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Practical Relevance: Human allergy to cats affects a substantial and growing proportion of the global population, and cat allergy is regarded as the third most common cause of human respiratory allergies, and the second most common indoor cause. Veterinarians will frequently encounter owners who are cat-allergic, and having an understanding of this disease and the methods available to help control the allergy will assist them in giving appropriate advice, alongside human healthcare professionals., Aim: The aim of this review is to summarise currently available data on the prevalence, causes, symptoms and control of human allergy to cats. In terms of managing cat allergy, the emphasis is on reviewing current and emerging modalities to reduce environmental exposure to cat allergens rather than on pharmacotherapy or immunotherapy, as it is in these areas in particular that the veterinarian may be able to offer help and advice to complement that of human healthcare professionals., Evidence Base: The information in this review is drawn from the current and historical literature on human allergy to cats, and approaches to reduce exposure to cat allergens and manage symptoms of cat allergy.

Practical Relevance: Cats have become increasingly common as companion animals, and in many countries their popularity now exceeds that of dogs. At the same time, human allergies (including allergy to cats) have been increasing and it has been estimated that globally up to 10-20% of human adults are sensitised to cats., Aim: This review summarises the available published data on how human allergy to cats affects cat ownership and considers the implications of the findings on the wider human-cat bond and how adverse effects can be minimised., Evidence Base: Online databases were searched for all original studies up to December 2020 that had quantified the impact of human allergy to cats on ownership or relinquishment. Objective quantifiable data appeared to fall into three broad outcomes - (1) choosing to avoid cat ownership; (2) relinquishment of owned cats; and (3) return of cats after acquisition from a rehoming centre. The data retrieved on these topics are the focus of this review. In some studies, data from cats and dogs were combined and these have also been included in the review.

Objectives: To detect the incidence of clinically important thoracic and abdominal imaging abnormalities in patients with neurological signs but with no clinical signs or laboratory findings consistent with thoracic or abdominal disease., Materials and Methods: Review of imaging findings in dogs with neurological signs but no thoracic or abdominal signs that underwent thoracic, or thoracic and abdominal screening during the same hospitalisation as the neurological investigation., Results: Two hundred and six dogs were included in the thoracic study. Of those, only eight (3.9%) had clinically important findings and in only five cases (2.4%) were the findings related to pathology identified on MRI. One hundred and forty-seven dogs were included in the abdominal study. Abnormalities were found in 23 dogs (15.6%), but in only eight (5.4%) were they considered to be of current clinical importance and in only three (2%) were they related to the pathology identified on MRI. Ultrasonography provided valuable additional information in 22 cases (15%) but this was only considered important in four (2.7%) and related to the neurological condition in one (0.7%). As expected, abdominal ultrasonography often provided more information than radiography alone in the abdominal screening but this was rarely clinically relevant or related to the reason for referral., Clinical Significance: Thoracic and abdominal screening of neurological patients with no clinically evident thoracic or abdominal clinical signs only infrequently identified occult but clinically important pathology which changed the current management plan, regardless of neurolocalisation or age., (© 2021 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

Background: Heart disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cats, but there is limited evidence of the benefit of any medication., Hypothesis: The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor benazepril would delay the time to treatment failure in cats with heart disease of various etiologies., Animals: One hundred fifty-one client-owned cats., Methods: Cats with heart disease, confirmed by echocardiography, with or without clinical signs of congestive heart failure, were recruited between 2002 and 2005 and randomized to benazepril or placebo in a prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, blinded clinical trial. Benazepril (0.5-1.0 mg/kg) or placebo was administered PO once daily for up to 2 years. The primary endpoint was treatment failure. Analyses were conducted separately for all-cause treatment failure (main analysis) and heart disease-related treatment failure (supportive analysis)., Results: No benefit of benazepril versus placebo was detected for time to all-cause treatment failure (P = .42) or time to treatment failure related to heart disease (P = .21). Hazard ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) from multivariate analysis for benazepril compared with placebo were 1.00 (0.57-1.74) for all-cause failure, and 0.99 (0.50-1.94) for forward selection and 0.93 (0.48-1.81) for bidirectional selection models for heart disease-related failure. There were no significant differences between groups over time after administration of the test articles in left atrium diameter, left ventricle wall thickness, quality of life scores, adverse events, or plasma biochemistry or hematology variables., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Benazepril was tolerated well in cats with heart disease, but no evidence of benefit was detected., (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Practical relevance: Feline hypertension is a common disease in older cats that is frequently diagnosed in association with other diseases such as chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (so-called secondary hypertension), although some cases of apparent primary hypertension are also reported. The clinical consequences of hypertension can be severe, related to 'target organ damage' (eye, heart and vasculature, brain and kidneys), and early diagnosis followed by appropriate therapeutic management should help reduce the morbidity associated with this condition. Clinical challenges: Despite being a common disease, routine blood pressure (BP) monitoring is generally performed infrequently, probably leading to underdiagnosis of feline hypertension in clinical practice. There is a need to: (i) ensure BP is measured as accurately as possible with a reproducible technique; (ii) identify and monitor patients at risk of developing hypertension; (iii) establish appropriate criteria for therapeutic intervention; and (iv) establish appropriate therapeutic targets. Based on current data, amlodipine besylate is the treatment of choice to manage feline hypertension and is effective in the majority of cats, but the dose needed to successfully manage hypertension varies between individuals. Some cats require long-term adjuvant therapy and, occasionally, additional therapy is necessary for emergency management of hypertensive crises. Evidence base: These Guidelines from the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) are based on a comprehensive review of the currently available literature, and are aimed at providing practical recommendations to address the challenges of feline hypertension for veterinarians. There are many areas where more data is required which, in the future, will serve to confirm or modify some of the recommendations in these Guidelines.

