Domestic Longhair Research Articles

Prevalence and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of commensal yeasts in the external ear canal of cats

BackgroundLifestyle factors such as hair length, the frequency of ear cleaning and bathing, age, cat rearing, and sex may contribute to opportunistic yeast infections in the external ear canal of cats. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of commensal yeast organisms in cats’ external ear canals, evaluate their predisposing lifestyle factors, and test the susceptibility of Malassezia pachydermatis to antifungal agents.ResultsA total of 53 cats (33 male and 20 female) seronegative for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus were enrolled in this study. Their mean age (± standard deviation) was 6.04 (± 3.49) years. Fungal cultures and polymerase chain reaction tests were performed to identify the yeast species derived from the external ear canal. The association between lifestyle factors and the presence of M. pachydermatis was evaluated using Fisher’s exact test. The susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to antifungal agents was also analyzed. M. pachydermatis was the most frequently recovered yeast species, with a prevalence of 50.94 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 36.84–64.94 %). There was an association between hair length and a positive culture for M. pachydermatis (p = 0.0001). The odds of a negative culture for M. pachydermatis among short-haired cats was 11.67 (95 % CI, 3.22–42.24) times higher than that among long-haired cats (p = 0.0002). There was also an association between the frequency of ear cleaning and the presence of M. pachydermatis (p = 0.007). The odds of a negative culture for M. pachydermatis in cats that were receiving ear cleaning at intervals of ≤ 2 weeks was 5.78 (95 % CI, 1.67–19.94) times greater than that of cats receiving ear cleaning at intervals greater than 2 weeks or never (p = 0.0055). Ranges of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations for itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and terbinafine against M. pachydermatis were ≤ 0.063–4 and ≤ 0.063–≥32, ≤ 0.063–8 and 0.125–≥32, ≤ 0.063–≥32 and 0.5–≥32, and ≤ 0.016–1 and 0.125–8 µg/ml, respectively.ConclusionsM. pachydermatis was the most commonly identified yeast organism in the external ear canal of healthy cats. Hair length and the frequency of ear cleaning played a role in the colonization of M. pachydermatis. The M. pachydermatis isolates had various MIC levels for common fungicides.

Rare atrioventricular septal defects in veterinary species: Complete atrioventricular septal defect in a dog and double‐outlet right atrium in a cat

AbstractCase 1: A 9‐year‐old Yorkshire terrier mix was referred for evaluation of heart failure presumed to be secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease. Case 2: A 6‐year‐old Domestic Longhair cat was referred for evaluation of heart failure presumed to be secondary to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Thoracic radiographs revealed pulmonary overcirculation suggestive of a cardiac shunt in both cases. Echocardiographic findings confirmed the diagnosis of rare atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs): complete AVSD (case 1) and double‐outlet right atrium (case 2). Complete AVSDs are rare congenital cardiac defects in veterinary species that result from inappropriate embryogenesis of the atrioventricular septum. Sequelae include congestive heart failure and possibly shunt reversal due to concomitant pulmonary hypertension. Few veterinary reports describe the natural timeline of this condition and outcomes. This report describes both a dog and cat that presented symptomatic in adulthood, were diagnosed via echocardiography and medically managed long‐term.

Gynaecomastia in a male neutered cat with an adrenal tumour and associated hyperprogesteronism, hypercortisolism and hyperaldosteronism.

Case summaryA 7-year-old male neutered domestic longhair cat was presented with chronic progressive gynaecomastia, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss and poor fur regrowth. Sexualised behavioural changes were not reported and virilisation was not present on physical examination. Pertinent haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis findings at the time of referral included mild hypokalaemia. Left adrenomegaly and mild prostatomegaly were identified on a CT scan. Evaluation of adrenal hormones with a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, serum progesterone, testosterone, oestradiol, plasma aldosterone, renin, plasma metanephrine and normetanephrine measurement supported a diagnosis of hyperprogesteronism, hyperaldosteronism and hypercortisolism. Adrenalectomy was performed and histopathology was consistent with an adrenocortical tumour. Clinical signs and hormone elevations resolved postoperatively.Relevance and novel informationTo our knowledge, this is the second report of gynaecomastia secondary to an adrenal tumour in a male neutered cat and the first associated with hyperprogesteronism.

