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Category: Feline

  • Immunotherapy in cats

    Immunotherapy in cats

    Although “off-licence”, immunotherapy is well worth considering in our pruritic feline friends.

    Feline head pruritus secondary to food allergy
    Feline head pruritus, a result of food allergy. Image by Caroldermoid. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

    Of course we need to rule out all other causes of pruritus first:

    • Ectoparasites: As well as all the usual suspects, don’t forget Demodex can occasionally cause ventral alopecia and pruritus (that’s the funny flat form, not the cigar shaped one).
    • Food allergies: Let’s face it, food allergy is tricky to pursue in cats – and if they have a partly outdoor lifestyle, hypoallergenic diets are of not of any use.

    Case study

    I recently saw a case that had typical excoriation lesions around the head and neck.

    The owner was able to keep the cat indoors on Purina HA Hypoallergenic for six weeks, and was happy to dose monthly with Stronghold. This, together with a good response to steroids, was highly suggestive of atopy.

    Serum IgE testing produced a range of high levels to pollens, house dust mite and moulds.

    Our friend has recently started on immunotherapy injections and is now starting to show signs of a good response. With the feline response to immunotherapy reported to be higher than that in dogs, this may be something well worth considering in cats.

  • Judging the severity of heart murmurs in cats

    Echocardiography of Hypertrophic-obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) in a cat.
    Echocardiography of hypertrophic-obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) in a cat, by Kalumet [licensed via CC BY-SA-3.0].
    It is harder to correlate the grade of a heart murmur with the severity of the underlying heart problem in cats than it is in dogs.

    Some quite loud murmurs may occur with relatively small defects.

    It is sensible to assess the patient for clinical signs that would suggest an underlying problem (e.g. lethargy, abnormal breathing pattern or effort, pale gums).

    The presence of such signs indicate further diagnostic work up such as echocardiography.

    However, if the cat appears very well, is showing no other clinical signs of a problem, and exercises normally, then it is fair to suggest a repeat examination in a few months to reassess the heart murmur and see if it has changed, or to see if the cat has developed any other clinical signs.

  • Interrupted labour in queens

    Interrupted labour in queens

    kitten
    Interrupted labour can last from 24-36 hours. Image: mari_d/Fotolia.

    Interrupted labour is common enough in queens, especially primagravida and domestic breeds, as to be a normal occurrence.

    The interruption, which may last as long as 24 or even 36 hours, may be triggered by a disturbance or may be attributable to no changes at all.

    After one or more kittens have been born, the queen will stop contracting and rest, suckling the kittens already born. She will remain bright and often take food and water.

    After this period of rest the queen will recommence contractions and the remainder of the litter should be born normally and easily.

  • Mouth rinses for cats

    Most effective are the chlorhexidine based rinses.

    Say "Aaaah"
    Say “Aaaah”

    Chlorhexidine gluconate is an antiseptic which reduces inflammation and bleeding of the gums and freshens the breath. It has no known side effects.

    Chlorhexidine acetate is antibacterial, but there are some reports of staining of the teeth after prolonged usage.

    Rinses may also help reduce plaque and calculus formation. They can be added to the drinking water or some come with handy applicators, enabling direct application to the mouth.

    When bleeding and inflammation subside, the rinse should be stopped.

    Ideally, daily brushing with cat toothpaste is the gold standard for ongoing dental care.

  • Phosphate levels in chronic kidney disease

    Phosphate levels in chronic kidney disease

    Cat Drinking from tap
    Diagnosing CKD before the appearance of clinical signs is difficult, as no symptoms will be seen until approximately 70% of renal function is lost. However, common signs include increased thirst (polydipsia) and excessive urination (polyuria).

    The overall aim is to maintain the phosphate concentration in the lower end of normal range: <1.45mmol/l.

    IRIS (International Renal Interest Society) specify exact targets for each stage of CKD (two months post-start of treatment).

    CKD Stage 1:  0.81-1.20
    CKD Stage 2:  0.81-1.45
    CKD Stage 3:  0.81-1.61
    CKD Stage 4:  0.81-1.94

    For all cats with CKD, the vet and owner should aim to:

    • increase the cat’s fluid intake
    • manage the diet with renal diet and/or phosphate binders
    • restrict phosphorous, which will improve quality and quality of life
    • use anti-hypertensive treatment if cats have increased blood pressure
    • consider ACE inhibitors in cats with proteinuria (UPC>0.4)
    • employ symptomatic treatment of any other complications

  • Hyperthyroidism and UTIs

    Cystocentesis
    Image courtesy Sarah Caney.

