Cerebellar tomographic attenuation of healthy felines

The cerebellum is responsible for coordination and maintenance of the fine control of muscle contraction. In cases of a suspected cerebellar disorder, a computed tomography scan can be performed to identify structural change. The aim of this study is to describe the cerebellar tomographic attenuation values in healthy cats since this variable is considered of great importance in the evaluation of images obtained by this imaging modality. A simple and a contrast enhanced brain computed tomographic scan were performed in 15 adult cats with no history of neurological symptoms and negative for feline leukemia and immunodeficiency virus. After acquiring the image, the measurement of the average attenuation of a cerebellar area of 2 centimeters in diameter was obtained. The cerebellar tomographic attenuation showed a variation from 14.60 to 25.50 HU in the simple scan and from 25.50 to 33.40 HU in the enhanced phase. Most animals (73.33%) had precontrast cerebellar attenuation values within the stipulated limit for the brain in a previous study (20-41 HU). Four animals in this study (26.67%) had values lower than 20 HU, which can be explained by differences in cellular composition between these two regions. The average value of contrast enhancement was 4.91 HU, and in none of the animals an enhancement greater than 10 HU was observed, which is in agreement with previous studies.

Tomographic and radiographic aspects of an infiltrative mediastinal lymphoma in a domestic cat with acute paraparesis: case report

Lymphomas are malignant neoplasms resulting from clonal proliferations of lymphocytes, originated from lymphoid organs, but can develop in any organ by the migration of lymphocytes to the organ's tissue. Lymphoma constitutes one of the most common neoplasms in cats. Imaging techniques like radiology, ultrasound and tomography may help in diagnosing and classifying lymphomas. Our objective is to report the radiographic and tomographic characteristics of a mediastinal lymphoma in a cat, which occupied a large thoracic and abdominal area and infiltrated into the medullary canal causing acute paraparesis. The tomographic exam was essential for identifying the mass, its extension and its location, besides identifying how compromised the adjacent structures were, but the histopathological examination was crucial to diagnose the nature of the lesion.

Métodos diagnósticos para detecção da Leucemia viral felina

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was described in 1964 by William Jarrett and collaborators wen find viral particles attached to the membrane of lymphoblasts in cat with lymphoma. The virus belongs to the family Retroviridae, subfamily oncornavirus. With worldwide distribution, the occurrence of FeLV has 1.6% in healthy cats and 10.8% in sick cats in Brazil. The mortality of persistently viremic animals in catteries is about 50% in two years and 80% in three years. In catteries that have endemic feline Coronavirus (FCoV), FeLV and / or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), the FeLV infection has greater contribution to mortality. The test for infection and FeLV positive cats segregation is the main way to prevent the spread of infection. The diagnostic methods are based on clinical signs and changes compatible with FeLV infection observed by physical examination, complete blood count, X-ray, bone marrow aspirate and biochemical. The viral p27 protein is produced in infected cells in high amounts and is found in abundance in the cytoplasm and in body fluids enabling diagnosed methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - ELISA and direct immunofluorescence, detection of viral genome (Chain Reaction Polymerase - PCR) and detection of the virus by virus isolation. Although diagnostic tests are highly sensitive, it should be made more than a confirmatory test, especially serological due to variable characteristic of the progress of infection

Colangiohepatite Felina

Cholangiohepatitis is a common hepatic disorder in cats that is second only to hepatic lipidosis in frequency. The cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis complex is known as the diseases that involve the biliar tract inflammation and may extend to the liver. The classification of the cholangiohepatitis is still controversial, in this present study the following classification was used: Acute Cholangiohepatitis, Chronic Cholangiohepatitis, Lymphocitic Cholangitis. The cholangiohepatitis may be associated with pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease, this association is known as feline triaditis. The diagnosis is based on the clinical signs, alterations in laboratory exams and ultrasonography alterations, but the definitive diagnosis is only possible through liver biopsy. The treatment for each type of cholangiohepatitis differs, hence the importance of the right diagnosis. This study aimed to do a review over the ethiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment for this disease

