Rickettsial Infections in Cats

Bayliss, D. B., A. K. Morris, et al. (2009). "Prevalence of Rickettsia species antibodies and Rickettsia species DNA in the blood of cats with and without fever." J Feline Med Surg 11(4): 266-70.

The purpose of the study was to determine if cats with a fever were more likely to have evidence of rickettsial infection than healthy, age-matched, control cats with no fever. Fever was determined to be a body temperature of over 102.5F (39.2C). The prevalence of Rickettsia species DNA in blood from clinically ill cats has not been determined. Rickettsia species antibodies have been detected in some cats but it is unknown whether infected cats develop clinical signs. Fever in humans has been attributed at times to “stealth” organisms that can evade the immune system, cause subtle clinical signs, and are not easily detectable by traditional diagnostic methods. Investigators questioned whether Rickettsia species might fill such a role in cats. The cat flea has been identified as a host and biological vector of R. felis and the question of whether the flea may be capable of transmitting the organism to cats is unanswered. The study results did not show an association between fever in cats and Rickettsia species DNA in blood or serologic evidence of exposure to R. felis. It would be optimal though to collect samples from clinically ill cats more than one time to further study this issue. [VT]
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Related articles:
Hawley, J. R., S. E. Shaw, et al. (2007). "Prevalence of Rickettsia felis DNA in the blood of cats and their fleas in the United States." J Feline Med Surg 9(3): 258-62.
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Kamrani, A., V. R. Parreira, et al. (2008). "The prevalence of Bartonella, hemoplasma, and Rickettsia felis infections in domestic cats and in cat fleas in Ontario." Can J Vet Res 72(5): 411-9.
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Feline Leukemia Virus

Lutz, H., D. Addie, et al. (2009). "Feline leukaemia ABCD guidelines on prevention and management." J Feline Med Surg 11(7): 565-74.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus found in cats everywhere in the world. While FeLV prevalence has decreased over the last few decades, primarily due to improvements in testing and vaccination, there are still millions of infected cats. Transmission of the virus occurs mainly via friendly contact, such as mutual grooming. Fortunately, the virus does not contaminate the environment as it is does not survive more than minutes outside the host. Young kittens are most at risk of infection. The most common clinical problems associated with FeLV infection are immunosuppression (with secondary infections), anemia, and lymphoma. Fortunately, effective vaccines exist against FeLV for cats at risk of infection. [SL]
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Related articles:
Levy, J., C. Crawford, et al. (2008). "2008 American Association of Feline Practitioners' feline retrovirus management guidelines." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(3): 300-316.
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Feline Calicivirus and Fleas

Mencke, N., M. Vobis, et al. (2009). "Transmission of feline calicivirus via the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)." Parasitol Res 105(1): 185-9.

Feline calicivirus is an important and contagious pathogen of cats. It is often associated with respiratory disease that is most commonly mild and self-limiting. However, it may cause severe pneumonia, or rarely, a systemic lethal disease. Transmission occurs most commonly through direct and indirect contact between cats. This investigation examined the potential for fleas to spread the virus. Fleas were fed blood containing the virus, and their feces were collected. Infectious virus was found in the flea feces for more than a week after exposure, and the virus could be transmitted to susceptible kittens via the fleas. Thus fleas could be a potential source for spread of this virus. However, the level of virus artificially fed to the fleas in this experiment was very high. In addition, while inoculation of infected fleas via the nose and mouth in the kittens was effective in transmission, infestation of the kittens alone with the fleas was not efficient for virus transmission. The researchers conclude that fleas could potentially be a source for transmission of feline calicivirus and note that it emphasizes the importance of good flea control. However, spread by respiratory droplets and direct contact remains the most important modes of spread. Transmission via fleas would most likely be significant in situations of crowding and significant flea infestation. [MK]
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Related articles:
Radford, A. D., D. Addie, et al. (2009). "Feline calicivirus infection ABCD guidelines on prevention and management." J Feline Med Surg 11(7): 556-64.
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Hurley, K., P. Pesavento, et al. (2004). "An outbreak of virulent systemic feline calicivirus disease." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 224(2): 241-249.
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Can Cats Count?

Pisa, P. E. and C. Agrillo (2009). "Quantity discrimination in felines: a preliminary investigation of the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) " J Ethology 27(2): 289-293.

