British Shorthair Cat Research Articles

Cardiology: Incomplete atrioventricular canal defect in a British Blue Shorthair cat

Cardiology: Incomplete atrioventricular canal defect in a British Blue Shorthair cat

Diaphragmatic hernia in a cat mimicking a pulmonary mass

A seven-year-old castrated British shorthair cross cat was presented for coughing of five-weeks duration. Thoracic radiographs and an unguided bronchoalveolar lavage showed changes consistent with inflammatory airway disease. In addition, a soft tissue density was evident in the thoracic films between the heart and the diaphragm. Exploratory thoracotomy demonstrated a diaphragmatic hernia, probably congenital in origin, with incarceration of a portion of the hepatic parenchyma. The herniated portion of liver was resected surgically and the defect in the diaphragm closed. The cat was given a 10-day course of doxycycline post-operatively and the cough did not recur subsequently. In retrospect, the hernia was potentially an incidental problem, the cat's coughing being attributable to inflammatory airway disease.

Frequencies of feline blood types in Hungary.

Feline blood group determination is done as a routine diagnostic method in numerous countries. Blood transfusion reactions and feline neonatal isoerythrolysis (FNI) can be avoided with the identification of different feline blood groups. The present study is the first investigation in Hungary during which 100 cats have been examined from all over the country. These cats were out of six breeds: European domestic shorthair, Persian mix, Persian, Abyssinian, Siamese and British shorthair. In the Hungarian feline population European domestic shorthair are most common but other breeds also occur. European domestic shorthair, Persian mix, Abyssianian, Siamese and British shorthair individuals all belonged to blood type A (100%). Blood type B was found very rarely and only in Persian cats. One-third of the Persian cats were categorised into blood type B, whilst type AB was not found during the study.

Lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis: clinical findings from 21 eyes in 13 cats.

The clinical and, where available, histologic features of lesions fitting a previous description of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis were reviewed retrospectively from a series of cats. ANIMALS STUDIES: Thirteen cats (21 eyes) with lesions consistent with a diagnosis of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis were seen over a 4-year period in a referral practice in southern Australia. Affected cats ranged in age from 6 to 16 years (mean 11.2 +/- 3.6 years). Twelve cats were domestic shorthair or longhair cats and one was a British shorthair cat. Five cats were white, four were bicolor, two were orange tabby and two were dilute orange tabby. Lesions were always found in the palpebral conjunctiva, adjacent to the eyelid margin. They affected upper eyelids only in five cases, and upper plus lower eyelids in eight cases. Lesions were bilateral in eight cases. Lesions were excised in eight cases, with resolution of associated irritation and no signs of lesion recurrence during a 4- to 21-month follow-up period. Histologic features of tissues excised from surgically treated cases were consistent with a previous report of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis and with descriptions of chalazia. A possible role of actinic radiation in the etiopathogenesis of lesions is discussed.

Feline polycystic kidney disease in Persian and other cats: a prospective study using ultrasonography.

To determine the prevalence of feline polycstic kidney disease in Persian cats presented to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital between February and August 1999. A prospective clinical study using client owned animals was performed. Two hundred and fifty Persian cats, ranging in age from 13 weeks to 10 years, were presented to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital for ultrasound examination of both kidneys. The cats were placed in dorsal and lateral recumbency and alcohol and ultrasonic coupling gel were applied to the skin. The kidneys were examined ultrasonographically in longitudinal, sagittal and transverse planes. Results were recorded for each cat at the time of examination as either negative or positive for PKD. In addition 14 Exotics (short-haired Persians), 4 Ragdolls and 3 British Short-Hair cats were examined. Forty five percent of Persian cats examined were found to be positive for feline polycystic kidney disease on the basis of presence of anechoic cysts within the renal parenchyma. These cats ranged in age from 13 weeks to 10 years. Fifty per cent of the Exotic cats were positive for polycystic kidney disease whereas all Ragdolls and British Short Hairs were negative for the disease. Only one positive cat was reported to be showing clinical signs of renal disease. The prevalence of feline polycstic disease in Persian cats presented to the University of Melbourne between February and August 1999 was 45%. Exotic cats were found to have the slightly higher incidence of 50%.

Association between patient-related factors and risk of calcium oxalate and magnesium ammonium phosphate urolithiasis in cats.

To determine whether breed, age, sex, or reproductive status (i.e., neutered versus sexually intact) was associated with the apparent increase in prevalence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths and the decrease in prevalence of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) uroliths in cats over time. Case-control study. Case cats consisted of cats with CaOx (n = 7,895) or MAP (7,334) uroliths evaluated at the Minnesota Urolith Center between 1981 and 1997. Control cats consisted of cats without urinary tract disease admitted to veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States and Canada during the same period (150,482). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Foreign Shorthair, Havana Brown, Himalayan, Persian, Ragdoll, and Scottish Fold cats had an increased risk of developing CaOx uroliths, as did male cats and neutered cats. Chartreux, domestic shorthair, Foreign Shorthair, Himalayan, Oriental Shorthair, and Ragdoll cats had an increased risk of developing MAP uroliths, as did female cats and neutered cats. Cats with CaOx uroliths were significantly older than cats with MAP uroliths. Results suggest that changes in breed, age, sex, or reproductive status did not contribute to the apparent reciprocal relationship between prevalences of CaOx and MAP uroliths in cats during a 17-year period. However, cats of particular breeds, ages, sex, and reproductive status had an increased risk of developing CaOx and MAP uroliths.

A case of feline primary hypoadrenocorticism

A 2-year-old entire female British Shorthair cat was referred to the University of Bristol for investigation of lethargy, weakness, constipation and hypothermia. Clinical examination revealed a profoundly weak, hypovolaemic and hypothermic cat. Serum biochemistry revealed hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia and hyperphosphataemia and the urine was isosthenuric. Lack of response to exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone confirmed a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. Treatment consisted initially of intravenous fluid therapy and subsequently a combination of fludrocortisone and prednisolone per os. At follow-up, 20 months after the initial diagnosis the cat remained stable and free of clinical signs.

British technical intelligence and the Soviet intermediate range ballistic missile threat, 1952–60

This article looks at the shifting intricacies of British assessments of the Soviet IRBM threat to the United Kingdom during the 1950s. Based on JIC, Cabinet and Air Ministry records of the period, as well as political memoirs, it looks at the assessments in parallel with the development of the British Blue Streak nuclear ballistic missile programme. This land‐based weapon was eventually cancelled in April 1960 on strategic not cost grounds, too early in this author's opinion.

Distribution of Feline Blood Types Detected in the Copenhagen Area of Denmark

The purpose of the present study was to make the first survey of the distribution of feline AB blood types in the Copenhagen area of Denmark. A total of 244 cats (139 purebred cats and 105 Domestic Shorthair cats) were tested. 93% of all tested cats had blood type A. Neither an AB nor an O type cat was detected and thus, the frequency of blood type B among all tested cats was 7%. Most type B cats were purebred cats (Birman, British Shorthair and Persian cats). No association between sex and blood type could be demonstrated among British Shorthair and Persian cats. Thus, the present study indicates that cats in Denmark predominantly have blood type A, and that blood type B cats are rare, except for certain breeds such as Birman and British Shorthair cats.

Factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B) in a family of British shorthair cats

Factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B) in a family of British shorthair cats