Cerenia for Nausea in Cats

Hickman, M. A., S. R. Cox, et al. (2008). "Safety, pharmacokinetics and use of the novel NK-1 receptor antagonist maropitant (Cerenia) for the prevention of emesis and motion sickness in cats." Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 31(3): 220-229.

Maropitant (Cerenia, Pfizer Animal Health) is a selective NK-1 receptor antagonist that has anti-emetic effects. It is licensed for oral use in dogs in the United States. In this study, maropitant was administered to cats at doses ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) for 15 days. No adverse effects were found at any dose, including doses that exceed the anti-emetic dose by a factor of 10. The pharmacokinetics of maropitant were determined following single dose oral, intravenous, and SC administration. Anti-emesis efficacy was determined against xylazine or motion. A dosage of 1 mg/kg maropitant administered IV, SC or PO prevented emesis elicited by xylazine. The results indicate that maropitant is an effective, well tolerated and safe anti-emetic in cats at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg with a 24-hour duration of action.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
de la Puente-Redondo, V. A., E. M. Siedek, et al. (2007). "The anti-emetic efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia) in the treatment of ongoing emesis caused by a wide range of underlying clinical aetiologies in canine patients in Europe." J Small Anim Pract 48(2): 93-8.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Terbinafine for Feline Ringworm

Foust, A. L., R. Marsella, et al. (2007). "Evaluation of persistence of terbinafine in the hair of normal cats after 14 days of daily therapy." Vet Dermatol 18(4): 246-51.

Microsoporum canis is the dermatophyte most commonly associated with ringworm in cats. Several drugs have been used for treatment of M. canis in cats, including itraconazole, griseofulvin, and terbinafine. Terbinafine (Lamisil, Novartis) is of interest because in other species, it shows good penetration into affected tissues, efficacy with short durations of treatment, and is well tolerated. Few studies have been conducted on the use of terbinafine in cats. In this study, the residual concentration of terbinafine in cat hair was determined after 14 days of oral treatment. Ten normal cats were administered terbinafine at a daily dose of 34-45 mg/kg for 14 days. Hair samples were analyzed at day 0, and weekly for 8 weeks after the last dose of terbinafine. With a 99% confidence interval, the concentration of terbinafine remained above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 5 weeks. Four cats experienced vomiting during treatment, and two of these cats experienced intense facial pruritus 7 to 14 days after the end of treatment. The researchers concluded that terbinafine persists in cat hair at concentrations above the MIC for several weeks after the end of therapy, even when treated for only 14 days. Pulse therapy using terbinafine is worth further investigation for the treatment of feline ringworm.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Mancianti, F., F. Pedonese, et al. (1999). "Efficacy of oral terbinafine in feline dermatophytosis due to Microsporum canis." J Fel Med Surg 1(1): 37.
>> PubMed abstract

Kotnik, T. (2002). "Drug efficacy of terbinafine hydrochloride (Lamisil) during oral treatment of cats, experimentally infected with Microsporum canis." J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health 49(3): 120-122.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Clostridium difficile in Hospitalized Cats

Clooten, J., S. Kruth, et al. (2008). "Prevalence and risk factors for Clostridium difficile colonization in dogs and cats hospitalized in an intensive care unit." Vet Microbiol 129(1-2): 209-14.

Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of hospital- and antimicrobial-associated diarrhea in hospitalized humans. A prospective study of C. difficile colonization in dogs and cats was conducted in a veterinary teaching hospital intensive care unit (ICU). Rectal swabs were taken from patients upon admission to the ICU and every third day of hospitalization until discharge or death. C. difficile was isolated from 73/402 (18%) animals; 69% of isolates were toxigenic. Community-associated colonization was identified in 39/366 (11%) of animals that were sampled at the time of admission, while C. difficile was subsequently isolated from 27 of the remaining 327 (8.3%) animals that had a negative admission swab. Administration of antimicrobials prior to admission and administration of immunosuppressive drugs during hospitalization were risk factors for hospital-associated colonization. Acquisition of C. difficile during hospitalization in the ICU was associated with the development of diarrhea.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Weese, J. and J. Armstrong (2003). "Outbreak of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in a small animal veterinary teaching hospital." J Vet Intern Med 17(6): 813-816.
>> PubMed abstract

Madewell, B. R., J. K. Bea, et al. (1999). "Clostridium difficile: a survey of fecal carriage in cats in a veterinary medical teaching hospital." J Vet Diagn Invest 11(1): 50-4.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Sources of Pet Health Information Used by Owners

Kogan, L. R., G. Goldwaser, et al. (2008). "Sources and frequency of use of pet health information and level of confidence in information accuracy, as reported by owners visiting small animal veterinary practices." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(10): 1536-42.