The ability to count, while complicated, is not limited to humans. The simplest form of this is being able to discriminate between two different quantities of objects, and this ability may enhance survival in different ways. Little work has been done on this area in cats. In this study, four pet cats were trained to discriminate between groups of two and three dots for a food reward. The investigators demonstrated that cats can learn how to distinguish between two groups of objects that differed only in number. Interestingly, they concluded that cats do not spontaneously use numerical information, but rather make use of visual cues to solve the task. [VT]
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Renal Dysplasia in a Norwegian Forest Cat

Aresu, L., R. Zanatta, et al. (2009). "Bilateral juvenile renal dysplasia in a Norwegian Forest Cat." J Feline Med Surg 11(4): 326-9.

Renal dysplasia is a kidney malformation made up of disorganized development of renal parenchyma due to abnormal differentiation. This condition leads to chronic renal failure in young animals. In addition to cats, renal dysplastic lesions have been found in dogs, cattle, horses, sheep, and humans. Renal dysplasia can be diagnosed only by histological examination of biopsy samples. The dysplasia can be unilateral or bilateral. In this case of a 5-month old Norwegian Forest cat, where the disease was bilateral, renal failure was the ultimate result. Kittens can often be clinically normal for extended periods of time; however, most of clinical signs are seen before 2 years of age. Feline renal dysplasia has been reported in fetal infections with panleukopenia virus. There are no reports of familial origins in feline renal dysplastic lesions. [VT]
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Related articles:
Greco, D. (2001). "Congenital and inherited renal disease of small animals." Vet Clin North Amer: Sm Anim Pract 31(2): 393-399.
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Oxidative Stress in Feline Diabetes

Webb, C. B. and L. Falkowski (2009). "Oxidative stress and innate immunity in feline patients with diabetes mellitus: the role of nutrition." J Feline Med Surg 11(4): 271-6.

The study was performed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress is increased and neutrophil function is decreased in cats with diabetes mellitus (DM). Oxidative stress is considered a key component in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus in people. It is estimated that 85% of cats with DM are type 2 diabetics. The study included 20 control and 15 diabetic cats with measurements for oxidative stress and neutrophil function. The cats were fed a diet designed for feline diabetics (Purina DM Dietetic Management Feline Formula) for 8 weeks, and then assays were repeated. Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly less in cats with DM than the control cats, consistent with a greater degree of oxidative stress in the DM group. Glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme, was increased significantly in both groups following 8 weeks of consuming a diabetes-specific diet. Other parameters of oxidative stress studied, plus neutrophil function, were similar between groups and did not change following dietary intervention. The DM cats were significantly older and heavier than the control cats and these factors could have affected differences between the two groups. The findings support continued study of antioxidant supplementation and dietary intervention in diabetic cats. [VT]
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Related articles:
Webb, C. B., K. W. McCord, et al. (2009). "Assessment of oxidative stress in leukocytes and granulocyte function following oral administration of a silibinin-phosphatidylcholine complex in cats." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(1): 57-62.
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Webb, C. B., T. L. Lehman, et al. (2008). "Effects of an oral superoxide dismutase enzyme supplementation on indices of oxidative stress, proviral load, and CD4:CD8 ratios in asymptomatic FIV-infected cats." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(5): 423-430.
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Cats and Zoonotic Parasites

Overgaauw, P. A., L. van Zutphen, et al. (2009). "Zoonotic parasites in fecal samples and fur from dogs and cats in The Netherlands." Vet Parasitol 163(1-2): 115-122.

All pet owners need to be aware of the risks of zoonotic pathogens - diseases which can be shared by animals and people. The purpose of this study from the Netherlands was to determine if healthy cats and dogs harbor zoonotic parasite infections, and to evaluate interactions between pets and owners. Both fecal and hair samples were collected from healthy cats and dogs in Dutch veterinary clinics, representing 159 households. Information and samples were collected on 152 dogs and 60 cats. Toxocara (roundworm) eggs were found in 4.6% of the cat fecal samples and in 3.4% of the cat fur samples. However, none of the eggs found in fur were viable. Giardia was isolated from 13.6% of the cat fecal samples and Cryptosporidium was isolated from 4.6% of the cat samples. In evaluating interactions between owners and pets, 50% of owners said they allowed the pet to lick their face, 60% of pets visited the bedroom, 60% of cats are allowed to sleep on the bed, and 30% of cats sleep with the owner in bed. Other interesting findings were that 45% of cats were allowed to jump into the kitchen sink, and 8% of cat owners always washed their hands after contact with their pet. The researchers conclude that close physical contact between owners and cats is common, and must be recognized as a risk factor for transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Owners should be informed about hygiene and risks of disease transmission. [SL]
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Related articles:
Palmer, C. S., I. D. Robertson, et al. (2009). "Intestinal parasites of dogs and cats in Australia: The veterinarian's perspective and pet owner awareness." Vet J.
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Stull, J. W., A. P. Carr, et al. (2007). "Small animal deworming protocols, client education, and veterinarian perception of zoonotic parasites in western Canada." Can Vet J 48(3): 269-76.
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Infertility in the Female Cat

Axnér, E., E. Ågren, et al. (2008). "Infertility in the cycling queen: seven cases." Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 10(6): 566-576.