Cardiomiopatia hipertrófica felina: revisão bibliografica

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in the feline specie, more frequently affecting pure-breed males such as Ragdolls and Maine Coons. HCM can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary, when other diseases such as hyperthyroidism are involved. The disease is characterized by an increase in the diameter and thickness of the left ventricular wall, with consequent diastolic dysfunction. Mitral regurgitation happens due to compromised ventricular filling, leading to an increased left atrium size and consequent cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Along with the progress of modern veterinary medicine, many diseases could be addressed more successfully on small animal internal medicine, such as feline HCM. This article brings a literature review of the feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, focusing on its etiology, physiopathology, clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, therapeutics and prognosis

Lipidose hepática felina

Feline hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease is a cholestatic syndrome that affects domestic cats and is characterized by excess fat accumulation in the liver of cats. Symptoms commonly seen with this syndrome are anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, jaundice, and occasionally behavioral or neurologic signs such as excessive drooling, blindness, coma, and seizures. The diagnosis is based on the patient history, clinical examination, complementary examination, and the definitive diagnosis is obtained by cytology and/or histopathology of hepatic tissue. In serum biochemistry, the main findings include increased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and bilirubin. The gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is normal or slightly increased. The cornerstone of therapy is aggressive feeding to supply the cat full caloric requirements. Without aggressive nutritional support and intensive monitoring the fatty liver disease can be fatal

Doppler and Elastography as complementary diagnostic methods for mammary neoplasms in female cats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Validação de técnica hemostática do complexo arteriovenoso ovariano na ovariosalpingohisterectomia de gatas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Detecção do herpes vírus felino tipo 1 (HVF-1) pela técnica de PCR em tempo real e sua associação com sinais oculares em uma poipulação de gatos domésticos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Identification of the presence of the mutation of the gene of PKD not associated of HCM in Persian cats - case report

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a hereditary autosomal dominant disorder that mainly affects Persian cats; it is an important cause of chronic kidney disease in this species. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats, and there is evidence of a genetic origin in some breeds. Although neither of these disorders is rare in cats, according to our literature review, this is the first report of the concomitant occurrence of PKD and HCM in Persian cats in Brazil.

Is cryptosporidiosis an underestimated disease in cats?

Studies on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cats are still scarce. In this literature review, we address epidemiological and clinical aspects, as well as diagnostic methods, therapeutic behavoiur, and control and prevention measures for this disease in cats, with the aim of investigating if cryptosporidiosis is an underestimated disease in the laboratory routine and in small animal medical clinics.

Feeding frequency, but not dietary water content, affects voluntary physical activity in young lean adult female cats

The objective of this study was to investigate whether increased dietary water content and feeding frequency increased voluntary physical activity of young, lean adult female cats. A replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement (feeding frequency and water content) was used. The 4 treatments consisted of 1 meal daily dry pet food without added water (1D; 12% moisture as is), 1 meal daily dry pet food with added water (1W; 70% total water content), 4 meals daily dry pet food without added water (4D; 12% moisture as is), and 4 meals daily dry pet food with added water (4W; 70% total water content). Eight healthy adult, lean, intact, young, female domestic shorthair cats were used in this experiment. Voluntary physical activity was evaluated using Actical activity monitors placed on collars and worn around the cats'necks for the last 7 d of each experimental period of 14 d. Food anticipatory activity (FAA) was calculated based on 2 h prior to feeding periods and expressed as a percentage of total daily voluntary physical activity. Increased feeding frequency (4 vs. 1 meal daily) resulted in greater average daily activity (P = 0.0147), activity during the light period (P = 0.0023), and light: dark activity ratio (P = 0.0002). In contrast, physical activity during the dark period was not altered by feeding frequency (P > 0.05). Cats fed 4 meals daily had increased afternoon FAA (P = 0.0029) compared with cats fed once daily. Dietary water content did not affect any measure of voluntary physical activity. Increased feeding frequency is an effective strategy to increase the voluntary physical activity of cats. Thus, it may assist in the prevention and management of obesity.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the glucagon-like peptide-1 analog liraglutide in healthy cats

