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Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária, área científica de Clínica PLASMA AND URINARY METANEPHRINE AND NORMETANEPHRINE IN HEALTHY CATS – A PILOT STUDY - Feline pheochromocytoma (PCC) is considered to be rare and literature is limited to a few case-reports. In humans and dogs, biochemical diagnosis of a PCC is based on the measurements of plasma (PL) and/or urinary (U) metanephrine (MN) and normetanephrine (NMN) but little is known about these biomarkers in cats. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility of PL-MN/NMN and U-MN/NMN measurement in cats, using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS). Furthermore, it intends to assess the U-MN/NMN stability under refrigeration (+4ºC) for 24h. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted, using a group of 10 healthy cats, with ages ranging from 4 to 10 years. After sampling, EDTA-plasma and urine samples were stored at - 80ºC until measurement of PL-MN/NMN and U-MN/NMN. For each cat, an additional urine sample was refrigerated (UR) for 24h before storage at -80ºC. Leftover plasma and urine samples collected from a cat with a confirmed diagnosis of PCC (PheoCat) were also submitted for analysis. Urinary creatinine (Creat) was measured in the same spot urine samples in order to calculate U-MN/Creat and U-NMN/Creat ratios. With regard to the population of healthy adult cats, the PL-MN and PL-NMN median values were 2.73nmol/L (IQR=2.37) and 7.02nmol/L (IQR=5.2), respectively. U-MN/Creat and U-NMN/Creat ratios had medians of 70μg/g (IQR=70) and 139μg/g (IQR=77), respectively. Results obtained from the PheoCat revealed a PL-MN of 3.68nmol/L, PL-NMN of 66.27nmol/L, U-MN/Creat ratio of 179 μg/g and U-NMN/Creat ratio of 1262 μg/g. None of these values overlapped with the medians obtained from the healthy cats. The U-MN/NMN proved to be stable under refrigeration for 24h, as there was no statistical difference between U-MN vs URMN and U-NMN vs UR-NMN (p= 0.329 and p= 0.813, respectively). This is the first study reporting both PL-MN/NMN and U-MN/NMN measurements by LC-MS-MS in adult healthy cats and will contribute to the biochemical diagnosis of feline PCC in the future. The PheoCat had a substantial increase in all the measured parameters, particularly PL-NMN and U-NMN/Creat ratio, when compared to the healthy cats, highlighting the clinical applicability of these biomarkers in the diagnosis of PCC in cats. RESUMO - METANEFRINAS E NORMETANEFRINAS PLASMÁTICAS E URINÁRIAS EM GATOS SAUDÁVEIS – UM ESTUDO-PILOTO - O feocromocitoma (PCC) felino é considerado raro e a literatura é limitada a poucos relatos de casos clínicos. Em humanos e cães, o diagnóstico bioquímico de PCC é baseado na medição de metanefrinas (MN) e normetanefrinas (NMN) plasmáticas (PL) e/ou urinárias (U), mas pouco se sabe sobre estes biomarcadores em gatos. Este estudo piloto tem como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade da medição das PL-MN/NMN e U-MN/NMN em gatos, utilizando cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massa em tandem (LC-MS-MS). Além disso, pretende aferir a estabilidade das U-MN/NMN sob refrigeração (+4ºC) por 24h. Foi realizado um estudo piloto transversal, utilizando um grupo de 10 gatos saudáveis, com idades entre os 4 e 10 anos. Amostras de EDTA-plasma e urina foram imediatamente armazenadas a -80ºC após colheita, até à medição das PL-MN/NMN e U-MN/NMN. Para cada gato, uma amostra de urina adicional foi refrigerada (UR) por 24h antes do armazenamento a -80ºC. Amostras de plasma e urina coletadas de um gato com diagnóstico definitivo prévio de PCC (PheoCat) também foram submetidas para análise. A creatinina urinária (Creat) foi medida nas mesmas amostras de urina para calcular os rácios U-MN/Creat e U-NMN/Creat. Relativamente à população de gatos adultos saudáveis, a mediana das PL-MN e PLNMN foi 2,73nmol/L (IQR=2,37) e 7,02nmol/L (IQR=5,2), respetivamente. Os rácios UMN/Creat e U-NMN/Creat tiveram medianas de 70μg/g (IQR=70) e 139μg/g (IQR=77), respetivamente. O PheoCat teve valores de PL-MN de 3,68nmol/L, PL-NMN de 66,27nmol/L, rácio U-MN/Creat de 179 μg/g e rácio U-NMN/Creat de 1262 μg/g. Nenhum destes valores se sobrepôs às medianas obtidas nos gatos saudáveis. As U-MN/NMN revelaram ser estáveis sob refrigeração por 24h, uma vez que não houve diferença estatística entre U-MN vs UR-MN e U-NMN vs UR-NMN (p= 0,329 e p= 0,813, respetivamente). Este é o primeiro estudo que afere as PL-MN/NMN e U-MN/NMN por LC-MS-MS em gatos adultos saudáveis e contribuirá para o diagnóstico bioquímico de PCC felino no futuro. O PheoCat teve um aumento substancial de todos os parâmetros medidos quando comparado com os gatos saudáveis, principalmente da PL-NMN e rácio U-NMN/Creat, destacando a aplicabilidade clínica destes biomarcadores no diagnóstico de PCC em gatos. N/A

