., K. U. Sorenmo, et al. (2009). "Evaluation of adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy for the treatment of feline mammary carcinoma." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23(1): 123-129.

Mammary carcinoma is the third most common cancer of cats. Female cats with a mean age of 10 to 12 years are primarily affected and approximately 90% of mammary tumors are malignant. Mammary tumors are characterized by local invasion into vasculature and surrounding tissues along with metastasis to distant locations such as draining lymph nodes, lungs, and other sites. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate whether adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy improved outcomes for cats with mammary carcinoma (MC) compared with surgery alone. Seventy-three cats with naturally occurring, biopsy-confirmed MC were included in the study. The surgery alone group contained 37 cats and 36 cats were in the surgery plus chemotherapy group (adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy). Median disease free survival and overall survival times were compared between groups. This study did not find a benefit to adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in cats with MC. Additional studies are recommended to determine whether certain patients with negative prognostic factors (e.g., tumor size at time of surgical intervention) may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Overley, B., F. S. Shofer, et al. (2005). "Association between ovarihysterectomy and feline mammary carcinoma." J Vet Intern Med 19(4): 560-3.
>> PubMed Abstract

Viste, J. R., S. L. Myers, et al. (2002). "Feline mammary adenocarcinoma: tumor size as a prognostic indicator." Can Vet J 43(1): 33-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Deafness in White Cats

Cvejic, D., T. A. Steinberg, et al. (2009). "Unilateral and bilateral congenital sensorineural deafness in client-owned pure-breed white cats." J Vet Intern Med 23(2): 392-395.

Congenital deafness in white cats is well known. However, studies of the prevalence among purebred white cats have not been done. This study was performed at the Ludwig Maximilian University, Germany and the University of California, Davis and examined 84 client-owned pure breed white cats for hearing loss (31 British Shorthair, 14 Maine Coon, 11 Turkish Angora, 9 Persian, 6 Foreign White, 6 Norwegian Forest, 4 Highlander, 1 Balinese, 1 Devon Rex, and 1 Oriental Shorthair). Hearing was evaluated using click-evoked brainstem auditory evoked response. Overall, about 20% of the cats had hearing loss in either one, or both ears. In addition, blue-eyed cats were more likely to have hearing loss than cats of other eye colors. While this study does not represent a population cross-section, nor breed evaluation, and prevalence rates were not compared to non-white cats, these findings do support the conclusion that deafness among pure-breed white cats occurs as it does with mixed breed white cats. Neither the mechanism of inheritance nor the genetic basis for the condition is completely understood. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Geigy, C. A., S. Heid, et al. (2007). "Does a pleiotropic gene explain deafness and blue irises in white cats?" Vet J 173(3): 548-53.
>> PubMed Abstract

Ryugo, D. K., H. B. Cahill, et al. (2003). "Separate forms of pathology in the cochlea of congenitally deaf white cats." Hear Res 181(1-2): 73-84.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Cvejic, D., T. A. Steinberg, et al. (2009). "Unilateral and bilateral congenital sensorineural deafness in client-owned pure-breed white cats." J Vet Intern Med 23(2): 392-395.

Congenital deafness in white cats is well known. However, studies of the prevalence among purebred white cats have not been done. This study was performed at the Ludwig Maximilian University, Germany and the University of California, Davis and examined 84 client-owned pure breed white cats for hearing loss (31 British Shorthair, 14 Maine Coon, 11 Turkish Angora, 9 Persian, 6 Foreign White, 6 Norwegian Forest, 4 Highlander, 1 Balinese, 1 Devon Rex, and 1 Oriental Shorthair). Hearing was evaluated using click-evoked brainstem auditory evoked response. Overall, about 20% of the cats had hearing loss in either one, or both ears. In addition, blue-eyed cats were more likely to have hearing loss than cats of other eye colors. While this study does not represent a population cross-section, nor breed evaluation, and prevalence rates were not compared to non-white cats, these findings do support the conclusion that deafness among pure-breed white cats occurs as it does with mixed breed white cats. Neither the mechanism of inheritance nor the genetic basis for the condition is completely understood. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Geigy, C. A., S. Heid, et al. (2007). "Does a pleiotropic gene explain deafness and blue irises in white cats?" Vet J 173(3): 548-53.
>> PubMed Abstract

Ryugo, D. K., H. B. Cahill, et al. (2003). "Separate forms of pathology in the cochlea of congenitally deaf white cats." Hear Res 181(1-2): 73-84.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Bacterial Peritonitis in Cats

Culp, W. T., T. E. Zeldis, et al. (2009). "Primary bacterial peritonitis in dogs and cats: 24 cases (1990-2006)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 234(7): 906-13.