There are many potential causes of infertility in cats, and investigation must take into account many factors, such as nutrition, housing, environment, management, and infectious diseases. This study evaluated 7 queens with a history of infertility despite normal estrous behavior and normal mating behavior. All queens were over 18 months of age, and had been mated at least 3 times with fertile males without pregnancy. A detailed medical and reproductive history for each queen was recorded. Each cat had a complete physical examination, vaginal swabs for culture and cytology, and blood samples for infectious diseases and hormone levels. The uterus and ovaries of each cat were examined with ultrasound. Four of the queens were treated with antibiotics, and 2 went on to successfully deliver kittens. Of the other 2 treated cats, one was not mated again, and one was mated unsuccessfully. One queen was spayed due to the discovery of uterine pathology. For 2 of the queens, no definitive diagnosis was established and no treatment was given. In summary, 4 of the queens were diagnosed with uterine pathology, while no definitive diagnosis could be established for the remaining 3 queens. [SL]
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Related articles:
Axner, E. (2008). "Updates on reproductive physiology, genital diseases and artificial insemination in the domestic cat." Reprod Domest Anim 43 Suppl 2: 144-9.
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Romagnoli, S. (2003). "Clinical approach to infertility in the queen." J Fel Med Surg 5(2): 143-146.
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Herpesvirus Infections in Cats

Westermeyer, H. D., S. M. Thomasy, et al. (2009). "Assessment of viremia associated with experimental primary feline herpesvirus infection or presumed herpetic recrudescence in cats." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(1): 99-104.

Feline herpesvirus-1 is associated with respiratory disease, often in kittens. Most infected cats remain latently infected for life; these latent infections may reactivate during times of stress. While herpesviruses in other species commonly spread to other tissues in infected animals via the bloodstream, this appears to be infrequent in cats. These researchers investigated the occurrence of virus in the blood of infected cats during acute infection, as well as during reactivation of latent infections. Following infection of six cats with FHV-1, virus was detected in the blood for up to two weeks post-infection. However, virus was not detected in the blood of 34 shelter cats, 25 of whom had evidence of FHV-associated disease and tested positive for the virus on conjunctival samples, using either virus isolation or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The authors conclude there may be a brief period of viremia in cats following acute infection, but none associated with reactivation of latent infection. [MK]
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Related articles:
Maggs, D., M. Lappin, et al. (1999). "Evaluation of serologic and viral detection methods for diagnosing feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats with acute respiratory tract or chronic ocular disease." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 214(4): 502.
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Bannasch, M. and J. Foley (2005). "Epidemiologic evaluation of multiple respiratory pathogens in cats in animal shelters." J Fel Med Surg 7(2): 109-119.
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Heart Disease in Cats

Paige, C. F., J. A. Abbott, et al. (2009). "Prevalence of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 234(11): 1398-1403.

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of cardiomyopathy and the relationship between cardiomyopathy and heart murmurs in apparently healthy cats. The study included 103 privately owned and apparently healthy cats that were physically and echocardiographically examined independently by two investigators. Left ventricular wall thickness was determined using 2-dimensional echocardiography in short-axis and long-axis views. Sixteen of the cats examined had heart murmurs detected; of these, 5 had cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy was also identified in 16 cats; 15 had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and one had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The sensitivity and specificity of auscultatory detection of a heart murmur for diagnosis of cardiomyopathy were 31% and 87%, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that cardiomyopathy is common in healthy cats. In addition, detection of a heart murmur is not a reliable indicator of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats. [VT]
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Related articles:
Rush, J., L. Freeman, et al. (2002). "Population and survival characteristics of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: 260 cases (1990-1999)." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 220(2): 202-207.
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Zimmering, T. M., F. Meneses, et al. (2009). "Measurement of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide in plasma of cats with and without cardiomyopathy." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(2): 216-222.
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