Characteristics of Plant Eating in Domestic Cats

Simple SummaryPlant eating by domestic cats is of interest to veterinarians and cat owners. Two surveys of cat owners were launched testing important questions regarding whether plant eating: (1) is a response to the cat feeling ill; (2) induces vomiting; (3) is a means of expelling hair balls from consumed hair. Based on observations of wild felids, it was also considered that plant eating may reflect an innate predisposition acquired from the ancestral cat. This study found that very few cats showed signs of illness before eating plants. However, 27 to 37 percent of cats, respectively in the two surveys, frequently vomited after eating plants; this indicates that gastrointestinal disturbance may be related to vomiting in some cats. Young cats consumed plants more frequently than older cats and young cats also appeared ill and vomited less frequently than older cats in association with plant eating. Short-haired cats ate plants as frequently as long-haired cats, suggesting that plant eating is not for expelling hairballs. Some guidelines for cat owners with indoor cats are provided.Plant eating by domestic cats is of interest to veterinarians and cat owners, especially with the current trend to keep cats totally indoors. Feline grass gardens are commonly provided to such cats as a reflection of cat owners believing in the need or desire of cats for eating plants. Two surveys with 1000 to 2000 returns from cat owners were launched over 10 years to test different hypotheses regarding plant eating. These hypotheses are that plant eating: (1) is a response to the cat feeling ill; (2) induces vomiting; (3) is a means of expelling hair balls from consumed hair. Additionally, a perspective acquired from observations of wild felids is that plant eating reflects an innate predisposition acquired from the ancestral cat. In this study, very few cats showed signs of illness before eating plants. However, 27 to 37 percent of cats, respectively in the two surveys, frequently vomited after eating plants, indicating that gastrointestinal disturbance may be related to vomiting in some cats. Young cats consumed plants more frequently than older cats and appeared ill and vomited less frequently in association with plant eating. Short-haired cats ate plants as frequently as long-haired cats, arguing against the hairball expelling hypothesis. Some guidelines for cat owners with indoor cats are provided.

Characterization of the cutaneous mycobiota in Persian cats with severe dermatophytosis.

Persian cats are predisposed to chronic and severe dermatophytosis. Alterations to the cutaneous microbiota are one potential contributor to this predisposition. To characterise the cutaneous and environmental fungal microbiota of Persian cats with chronic, severe dermatophytosis, and to compare the fungal microbiota of cats with and without dermatophytosis. Thirty-six client-owned cats, including 26 Persian cats and 10 domestic long hair (DLH) cats. Skin and home environment swabs were collected from Persian cats with severe, chronic dermatophytosis as well as groups of healthy control cats (Persian and DLH). Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region was performed in addition to ITS1 quantitative PCR and fungal culture. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) targeting the fungal ITS region detected Microsporum sp. DNA from all Persian cats diagnosed with dermatophytosis and from environmental samples of their homes. A significant difference in community structure was identified between cases and controls, largely resulting from the Microsporum spp. DNA in samples from affected cats. Persian cats with dermatophytosis do not exhibit decreased fungal diversity. NGS failed to identify dermatophyte DNA on two culture-positive asymptomatic Persian controls and identified Trichophyton rubrum DNA from a culture-negative asymptomatic Persian control. Aside from M.canis, our results indicate that an underlying fungal dysbiosis is not likely to play a role in development of dermatophytosis in Persian cats. Other explanations for predisposition to this disease, such as a primary immunodeficiency, ineffective grooming or unique features of Persian cat hair should be investigated.

Absence of known feline MYH7 and MYBPC3 variants in a diverse cohort of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of heart disease in the domestic cat with a genetic predisposition in a few breeds. In the Maine Coon and Ragdoll breeds, two variants associated with the HCM phenotype have been identified in the cardiac myosin binding protein C gene (MYBPC3; p.Ala31Pro and p.Arg820Trp respectively), and a single variant has been identified in the myosin heavy chain gene (MYH7; p.Glu1883Lys) in one domestic cat with HCM. It is not known if these variants influence the development of HCM in other cohorts of the feline population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of the known MYBPC3 and MYH7 variants in a population of cats with HCM. DNA was isolated from samples collected from non-Ragdoll and non-Maine Coon domestic cats diagnosed with HCM through the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and genotyped for the three variants. One-hundred and three DNA samples from cats with HCM were evaluated from domestic shorthair, domestic longhair and purebred cats. All samples were wt for the MYBPC3 and MYH7 variants. Although this study was limited by its inclusion of cats from one tertiary hospital, the lack of these MYBPC3 and MYH7 variants in this feline HCM population indicates that the clinical utility of genetic testing for these variants may be isolated to the two cat breeds in which these variants have been identified. Further studies to identify the causative variants for the feline HCM population are warranted.

Facial conformation characteristics in Persian and Exotic Shorthair cats.

