A Cautionary Tale of Exophiala spinifera Infection in Two Cats: Case Reports and Literature Review

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether access to a running wheel increases voluntary physical activity in adult female and male domestic cats. Eight neutered domestic shorthair male cats (mean age 8·6 (sd 0·05) years) and eleven intact domestic shorthair female cats (mean age 3·3 (sd 0·14) years) were group housed for 22 h daily and individually housed during the feeding period. Voluntary physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Experimental design consisted of 1 week of baseline physical activity measurement, followed by 3 weeks of wheel habituation, and 1 week of physical activity measurement post-wheel habituation. Female cat voluntary physical activity levels increased (P < 0·05) post-habituation during the dark period, resulting in an altered (P < 0·05) light:dark activity ratio, whereas male cat voluntary physical activity levels remained unchanged post-habituation. Food anticipatory activity did not differ pre- and post-habituation. However, it corresponded to a numerically greater proportion of daily physical activity for males (17·5 %) v. females (12 %). In general, female cats were more active than male cats. Habituation to a running wheel appears to be an effective method to increase voluntary physical activity of younger female cats. Thus, running wheels might be a potential strategy in the prevention or management of feline obesity.

Male domestic cats that are neutered and overweight are at an increased risk for developing a type-2-like diabetes mellitus. Beneficial effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on glucose homeostasis may be lost with neutering and thereby account for increased diabetes risk. To evaluate this, adult male neutered overweight cats (n=6) were given daily E2 (1.0 μg/kg) or vehicle (Vh; ethanol, 1.0μL/kg) in a single crossover trial of 14-day periods with a 7-day washout. The E2 and Vh were voluntarily ingested on food. The E2 dosage was determined in a pre-trial to significantly and transiently reduce food intake with no measurable change in plasma E2 concentration. During treatments, physical activity was assessed with collar-mounted accelerometers on days 9-11, and tests of intravenous insulin tolerance and intravenous glucose tolerance were conducted on days 13 and 14, respectively. Over the 14 days, E2 compared to Vh treatment reduced (p=0.03) food intake (- 22%) but not enough to significantly reduce body weight; activity counts were not significantly changed. With E2 compared to Vh treatment, the late-phase plasma insulin response of the glucose tolerance test was less (p=0.03) by 31%, while glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity indexes were not significantly changed. The results indicate that oral E2 at a dosage that moderately affects food intake may reduce insulin requirement for achieving glucose homeostasis in neutered male cats. Further investigation is needed to identify the mechanism underlying the E2 effect.

Obesity and sex influence insulin resistance and total and multimer adiponectin levels in adult neutered domestic shorthair client-owned cats

BackgroundRapid molecular diagnostic tests to investigate the microbial aetiology of pneumonias may improve treatment and antimicrobial stewardship in intensive care units (ICUs). Clinicians’ endorsement and uptake of these tests is crucial to maximise engagement; however, adoption may be impeded if users harbour unaddressed concerns or if device usage is incompatible with local practice. Accordingly, we strove to identify ICU clinicians’ beliefs about molecular diagnostic tests for pneumonias before implementation at the point-of-care.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 35 critical care doctors working in four ICUs in the United Kingdom. A clinical vignette depicting a fictitious patient with signs of pneumonia was used to explore clinicians’ beliefs about the importance of molecular diagnostics and their concerns. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsClinicians’ beliefs about molecular tests could be grouped into two categories: perceived potential of molecular diagnostics to improve antibiotic prescribing (Molecular Diagnostic Necessity) and concerns about how the test results could be implemented into practice (Molecular Diagnostic Concerns). Molecular Diagnostic Necessity stemmed from beliefs that positive results would facilitate targeted antimicrobial therapy; that negative results would signal the absence of a pathogen, and consequently that having the molecular diagnostic results would bolster clinicians’ prescribing confidence. Molecular Diagnostic Concerns included unfamiliarity with the device’s capabilities, worry that it would detect non-pathogenic bacteria, uncertainty whether it would fail to detect pathogens, and discomfort with withholding antibiotics until receiving molecular test results.ConclusionsClinicians believed rapid molecular diagnostics for pneumonias were potentially important and were open to using them; however, they harboured concerns about the tests’ capabilities and integration into clinical practice. Implementation strategies should bolster users’ necessity beliefs while reducing their concerns; this can be accomplished by publicising the tests’ purpose and benefits, identifying and addressing clinicians’ misconceptions, establishing a trial period for first-hand familiarisation, and emphasising that, with a swift (e.g., 60–90 min) test, antibiotics can be started and refined after molecular diagnostic results become available.