Practical Relevance: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in older cats. In most cats, CKD is also a progressive disease and can be accompanied by a wide range of clinical and clinicopathological changes. These ISFM Consensus Guidelines have been developed by an independent panel of clinicians and academics to provide practical advice on the diagnosis and management of this complex disease., Clinical Challenges: Although CKD is a common clinical problem in cats, the manifestations of disease vary between individuals. Thus there is a need for careful and repeat evaluation of cats with CKD and adjustment of therapy according to individual needs. In addition to addressing problems arising from CKD and improving quality of life (QoL) for the patient, therapy may also target slowing the underlying progression of disease and hence prolonging life. While maintaining QoL is of paramount importance in our patients, this can be challenging when multiple therapies are indicated. In some cases it is necessary to prioritise therapy, given an understanding of what is likely to most benefit the individual patient., Evidence Base: In preparing these Guidelines, the Panel has carefully reviewed the existing published literature, and has also graded the quality of evidence for different interventions to help to provide practical recommendations on the therapeutic options for feline CKD. This is a field of veterinary medicine that has benefited from some excellent published clinical research and further research findings will undoubtedly modify the recommendations contained in these Guidelines in the future., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Practical Relevance: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats that appears to be increasing in prevalence. The prognosis for affected cats can be good when the disease is well managed, but clinical management presents challenges, both for the veterinary team and for the owner. These ISFM Guidelines have been developed by an independent, international expert panel of clinicians and academics to provide practical advice on the management of routine (uncomplicated) diabetic cats., Clinical Challenges: Although the diagnosis of diabetes is usually straightforward, optimal management can be challenging. Clinical goals should be to limit or eliminate clinical signs of the disease using a treatment regimen suitable for the owner, and to avoid insulin-induced hypoglycaemia or other complications. Optimising bodyweight, feeding an appropriate diet and using a longer acting insulin preparation (eg, protamine zinc insulin, insulin glargine or insulin detemir) are all factors that are likely to result in improved glycaemic control in the majority of cats. There is also some evidence that improved glycaemic control and reversal of glucose toxicity may promote the chances of diabetic remission. Owner considerations and owner involvement are an important aspect of management. Provided adequate support is given, and owners are able to take an active role in monitoring blood glucose concentrations in the home environment, glycaemic control may be improved. Monitoring of other parameters is also vitally important in assessing the response to insulin. Insulin adjustments should always be made cautiously and not too frequently--unless hypoglycaemia is encountered., Evidence Base: The Panel has produced these Guidelines after careful review of the existing literature and of the quality of the published studies. They represent a consensus view on practical management of cats with DM based on available clinical data and experience. However, in many areas, substantial data are lacking and there is a need for better studies in the future to help inform and refine recommendations for the clinical management of this common disease., (© ISFM and AAFP 2015.)

Unlabelled: GUIDELINES RATIONALE: Cats are among the most commonly kept domestic pets, and coexist with humans in a variety of different circumstances. Cats are sentient beings and, as such, humans have a responsibility for cat welfare where humans and cats coexist. Because cats reproduce efficiently, measures to control populations are frequently needed, but these should be based on ethical and humane approaches., Framework: These consensus guidelines from the International Society of Feline Medicine's Welfare Advisory Panel provide a framework for the approach to welfare and population control measures, primarily among unowned cats and those going through a homing programme.