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:32:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-10-01 Feline cytauxzoonosis is a disease caused by Cytauxzoon felis, a protozoan that infects the red blood cells and macrophages. It is responsible for an acute and often fatal disease in domestic cats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of C. felis infections in healthy cats. Piroplasm forms were seen in the erythrocytes of 2 cats, and C. felis DNA was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in one of them. The results demonstrate that erythrocytic piroplasmids associated with tick-borne parasitic protozoa may be found circulating in the blood of healthy cats in Rio de Janeiro. These can be differentiated from the morphologically similar forms of species such as Babesia by analysis of DNA, thereby demonstrating the potential for further studies of feline populations in Brazil. Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Veterinary Institute Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro UFRRJ, BR 465, Km 47, Rio de Janeiro Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Department of Veterinary Pathology Júlio de Mesquita Filho Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (UNESP) Jaboticabal Campus UNESP, Saõ Paulo Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Department of Veterinary Pathology Júlio de Mesquita Filho Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (UNESP) Jaboticabal Campus UNESP, Saõ Paulo

Objetivou-se avaliar o perfil micológico de interesse na saúde pública de espécies de fungos e a patogenicidade em unhas de 190 gatos de duas cidades de Santa Catarina em 2016. Unhas das patas dianteiras foram coletadas, processadas para exame direto e a cultura mantida a temperatura de 27° C durante 15 dias. A prevalência de fungos foi de 83,16% com identificação dos gêneros Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Acremonium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Curvularia sp., hialohifomicetos, feohifomicetos e Candida albicans. Este é o primeiro registro de fungos de interesse médico em felinos em Santa Catarina. Recomenda-se cautela no manejo de felinos para evitar trauma perfurante e risco de infecção, especialmente para médicos e auxiliares em hospitais veterinários, clínicas e abrigos. ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate mycological profile in public health of fungi species and their pathogenicity in nails of 190 cats from two cities of Santa Catarina in 2016. Nails of front paws were collected, processed for direct examination and the culture was maintained at temperature of 27° C for 15 days. The prevalence of fungi was 83.16% with identification of the genus Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Acremonium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Curvularia sp., hyalohiphomycetes, Phohoifycetes and Candida albicans. This is the first record of fungi of medical interest in felines in Santa Catarina. Caution is recommended in handling felines to avoid perforating trauma and risk of infection, especially veterinarians and their staff in veterinary hospital, clinics and shelters. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el perfil micológico de interés en la salud pública de especies de hongos y la patogenicidad en uñas de 190 gatos de dos ciudades de Santa Catarina en 2016. Uñas de las patas delanteras fueron colectadas, procesadas para examen directo y la cultura mantenida a temperatura de 27 ° C durante 15 días. La prevalencia de hongos fue de 83,16% con identificación de los géneros: Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Acremonium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Curvularia sp., hialohifomicetos, feohifomicetos y Candida albicans. Este es el primer registro de hongos de interés médico en felinos en Santa Catarina. Se recomienda precaución en el manejo de felinos para evitar traumatismo y riesgos de infección, especialmente para médicos y auxiliares en hospitales veterinarios, clínicas y abrigos.

