Treatment of Feline Hyperthyroidism with Carbimazole

Frenais, R., et al., Clinical efficacy and safety of a once-daily formulation of carbimazole in cats with hyperthyroidism. J Small Anim Pract, 2009. 50(10): p. 510-5.

Traditionally, medical treatment of feline hyperthyroidism has involved daily use of the azole drugs, methimazole or its pro-drug, carbimazole. Many cats require twice daily treatment with these drugs. A novel controlled-release formulation of carbimazole (Vidalta) has been developed by Intervet. These researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of this new carbimazole formulation via a multi-center study of 44 client-owned cats with hyperthyroidism. Treatment was started at 15 mg/cat once daily, and dose was adjusted as required. Cats were followed for 53 weeks. The median dose over the study period was 10-15 mg/cat once daily. Clinical signs improved in almost all cats within 3 weeks after treatment was started. An increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was noted in 25% of the cats, eosinophilia was noted in 20%, and lymphopenia in 16%. The researchers conclude that once daily administration of controlled-release carbimazole is effective with acceptable tolerance during short and long term treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Frenais, R., S. Burgaud, and L.J.I. Horspool, Pharmacokinetics of controlled-release carbimazole tablets support once daily dosing in cats. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2008. 31(3): p. 213-219.
>> PubMed Abstract

Trepanier, L.A., Medical management of hyperthyroidism. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract, 2006. 21(1): p. 22-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Frenais, R., et al., Clinical efficacy and safety of a once-daily formulation of carbimazole in cats with hyperthyroidism. J Small Anim Pract, 2009. 50(10): p. 510-5.

Traditionally, medical treatment of feline hyperthyroidism has involved daily use of the azole drugs, methimazole or its pro-drug, carbimazole. Many cats require twice daily treatment with these drugs. A novel controlled-release formulation of carbimazole (Vidalta) has been developed by Intervet. These researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of this new carbimazole formulation via a multi-center study of 44 client-owned cats with hyperthyroidism. Treatment was started at 15 mg/cat once daily, and dose was adjusted as required. Cats were followed for 53 weeks. The median dose over the study period was 10-15 mg/cat once daily. Clinical signs improved in almost all cats within 3 weeks after treatment was started. An increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was noted in 25% of the cats, eosinophilia was noted in 20%, and lymphopenia in 16%. The researchers conclude that once daily administration of controlled-release carbimazole is effective with acceptable tolerance during short and long term treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Frenais, R., S. Burgaud, and L.J.I. Horspool, Pharmacokinetics of controlled-release carbimazole tablets support once daily dosing in cats. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2008. 31(3): p. 213-219.
>> PubMed Abstract

Trepanier, L.A., Medical management of hyperthyroidism. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract, 2006. 21(1): p. 22-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More

Treatment of Feline Diabetes

Marshall, R.D., J.S. Rand, and J.M. Morton, Treatment of newly diagnosed diabetic cats with glargine insulin improves glycaemic control and results in higher probability of remission than protamine zinc and lente insulins. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(8): p. 683-691.

Diabetes mellitus is a moderately common disease in cats. The most effective and reliable treatment is insulin therapy to achieve glycemic control. The authors’ study compared the glycemic control and remission possibilities in 24 newly diagnosed diabetic cats. The cats were treated twice daily with either glargine, protamine zinc (PZI), or lente insulin along with being fed a low carbohydrate-high protein canned food. The primary finding was that for newly diagnosed diabetic cats, treatment with glargine resulted in a higher probability of remission compared to PZI or lente insulin. Better glycemic control of cats after 17 days of treatment with glargine was noted and based on lower mean blood glucose concentrations. By day 112, 8 of 8 cats treated with glargine achieved remission while 2/8 in the lente group and 3/8 in the PZI group had achieved remission. None of the glargine-treated cats exhibited signs of hypoglycemia while 3 cats in the other groups developed clinically severe hypoglycemia. The study indicates that twice-daily treatment with glargine insulin may deliver better glycemic control and possibility of remission than similar treatment with lente or PZI insulin. The authors note that good glycemic control soon after diagnosis with diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased probability of remission and this should be the goal of insulin therapy. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Hall, T.D., et al., Effects of diet on glucose control in cats with diabetes mellitus treated with twice daily insulin glargine. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(2): p. 125-130.
>> PubMed Abstract

Weaver, K.E., et al., Use of glargine and lente insulins in cats with diabetes mellitus. J Vet Intern Med, 2006. 20(2): p. 234-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Marshall, R.D., J.S. Rand, and J.M. Morton, Treatment of newly diagnosed diabetic cats with glargine insulin improves glycaemic control and results in higher probability of remission than protamine zinc and lente insulins. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(8): p. 683-691.