Grooming interactions (n=83) occurring in a group of non free-ranging adult neutered male (n=14) and female (n=11) domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) were analysed. Grooming was not induced by the proximity (distance <=0.5 m) of another animal. Grooming was in general directed at the head-neck area. Higher ranking animals groomed lower ranking animals more often than the other way round. Groomers tended to adopt ‘higher’ (standing, sitting upright) postures than groomees (sitting, lying). Agonistic behaviour occurred in 35% of interactions. Groomers showed offensive behaviour more often than groomees, most often after grooming a partner. Furthermore groomers often groomed themselves after grooming a partner. The degree of relatedness of animals did not affect the frequencies or durations of grooming. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that allogrooming in domestic cats may be a way of redirecting (potential) aggression in situations in which overt aggression is too costly.

Molecular diagnostics: the best is yet to come

ABSTRACTThe present study aimed to evaluate anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in female and male Van cats. The study included six groups: prepubertal female cats, pubertal female cats, spayed female cats, prepubertal male cats, pubertal male cats and neutered male cats. A total of 42 Van cats were included in the study, with 7 cats in each group. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein of all animals, and AMH concentrations were measured from serum using the ELISA test. The highest AMH levels were observed in the prepubertal cats (p < 0.001). AMH concentrations were 14.33 ng/mL in prepubertal female cats and 31.91 ng/mL in prepubertal males (p < 0.001). In pubertal cats, AMH concentrations were 6.61 ng/mL in female cats and 10.27 ng/mL in males, with no significant difference between the sexes (p > 0.05). The lowest AMH levels were observed in neutered cats (p < 0.001). AMH concentrations were 0.109 ng/mL in spayed female cats and 0.096 ng/mL in neutered male cats, with no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the highest AMH concentrations were observed during the prepubertal period in both female cats and male cats. Furthermore, prepubertal males had significantly higher AMH levels than female cats. Measuring AMH concentrations in Van cats may help determine their reproductive status (prepubertal, pubertal or neutered).

Feline upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are among the most prevalent illnesses in domestic cats, often presenting with overlapping clinical signs regardless of the causative pathogen. Accurate identification of the etiological agent is essential for targeted therapy and improved clinical outcomes. This case report aims to describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and successful treatment of a domestic short hair cat with respiratory infection caused solely by Mycoplasma felis. A 10-month-old female domestic short hair cat from Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, presented with a one-week history of sneezing and purulent nasal discharge. Physical examination revealed conjunctivitis and fever (39.8 °C). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting common feline respiratory pathogens—Feline herpesvirus-1, Feline calicivirus, Chlamydia felis, and Mycoplasma felis (M. felis)—were conducted using nasal swabs. PCR analysis yielded a positive result only for M. felis. Hematological analysis revealed leukocytosis and marked neutrophilia, supporting the presence of bacterial infection. The cat was treated with oral doxycycline at 10 mg/kg once daily for 42 days. Clinical signs resolved progressively, and post-treatment PCR confirmed the absence of M. felis. This case highlights the importance of molecular diagnostics in feline respiratory infections and demonstrates the effectiveness of doxycycline as a first-line treatment for M. felis-associated URTI.

A 2-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat from Florida, USA, presented with a one-month history of multiple subcutaneous nodules affecting the entire body. Dermatohistopathology revealed nodular to diffuse, eosinophilic, histiocytic, and mastocytic dermatitis and panniculitis with collagen flame figures, and many nematode larvae and adults within nodules and migration tracts. The worms were morphologically consistent with Dirofilaria striata. The serum antibody test was positive for D. immitis with a negative antigen assay result (both with and without heat treatment), and microfilariae were not recovered by a modified Knott's test. PCR and sequencing of 18S rRNA and mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I genes confirmed the presence of a Dirofilaria spp. Unfortunately, there is no available reference sequence or material for D. striata for comparison. The cat was treated with monthly topical 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin. Lesions clinically resolved within one month, but new lesions appeared on different locations despite the monthly treatment. Resolution occurred without changing the treatment regimen, as no additional nodules were noted after 1 year. This Dirofilaria sp. may cause subcutaneous nodules in the domestic cat and should be included in the differential diagnosis for felines with nodular dermatitis, and is present in Florida.

High prevalence of Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 infection in haemoplasma-infected cats supports co-transmission

