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Background: Gastrointestinal disorders are common in cats, and the differentiation between inflammatory and neoplastic disease is essential to determine therapy. Therefore, ultrasonographic evaluation is an important tool for intestinal diagnosis in cats. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, ultrasonographic and histopathological characteristics of cats with intestinal diseases. Materials, Methods & Results: Forty cats with gastrointestinal clinical signs and abdominal ultrasound findings consistent with inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal neoplasia were studied. Ultrasound evaluated all abdominal organs, with emphasis on the gastrointestinal tract, and parameters included the thickness of gastric and intestinal wall, the variations of its echogenicity, reduced intestinal lumen, mesenteric lymph nodes, involvement of other abdominal organs and presence of abdominal effusion. All cats were referred to exploratory laparotomy, in order to obtain biopsy samples. Mean age was 11.6 years and there were 23 females and 17 males. Clinical signs included weight loss (87.5%), vomiting (82.5%), hyporexia (75%), diarrhea (35%), constipation (10%), polyphagia (5%) and intestinal gases (5%). In abdominal ultrasound, the most common findings were increased thickness of the gastric and/or intestinal wall, decreased echogenicity of the intestinal wall, reduction of the intestinal lumen due to severe wall thickening or presence of obstructive mass, and lymphadenopathy. Histopathology revealed alimentary lymphoma (AL) in 19 cases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in 10 cases, intestinal adenocarcinoma in 7 cases, mast cell tumor in 2 cases and intestinal hemangiosarcoma in 2 cases. Discussion: Weight loss and vomiting were the two main complaints of the owners. However, diarrhea, described by previous authors as one of the main clinical signs in cats with intestinal diseases, was present in only 35% of cats of this study. The intestinal segments that were presented more frequently with increased wall thickness were duodenum and jejunum, and the mean wall thickness was 0.51 cm. Cats diagnosed with AL had mean value of duodenum wall thickness/jejunum of 0.564 cm, while in patients with IBD the mean value was 0.462 cm. Whereas previous authors said that ultrasonographic findings in cats with lymphocytic lymphoma are usually indistinguishable from patients with inflammatory bowel disease and that the wall thickness in both cases may be normal or increased, the analysis presented in this study was considered representative since most cases of AL corresponded to lymphocytic lymphoma. Surgery was performed on 35 cats in the study. The choice for exploratory laparotomy (instead of endoscopy for example) was to collect all layers of the intestinal segment, and it was successful, as all samples were representative and allowed the definitive diagnosis. Histopathology revealed 19 cases of alimentary lymphoma, 10 cases of inflammatory bowel disease, 7 cases of intestinal adenocarcinoma, 2 cases of intestinal mast cell tumor and 2 cases of intestinal hemangiosarcoma. The prevalence of AL over IBD has been previously discussed, but the occurrence of adenocarcinoma and mast cell tumor was higher in the present study. On feline physical examination, attention should be directed to abdominal palpation, since this study showed that 47.5% of the animals had intestinal wall thickening. The ultrasonographic evaluation and histopathological diagnosis is essential for the clinical management of cats with intestinal diseases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sporotrichosis is a zoonosis caused by fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. Cats have important zoonotic potential due to the high parasite load found in the cutaneous lesions. Refractory cases to antifungal therapy are increasing, becoming a public health problem. Miltefosine is a drug with high in vitro activity against Sporothrix brasiliensis. However, this efficacy has not been confirmed in vivo yet and administration has not been studied in the feline species. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of miltefosine administration in cats with resistant sporotrichosis. Materials, Methods & Results: Ten cats with refractory sporotrichosis were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were previous diagnosis for sporotrichosis associated with therapy with oral antifungals (itraconazole and/or potassium iodide) for more than one year, followed by one of these conditions: incomplete clinical remission, worsening of disease during treatment or recurrence after conventional treatment. Cats underwent clinical and dermatological examinations. Data on lifestyle and previous treatments were provided by the owners. Fungal culture and histochemical techniques were performed in all cats before miltefosine treatment. Blood samples were collected before and during the study for laboratory tests, such as blood count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase, as well as serology for Feline Immunodeficiency (FIV) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV). Miltefosine was prescribed at a dosage of 2 mg/kg orally every 24 h. The animals were monitored by phone during the whole process and reassessed on days 0, 15, 30 and 45 of the treatment. Out of 10 cats, lesions were present on the nose in nine, ears in four, periocular areas in one and limbs in four. One cat received treatment for 45 days, six for 30 days, one for 21 days, one for 15 days and one for 3 days. One cat showed no response to the treatment and nine showed disease progression. Hyporexia and weight loss were the most frequent clinical signs related to miltefosine treatment, followed by sialorrhea, vomiting and diarrhea. Few adverse effects on hematology and biochemistry (mainly renal and hepatic parameters) were observed during the study. Hematocrit decrease was observed in four animals. However, only