Diabetes mellitus is a moderately common disease in cats. The most effective and reliable treatment is insulin therapy to achieve glycemic control. The authors’ study compared the glycemic control and remission possibilities in 24 newly diagnosed diabetic cats. The cats were treated twice daily with either glargine, protamine zinc (PZI), or lente insulin along with being fed a low carbohydrate-high protein canned food. The primary finding was that for newly diagnosed diabetic cats, treatment with glargine resulted in a higher probability of remission compared to PZI or lente insulin. Better glycemic control of cats after 17 days of treatment with glargine was noted and based on lower mean blood glucose concentrations. By day 112, 8 of 8 cats treated with glargine achieved remission while 2/8 in the lente group and 3/8 in the PZI group had achieved remission. None of the glargine-treated cats exhibited signs of hypoglycemia while 3 cats in the other groups developed clinically severe hypoglycemia. The study indicates that twice-daily treatment with glargine insulin may deliver better glycemic control and possibility of remission than similar treatment with lente or PZI insulin. The authors note that good glycemic control soon after diagnosis with diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased probability of remission and this should be the goal of insulin therapy. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Hall, T.D., et al., Effects of diet on glucose control in cats with diabetes mellitus treated with twice daily insulin glargine. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 2009. 11(2): p. 125-130.
>> PubMed Abstract

Weaver, K.E., et al., Use of glargine and lente insulins in cats with diabetes mellitus. J Vet Intern Med, 2006. 20(2): p. 234-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More

Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Role of Papillomavirus

Munday, J.S., M. Dunowska, and S. De Grey, Detection of two different papillomaviruses within a feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: case report and review of the literature. N Z Vet J, 2009. 57(4): p. 248-51.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are among the most common malignant skin cancers of cats. There is evidence that papillomaviruses promote SCC development on sun-exposed areas in humans. About 100 papillomaviruses are known in humans, but only a few in dogs and cats. Previous reports have identified papillomaviruses in a certain proportion of canine SCC. This paper describes the identification (using PCR) of viral DNA from two distinct papillomaviruses in an invasive SCC on the nose of a 15-year-old cat. One of the two viruses has never been described before. It is also the first time that multiple papillomaviruses have been detected in a single cancerous lesion in a cat. This finding supports the association between papillomaviruses and SCC in cats. If papillomaviruses influence the development of feline SCC, new approaches to treatment may be possible. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Munday, J.S., et al., Detection of papillomaviral sequences in feline Bowenoid in situ carcinoma using consensus primers. Vet Dermatol, 2007. 18(4): p. 241-5.
>> PubMed Abstract

Zaugg, N., et al., Detection of novel papillomaviruses in canine mucosal, cutaneous and in situ squamous cell carcinomas. Vet Dermatol, 2005. 16(5): p. 290-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Munday, J.S., M. Dunowska, and S. De Grey, Detection of two different papillomaviruses within a feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: case report and review of the literature. N Z Vet J, 2009. 57(4): p. 248-51.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are among the most common malignant skin cancers of cats. There is evidence that papillomaviruses promote SCC development on sun-exposed areas in humans. About 100 papillomaviruses are known in humans, but only a few in dogs and cats. Previous reports have identified papillomaviruses in a certain proportion of canine SCC. This paper describes the identification (using PCR) of viral DNA from two distinct papillomaviruses in an invasive SCC on the nose of a 15-year-old cat. One of the two viruses has never been described before. It is also the first time that multiple papillomaviruses have been detected in a single cancerous lesion in a cat. This finding supports the association between papillomaviruses and SCC in cats. If papillomaviruses influence the development of feline SCC, new approaches to treatment may be possible. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Munday, J.S., et al., Detection of papillomaviral sequences in feline Bowenoid in situ carcinoma using consensus primers. Vet Dermatol, 2007. 18(4): p. 241-5.
>> PubMed Abstract

Zaugg, N., et al., Detection of novel papillomaviruses in canine mucosal, cutaneous and in situ squamous cell carcinomas. Vet Dermatol, 2005. 16(5): p. 290-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More

Mycobacterial Infections in Cats

Horne KS, Kunkle GA: Clinical outcome of cutaneous rapidly growing mycobacterial infections in cats in the south-eastern United States: a review of 10 cases (1996-2006), J Feline Med Surg 11:627, 2009.