This retrospective study was performed to determine the clinical characteristics of primary bacterial peritonitis and to compare the characteristics of primary and secondary peritonitis in dogs and cats. Primary peritonitis is defined as an infection of the peritoneal cavity with no identifiable intraperitoneal source of infection or history of a peritoneal penetrating injury. Secondary peritonitis cases were identified by use of the first criteria and also had a confirmed source of bacterial leakage identified either during surgery or at necropsy. Nine cats met the inclusion criteria for primary peritonitis and 11 cats met the inclusion criteria for secondary peritonitis. The most common historical findings in cats with primary and secondary peritonitis were anorexia, lethargy, and vomiting. Weight loss was an additional common finding with secondary peritonitis in cats. Significantly more cats had tachypnea, pain on abdominal palpation, and abdominal distention with primary peritonitis than the secondary form. Additionally, significantly more cats with primary peritonitis had hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia than did cats with secondary peritonitis. Three types of bacteria were cultured from the peritoneal cavity of cats, including E. coli, Clostridium spp. and Streptococcus spp. The majority of cultures of primary and secondary peritonitis in cats were monobacterial. There was no significant difference in outcome detected between animals with primary versus secondary peritonitis. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Ludwig, L. L., M. A. McLoughlin, et al. (1997). "Surgical treatment of bile peritonitis in 24 dogs and 2 cats: a retrospective study (1987-1994)." Vet Surg 26(2): 90-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Culp, W. T., T. E. Zeldis, et al. (2009). "Primary bacterial peritonitis in dogs and cats: 24 cases (1990-2006)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 234(7): 906-13.

This retrospective study was performed to determine the clinical characteristics of primary bacterial peritonitis and to compare the characteristics of primary and secondary peritonitis in dogs and cats. Primary peritonitis is defined as an infection of the peritoneal cavity with no identifiable intraperitoneal source of infection or history of a peritoneal penetrating injury. Secondary peritonitis cases were identified by use of the first criteria and also had a confirmed source of bacterial leakage identified either during surgery or at necropsy. Nine cats met the inclusion criteria for primary peritonitis and 11 cats met the inclusion criteria for secondary peritonitis. The most common historical findings in cats with primary and secondary peritonitis were anorexia, lethargy, and vomiting. Weight loss was an additional common finding with secondary peritonitis in cats. Significantly more cats had tachypnea, pain on abdominal palpation, and abdominal distention with primary peritonitis than the secondary form. Additionally, significantly more cats with primary peritonitis had hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia than did cats with secondary peritonitis. Three types of bacteria were cultured from the peritoneal cavity of cats, including E. coli, Clostridium spp. and Streptococcus spp. The majority of cultures of primary and secondary peritonitis in cats were monobacterial. There was no significant difference in outcome detected between animals with primary versus secondary peritonitis. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Ludwig, L. L., M. A. McLoughlin, et al. (1997). "Surgical treatment of bile peritonitis in 24 dogs and 2 cats: a retrospective study (1987-1994)." Vet Surg 26(2): 90-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Esophageal Damage From a Hairball

Durocher, L., S. E. Johnson, et al. (2009). "Esophageal diverticulum associated with a trichobezoar in a cat." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 45(3): 142-146.

This report describes an unusual case of esophageal obstruction and subsequent esophageal diverticulum in a 9-year old, neutered male domestic longhair cat associated with a hairball (trichobezoar). The patient was originally diagnosed with esophageal obstruction secondary to a hairball, and the hairball was removed endoscopically. Nine months later, the cat presented for persistent regurgitation. Contrast radiography with fluoroscopy revealed an esophageal diverticulum at the thoracic inlet with decreased esophageal motility distal to the diverticulum. Esophagostomy revealed the presence of a hairball within the diverticulum that was removed. With medical therapy and a canned diet, the cat did well for 2 months until it died suddenly. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Owen, M. C., P. J. Morris, et al. (2005). "Concurrent gastro-oesophageal intussusception, trichobezoar and hiatal hernia in a cat." N Z Vet J 53(5): 371-4.
>> PubMed Abstract

Barrs, V. R., J. A. Beatty, et al. (1999). "Intestinal obstruction by trichobezoars in five cats." J Feline Med Surg 1(4): 199-207.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Durocher, L., S. E. Johnson, et al. (2009). "Esophageal diverticulum associated with a trichobezoar in a cat." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 45(3): 142-146.

This report describes an unusual case of esophageal obstruction and subsequent esophageal diverticulum in a 9-year old, neutered male domestic longhair cat associated with a hairball (trichobezoar). The patient was originally diagnosed with esophageal obstruction secondary to a hairball, and the hairball was removed endoscopically. Nine months later, the cat presented for persistent regurgitation. Contrast radiography with fluoroscopy revealed an esophageal diverticulum at the thoracic inlet with decreased esophageal motility distal to the diverticulum. Esophagostomy revealed the presence of a hairball within the diverticulum that was removed. With medical therapy and a canned diet, the cat did well for 2 months until it died suddenly. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Owen, M. C., P. J. Morris, et al. (2005). "Concurrent gastro-oesophageal intussusception, trichobezoar and hiatal hernia in a cat." N Z Vet J 53(5): 371-4.
>> PubMed Abstract