Although most people look to their physicians for health care information, they also utilize other sources, such as mass media. A survey conducted in 2005 determined that 74% of American adults are using the internet as a health information resource. Despite this statistic, many physicians appear unaware of the frequency with which their patients are accessing internet sites for health information. The purpose of the study reported here was to gain a better understanding of the various sources of pet health information and the frequency of their use and to assess the level of confidence in information accuracy, as reported by pet owners who visit their veterinarians. Seventeen small animal clinics in Fort Collins, Colorado were recruited to participate in the study. Study questionnaires were distributed to each clinic; staff recruited participants by asking all individuals who entered their clinic to anonymously complete a survey. The survey contained questions on owner demograhics. Other questions included species of pet that was brought to the clinic at that visit, the number of times the participant had visited the veterinary clinic in the past 12 months, and frequency of use and confidence in various sources of pet health information. Results indicated that pet owners who visited their veterinarians acquired pet information from veterinarians via the telephone or in person and from family or friends more frequently than they acquired such information from the internet. Pet owners also reported more confidence in information received from veterinarians compared with information from any other accessible source.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

My cat Mr. Whiskers came home tonight with one pupil very large and the other normal…

Having two pupils that are different sizes is absolutely not normal. The fancy term for this is anisocoria and it can be caused by many different things: trauma, cancer, eye disease or viral/bacterial/fungal disease to just name a few. I would suggest Mr. Whiskers be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible to figure out what the cause of the abnormal pupil size is and then begin to treat it appropriately.

Our two Persian cats are being sick every day. Have been told it could be pancreatic…

There are multiple causes of vomiting and pancreatitis can be one of the many reasons. In a vomiting cat, we usually start with a general work up including lab work, an x-ray and a urine check. If your veterinarian suspects pancreatitis, then further blood tests or an ultrasound can help tell us if the pancreas is involved. The severity of pancreatitis can vary and treatment often depends on how bad it is. Treatments may include diet change, anti-nausea medications, pain medication, and fluids to just name a few.

Severe cases can take very extensive treatment and in some cases prognosis is poor. I hope this helps a little. Your veterinarian is in the best position to give you more specifics on your Persian's cases.

I think my 2 year old Siamese has a broken tail. Is there anything I can give her for…

This is an important question. You should NEVER give your cat human over the counter medications without consulting your veterinarian. Many medications like Tylenol and Advil are toxic to cats and can make them very sick, even resulting in death. If you believe your cat's tail is broken and/or she is painful, I would have her seen by your veterinarian who can treat the tail and control your Siamese's pain. Good luck.

What would cause my cat’s nose to bleed from time to time? She is approximately 13 years…

There could be multiple causes for your cat's blood nose. I would be concerned about something in her nasal cavity like a foreign body or polyp. Various kinds of infections could cause intermittent bleeding and I would also be concerned with dental disease and the possibility of cancer. I would have her looked at as soon as you can. After an exam, your veterinarian should be able to give you a better idea of what is going on. Good luck and keep us posted.

My tabby cat, Tigger, that I have loved since she was a kitten, suddenly within minutes…

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Tigger. In most cases of sudden death in an apparently healthy cat, I think of heart disease. To know for sure if Tigger had heart disease, a sample of her heart may also need to be examined by a pathologist. A sudden death like this does occur and it reminds us that cats are experts at hiding their illnesses. Cats will often show no signs of being sick until they are significantly ill. And disease is not always related to quality of care. She was obviously a well loved and well cared for cat, but even with this, illness can occur. Again, I know how hard it is to lose a cat and I am so sorry.

Which of the Purina Cat Chow’s have the largest percentage of taurine in them?

All Purina Cat Chow brand dry cat food products are supplemented with taurine to ensure the taurine needs of the cat are being met. The minimum level of taurine as prescribed by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) is 0.1% in a dry cat food. Purina Cat Chow products will contain guaranteed minimum levels of taurine ranging from 0.12% to 0.18%, depending on the product. It should be noted that comparing the levels of taurine between products is probably meaningless if the guaranteed minimum is above 0.1% (more taurine in one product does not make it better than a product with lower taurine). Some products will contain more taurine mainly because the ingredients in the formula may contain more taurine (high meat containing dry cat foods will be higher in taurine because taurine is high in meats). It is more important to ensure the product contains as least 0.1% taurine, which all Purina Cat Chow dry cat foods are formulated to contain.