In the United States, there have been very few case reports of cutaneous mycobacterial infections in cats. This study reviews 10 cases of cats with rapidly growing mycobacterial infections from the south-eastern United States. This condition is fairly uncommon and is a challenging condition to treat in cats due to a variable response rate to surgical debulking and aggressive antibiotic therapy. The majority of these cases were spayed female cats with the median age of 8 years. The majority of the cats presented with characteristic lesions in multiple locations that were subsequent to trauma. The most frequently cultured organism was Mycobacterium fortuitum. The cats were treated with a variety of antibiotics for a median of 12 months, and half of this number also underwent surgical debulking. Five out of the 10 cats treated reached clinical resolution and 5 cases did not. Those cases that achieved resolution required a median of 7 months of antibiotic treatment after diagnosis. With only half of the cases reaching resolution, one must consider a guarded prognosis in cases of feline rapidly growing mycobacterial infection in the south-eastern portion of the United States. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kaneene JB, Bruning-Fann CS, Dunn J, Mullaney TP, Berry D, Massey JP, Thoen CO, Halstead S, Schwartz K. Epidemiologic investigation of Mycobacterium bovis in a population of cats. Am J Vet Res. 2002 Nov;63(11):1507-11.
>> PubMed Abstract

Appleyard GD, Clark EG. Histologic and genotypic characterization of a novel Mycobacterium species found in three cats. J Clin Microbiol. 2002
Jul;40(7):2425-30.
>> Free, full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Horne KS, Kunkle GA: Clinical outcome of cutaneous rapidly growing mycobacterial infections in cats in the south-eastern United States: a review of 10 cases (1996-2006), J Feline Med Surg 11:627, 2009.

In the United States, there have been very few case reports of cutaneous mycobacterial infections in cats. This study reviews 10 cases of cats with rapidly growing mycobacterial infections from the south-eastern United States. This condition is fairly uncommon and is a challenging condition to treat in cats due to a variable response rate to surgical debulking and aggressive antibiotic therapy. The majority of these cases were spayed female cats with the median age of 8 years. The majority of the cats presented with characteristic lesions in multiple locations that were subsequent to trauma. The most frequently cultured organism was Mycobacterium fortuitum. The cats were treated with a variety of antibiotics for a median of 12 months, and half of this number also underwent surgical debulking. Five out of the 10 cats treated reached clinical resolution and 5 cases did not. Those cases that achieved resolution required a median of 7 months of antibiotic treatment after diagnosis. With only half of the cases reaching resolution, one must consider a guarded prognosis in cases of feline rapidly growing mycobacterial infection in the south-eastern portion of the United States. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Kaneene JB, Bruning-Fann CS, Dunn J, Mullaney TP, Berry D, Massey JP, Thoen CO, Halstead S, Schwartz K. Epidemiologic investigation of Mycobacterium bovis in a population of cats. Am J Vet Res. 2002 Nov;63(11):1507-11.
>> PubMed Abstract

Appleyard GD, Clark EG. Histologic and genotypic characterization of a novel Mycobacterium species found in three cats. J Clin Microbiol. 2002
Jul;40(7):2425-30.
>> Free, full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More

Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus

Reynolds BS, Poulet H, Pingret JL et al: A nosocomial outbreak of feline calicivirus associated virulent systemic disease in France, J Feline Med Surg 11:633, 2009.