ObjectivesThe primary objectives of the study were to examine the diversity in facial conformation characteristics within a group of Persian (PER) and Exotic Shorthair (EXO) show cats, and to contrast the results to findings within a group of non-purebred domestic shorthair (DSH) and domestic longhair (DLH) cats. The secondary objectives were to determine the PER/EXO show cat owners’ perceptions of the breathing status of their cats, and to evaluate if remarks from the cat show judges concerning the cats’ head and facial conformation were exclusively related to the aesthetic features of the cats.MethodsSixty-four PER and 12 EXO show cats were prospectively examined at five international cat shows, and 20 DSH/DLH cats were examined at an animal hospital. Facial conformation characteristics were evaluated by examining photos of the cats. Owners of the PER/EXO show cats answered a questionnaire concerning their cats’ health status, and they were encouraged to send in the judges’ score sheets from the cat shows.ResultsThe PER/EXO show cats had higher diversity in facial conformation characteristics than the DSH/DLH cats, and high incidences of hypoplasia of the nose leather (95%), the nose leather top positioned above the level of the lower eyelid (93%), moderate-to-severe stenotic nares (86%), epiphora (83%) and entropion (32%). Owners of 6/76 PER/EXO show cats stated that their cat had increased respiratory sounds and/or trouble breathing at least once a week. The cat show judges’ written comments were exclusively related to aesthetic features of the cats’ head and facial conformation details.Conclusions and relevanceHypoplasia of the nose leather, high position of the nose leather top, stenotic nares, epiphora and entropion were common findings in the PER/EXO show cats but not in the DSH/DLH cats. Few of the cat owners perceived that their cat had problems related to the airways.

Prevalence of coliform bacterial contamination in cat drinking water in households in Thailand.

Background and Aim:Bacterial contamination of drinking water is a leading cause of gastrointestinal infections. Cats may be at risk of water contamination from feces due to poor sanitation and hygiene. The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate the prevalence of coliform bacteria in cat drinking water and (2) identify possible risk factors leading to contamination.Materials and Methods:Fifty-five drinking water samples were collected from water containers used by cats (median age [range]: 5 years [8 months-15 years]) at their home. Using a sterile syringe, 50 mL water was collected directly from water containers. The water samples were stored in coliform enhancement media for 24 h and then submitted for bacterial culture.Results:The prevalence of fecal coliform contamination of cat drinking water was 67.27% (37/55; 95% confidence interval: 53.29-79.32%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of coliform bacterial contamination of drinking water by age or gender of the cat or by water container type. However, bacterial contamination differed significantly between shorthaired cats and longhaired cats when comparing Escherichia coli (9/44 [20.45%] vs. 8/11 [72.72%], p<0.001) and Enterobacter spp. (16/44 [36.36%] vs. 9/11 [81.82%], p=0.007). For water that had been in a container longer than 12 h, there were significantly more contaminated tap water samples (16/19 [84.21%]) than contaminated processed water samples (9/17 [52.94%], p=0.047).Conclusion:Coliform contamination in cat drinking water is common and occurs more often in households with longhaired cats. Drinking water for cats should be changed every 12 h, especially for households using tap water.

Diabetes mellitus and anterior uveitis secondary to the systemic effects of a functional adrenal tumour in a cat

A 10-year-old, neutered male domestic longhair (DLH) cat presented for evaluation of cloudiness in the anterior chamber of both eyes. He was diagnosed with anterior uveitis, chorioretinitis and systemic hypertension....

Nasopharyngeal stenosis treated with mechanical dilatation in a domestic longhair cat

A seven-year-old domestic longhair cat was referred with a history of recurrent stertor following conservative treatment. Nasopharyngoscopy showed a stenosis with an opening of 2 mm, which was dilated with cotton buds of increasing size. Histopathology of the stenosed tissues revealed chronic active inflammation. Dilatation relieved the clinical signs for four years before recurrence. The same procedure was repeated after the stenosis recurred, but the improvement lasted for only two weeks. At that point, a ‘balloon dilatation’ was performed using a Foley catheter. At the time of writing of this paper, the cat is still clinically normal (six months postprocedure).

Draft Genome Sequence of a Mycobacterium porcinum Strain Isolated from a Pet Cat with Atypical Mycobacterial Panniculitis.

A fast-growing Mycobacterium species was cultured from draining, purulent lesions on the caudal abdomen of a 12-year-old male domestic long-haired cat. Whole-genome sequencing identified the organism as Mycobacterium porcinum.