one cat had hematocrit decrease below normal values (anemia), which was already present before miltefosine administration. Other cats had a decrease of five points. Three cats showed elevation in leucometria and four in plasma protein. In relation to renal and hepatic biochemistry, one animal showed a BUN increase and another one showed a transient increase in ALT. Two animals started the treatment with increased ALT but had no problems during the study and values decreased even during the miltefosine administration. Discussion: Although two cats showed sialorrhea, most owners did not report difficulty in administering the drug orally, representing an advantage of this medication. Weight loss, secondary to gastrointestinal changes, was the most clinically relevant alteration. The most frequent hematological alteration was hematocrit decrease and only the animal that started the study with 20% hematocrit ended the study with anemia. Renal and hepatic parameters were not significant in the cats of this study. Miltefosine did not lead to sporotrichosis remission in this small population of cats, which reveals that, despite its in vitro efficacy against Sporothrix spp., the drug is not effective in vivo in the feline species. Further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of this drug in a larger number of cats, and possible reasons for its in vivo ineffectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clients who seek veterinary care for pets with cancer are often concerned about the potential negative impact of chemotherapeutic treatments on their animals' quality of life. A consensus currently exists in veterinary oncology regarding the quantification and rating of adverse treatment effects in dogs and cats in response to chemotherapy agents. This grading system is referred to as Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group - Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to investigate the delayed acute effects of chemotherapy drugs in cats receiving cancer treatment. Materials, Methods & Results: Medical records were reviewed to determine the chemotherapy agent used and delayed adverse effects. Side effects were classified according to Veterinary Co-operative Oncology Group grading. All cats were evaluated after the first chemotherapy administration, after a single dose. The reported effects included hematologic effects (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, increases in liver enzymes, and azotemia), gastrointestinal effects (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea, and inappetence), and sepsis. All of the cats in this study received ondansetron and omeprazol in the first five days following chemotherapy administration. If vomiting occurred with oral medication, maropitant was administered subcutaneously for three consecutive days. If diarrhea (> grade II) occurred, probiotics were administered for seven days. Hematologic examination was performed 3-14 days after chemotherapy. If neutropenia (> grade III) occurred, Human granulocyte colony stimulating factor was administered subcutaneously for three consecutive days together with prophylactic antibiotics. Lomustine, carboplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and vinblastine were administered in 33%, 19%, 16%, 5%, 16%, 10% and 2% of the cases examined, respectively. The most common adverse events were vomiting, inappetence, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. Vomiting occurred in 6% cases, most of them associated with cyclophosphamide. Inappetence/anorexia affected 12% of the cases, mostly those involving cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin. Neutropenia was observed in 22% of the cases, with cyclophosphamide, followed by carboplatin and lomustine. According to the current grading system of adverse effects induced by chemotherapy, grade I toxicity was observed in 83% of the cases, whiles grade II-IV were observed in 7%, 8%, and 2% of the cases examined, respectively. Discussion: In general, the chemotherapy regimens in the cases examined were well tolerated. The toxicity experienced was infrequent and mostly mild, thereby resulting in satisfactory tolerability of the chemotherapy regimens. According to the current grading system for the adverse effects of chemotherapy, 83% of the cases examined included grade I, indicating that most of the cats experienced asymptomatic, or mild symptoms, and medical intervention was not needed. In previous studies of dogs and cats, a severe adverse event following chemotherapy was reported for fewer than 1 in 4 animals, and approximately 3-5% experienced a serious adverse event that led to hospitalization. In the present study, 2% of the cats experienced serious or life threatening adverse events. The only chemotherapeutic agent that was associated with inappetence, vomiting, and neutropenia was cyclophosphamide. Based on the data examined, we would recommend that cyclophosphamide should be used with caution for the treatment of cancer in cats, with adequate antiemetic and nutritional support available if needed. In addition, febrile neutropenia/sepsis may be avoided by using a fractionated schedule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary hyperaldosteronism in cats occurs as a consequence of excessive hormone production by adrenal glands, mainly in adrenocortical tumors. Excessive aldosterone secretion leads to hypokalemia, hypernatremia and systemic hypertension, with consequent clinical signs of muscle weakness, cervical ventroflexion and ocular abnormalities. This report describes a cat diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism successfully treated with unilateral adrenalectomy. Case: A female mixed breed 10-year-old cat was presented with dehydration, severe cervical ventroflexion, bilateral mydriasis and ocular hemorrhage. Systolic blood pressure was 300 mmHg. Anti hypertensive drugs (amlodipine and benazepril) were started. The animal was referred to ophthalmologist, with diagnosis of bilateral partial retinal detachment without blindness. Biochemical results showed severe hypokalemia (2.7 mEq / L) and mild azotemia, BUN 71 mg / dL and creatinine 2.2 mg / dL. Total T4 was within the reference range. Oral potassium citrate (100 mg / kg orally every 12 h) was administered. However, after five days, hypokalemia was more intense (2.4 mEq / L), and systolic blood pressure was 280 mmHg. Due to severe hypertension associated with refractory hypokalemia, hyperaldosteronism was suspected. Serum aldosterone was 1239.75 pg / mL. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a large heterogeneous mass in the anatomical region of the right adrenal gland, measuring about 3.8 x 2.2 cm. High dose dexametasone suppression test was normal. At surgery, it was found a mass in right adrenal gland attached to the caudal vena cava. The mass was irregular, oval, measuring 2.5x2.5x1.8 cm, weighing 10 g, with an intense red color with blackened necrotic areas and whitish dots suggesting calcification, friable when cut, with hardened areas. An unilateral adrenalectomy was performed. During surgery, systolic blood pressure remained high, above 170 mmHg. After surgery, PVC was 17% due to intraoperative bleeding and the animal was given 40 mL of whole blood transfusion. Histopathology result was adrenal carcinoma (glomerulosa zone). Systemic blood pressure and serum potassium were normal after surgery. Discussion: Several cases of primary hyperaldosteronism were reported in cats. Clinical signs reported in this case are similar to previous studies (systemic hypertension, retinal detachment and hemorrhage, muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion). Severe hypokalemia and mild BUN and creatinine elevation were noted, but there was no hypernatremia as previously reported. Chronic renal failure was present and might have been caused by chronic systemic hypertension and hypokalemia. Aldosterone was severely increased (90x) in this reported cat which confirmed the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism. Unilateral adrenalectomy is the main treatment for unilateral adrenal masses as seen in this case and can lead to clinical signs resolution. Common histological diagnoses in cats are idiopathic adrenal hyperplasia and neoplasia, and in this case a glomerulosa zone adrenal carcinoma was the final diagnosis. This disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of all cats with chronic renal failure, systemic hypertension and hypokalemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Canine oral melanoma is highly aggressive, with an infiltrative and metastatic behavior. The staging scheme for dogs with oral melanoma is primarily based on size, with stage I = < 2 cm diameter tumor, stage II = 2 cm to < 4 cm diameter tumor, stage III = 4 cm or greater tumor and/or lymph node metastasis and stage IV = distant metastasis. Surgery and radiation therapy are commonly used for local treatment of oral melanoma. Surgery must be aggressive and wide excision, such as partial mandibulectomy or maxillectomy, can be declined by owners. Median survival times for dogs with oral melanoma treated with surgery and chemotherapy is approximately seventeen, five and three months with stage I, II and III disease, respectively. Radiation therapy plays a role in the local treatment of canine melanoma when the tumor is not surgically resectable, the tumor has been removed with incomplete margins and/or the melanoma has metastasized to local lymph nodes without further distant metastasis. Case: A dog with stage III oral melanoma was treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The protocol consisted of three 8 gy radiation fractions (days 0, 7 and 21) delivered by an orthovoltage unit. Energy of 120 kV, 15 mA e 2 mm aluminum filter were used. Collimator size was 6 x 8 cm and source to skin distance was 30 cm. Dose rate was 187 cgy/ minute delivered at 1 cm tissue depth, with the animal positioned in left recumbency. Treatment field included visible tumor plus a three cm margin. Lead sheets of 2 mm thickness were used to protect normal tissues around tumor. The dog was anesthetized with propofol (5 mg/kg EV) for correct position every radiation fraction. The chemotherapy consisted of four cycles of carboplatin (300 mg/m2 intravenously) administered every 21 days. The radiation therapy was well tolerated, and the only acute reaction observed in the irradiated field was epilation. The tumor had a partial remission of about 90% of the lesion, which was stable for six months. Discussion: The reported dog had a mandibular melanoma greater than 4 cm diameter with no evidence of regional or distant metastasis, and was diagnosed as having stage III disease. The animal was referred for radiation therapy because of non-acceptance of the owner to carry out the hemimandibulectomy, believing that the animal would have decreased quality of life to have a short survival even with surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy was delivered with palliative intention to reduce tumor size and animal discomfort. With radiation therapy and chemotherapy, survival time was six months, exceeding the median survival for patients with stage III treated with wide surgical excision and chemotherapy (that would be three months), without showing side effects that diminish its quality of life. Systemic chemotherapy was used in the reported case with the purposes of acting as a radiopotentiation agent and delaying development of metastasis. Carboplatin has been used as radiopotentiation agent because it interferes with DNA synthesis. In the reported case, chemotherapy was well tolerated. Common radiation side effects include stomatitis, glossitis, skin epilation, erythema and desquamation. In the reported dog, treatment was very well tolerated, and only skin epilation was observed. Radiation therapy can be considered as an alternative option for oral melanoma when wide surgical resection is declined by owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]