This paper documents an outbreak of virulent systemic (VS) feline calicivirus (FCV) at a veterinary teaching hospital in France. The initial case was referred to the hospital, presenting with severe depression, fever, facial and limb edema, crusting, mucopurulent nasal discharge, oral ulceration and dyspnea. Within 10 days, 2 cats (one owned by a veterinary student and one that had visited the hospital 3 days previous) presented with similar disease symptoms. These 3 cats all died or were euthanized without a confirmed diagnosis. The fourth case presented 3 days after a visit to the hospital, and FCV was confirmed. At that point, the possibility of hospital-acquired infection was assessed, and 3 additional hospitalized cats were found to be infected. The hospital was then closed to cats for 19 days and disinfected. An eighth cat owned by a veterinary student who was working in the hospital during this period also contracted the virus and was hospitalized at a private clinic. Of the 8 affected cats, 3 died, 2 were euthanized, and 2 recovered. As indicated, 2 cases never in the affected hospital occurred in cats infected by their owners (veterinary students present at the hospital). The virus from this outbreak was characterized, and found to be the same in all cases. This outbreak illustrates the highly contagious nature of this virus. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Radford AD, Addie D, Belak S et al: Feline calicivirus infection. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management, J Feline Med Surg 11:556, 2009.
>> Free, full text article

Radford AD, Coyne KP, Dawson S et al: Feline calicivirus, Vet Res 38:319, 2007.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Reynolds BS, Poulet H, Pingret JL et al: A nosocomial outbreak of feline calicivirus associated virulent systemic disease in France, J Feline Med Surg 11:633, 2009.

This paper documents an outbreak of virulent systemic (VS) feline calicivirus (FCV) at a veterinary teaching hospital in France. The initial case was referred to the hospital, presenting with severe depression, fever, facial and limb edema, crusting, mucopurulent nasal discharge, oral ulceration and dyspnea. Within 10 days, 2 cats (one owned by a veterinary student and one that had visited the hospital 3 days previous) presented with similar disease symptoms. These 3 cats all died or were euthanized without a confirmed diagnosis. The fourth case presented 3 days after a visit to the hospital, and FCV was confirmed. At that point, the possibility of hospital-acquired infection was assessed, and 3 additional hospitalized cats were found to be infected. The hospital was then closed to cats for 19 days and disinfected. An eighth cat owned by a veterinary student who was working in the hospital during this period also contracted the virus and was hospitalized at a private clinic. Of the 8 affected cats, 3 died, 2 were euthanized, and 2 recovered. As indicated, 2 cases never in the affected hospital occurred in cats infected by their owners (veterinary students present at the hospital). The virus from this outbreak was characterized, and found to be the same in all cases. This outbreak illustrates the highly contagious nature of this virus. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Radford AD, Addie D, Belak S et al: Feline calicivirus infection. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management, J Feline Med Surg 11:556, 2009.
>> Free, full text article

Radford AD, Coyne KP, Dawson S et al: Feline calicivirus, Vet Res 38:319, 2007.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More

Feline Tooth Resorption

DeLaurier A, Boyde A, Jackson B et al: Identifying early osteoclastic resorptive lesions in feline teeth: a model for understanding the origin of multiple idiopathic root resorption, J Periodontal Res 44:248, 2009.

One of the most common oral lesions in cats is osteoclastic tooth resorption, a destructive lesion that typically results in pain and tooth loss. The underlying cause of this dental lesion in cats is not well understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the origin and progression of early tooth resorption lesions in teeth with no clinical signs of disease. The surfaces of 138 teeth from 13 adult cats were analyzed using electron microscopy. At least one resorptive lesion was found in 53% of the teeth. Most cats (85%) had tooth lesions, and there was a significant association between increasing age and incidence of lesions. The most commonly affected teeth were the mandibular molars. Resorptive lesions were found at the cemento-enamel junction in 38% of teeth. Evidence of repair limited to the root surface was found in 23% of teeth. When lesions occurred at the cemento-enamel junction, there was no evidence of repair. The researchers conclude that resorptive lesions are common in feline teeth, even when no signs of disease are obvious. Lesions can be found anywhere on the tooth surface, but there seems to be absent or compromised repair mechanisms at the cemento-enamel junction. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Girard N, Servet E, Biourge V et al: Feline tooth resorption in a colony of 109 cats, J Vet Dent 25:166, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lewis JR, Okuda A, Shofer FS et al: Significant association between tooth extrusion and tooth resorption in domestic cats, J Vet Dent 25:86, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

DeLaurier A, Boyde A, Jackson B et al: Identifying early osteoclastic resorptive lesions in feline teeth: a model for understanding the origin of multiple idiopathic root resorption, J Periodontal Res 44:248, 2009.

