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Felis Catus is a small carnivorous mammal and it is considered to be the only domesticated species among Felidae family. The purpose of this work is to genetically characterize cat breeds from Bosnia and Herzegovina and to compare them to one unknown completely different cat. To achieve this, samples of 20 cats that belong to the European Shorthair Cat (ESH) breed have been collected, plus the target subject. Further, for the genetic microsatellite characterization, the DNA material was isolated from each cat, in order to compare them to the sample taken from an unknown cat breed that will be referred to as the subject of this research. Genetic diversities within and between populations were be analyzed using 5 microsatellite markers. The obtained results showed that the subject cat genetically differs from other ESH breed cats, where the observed heterozygosity patterns within the cat breeds showed minimum but expected genetic variety among the analyzed cat species.

This case report is about a seven-year-old male neutered European Shorthair cat infected by Dirofilaria immitis as the first reported autochthonous Dirofilaria immitis infection in Austria. There was no history of periods abroad. Echocardiography showed suspected D. immitis in the right cardiac chamber with increased pulmonary pressure and ascites. Surgical removal of the heartworms was performed. Twenty adult heartworms were removed by transvenous jugular approach under general anesthesia and stored in 4% formalin. Five out of 20 specimens were examined via light and stereomicroscopy and feline heartworm infection was confirmed. Amplification of a 203 bp or 724 bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene was unsuccessful. After surgery the cat developed acute renal failure but recovered quickly. One year later, the cat underwent a control examination including echocardiography and blood work. There were no more D. immitis detectable at echocardiography. Lung pressure was mildly increased. Complete blood count and creatinine were unremarkable. The Knott’s test and Dirofilaria-Antigen-test produced negative results. The cat did not show any clinical signs during the follow-up period. The aim of this case report is to highlight the growing risk of acquiring infection with D. immitis not only for Austrian dogs, but also for cats. This case report represents the first report of autochthonous D. immitis infection in Austria. Moreover, even if the prognosis in cats with caval syndrome due to feline heartworm disease is guarded to poor, surgical removal of the filariae can be a successful treatment option.

Case summary A 17-year-old neutered male European Shorthair cat was presented owing to an inability to jump and respiratory stridor. The owner did not report any other clinical signs. On physical examination, the main findings were plantigrade stance, broad facial features and inspiratory stridor. Neurological examination revealed posterior paraparesis, hypotonia and right hindlimb muscle atrophy. Laboratory findings were unremarkable and glycaemia was normal. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration was elevated (>1000 ng/ml). A total body CT scan showed an enlarged pituitary gland, thickening of the nasal turbinates and an L7–S1 right foraminal stenosis. Electrodiagnostic testing confirmed the presence of a neuropathy affecting both sciatic nerves. The cat was treated with gabapentin only and was still alive and euglycaemic 16 months after the diagnosis. Relevance and novel information This case describes for the first time sciatic neuropathy, an occasional complication of acromegaly in people, as a possible clinical presentation in acromegalic cats without concurrent diabetes mellitus.

Ein 5 Monate alter, 4 kg schwerer Europaisch-Kurzhaar-Kater wurde mit ulzerierten kutanen Knoten vorgestellt, die in mehreren Arealen uber den gesamten Korper verteilt waren. Die serologische Untersuchung auf das feline Immunschwachevirus und das feline Leukamievirus ergab negative Befunde. Anhand des histologischen Nachweises von saurefesten Stabchen in drei Hautbioptaten wurde die Diagnose Mykobakteriose der Haut gestellt. Mithilfe der Polymerase-Kettenreaktion lies sich Mycobacterium lepraemurium identifizieren. Der Kater wurde nach der operativen Entfernung aller Hautknoten und einer 14,5 Wochen andauernden Therapie mit Rifampicin und Clarithromycin als geheilt eingestuft. Im Beobachtungszeitraum von 1 Jahr nach Therapieende entwickelte sich kein Rezidiv. A 5-month-old, male, 4 kg European shorthair cat presented with ulcera ted cutaneous nodules in many areas over its entire body. The serological results for feline immunodeficiency virus and the feline leukaemia virus were negative. Following detection of acid-proof bacilli in histological examination of three skin biopsies, the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis of the skin was made. Polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of Mycobacterium lepraemurium . After surgical excision of all cutaneous nodules and a 14.5-week antibiotic therapy with Rifampicin and Clarithromycin, the cat was classified as being cured. During the observation period of 1 year after the end of the therapy, no relapse occurred.