The relationship between microbial community and host has profound effects on the health of animals. A balanced gastrointestinal (GI) microbial population provides nutritional and metabolic benefits to its host, regulates the immune system and various signaling molecules, protects the intestine from pathogen invasion, and promotes a healthy intestinal structure and an optimal intestinal function. With the fast development of next-generation sequencing, molecular techniques have become standard tools for microbiota research, having been used to demonstrate the complex intestinal ecosystem. Similarly to other mammals, the vast majority of GI microbiota in cats (over 99%) is composed of the predominant bacterial phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Many nutritional and clinical studies have shown that cats' microbiota can be affected by several different factors including body condition, age, diet, and inflammatory diseases. All these factors have different size effects, and some of these may be very minor, and it is currently unknown how important these are. Further research is needed to determine the functional variations in the microbiome in disease states and in response to environmental and/or dietary modulations. Additionally, further studies are also needed to explain the intricate relationship between GI microbiota and the genetics and immunity of its host. This review summarizes past and present knowledge of the feline GI microbiota and looks into the future possibilities and challenges of the field.

Fluid therapy is a rapidly evolving yet imprecise clinical practice based upon broad assumptions, species-to-species extrapolations, outdated experimental evidence, and individual preferences. Fluid therapy can cause significant harm through fluid overload which increases morbidity and mortality. With limited evidence to support our current fluid administration practices in cats, greater understanding of the volume kinetics (pharmacokinetics) of intravenous fluid and body water physiology in this species would provide valuable data to support safer effective fluid therapy practices. This research project explored the potential of volume kinetic modelling analysis as determined by hemoglobin dilution and estimated urine output in unveiling the distribution, elimination, plasma volume expansion, half-life, and comparative potency of three commonly prescribed intravenous fluids in healthy cats. The feasibility of a novel non-invasive 3-dimensional bladder volume estimation method utilizing bladder circumference tracings obtained from point-of-care bladder ultrasonographic images was also investigated. Approximately equipotent doses of blinded balanced crystalloid solution (Plasma-Lyte A, 20 mL/kg), hypertonic saline solution (5% sodium chloride, 3.3 mL/kg), and synthetic colloid solution (6% tetrastarch 130/0.4, 5 mL/kg) infused over 15 minutes on separate random occasions revealed similar peak plasma volume expansion. The half-life and potency of these solutions were consistent with reports from human and canine studies. Intriguingly, the distribution of all infusions from the central compartment was rapid while the elimination was slow in comparison to other species; suggesting that cats may have different physiological responses to intravenous fluid infusion, which may explain their susceptibility to fluid overload. Computer simulations of hypothetical fluid infusions to achieve and maintain plasma volume expansion at steady state revealed the need for substantial reduction in the infusion rate following initial fluid bolus. Lastly, non-invasive 3-dimensional bladder volume estimation was achieved and showed promising potential in terms of feasibility and agreement with a recently published feline geometric linear bladder dimension formula. Bladder circumference tracings were easy to perform, reliable, and reproducible among individuals with limited point-of-care ultrasonography experience and remained robust when dealing with images of various diagnostic qualities. Additional work on volume kinetics and non-invasive bladder volume estimation are warranted for further investigation of acute fluid shifts in cats. Ontario Veterinary College Pet Trust 2020-09-01