One of the most common oral lesions in cats is osteoclastic tooth resorption, a destructive lesion that typically results in pain and tooth loss. The underlying cause of this dental lesion in cats is not well understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the origin and progression of early tooth resorption lesions in teeth with no clinical signs of disease. The surfaces of 138 teeth from 13 adult cats were analyzed using electron microscopy. At least one resorptive lesion was found in 53% of the teeth. Most cats (85%) had tooth lesions, and there was a significant association between increasing age and incidence of lesions. The most commonly affected teeth were the mandibular molars. Resorptive lesions were found at the cemento-enamel junction in 38% of teeth. Evidence of repair limited to the root surface was found in 23% of teeth. When lesions occurred at the cemento-enamel junction, there was no evidence of repair. The researchers conclude that resorptive lesions are common in feline teeth, even when no signs of disease are obvious. Lesions can be found anywhere on the tooth surface, but there seems to be absent or compromised repair mechanisms at the cemento-enamel junction. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Girard N, Servet E, Biourge V et al: Feline tooth resorption in a colony of 109 cats, J Vet Dent 25:166, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lewis JR, Okuda A, Shofer FS et al: Significant association between tooth extrusion and tooth resorption in domestic cats, J Vet Dent 25:86, 2008.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More

FeLV and FIV Affect Blood Values in Cats

Gleich S, Hartmann K: Hematology and serum biochemistry of feline immunodeficiency virus-infected and feline leukemia virus-infected cats, J Vet Intern Med 23:552, 2009.

Complete documentation of the hematologic and biochemical values in cats naturally infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has been lacking. The authors performed a retrospective study of 3,780 client owned cats tested for FIV and FeLV. The objective was to report differences in laboratory values between FIV- or FeLV-infected and non-infected and between FIV- and FeLV-infected cats. Serum activity levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and serum concentration of glucose were significantly lower, while serum concentrations of total protein (TP) and gamma-globulins were significantly higher in FIV-positive cats compared with negative cats. Results indicated significantly lower PCV, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC) and platelet counts (PLT) in FeLV-positive cats than FIV- infected and control cats. TP and creatinine concentrations were significantly lower in FeLV-infected cats than in non-infected. FeLV-infected cats were at high risk for the development of cytopenias and hematologic abnormalities are common. Clinicopathologic abnormalities are less frequent in FIV-infected cats. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Hofmann-Lehmann R, Holznagel E, Ossent P et al: Parameters of disease progression in long-term experimental feline retrovirus (feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus) infections: hematology, clinical chemistry, and lymphocyte subsets, Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 4:33, 1997.
>> Free, full text article

Levy JK, Scott HM, Lachtara JL et al: Seroprevalence of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among cats in North America and risk factors for seropositivity, J Am Vet Med Assoc 228:371, 2006.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Gleich S, Hartmann K: Hematology and serum biochemistry of feline immunodeficiency virus-infected and feline leukemia virus-infected cats, J Vet Intern Med 23:552, 2009.

Complete documentation of the hematologic and biochemical values in cats naturally infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has been lacking. The authors performed a retrospective study of 3,780 client owned cats tested for FIV and FeLV. The objective was to report differences in laboratory values between FIV- or FeLV-infected and non-infected and between FIV- and FeLV-infected cats. Serum activity levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and serum concentration of glucose were significantly lower, while serum concentrations of total protein (TP) and gamma-globulins were significantly higher in FIV-positive cats compared with negative cats. Results indicated significantly lower PCV, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC) and platelet counts (PLT) in FeLV-positive cats than FIV- infected and control cats. TP and creatinine concentrations were significantly lower in FeLV-infected cats than in non-infected. FeLV-infected cats were at high risk for the development of cytopenias and hematologic abnormalities are common. Clinicopathologic abnormalities are less frequent in FIV-infected cats. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related Articles:
Hofmann-Lehmann R, Holznagel E, Ossent P et al: Parameters of disease progression in long-term experimental feline retrovirus (feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus) infections: hematology, clinical chemistry, and lymphocyte subsets, Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 4:33, 1997.
>> Free, full text article

Levy JK, Scott HM, Lachtara JL et al: Seroprevalence of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among cats in North America and risk factors for seropositivity, J Am Vet Med Assoc 228:371, 2006.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More