Practical Relevance: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in humans as well as in cats, and is a significant human health problem. In feline medicine, despite recent research and improvements in our understanding of the condition, management remains limited by late diagnosis and an inadequate ability to prevent progression of disease. Investigation of future treatments that both delay the progression of CKD and manage clinical signs, and that are also easy and cost effective to administer, is desirable. To this end, we may learn from our colleagues in the medical profession., Audience: CKD is commonly encountered in general practice and so all practitioners dealing with cats will benefit from understanding future treatment possibilities and interventions in the management of CKD., Evidence Base: Large-scale medical studies have been performed to provide an evidence base for treatment decisions in human CKD. Several studies in cats have looked at various aspects of treatment and prognosis, but large-scale studies are needed to assess the benefits of treatments such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers., Clinical Challenges: Providing treatment that is effective, easy to administer and not cost-prohibitive is the challenge currently faced by clinicians in the management of feline CKD.

Rationale: This Report was developed by the Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) to provide practical recommendations to help clinicians select appropriate vaccination schedules for their feline patients based on risk assessment. The recommendations rely on published data as much as possible, as well as consensus of a multidisciplinary panel of experts in immunology, infectious disease, internal medicine and clinical practice.

Aging is associated with a wide variety of physiological changes that compromise the ability of the body to respond to stress or change, and ultimately contribute to morbidity and mortality. Much research has been done on the aging process in humans and experimental animals, and the impact of diet, but there is relatively little data from companion animal studies. However, although many of the aging changes are likely to be similar between different mammals, it is known that there are some differences with cats. In contrast to dogs and humans, elderly cats experience an increase in their maintenance energy requirements rather than a continued decline, which may be mediated partly through a better-maintained basal metabolic rate but also through progressive compromise in fat and protein digestion. Old age is also associated with a progressive loss of lean body mass that may be mitigated in part by feeding higher protein levels. Diets designed for healthy elderly cats should therefore concentrate on being energy dense, highly digestible and with an increase in the proportion of protein calories, and being fed with the aim of supporting optimal body weight. There is also strong evidence emerging that dietary manipulation in cats may be able to modify aspects of the aging process, with a long-term longitudinal study of cats demonstrating both survival and health benefits from feeding a diet supplemented with antioxidants, fatty acids, and a prebiotic source., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aims of this study were to evaluate six portable blood glucose meters for use in cats in a clinical setting and to identify potential sources of inaccuracy such as the effect of glucose concentration and haematocrit. Excess fluorinated whole-blood samples were obtained and were tested using the six meters and a reference laboratory method. Bland-Altman plots were constructed and an error grid analysis was performed, using a grid adapted in this study for diabetic cats. Error grids are a clinically oriented non-parametric approach to blood glucose data, and are designed to determine whether differences between glucometer and laboratory readings are clinically significant. All the meters studied had the potential to under- or overestimate blood glucose levels to varying degrees throughout the glycaemic range. This variation was not consistent enough to be predictable and correctable. The study failed to demonstrate any link between haematocrit and difference between laboratory and glucometer readings.

Unlabelled: NSAIDS AND CATS: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an important class of drug in feline medicine, having analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity. While most published data on their use in this species relate to short-term (often perioperative) therapy, there is increasing evidence of the value of these drugs in treating chronic pain in cats (for example, that associated with degenerative joint disease), and some NSAIDs have now become licensed for long-term use in cats in some geographies. Most of our knowledge of therapeutic mechanisms or adverse drug reactions associated with NSAIDs is extrapolated from work in other species, and there is a paucity of published data relating to cats., Guidelines: These guidelines have been drawn together by an expert panel, which have reviewed the current literature on long-term NSAID use in cats and other species, and developed guidance on their use based on this information. The aim is to provide practical information for veterinarians to encourage appropriate NSAID therapy whenever cats will benefit from the use of these drugs., (Copyright 2010 ISFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A 14-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat was presented for investigation of a non-painful subcutaneous swelling of the nasal dorsum at the site of a scratch injury. Cytological evaluation demonstrated a granulomatous reaction and many variably shaped organisms consistent with yeasts/fungi. Subsequent biopsy and culture yielded a pure growth of a Mucor species. The cat was treated with the second-generation triazole antifungal agent posaconazole for 5 months. Complete resolution was seen with no recurrence 12 months after discontinuing treatment.

A six-month-old, female, domestic shorthair cat was presented with a history of failure to grow and bilateral corneal opacity caused by corneal oedema. Congenital hyposomatotropism and possible secondary hypothyroidism were diagnosed on the basis of fasting serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and thyroxine levels, respectively. These endocrinopathies are rare in the cat and have not been reported to cause ocular signs. The cat died during investigation of these diseases, and histopathological examination of the eyes showed significantly reduced corneal endothelial cell density and number of corneal epithelial cell layers when compared with age-matched healthy control corneas. These changes were implicated in the development of the corneal oedema.