    Cats with hyperthyroidism are more vulnerable to bacterial UTIs. One study reported bacterial lower UTIs were diagnosed in 12% of hyperthyroid cats.

    Bacterial UTIs are clinically “silent” in a high proportion of older cats, with no haematuria, dysuria, or other signs to indicate their presence.

    Where possible, bacterial culture of cystocentesis-obtained urine samples (right) is recommended in hyperthyroid cats at time of diagnosis and periodically thereafter, especially if indicated by clinical signs or previous history.

    Urine bacteriology twice yearly is a good idea.

  • Lungworm in cats

    Lungworm in cats

    Capillaria aerophila in the trachea of a fox
    Capillaria aerophila by Lalošević, V., Lalošević, D., Čapo, I., Simin, V., Galfi, A. & Traversa, D. [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
    Capillaria aerophila and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are two of those most commonly found lungworm in cats.

    Cats become infected with lungworm when they drink water or eat prey infected with the larval stage of the worm.

    The larvae migrate out of the intestines via the bloodstream to the lungs, where they develop into adult worms and lay eggs in the host’s lungs within 40 days. The eggs are then coughed up by the cat or passed in faeces, which may then be eaten by birds, rodents and/or snails.

    Symptoms include coughing, dyspnoea and mucus accumulation.

    Treatment options include fenbendazole, albendazole, ivermectin, praziquante and levamisole. Usually, a 10-day course of fenbendazole with three to four days of ivermectin will clear the infection.

  • Giardia in cats

    Giardia in cats

    479px-Giardia_lamblia_SEM_8698_lores
    A flagellated Giardia lamblia protozoan parasite viewed with a scanning electron micrograph (SEM).

    Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite found in the small intestine of vertebrates. The most common cause of transmission in cats is faecal-oral, but cats can also become infected by drinking water containing the infective cysts.

    Most cats are asymptomatic, although they may keep passing on cysts for months or years. Clinical signs are most likely to be seen in younger animals from multi-cat households or environments.

    If large numbers of trophozoites develop the cat will develop symptoms, which include:

    • foul smelling stools (often yellowish, foamy/frothy)
    • vomiting
    • weight loss
    • flatulence
    • abdominal distension.

    Faecal flotation in zinc sulfate solution may be used to detect cysts. Three stool samples should be studied over a period of 7-10 days before a definite diagnosis is made. Alternatively, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) can be used.

    Giardiasis (also known as beaver fever) can be treated with metronidazole, furazolidone or fenbendazole.

  • Meshed skin grafts

    Meshed skin grafts

    Meshed skin grafts have several advantages over non-meshed grafts.

    Meshed skin graft
    Image courtesy Louise O’Dwyer.

    Meshing is the creation of several rows of staggered, parallel incisions into a graft. Usually, a number 11 scalpel blade is used to make incisions 1cm long and roughly 1-2cm apart along the long axis of the graft.

    The resultant mesh allows the graft to be stretched in two directions, increasing its flexibility and helping it conform to various shapes of wound.

    For a given size of wound a smaller donor segment is required for meshed grafts because of the potential expansion, which may be helpful when a large wound requires reconstruction.

    Small “pegs” of granulation tissue often grow into the meshed holes, providing further support and apposition between the graft and its bed. Also, meshed grafts allow passive drainage of fluid through the mesh holes, preventing accumulation of fluid under the graft, which could adversely affect graft take.

  • Don’t forget allergen-specific immunotherapy in cats

    Tree pollen
    Not a flea or food allergy… what else could it be?

    Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) can be a useful tool in cats.

    I see a number of cats that, following parasite elimination and control – plus no response to dietary trial – remain pruritic. We use serological testing via our commercial laboratory and then order in the ASIT vial(s) according to the results.

    Although the efficacy of ASIT is by no means guaranteed, I find it generally works well in cats. In fact, I find the majority are controlled well, although it has to be said we see fewer cases than in dogs.