This study aimed to perform a morphometric analysis of the skull of the European shorthair cat by using computed tomographic images. Thirty-seven computed tomography (CT) studies of healthy cats’ heads were used for linear measurements and index calculations of the skull and cranium. The following values were determined: skull length = 8.94 ± 0.45 cm, cranial length = 8.21 ± 0.42 cm, nasal length = 0.73 ± 0.17 cm, cranial width = 4.28 ± 0.26 cm, cranial index = 52.18 ± 3.75%, internal height of cranium = 2.88 ± 0.29 cm, external height of cranium = 3.35 ± 0.12 cm, internal length of the cranium = 5.53 ± 0.28 cm, external length of the cranium = 6.32 ± 0.28 cm, internal cranium index = 45.62 ± 4.77%, external cranium index = 53.06 ± 2.07%, internal cranium and skull index = 61.93 ± 2.38%, external cranium and skull index = 70.70 ± 1.72%, width of the foramen magnum = 1.34 ± 0.07 cm, height of the foramen magnum = 1.01 ± 0.09 cm, and foramen magnum index = 75.37 ± 5.76%. It was also found that the population was homogeneous, with the exception of nasal length (NL), and that there was a sexual dimorphism present, with males exhibiting higher dimensions. This work contributed to characterizing the morphometry of the cranium and skull of the domestic cat, a knowledge of utmost importance for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting this complex anatomical region.

Case summary A 6-year-old neutered female European Shorthair cat was referred for chronic, moderately pruritic, alopecic and exfoliative dermatosis that was unresponsive to antiparasitic, antibiotic or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The cat presented with truncular alopecia and numerous whitish adherent scales covering the whole body. Differential diagnoses included sebaceous adenitis, dermatophytosis, demodicosis, exfoliative dermatitis associated or not with thymoma, drug reaction, feline immunodeficiency virus- or feline leukaemia virus-associated dermatoses, epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma, and Malassezia yeasts and/or bacterial overgrowth. Blood tests were within normal limits and the retrovirus tests were negative. Skin scrapings, fungal culture, coat brushing and skin cytology were negative for parasitic or microbial elements. Radiographs showed no signs of a thymic mass. Histological examination of skin biopsies revealed marked orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, lymphocytic (CD3+) interface dermatitis and mural folliculitis with absence of sebaceous glands and occasional apoptotic cells in different epidermal layers. Clinical and histological findings were consistent with non-thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis syndrome. Ciclosporin A (7 mg/kg) was administered once daily. A dramatic improvement was observed after 3 weeks. Ciclosporin A intake was then progressively spaced out as the clinical signs diminished. Skin biopsies revealed resolution of hyperkeratosis, disappearance of the inflammatory infiltrate and recovery of the sebaceous glands. Relevance and novel information T-cell infiltration with signs of epidermal cytotoxicity, in the absence of infectious agents or neoplastic process, suggests an immune-mediated process, and ciclosporin A, a calcineurin inhibitor, would be the drug of choice. This is the first report showing resolution of both the clinical and histological signs of non-thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis.

The present study gives a detailed phenotypic and genotypic characterization of three Trueperella abortisuis strains isolated from a ten year old male Hovawart dog with an abscess of anal sac, from urine of an eight year old European shorthair cat with urolithiasis and nephrolithiasis and from a 14year old Maine Coon cat with a perianal abscess, respectively. All three strains could be identified phenotypically, by MALDI-TOF MS analysis and genotypically by sequencing the 16S rDNA and the molecular target genes gap and tuf. The present study gives a first description of T. abortisuis of this origin.

Summary Objective: To report palliative treatment in a case of multifocal feline osteochondromatosis in a feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) negative European shorthair cat. Case: A 6-year-old spayed female European shorthair cat was presented because of a right forelimb lameness caused by an osteochondromatous lesion which had trapped tendons, vessels and nerves of the antebrachium. Several other lesions were present which did not cause the animal discomfort. The cat was tested negative for FeLV. Palliative surgical removal of the mass was performed, resulting in a marked improvement of mobility with no local recurrence. The cat developed a non-regenerative anaemia after surgery, however the underlying cause was not identified upon request of the owner. Overall survival after surgery was only 2 months. The cat was then euthanised due to severe progression of the anaemia. Conclusion: Palliative surgical removal of osteochondromas may result in local improvement. However, owners need to be aware that it does not increase overall survival and that the prognosis is poor. Infection with FeLV is not necessarily associated with such lesions.

A 7-month-old male castrated European shorthair cat was presented because of a recurrent cleft of the soft palate. Surgical correction had already been performed twice by a local veterinary practitioner. For the third correction, a pharyngeal overlapping flap was used but again, dehiscence occurred. Finally, the angularis oris axial pattern buccal flap technique, as described in dogs, was applied. The flap covered the defect without any tension, and good vascularization was appreciated during the whole procedure. Because of severe swelling of the intraoral tissues at the end of the procedure, dexamethasone was administered intravenously. Almost instantly after the injection, the cat went into cardiorespiratory arrest, and died shortly after.