A 3-year-old, neutered male Tiffany cat was presented to the Animal Health Trust for investigation of pyrexia and a gastric lesion. Radiography and ultrasound showed severe thickening of the gastric wall and regional lymphadenopathy. There was altered gastric wall layering, predominately due to muscularis thickening. Histopathology confirmed eosinophilic fibrosing gastritis. The cat also had evidence of generalised Toxoplasma gondii infection, which may have been responsible for the gastric changes.

Vaccination is a medical procedure, and the decision to vaccinate should be based on a risk-based assessment for each cat and each vaccine.

Proteinuria was assessed in 100 randomly selected sick cats and 22 healthy cats by means of the urine protein:creatinine ratio, a traditional urine "dipstick" and a commercial ELISA-based dipstick designed to detect microalbuminuria (MA) semi-quantitatively. In addition the repeatability and reproducibility of the MA test was assessed by comparing results of five replicate tests of 26 urine samples, interpreted by two different readers. Discrepancies existed in the replicate test result in 23 and 27% of the samples examined by reader 1 and 2, respectively, and on several occasions this discrepancy was between whether the sample was "positive" or "negative" for MA. The inter-reader agreement was good (kappa=0.75), but again discrepancies were noted and part of the reason for these problems appeared to be the necessary subjectivity in the interpretation of colour changes when reading test results. Proteinuria was significantly (P< or =0.014) more prevalent in the sick than the healthy cats with 36 and 9%, respectively, having detectable MA, 34 and 5%, respectively, having a urine protein to creatinine (UPC) ratio >0.5, and 84 and 9%, respectively, having positive urine protein dipstick analysis. There was a moderate significant correlation between UPC ratio and MA concentrations (r(s)=0.68, P<0.0001). While 13/87 cats with a UPC ratio < or =0.5 had positive MA results, 10/84 cats with negative MA results had a UPC ratio >0.5, and none of these had evidence of lower urinary tract disease. This study confirmed that MA and proteinuria are commonly seen in cats with a variety of diseases, but they are not necessarily both elevated, and the UPC ratio can be elevated without an increase in MA results. Furthermore, some repeatability problems were demonstrated with the semi-quantitative MA test. These findings demonstrate that the semi-quantitative MA test should not be relied on as the sole determinant of proteinuria.

This study was based on a convenience-sampling questionnaire study of pedigree cat breeding in the UK. Data were collated for the births of 1,056 litters from 14 different pedigree breeds and 942 different households. Significant relationships between various outcomes and relevant predictors were assessed by multiple linear regression or logistic regression as appropriate. The overall mean gestation length of 65.1 days varied significantly between the breeds (P<0.0001), and larger litter sizes were associated with shorter gestation lengths (P=0.04). The mean litter size of 4.6 kittens also varied significantly according to breed (P<0.0001). The weight of kittens born alive (overall mean 93.5 g) increased with longer gestation lengths (P=0.0003), decreased with larger litter sizes (P<0.0001) and varied between the breeds (P<0.0001). A total of 8.0% of pregnancies resulted in a caesarean section, with a higher risk associated with smaller litter sizes (P=0.002). Although the frequency of caesarean sections varied from 0 to 18.5% between individual breeds, breed itself was not shown to have a significant independent effect on this likelihood. A mean of 7.2% of all the kittens were stillborn, which varied according to breed (P=0.0003), and the risk of a stillborn kitten increased with litter size (P=0.0001), and with the presence of congenital defects in the litter (P=0.0002). The mean kitten mortality between birth and 8 weeks of age was 9.1%, and the majority of these occurred in the first week of life. Parturition intervals varied widely. The duration of first stage of labour was less than 2h in 82.9% of cats. The interval between the birth of the first and last kitten was less than 6h in 85.7%, but more than 48 h in three cats. A maximum of 48 h was recorded between the births of individual kittens in unassisted deliveries.

Two cases of ascites secondary to portal vascular abnormalities associated with portal hypertension are described. In the first case a five-month-old cat was presented with recurrent ascites and investigations showed that the underlying cause was a hepatic arteriovenous fistula. Ultrasonography showed direct communication of the coeliac artery and right branch of the portal vein. There was also hepatofugal flow in the main portal vein consistent with portal hypertension. The ultrasonographic features were similar to those seen in dogs with hepatic arteriovenous fistulae. In the second case, ascites, portal hypertension and an intraluminal mass in the main portal vein was diagnosed in a 16-year-old cat that had been presented with hyperthyroidism and hepatomegaly. Acquired portosystemic collaterals involving the left renal vein were present. Additional diagnostic investigations were not permitted. Ultrasonography was useful in both cases to document portal hypertension and the underlying cause.