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an intestinal hormone that induces glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon secretion. Glucagon-like peptide-1 also increases beta cell mass and satiation while decelerating gastric emptying. Liraglutide is a fatty-acid derivative of GLP-1 with a protracted pharmacokinetic profile that is used in people for treatment of type II diabetes mellitus and obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of liraglutide in healthy cats. Hyperglycemic clamps were performed on days 0 (HGC) and 14 (LgHGC) in 7 healthy cats. Liraglutide was administered subcutaneously (0.6 mg/cat) once daily on days 8 through 14. Compared with the HGC (mean +/- standard deviation; 455.5 +/- 115.8 ng/L), insulin concentrations during LgHGC were increased (760.8 +/- 350.7 ng/L; P = 0.0022), glucagon concentrations decreased (0.66 +/- 0.4 pmol/L during HGC vs 0.5 +/- 0.4 pmol/L during LgHGC; P = 0.0089), and there was a trend toward an increased total glucose infused (median [range] = 1.61 (1.11-2.54) g/kg and 2.25 (1.64-3.10) g/kg, respectively; P = 0.087). Appetite reduction and decreased body weight (9% +/- 3%; P = 0.006) were observed in all cats. Liraglutide has similar effects and pharmacokinetics profile in cats to those reported in people. With a half-life of approximately 12 h, once daily dosing might be feasible; however, significant effects on appetite and weight loss may necessitate dosage or dosing frequency reductions. Further investigation of liraglutide in diabetic cats and overweight cats is warranted. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pharmacology of the glucagon-like peptide-1 analog exenatide extended-release in healthy cats

Exenatide extended-release (ER) is a microencapsulated formulation of the glucagon-like peptide 1-receptor agonist exenatide: It has a protracted pharmacokinetic profile that allows a once-weekly injection with comparable efficacy to insulin with an improved safety profile in type II diabetic people. Here, we studied the pharmacology of exenatide ER in 6 healthy cats. A single subcutaneous injection of exenatide ER (0.13 mg/kg) was administered on day 0. Exenatide concentrations were measured for 12 wk. A hyperglycemic clamp (target = 225 mg/dL) was performed on days 7 (clamp I) and 21 (clamp II) with measurements of insulin and glucagon concentrations. Glucose tolerance was defined as the amount of glucose required to maintain hyperglycemia during the clamp. Continuous glucose monitoring was performed on weeks 0, 2, and 6 after injection. Plasma concentrations of exenatide peaked at 1 h and 4 wk after injection. Comparing clamp I with clamp II, fasting blood glucose decreased (mean standard deviation = 11 8 mg/dL, P = 0.02), glucose tolerance improved (median [range] +33% 14%-138%], P = 0.04), insulin concentrations increased (+36.5% [-9.9% to 274.1%], P = 0.02), and glucagon concentrations decreased (-4.7% [0%-12.1%], P = 0.005). Compared with preinjection values on continuous glucose monitoring, glucose concentrations decreased and the frequency of readings <50 mg/dL increased at 2 and 6 wk after injection of exenatide ER. This did not correspond to clinical hypoglycemia. No other side effects were observed throughout the study. Exenatide ER was safe and effective in improving glucose tolerance 3 wk after a single injection. Further evaluation is needed to determine its safety, efficacy, and duration of action in diabetic cats. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pulmonary function in obese vs non-obese cats

Obesity is a risk factor in the development of several respiratory diseases. Lung volumes tend to be decreased, especially expiratory reserve volume, increasing expiratory flow limitation during tidal breathing. Barometric whole-body plethysmography is a non-invasive pulmonary function test that allows a dynamic study of breathing patterns. The objective of this study was to compare pulmonary function variables between obese and non-obese cats through the use of barometric whole-body plethysmography. Nine normal-weight and six obese cats were placed in the plethysmograph chamber, and different respiratory variables were measured. There was a significant decrease in tidal volume per kilogram (P=0.003), minute volume per kilogram (P=0.001) and peak inspiratory and expiratory flows per kilogram (P=0.001) in obese cats compared with non-obese cats. Obesity failed to demonstrate a significant increase in bronchoconstriction index variable enhanced pause (Penh), as previously reported in humans and dogs. The results show that feline obesity impairs pulmonary function in cats, although a significant increase in bronchoconstriction indexes was not observed. Non-invasive barometric whole-body plethysmography can help characterise mechanical dysfunction of the airways in obese cats.