Case summary A 14-year-old, neutered male European shorthair cat was evaluated for a routine health check. The owner did not report any clinical signs except for respiratory stridor. On physical examination the main findings were broad facial features and increased interdental spaces. On haematology, a mild, non-regenerative anaemia was detected, whereas the serum biochemistry profile and urinalysis were unremarkable. The serum glucose concentration was within the reference interval. Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration was markedly elevated (>1600 ng/ml). The basal serum growth hormone concentration was elevated and decreased only mildly after somatostatin administration. Basal serum insulin concentration was high, and the insulin concentration increased considerably after glucose loading, consistent with insulin resistance. CT scanning of the skull showed an enlarged pituitary gland and increased skull bone thickness. The final diagnosis was acromegaly. Relevance and novel information These findings demonstrate that acromegaly should be pursued and suspected in cats other than those with diabetes mellitus.

A 4-year-old, male castrated European shorthair cat was presented with a firm mass palpable on the right caudal rib cage. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax revealed a 4×3×2 cm large, expansile and radiodense mass originating from the distal part of the 13th rib. After removal of the tumour, which was histopathologically confirmed as feline osteochondromatosis, the diaphragm, omentum, external abdominal oblique and latissimus dorsi muscles were used to reconstruct the defect. Feline osteochondromatosis is induced by retroviruses, eg, feline leukaemia virus, for which the cat tested positive. The tumour was removed for palliative reasons, because such tumours have the tendency to transform into osteosarcomas. Six months after the surgical excision the cat showed no clinical signs of reoccurrence.

FOLLOWING the call for cases by Bates and others (2013), we would like to describe a case of feline permethrin intoxication that was successfully treated with intravenous lipids. A 1.8 kg, three-month-old, female European shorthair cat was presented, severely intoxicated, 12 hours after the accidental dermal application of an estimated 370 mg of permethrin as a spot-on product, approved for use in dogs only. The cat was in a critical state, having first displayed adverse signs three hours after the application, with vocalisation, tremor …

Objective—To validate mutual information criterion as a ready-to-use technique for automated alignment (ie, registration) of 3-dimensional (3-D) multimodal image data of the head of cats and dogs. Sample Population—Corresponding 3-D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) brain scans of a 6-month-old Doberman Pinscher with a brain cyst; CT images of the head of a European shorthair cat with a meningioma before and immediately, 3, and 6 months after surgical resection; and CT and corresponding stacked anatomic cryosection images of the entire head of a 2-year-old sexually intact female Beagle. Procedure—All images were matched retrospectively by use of an in-house computer program developed on the basis of a mutual information image registration algorithm. Accuracy of the resulting registrations was evaluated by visual inspection. Results—All registrations were judged to be highly accurate. Additional manual corrections were not necessary. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Mutual information registration criterion can by applied to 3-D multimodal head images of cats and dogs for full automatic rigid-body image registration. The combination of such aligned images would considerably facilitate efforts of veterinary clinicians as indicated by its widespread use in brain surgery and radiation therapy of humans. (Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1680–1687)

A 7-year-old female spayed European shorthair cat was presented because of visual reduction and a green reflex in the right eye. Examination revealed a 'D-shaped' pupil in the right eye and a 'reverse-D-shaped' pupil in the left eye. Both eyes showed fibrinous anterior uveitis with exudates in the anterior chamber and precipitates on the posterior surface of the cornea. In both eyes a chorioretinitis was diagnosed which caused partial retinal detachment and peripapillary oedema in the left eye. Histopathology revealed intestinal and ocular lymphosarcoma. The aberrant pupil shapes which persisted after death were due to infiltration of the iris stroma and were not caused neurologically. The observation that in both eyes only the medial parts of the iris were affected could not be explained.

Summary Zollinger‐Ellison Syndrome in a 12‐year old castrated male European Shorthair cat is described. The clinical symptoms were vomiting, weight loss, listlessness and alternating diarrhoea and obstipation. An endocrine tumour near the pancreatic duct had metastasised to the liver. Many duodenal ulcers were present. Immunohistochemistry revealed cells positive for gastrin and neuronspecific enolase (NSE) scattered throughout the tumour.

Pyothorax is a rare disease in cats. Underlying causes and treatment recommendations vary greatly between cases. In this case series, the management of two challenging cases of feline pyothorax is discussed. In the first case, a nine-year-old female spayed European shorthair cat with pyothorax caused by Bacteroides fragilis is described. At the time of presentation, she was diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus as well. The pyothorax was succesfully managed medically. Unfortunately, the cat relapsed after three months and the owner elected euthanasia. The second case involved a ten-year-old male castrated British shorthair cat with identification of filamentous bacteria on pleural fluid cytology. This cat underwent surgical intervention because thoracic drainage was very difficult. Eventually, he recovered well and did not relapse up to two months postoperatively. The challenges in the decision process and treatment complications are discussed.