Acute hemolytic reaction due to A‐B mismatched transfusion in a cat with transient AB blood type

To document a case of transient AB blood type indicated by immunochromatography in a type B cat following administration of an incompatible type A transfusion. A 7-month-old neutered male domestic longhair cat was evaluted for anemia, pigmenturia, and intravascular hemolysis 1 day after receiving a feline whole blood transfusion. Neither blood donor nor patient had been blood-typed or crossmatched. The cat presented in shock with a severe non-regenerative anemia, hyperlactatemia, hyperbilirubinemia, hemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria, and a positive saline slide agglutination test. Immunochromatographic blood typing tests initially indicated the cat had type AB blood, but crossmatch tests with blood from type A and type B donors suggested that the cat was type B. The cat was transfused with type B packed red blood cells without apparent complications and clinically improved. The cat's blood type reverted to type B once all the previously transfused type A cells were cleared from circulation. Furthermore, the original donor was subsequently identified as a Siamese cat and confirmed to have type A blood. While the cause of the original anemia remained unknown, the cat completely recovered and regained a normal hematocrit. This is the first documented report of transient AB blood type diagnosed using immunochromatography after a transfusion mismatch and shows the utility of crossmatching or back-typing to identify the cat's correct blood type during the hemolytic transfusion reaction.

Comparison of subclinical dermatophyte infection in short- and long-haired cats.

Background and Aim:Long-haired cats may have an increased risk of dermatophytosis due to insufficient grooming and their thick hair coat trapping fungal spores. The prevalence of subclinical dermatophytosis in long-haired cats was evaluated using fungal culture and Wood’s lamp test. Hematology and blood chemistry results were compared between cats negative and positive for dermatophytosis.Materials and Methods:A total of 127 cats (median age, 3 years [range, 10 months-10 years]) without feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus infection were classified into short-haired (n=64) and long-haired (n=63) groups. Hair samples were cultured on a fungal culture medium (dermatophyte test medium, enhanced sporulation agar, and Sabouraud agar).Results:The prevalence of dermatophytosis in short-haired and long-haired cats was 6.25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.15-12.28) and 34.92% (95% CI, 22.94-46.90), respectively. The odds of long-haired cats having dermatophytosis were 8.05 (95% CI, 2.44-33.97) times greater than that in short-haired cats. The number of positive dermatophytosis found in domestic short-haired cats (2/50, 4.0%) was significantly lower than that in Persian cats (17/47, 36.17%; p<0.001) and long-haired mixed breed cats (3/7, 42.86%; p=0.011). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the Wood’s lamp test for diagnosing Microsporum canis infection were 37.5% (95% CI, 21.2-57.3%) and 96.1% (95% CI, 90.4-98.5%), respectively. Cats with dermatophytosis had significantly lower hematocrit and serum albumin levels than cats without dermatophytosis.Conclusion:Subclinical dermatophytosis was more common in long-haired cats; therefore, dermatophyte examinations should be performed routinely.

Морфологические особенности общего покрова у длинноволосых пород кошачьих

The article presents a comparative characteristic of the skin in long-haired cat breeds based on the use of morphological research methods, including anatomical preparation, light microscopy of histological sections, micromorphometry and statistical analysis of the obtained digital data. The general patterns and breed characteristics of the skin in long-haired cats have been established, taking into account its anatomical and topographic features. An inverse relationship was found between the thickness of the epidermis and the thickness of the hair cover in the studied animals, regardless of breed. The specific glomerular design of collagen structures of the dermis was established in all long-haired cat breeds. It has been shown that the depth of the hair follicles and the density of the hair are determined by the topical features of the skin.

Investigation of relationships between body weight and age among domestic cats stratified by breed and sex.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate mean body weight (BW) over the lifespan of domestic cats stratified by breed and sex (including reproductive status [neutered vs sexually intact]). ANIMALS 19,015,888 cats. PROCEDURES Electronic medical records from veterinary clinics in the United States and Canada from 1981 to 2016 were collected through links to practice management software programs and anonymized. Age, breed, sex and reproductive status, and BW measurements and measurement dates were recorded. Data were cleaned, and descriptive statistics were determined. Linear regression models were created with data for 8-year-old domestic shorthair, medium hair, and longhair (SML) cats to explore changes in BW over 3 decades (represented by the years 1995, 2005, and 2015). RESULTS 9,886,899 of 19,015,888 (52%) cats had only 1 BW on record. Mean BW for cats of the 4 most common recognized breeds (Siamese, Persian, Himalayan, and Maine Coon Cat) peaked between 6 and 10 years of age and then declined. Mean BW of SML cats peaked at 8 years and was subjectively higher for neutered than for sexually intact cats. Mean BW of neutered 8-year-old SML cats increased between 1995 and 2005 but was steady between 2005 and 2015. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The large dataset for this study yielded useful information on mean BW over the lifespan of domestic cats. This could be a basis for BW management discussions during veterinary visits. A low frequency of repeated BW measurements suggested a low frequency of repeated veterinary visits, especially after 1 year of age, making engagement of cat owners in the health of their animals particularly relevant.