Objectives: To evaluate whether dogs with megaoesophagus due to myasthenia gravis display less oesophageal dilatation radiographically than dogs with other causes of megaoesophagus., Methods: Thoracic radiographs of 66 dogs with megaoesophagus in which concurrent acetylcholine receptor antibody titre was known were analysed retrospectively. Maximum oesophageal diameter was transformed to a "relative oesophageal diameter" using a ratio with thoracic inlet diameter. Dogs were divided into two groups according to "MG" or "non-MG" antibody status and median relative oesophageal diameter values were compared between groups and with age, weight and sex. A receiver operating characteristic plot was used to evaluate a suitable relative oesophageal diameter cut-off., Results: Twenty dogs were diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and 46 with other causes of megaoesophagus. Thoracic inlet size correlated significantly with bodyweight and surface area (r(2)=0.627 and 0.669, respectively). Median values of relative oesophageal diameter for the MG group and non-MG group were 0.58 and 0.66, respectively, and these showed a small, but significant, difference (P=0.029), although there was complete overlap in the range of relative oesophageal diameter values between groups. There was no significant association between relative oesophageal diameter and sex, age or weight or significant difference in age, sex or weight between the two groups. An increased odds ratio for myasthenia gravis existed in golden retrievers and German shepherd dogs., Clinical Significance: Relative oesophageal diameter appears to be of limited diagnostic utility in distinguishing dogs with megaoesophagus due to myasthenia gravis from those with megaoesophagus due to other causes.

Between 1997 and 1999, 280 dogs with mast cell tumours were identified, of which 59 (21 per cent) had multiple tumours. Follow-up data for survival analysis were available for 145 dogs with single tumours and 50 dogs with multiple tumours. There was no significant difference between the survival times of the two groups; the survival rates after 12 and 24 months were 88 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively, for the dogs with single tumours, and 86 per cent at both intervals for the dogs with multiple tumours. Eight of the dogs with single tumours had lymph node metastases (stage II disease) and these dogs had a median survival time of 431 days, whereas the 50 dogs with multiple tumours (classified as stage III disease) and the dogs with single tumours (classified as stage I disease) had not reached their median survival times. Golden retrievers appeared to be predisposed to developing multiple tumours in the population studied, with an odds ratio of 3.8. This study found no evidence that dogs with multiple tumours had different survival times than those with single tumours, although there was evidence that the presence of lymph node metastasis generally carried a poorer prognosis.

Abstract A retrospective study was undertaken of dogs presented to the Animal Health Trust for treatment of oral malignant melanoma, without radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastases. Group 1 (n = 13) received radiotherapy of the primary and any lymph node metastases (4 weekly fractions of 9 Gy); and group 2 (n = 15) were treated the same but additionally received between two and six doses carboplatin at 300 mg m(-2) every 3 weeks. Median survival times for the two groups were 307 and 286 days, respectively (P > 0.05). In addition, carboplatin therapy did not significantly reduce the proportion of dogs dying due to metastases (three from group 1 and four from group 2). We found no evidence of a beneficial effect of carboplatin therapy over radiotherapy alone.

A 10-year-old neutered male Persian cat and a 4-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair (DSH) cat were evaluated for acute-onset severe lateralising tetraparesis and hemiplegia, respectively. Both cats also had left-sided Horner's syndrome. Neurological examination of the cats localised the lesion to cranial to C5 in the Persian and the left cervical intumescence (C6-T2) in the DSH. Physical examinations were otherwise generally unremarkable. Routine laboratory tests and spinal radiography were normal for the Persian cat and were not performed for the DSH cat. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap was attempted for the Persian cat but aborted because of gross blood contamination, and was not performed for the DSH cat. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the Persian cat revealed a lesion within the spinal parenchyma at segments C1 to C3 (slightly more left-sided) which was iso- to hypointense on T1-weighted scans and hyperintense on T2-weighted scans, and which enhanced slightly with gadolinium. MRI of the DSH cat revealed a lesion within the spinal parenchyma at segment C7 (predominantly left-sided) which was hypointense on T1-weighted scans and hyperintense on T2-weighted gradient echo scans. Contrast was not administered. The MRI findings in both cases were highly suggestive of acute spinal cord infarction, based upon comparison to human cases. Both cats made full neurological recoveries with supportive treatment only. This paper describes two cases of suspected acute spinal cord infarction in the cat, demonstrates the potential diagnostic value of MRI, and discusses the clinical syndrome of this condition with a brief review of published cases.