In feline veterinary practice sedation is often needed to perform diagnostic or minimally invasive procedures, minimize stress, and facilitate handling. The mortality rate of cats undergoing sedation is significantly higher than dogs, so it is fundamental that the sedatives provide good cardiovascular stability. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist utilized in cats to provide sedation and analgesia, although studies have been utilized high doses, and markedly hemodynamic impairments were reported. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate how the sedative and electrocardiographic effects of a low dose of DEX performing in cats. Eleven healthy cats were recruited; baseline sedative score, systolic arterial pressure, electrocardiography, and vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) were assessed, and repeated after ten minutes of DEX 5μg/kg intramuscularly (IM). A smooth sedation was noticed, and emesis and sialorrhea were common adverse effects, observed on average seven minutes after IM injection. Furthermore, electrocardiographic effects of a low dose of DEX mainly include decreases on heart rate, and increases on T-wave amplitude. The augmentation on VVTI and appearance of respiratory sinus arrhythmia, as well as sinus bradycardia in some cats, suggesting that DEX enhances parasympathetic tonus in healthy cats, and therefore will be best avoid in patients at risk for bradycardia. RESUMO: Na rotina clínica da medicina veterinária felina a sedação é frequentemente requerida para realização de procedimentos diagnósticos ou minimamente invasivos, para minimizar o estresse e facilitar o manuseio dos pacientes. A taxa de mortalidade de gatos submetidos à sedação é mais elevada do que em cães, por esse motivo, é fundamental que os sedativos confiram estabilidade hemodinâmica. A dexmedetomidina (DEX) é um α2-agonista utilizado em felinos para promover sedação e analgesia, porém os estudos têm utilizado doses elevadas, e com isso prejuízos hemodinâmicos importantes foram relatados. O objetivo desta investigação foi avaliar os efeitos sedativos e eletrocardiográficos da baixa dose de DEX em gatos. Para tal, onze felinos saudáveis foram recrutados, foram obtidos valores basais para escore de sedação, pressão arterial sistólica e eletrocardiografia, além do índice de tônus vaso vagal (ITVV). Após dez minutos da aplicação intramuscular (IM) de DEX 5μg/kg todos os exames foram repetidos. Após a DEX, sedação suave foi detectada, e a êmese e sialorreia foram efeitos adversos comuns, observados em média 7 minutos após a injeção IM. Ademais, os principais efeitos eletrocardiográficos foram redução na frequência cardíaca e aumento na amplitude da onda T. O ITVV mais elevado e surgimento de arritmia sinusal respiratória, bem como bradicardia sinusal em alguns gatos, sugerem que a DEX eleva o tônus parassimpático, e por esse motivo deve ser utilizada com cautela em pacientes com predisposição à bradicardia.

The purpose here was to determine the problems cat owners encounter in medicating their cats with orally administered drugs at home. The study was carried out as an open e-questionnaire survey addressed to cat owners in which the authors focused on the oral administration route. A total of 46 completed questionnaires were included in the survey. In the study, 46 cats received 67 orally administered drugs. Approximately half of the drugs were registered for use in cats by the European Medicines Agency (54 per cent), and there were also off-label drugs registered for human (36 per cent) and canine medication (7.4 per cent) and an ex tempore drug (3.0 per cent). The owners were unable to give the doses as prescribed for their cats for one-fourth of the medications (16/67). Drugs that were registered for feline medication were significantly more palatable than drugs registered for other species (odds ratio (OR) 4.9), and liquid formulations were significantly more palatable than solid formulations (OR 4.8). However, most of the owners (22/38) preferred a solid dosage form, while few (4/38) chose a liquid formulation. The results indicate that there is still a need for more palatable and easily administered oral drugs for cats.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) results from mutations in the viral genome during a common feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) infection. Since many virological and immunological data on FECV infections are lacking, the present study investigated these missing links during experimental infection of three SPF cats with FECV strain UCD. Two cats showed mild clinical signs, faecal shedding of infectious virus from 4 dpi, a cell-associated viraemia at inconsistent time points from 5 dpi, a highly neutralising antibody response from 9 dpi, and no major abnormalities in leukocyte numbers. Faecal shedding lasted for 28-56 days, but virus shed during this stage was less infectious in enterocyte cultures