BackgroundPhotoperiod is known to cause physiological changes in seasonal mammals, including changes in body weight, physical activity, reproductive status, and adipose tissue gene expression in several species. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of day length on the adipose transcriptome of cats as assessed by RNA sequencing. Ten healthy adult neutered male domestic shorthair cats were used in a randomized crossover design study. During two 12-wk periods, cats were exposed to either short days (8 hr light:16 hr dark) or long days (16 hr light:8 hr dark). Cats were fed a commercial diet to maintain baseline body weight to avoid weight-related bias. Subcutaneous adipose biopsies were collected at wk 12 of each period for RNA isolation and sequencing.ResultsA total of 578 million sequences (28.9 million/sample) were generated by Illumina sequencing. A total of 170 mRNA transcripts were differentially expressed between short day- and long day-housed cats. 89 annotated transcripts were up-regulated by short days, while 24 annotated transcripts were down-regulated by short days. Another 57 un-annotated transcripts were also different between groups. Adipose tissue of short day-housed cats had greater expression of genes involved with cell growth and differentiation (e.g., myostatin; frizzled-related protein), cell development and structure (e.g., cytokeratins), and protein processing and ubiquitination (e.g., kelch-like proteins). In contrast, short day-housed cats had decreased expression of genes involved with immune function (e.g., plasminogen activator inhibitor 1; chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2; C-C motif chemokine 5; T-cell activators), and altered expression of genes associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.ConclusionsCollectively, these gene expression changes suggest that short day housing may promote adipogenesis, minimize inflammation and oxidative stress, and alter nutrient metabolism in feline adipose tissue, even when fed to maintain body weight. Although this study has highlighted molecular mechanisms contributing to the seasonal metabolic changes observed in cats, future research that specifically targets and studies these biological pathways, and the physiological outcomes that are affected by them, is justified.

To evaluate the effect of pneumoperitoneum on cardiorespiratory variables and working space during experimental induction of 3 intra-abdominal pressures (IAPs) in cats. 6 healthy young adult neutered male domestic shorthair cats. All cats were anesthetized through use of a standardized protocol. A catheter was placed in the right femoral artery for blood pressure and blood gas monitoring. A thermodilution catheter was placed in the right jugular vein via fluoroscopic guidance. Cardiopulmonary variables were measured before (baseline) and 2 and 30 minutes after initiation of pneumoperitoneum at IAPs of 4, 8, and 15 mm Hg; these were created through the use of a mechanical insufflator. At each IAP, abdominal dimensions (height, width, and circumference) were measured at a standardized location. At 4 mm Hg and 8 mm Hg IAP, no clinically important changes were identified in cardiorespiratory values. Heart rate, cardiac index, and stroke volume index remained unchanged throughout the study at all IAPs. Mean arterial blood pressure began to increase at 8 mm Hg and was significantly higher, compared with baseline, at both time points at 15 mm Hg. At 15 mm Hg, Paco2 was significantly higher and cats were more acidotic than at baseline. Working space was subjectively greater at 8 mm Hg than at 4 mm Hg IAP; however, at 15 mm Hg, no clinically important enlargement of the working space was identified, compared with at 8 mm Hg. Values of cardiopulmonary variables were largely unchanged by induction of pneumoperitoneum in healthy cats up to an IAP of 8 mm Hg, and no clinically important increases in working space were evident at an IAP of 15 versus 8 mm Hg. These findings provide little justification for use of IAPs > 8 mm Hg in healthy cats undergoing laparoscopic procedures; however, whether the situation is similar in diseased or elderly cats remains to be determined.

The initial cause of post-neutering weight gain in male cats is not entirely known. There is evidence that energy intake (EI) increases rapidly post-neutering, but it is not clear if neutering also decreases energy expenditure (EE) prior to weight gain. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if a decrease in EE contributes to the initial shift toward positive energy balance in neutered male cats. To determine the influence of neutering on EE independent of changes in EI and body weight (BW), male cats were fed at their pre-neutering maintenance EI and EE was measured at 4 days pre-neutering, 3–4 days post-neutering, and 9 days post- neutering. Ad libitum food access was then provided for 6 months. Body composition was measured and blood samples collected for serum chemistry at pre-neutering and 7 days, 13 days and 6 months post-neutering. Total energy expenditure (TEE) adjusted for lean body mass (LBM) did not change in cats from pre-neutering to 9 days post-neutering. However, TEE adjusted for BW and resting energy expenditure adjusted for either LBM or BW showed a small, but significant (P<0.05) increase from pre-neutering to 9 days post-neutering. When allowed free choice food access, cats showed significant increases of food intake (FI) and BW. Circulating concentrations of ghrelin increased, while adiponectin levels decreased following neutering. The results of this study indicate that initial post-neutering weight gain in male cats results from increased FI and not decreased EE. Long-term control of FI should be initiated after neutering to prevent hyperphagia and weight gain in male cats.

Fatty acid turnover, substrate oxidation, and heat production in lean and obese cats during the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp

The present study was amid to describe on histological, histometric and hormonal assay characteristics of the thyroid glands in suckling and adult local male cats(Felis catus)appeared the healthy. The study was conducted on ten suckling (5) and adult (5) local male cats. The histological structural of thyroid gland in suckling and adult cats was similarstatistical all histological measurements of left lobe in suckling and adult cats were higher significantly than those of the right one. The thickness of capsule, diameter of large, medium, small follicle and height of epithelium histological measurements of right and left thyroid lobes in adult cats were higher significantly then those in suckling at p &lt;0.05. these variations in may be due to the differences of studied cats.