Exhaled breath condensate has been collected in other species and used as a non-invasive method of evaluating airway disease by measurement of various markers in the fluid, including hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, leukotrienes and prostaglandins. We describe a novel technique for the collection of exhaled breath condensate from cats, which enabled collection of fluid and measurement of its hydrogen peroxide concentration. Further studies will be needed to establish the value of this technique in the investigation of feline respiratory disease.

The histological grade of 340 cutaneous mast cell tumours derived from 280 dogs was determined by an established histological grading system; 87 of the tumours (26 per cent) were well differentiated, 199 (59 per cent) were intermediately differentiated and 54 (16 per cent) were poorly differentiated. The one-year survival rates for the dogs with tumours of these three grades were significantly different (P = 0.0001), being 100 per cent, 92 per cent and 46 per cent, respectively. The median survival time for the dogs with poorly differentiated tumours was 278 days, significantly shorter than that for the dogs with either intermediately or well-differentiated tumours, which were both over 1300 days. Regrowth of the tumours was identified in 10 (19 per cent) of the dogs with poorly differentiated tumours, 12 (6 per cent) of the dogs with intermediately differentiated tumours and one of the dogs with well-differentiated tumours; only three of the tumours which regrew had initially had complete margins. The results suggest that wide surgical margins are not a prerequisite for a successful long-term outcome in dogs with well-differentiated cutaneous mast cell tumours.

A handful of North American (USA) strains of the uncultured erythrocytotrophic pathogen of cats, Haemobartonella felis, have been differentiated by comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences. Using this approach, an UK strain was characterised, providing an identity for a non-USA H. felis for the first time. This strain shared close phylogenetic homology with the USA Californian strain.

This study was undertaken to evaluate reference ranges for systolic blood pressure (SBP) in cats under conditions mimicking a clinical setting. SBP was measured in 50 healthy adult cats of various ages (range, 1.5-16 years) and body weights (range, 2.2-6.1 kg) by Doppler ultrasonic sphygmomanometry. A cuff width of 2.5 cm was used, placed on the left antebrachium, and this represented a mean cuff width of 35% limb circumference (range, 31-42%). The mean (+/-SD) SBP in the 50 cats was 162 +/- 19 mm Hg (range 124-210), with only 1 cat having a SBP > or = 200 mm Hg. No significant difference (P > .05) in SBP was found between male and female cats, and no significant correlation was found between SBP and age (r(s) = 0.075) or body weight (r(s) = 0.007). Further studies in some of these cats indicated that allowing a period of 10 minutes for acclimatization to the environment where SBP was recorded resulted in a significant decrease in SBP from 176 +/- 17 to 157 +/- 21 mm Hg (n = 7) and that use of a 3.3-cm-width cuff resulted in a significant decrease in measured SBP from 168 +/- 13 to 164 +/- 13 mm Hg (n = 10). Reproducibility of SBP measurements was evaluated in 7 cats by assessing SBP 7 times at intervals of > or = 24 hours over a 10-day period. These 7 cats had a low intraindividual coefficient of variation of SBP measurements (CV < or = 7.9%) although 2 of the 7 cats had SBP values > 200 mm Hg on at least 1 occasion.

Twenty-four specific-pathogen-free-derived cats aged four to 11 months were challenged by ocular application of a field isolate of Chlamydia psittaci to evaluate the effect of topical and systemic therapy on the course of disease. The cats were monitored for 35 days post-challenge, with severity of clinical signs being measured using a scoring system, and ocular shedding of the organism monitored by culture of conjunctival swabs. All cats developed active C psittaci infection, and after 7 days the cats were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: Group P (placebo) was given twice-daily ophthalmic tear-replacement ointment; group F was given twice-daily topical 1% fusidic acid ophthalmic viscous drops; group C was given twice-daily topical 1% chlortetracycline ophthalmic ointment; and group D was given doxycycline at 10 mg/kg daily per os in addition to twice-daily topical 1% fusidic acid ophthalmic ointment. Within 24 h of commencement of therapy, group D had significantly lower median clinical scores than group P, and with the exception of day 16, this trend was maintained throughout the observation period. Median clinical scores of cats in group F were not appreciably different to those in group P, whereas the median scores of cats in group C generally fell between those of groups P and D. The median duration of C psittaci shedding was 10 and 15 days for groups D and C respectively, but four of the six cats in groups F and P were still shedding organisms at the end of the study (day 35). In this study, systemic therapy with doxycycline proved superior to topical therapy in the treatment of feline chlamydiosis., (Copyright 1999 European Society of Feline Medicine.)