and affected by mutations. Remarkably, in the other cat neither clinical signs nor acute shedding were seen, but virus was detected in blood cells from 3 dpi, and shedding of non-enterotropic, mutated viruses suddenly occurred from 14 dpi onwards. Neutralising antibodies arose from 21 dpi. Leukocyte numbers were not different compared to the other cats, except for the CD8(+) regulatory T cells. These data indicate that FECV can infect immune cells even in the absence of intestinal replication and raise the hypothesis that the gradual adaptation to these cells can allow non-enterotropic mutants to arise. ispartof: Scientific Reports vol:6 issue:1 pages:20022- ispartof: location:England status: published

Vondrakova K., R. Van Den Hoven, R. A. Hirt: Adenosine 5’-Monophosphate Aerosol Challenge Does Not Provoke Airflow Limitation in Healthy Cats. Acta Vet. Brno 2006, 75: 329-336. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of nebulized adenosine 5’monophosphate on airflow limitation in healthy cats determined by barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP), in comparison to the effects of carbachol. Ten healthy 4- to 6-year-old domestic shorthair cats were included in the study. Each cat was placed in a BWBP plexiglass chamber (volume 38 l). Changes in box pressure were measured at baseline and after nebulization of vehicle and increasing concentrations of carbachol and adenosine 5’- monophosphate. Airway responsiveness was monitored as increases in enhanced pause (PENH), a unitless variable derived from dose-response curves estimating airflow limitation. The chosen endpoint was the agonist concentration which increased PENH to 300% of the value obtained after saline nebulization (PCPENH 300). Inter-day repeatability of measurements was assessed by repeated bronchoprovocations with both agonists 2-3 days apart. For carbachol, PCPENH300 was reached in all cats and correlated significantly between days (mean ± SD; 0.54 ± 0.42 mg/ml and 0.64 ± 0.45 mg/ml respectively; r = 0.58, p < 0.05) In contrast, we found no reaction to adenosine 5’monophosphate even with the highest concentration nebulized during both measurements. At baseline, mean ± SD PENH was 0.47 ± 0.18 and 0.58 ± 0.24 (measurements 1 and 2), whereas PENH after 500 mg/ml adenosine 5’- monophosphate was 0.46 ± 0.20 and 0.71 ± 0.37. All bronchoprovocation tests were well tolerated by the cats. We conclude that healthy airways in cats do not demonstrate airway responsiveness to inhaled adenosine 5’- monophosphate. This is in agreement with observations in humans as well as our previous findings in dogs, where adenosine 5’- monophosphate had no effect on healthy canine airways, but caused significant airflow limitation after induction of acute bronchitis. To define the value of bronchoprovocation testing with adenosine 5’- monophosphate in the feline respiratory tract, further investigation of this agonist in cats with spontaneous lower airway disease will be required.

Domestic cats are obligate carnivores and in this light hindgut fermentation has been considered unimportant in this species. However, a diverse microbiota has been found in the small and large intestines of domestic cats. Additionally,in vitroandin vivostudies support the hypothesis that microbial fermentation is significant in felines with potential benefits to the host. Results on microbiota composition and microbial counts in different regions of the feline gastrointestinal tract are compiled, including a description of modulating host and technical factors. Additionally, the effects of dietary fibre supplementation on the microbiota composition are described. In a second section,in vitrostudies, using inocula from fresh feline faeces and focusing on the fermentation characteristics of diverse plant substrates, are described.In vivostudies have investigated the effects of dietary fibre on a broad range of physiological outcomes. Results of this research, together with studies on effects of plant fibre on colonic morphology and function, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and the effects of plant fibre on disease conditions that require a decrease in dietary protein intake, are shown in a third section of the present review. Conclusively, for fructans and beet pulp, for example, diverse beneficial effects have been demonstrated in the domestic cat. Both dietary fibre sources are regularly used in the pet food industry. More research is warranted to reveal the potential benefits of other fibre sources that can be used on a large scale in feline diets for healthy and diseased cats.