Barrs, V. R., J. A. Beatty, et al. (1999). "Intestinal obstruction by trichobezoars in five cats." J Feline Med Surg 1(4): 199-207.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Diabetes in Australian Cats

Lederer, R., J. S. Rand, et al. (2009). "Frequency of feline diabetes mellitus and breed predisposition in domestic cats in Australia." Vet J 179(2): 254-8.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in cats seen at two large cat clinics in Brisbane, Australia over a 5 year period was evaluated. Data was analyzed by comparing diagnosis among Burmese as compared to domestic short- and long-haired cats, and between males and females. Ninety-three of 12,576 cats seen at the clinic were diagnosed with diabetes, giving a 5-year period prevalence of 7.4 per 1000 cats. Burmese cats in this population were three times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than other cats. In addition, males were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than females. Interestingly, Burmese cats were two years older on average at the time of diagnosis than the short- or long-haired cats. The underlying mechanism predisposing Burmese cats in Australia to diabetes mellitus is not known, but may be related to elevated amounts of lipids (e.g. triglycerides) in the blood, and inherited disorders of Burmese in Australia. [MK]
>>PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Rand, J., L. Bobbermien, et al. (1997). "Over representation of Burmese cats with diabetes mellitus." Aust Vet J 75(6): 402-405.
>> PubMed Abstract

McCann, T. M., K. E. Simpson, et al. (2007). "Feline diabetes mellitus in the UK: the prevalence within an insured cat population and a questionnaire-based putative risk factor analysis." J Feline Med Surg 9(4): 289-99.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Lederer, R., J. S. Rand, et al. (2009). "Frequency of feline diabetes mellitus and breed predisposition in domestic cats in Australia." Vet J 179(2): 254-8.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in cats seen at two large cat clinics in Brisbane, Australia over a 5 year period was evaluated. Data was analyzed by comparing diagnosis among Burmese as compared to domestic short- and long-haired cats, and between males and females. Ninety-three of 12,576 cats seen at the clinic were diagnosed with diabetes, giving a 5-year period prevalence of 7.4 per 1000 cats. Burmese cats in this population were three times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than other cats. In addition, males were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than females. Interestingly, Burmese cats were two years older on average at the time of diagnosis than the short- or long-haired cats. The underlying mechanism predisposing Burmese cats in Australia to diabetes mellitus is not known, but may be related to elevated amounts of lipids (e.g. triglycerides) in the blood, and inherited disorders of Burmese in Australia. [MK]
>>PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Rand, J., L. Bobbermien, et al. (1997). "Over representation of Burmese cats with diabetes mellitus." Aust Vet J 75(6): 402-405.
>> PubMed Abstract

McCann, T. M., K. E. Simpson, et al. (2007). "Feline diabetes mellitus in the UK: the prevalence within an insured cat population and a questionnaire-based putative risk factor analysis." J Feline Med Surg 9(4): 289-99.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Skin Lesions Associated with FIP

Declercq, J., H. De Bosschere, et al. (2008). "Papular cutaneous lesions in a cat associated with feline infectious peritonitis." Vet Dermatol 19(5): 255-8.

This paper describes unusual lesions associated with a case of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)– slightly raised intradermal papules that were not painful nor itchy. The 7 month old intact male domestic shorthair cat also had other indicators of FIP, such as fever, anterior uveitis, respiratory distress, and kidney abnormalities. The skin lesions were on the neck and thorax and difficult to see in these haired areas. Histopathologic analysis of these lesions along with immunohistochemistry revealed typical FIP lesions. If detected early in the disease process, analysis of similar skin lesions may help provide a diagnosis. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Cannon, M. J., M. A. Silkstone, et al. (2005). "Cutaneous lesions associated with coronavirus-induced vasculitis in a cat with feline infectious peritonitis and concurrent feline immunodeficiency virus infection." J Feline Med Surg 7(4): 233-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

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Declercq, J., H. De Bosschere, et al. (2008). "Papular cutaneous lesions in a cat associated with feline infectious peritonitis." Vet Dermatol 19(5): 255-8.

This paper describes unusual lesions associated with a case of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)– slightly raised intradermal papules that were not painful nor itchy. The 7 month old intact male domestic shorthair cat also had other indicators of FIP, such as fever, anterior uveitis, respiratory distress, and kidney abnormalities. The skin lesions were on the neck and thorax and difficult to see in these haired areas. Histopathologic analysis of these lesions along with immunohistochemistry revealed typical FIP lesions. If detected early in the disease process, analysis of similar skin lesions may help provide a diagnosis. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Cannon, M. J., M. A. Silkstone, et al. (2005). "Cutaneous lesions associated with coronavirus-induced vasculitis in a cat with feline infectious peritonitis and concurrent feline immunodeficiency virus infection." J Feline Med Surg 7(4): 233-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

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