Blood samples form 120 consecutive clinical cases (40 cats, 40 dogs and 40 horses) were analyzed on the QBC VetAutoread analyzer and the results compared with those obtained by a Baker 9000 electronic resistance cell counter and a 100-cell manual differential leukocyte (WBC) count. Packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and platelet, total WBC, granulocytes, and lymphocyte plus monocyte (L+M) counts were determined. Indistinct separation of red blood cell and granulocytes layers on the QBC VetAutoread was observed in samples from five cats (12.5%), two dogs (5%), and one horse. Significantly different (P=0.002) median values for the two methods were obtained for PCV, Hb concentration, MCHC and platelet count in cats; PCV, MCHC, WBC, count and granulocytes count in dogs; and PCV, Hb concentration, MCHC and WBC, granulocytes and platelet counts in horses. Results from the QBC VetAutoread should not be interpreted using reference ranges established using other equipment. Results were abnormal on a limited number of samples; however, when correlation coefficients were low, marked discrepancy existed between values within as well as outside of reference ranges. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were excellent (r=0.93) for PCV and Hb concentration in dogs, and Hb concentration and WBC count in horses. Correlation was good (r=0.80-0.92) for PCV and Hb concentration in cats, WBC count in dogs, and PCV, granulocytes count and platelet count in horses. For remaining parameters, correlation was fair to poor (r=0.79). Acceptable correlations (r>0.80) were achieved between the two test systems for all equine values except MCHC and L+M count, but only for PCV and HB concentration in feline and canine blood samples.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of age on orocecal transit time (OCTT) in cats, using the breath hydrogen test, and to assess potential differences in nutrient absorption., Animals: 27 healthy cats., Procedure: Cats were allocated to the following 3 groups on the basis of age: group A (9 kittens, 5 to 7 months old), group B (9 young adults, 3 to 5 years old), and group C (9 older cats, 12 to 15 years old). Cats were fed a standard canned diet for 2 weeks prior to measurement of OCTT. Exhaled hydrogen concentration (parts per minute [ppm x min]) was monitored for 8 hours after feeding 60 g of the canned diet., Results: Mean OCTT in group-A cats was 203 minutes (range, 90 to 345 minutes), which was significantly different from that in group-B (317 minutes; range, 180 to 435 minutes) and group-C (309 minutes; range, 225 to 375 minutes) cats. Median area under the breath hydrogen excretion time curve (ppm x min) for the 8-hour monitoring period, first 45 minutes, and 105 minutes after OCTT for the 3 groups was not significantly different among groups., Conclusions: Kittens had significantly faster OCTT than did adult cats.

Objective: To investigate changes in the fecal flora of healthy cats after dietary supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)., Animals: 12 healthy, barrier-maintained, specific-pathogen-free-derived adult cats., Procedure: Fresh fecal samples for quantitative and qualitative bacteriologic examination were collected from each cat after ingestion of a replete dry (basal) diet for a minimum of 8 weeks. The diet was then supplemented with 0.75% FOS, and another fecal sample was collected after 12 weeks., Results: Mean +/- SD fecal aerobic, anaerobic, and total bacterial counts (log10 colony-forming units per gram of feces [CFU/g]) did not differ significantly between diets (8.3 +/- 0.8, 9.2 +/- 0.6, 9.4 +/- 0.4, respectively, for the basal diet; and 8.4 +/- 0.8, 9.7 +/- 0.7, and 9.8 +/- 0.7, respectively, for the FOS diet), although there was a trend for higher numbers of anaerobes and total bacteria associated with the FOS diet. Members of the genus Bacteroides, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, lactobacilli, and Plesiomonas shigeloides were the most prevalent bacteria isolated. Compared with samples from cats fed basal diet, there was a trend for increased mean counts of lactobacilli (P = 0.02) and Bacteroides spp (P = 0.05) after FOS supplementation, and a trend for decreased mean numbers of Escherichia coli (P = 0.03) and Clostridium perfringens (P = 0.08) to be associated with the FOS diet. Supplementation of FOS resulted in a median 164-fold increase in numbers of lactobacilli, 13.2-fold increase in Bacteroides spp, 98% reduction in numbers of C perfringens, and 75% reduction in numbers of E coli., Conclusions: Supplementation of the diet with FOS resulted in alteration of the fecal flora of cats.

Objective: To investigate changes in the duodenal flora of healthy cats over time, and evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)., Animals: 12 healthy, barrier-maintained, specific-pathogen-free cats., Procedure: Duodenal juice for bacteriologic examination was collected via oral endoscopy 5 times from each cat over a 32-week period. Cats were allotted randomly to 2 groups, and a crossover design study, during which they were fed either a replete dry (basal) diet or, for 12 consecutive weeks, basal diet supplemented with 0.75% FOS, was done. Samples (3 from cats fed the basal and 2 from cats fed the FOS diet) were collected for a minimum of 6 weeks after commencement of feeding, and a minimum of 6 weeks apart., Results: Mean aerobic, anaerobic, and total bacterial counts did not differ significantly among sample collection times. After pooling of the results, mean (+/- SD) log10 colony-forming units (CFU) of aerobic, anaerobic, and total bacteria/ml were 5.5 +/- 1.1, 4.8 +/- 1.0 and 5.6 +/- 1.1, respectively. However, individual cats had considerable variation in counts: mean (range) intraindividual coefficients of variation were: 19.0 (6.1 to 34.2), 19.9 (4.8 to 35.5), and 18.1 (5.5 to 32.6)%, respectively. In 1 cat, total bacterial count varied between < 3.0 and 6.3 CFU/ml. Bacterial flora varied qualitatively: only Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides, Pasteurella, and Streptococcus spp, and unidentified gram-negative (aerobic) rods were present in > 50% of the samples., Conclusions: Wide quantitative and qualitative variation in the duodenal flora of healthy cats was observed over time, which was not affected by dietary supplementation with FOS.

Objective: To investigate the bacterial flora of the proximal part of the small intestine of healthy cats and determine the effect of sample collection method on results of bacteriologic culture., Animals: 25 healthy barrier-maintained specific-pathogen-free-derived cats., Procedure: Aspirated, undiluted samples of proximal small intestinal juice were obtained via oral endoscopy (UEA), and a second sample was collected after instillation of 1 ml of sterile saline solution (diluted, DEA). Undiluted juice also was obtained by direct needle aspiration (NA) from the intestinal lumen. Samples for quantitative and semiqualitative bacteriologic examination were grown aerobically and anaerobically., Results: Mean (range) log10 colony-forming units of total bacteria/ml were 6.2 (2.0 to 8.3) for NA, 6.0 (2.0 to 7.9) for UEA, and 4.9 (2.0 to 7.5) for DEA samples. One cat had no growth (< or = 2.0 colony-forming units/ml) for samples obtained using all 3 methods, and another cat had no growth for the DEA sample only. Mean total aerobic, anaerobic, and bacterial counts were not significantly different between NA and UEA methods, but these techniques yielded significantly higher mean counts than did DEA samples (P < or = 0.002, ANOVA). As a percentage of the total bacteria isolated, anaerobes constituted a median 35, 32, and 50% of the NA, UEA, and DEA samples, respectively. Good correlation was found between the NA and UEA samples for total bacteria, aerobes, and anaerobes (r > or = 0.830)., Conclusions: Compared with human beings, healthy cats carry high numbers of bacteria in the proximal part of the small intestine. By comparison with NA samples, UEA samples accurately reflected bacterial populations in the small intestine, whereas DEA samples significantly underestimated these populations.

Commercial barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS) were administered to 12 healthy adult cats according to the manufacturer's instructions (30 small BIPS and 10 large BIPS to each cat) together with 60 g of a canned food. Radiographs were taken at hourly intervals until seven hours after feeding, and then at eight, 10, 12, 14, 17, 23 and 30 hours or until all the BIPS had left the stomach and at least 50 per cent had entered the colon. Six cats were sedated immediately after being fed the BIPS and six cats remained unsedated. For small BIPS (1.5 mm diameter), the gastric transit time (first exit of BIPS from the stomach) in the sedated cats had a median of 6 hours (range 3 to 8) and in the unsedated cats a median of 2.5 hours (range 2 to 6). Values for other transit times were not significantly different between the two groups, and the pooled data revealed a median 50 per cent gastric emptying time of 6.4 hours (range 2.5 to 10.9), a complete gastric emptying time of 12 hours (range 6 to 27), an orocaecal transit time (first appearance of BIPS in the colon) of 6.5 hours (range 4.0 to 12.0) and a 50 per cent orocaecal transit time of 8.8 hours (range 4.6 to 12.8). The gastrointestinal transit of large BIPS (5 mm diameter) was significantly correlated with the passage of small BIPS but, except for the complete gastric emptying time, was significantly slower.

The availability feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccines has added a new and important dimension to the control of this infectious agent. FeLV vaccination is a controversial issue, however, partly because of differences in the formulation between the current products, partly because of conflicting claims by vaccine manufactures and partly because experimental trials have shown that none of the vaccines provides 100 per cent protection against infection. This paper reviews the role of the immune response in determining the outcome following exposure to FeLV and describes the importance of FeLV subgroups. The five commercial FeLV vaccines currently available in the USA and Europe are described and the published literature on efficacy studies is summarised. However, these efficacy studies are often difficult to interpret for various reasons, including the small numbers of animals used; differences in challenge methods, vaccine strains and vaccine dose employed; and differences in postchallenge monitoring protocols.