Feline coronavirus-associated myocarditis in a domestic longhair cat

Case summaryA 9-month-old entire male domestic longhair indoor cat presented with a 3-week history of fluctuating fever, weight loss and small intestine diarrhoea, which was unresponsive to antibiotics and supportive treatment. Abdominal ultrasound revealed severe jejunal and ileocolic junction intestinal wall thickening with loss of layering. An enterectomy was performed and histopathology revealed severe pyogranulomatous enteritis with vasculitits, compatible with the diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Four days after surgery, the cat re-presented with anorexia and acute onset of expiratory dyspnoea. Echocardiography showed left ventricular hypertrophy and bilateral atrial enlargement. Congestive heart failure caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was suspected and treatment with furosemide was started, which led to amelioration of the clinical signs. The following day, four-limb ataxia, hypermetria and bilateral uveitis were evident. Given the persistent anorexia and worsening of the clinical signs, the cat was humanely euthanized and a post-mortem examination was performed. Necropsy revealed multifocal pyogranulomatous lesions involving multiple organs (adrenal glands, kidneys, lungs, brain, myocardium, lymph nodes, liver), compatible with the diagnosis of FIP. Immunohistochemistry performed on the myocardium revealed feline coronavirus-positive macrophages associated with pyogranulomatous lesions, justifying a diagnosis of feline coronavirus-associated myocarditis.Relevance and novel informationTo the authors’ knowledge, the case described here represents the first published report of feline coronavirus-associated myocarditis. This should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in cats presenting with cardiac-related signs and other clinical signs compatible with FIP.

Cardiac Leiomyosarcoma in a Cat Presenting for Bilateral Renal Neoplasia

A 10-year-old neutered female domestic longhair cat was presented to a tertiary care veterinary hospital for evaluation of a right renal mass that was identified incidentally on abdominal radiographs and classified further as a sarcoma based on fine needle aspiration cytology. Further diagnostic workup, including ultrasound and cytology, identified a sarcoma in the left kidney. After approximately 1 month of conservative medical management, the clinical condition deteriorated and the cat was humanely destroyed. Post-mortem examination confirmed bilateral renal masses with multifocal infarction and extensive necrosis, and further identified a large mass at the apex of the heart as well as multiple pulmonary nodules. Microscopical examination of the masses identified a population of poorly-differentiated neoplastic spindle cells, consistent with sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells expressed smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin, but were negative for myoglobin and factor VIII. Phosphotungstic acid-haematoxylin staining was unable to identify cross-striations in the neoplastic cells. Based on these results and the pattern of lesion distribution, the cat was diagnosed with cardiac leiomyosarcoma with pulmonary and bilateral renal metastasis.

Retrospective study of the relative frequency of feline hepatobiliary disease in New Zealand based on 10 years of hepatic biopsy samples

AimsTo retrospectively determine the relative frequency of feline hepatobiliary diseases from biopsy specimens submitted to a single laboratory across a 10-year period and to establish whether age, sex or breed...

Use of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass device for treatment of bilateral proximal ureteral injury in a 9-month-old cat.

Case summaryA 9-month-old male domestic longhair cat presented following iatrogenic ureteral trauma after an attempted laparoscopic ovariectomy. Prior to identifying that the cat was male, both ureters were transected approximately 4 mm from the renal pelves. Initial management involved a left-sided Boari flap neoureterocystostomy, cystonephropexy and right ureteronephrectomy. Thirty-six hours later, the cat developed uroabdomen due to leakage from the neoureterocystostomy site. At a tertiary referral institution, the ureter was reconstructed via end-to-end anastomosis and a left-sided subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) device was placed in the event the anastomosis failed. Five weeks after SUB placement, the cat was dysuric and stranguric. A urine culture was negative and clinical signs were attributed to sterile cystitis secondary to device placement. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was 22 mg/dl and creatinine was 1.2 mg/dl. Contrast pyelography confirmed device patency, but no contrast was identified through the ureteral anastomosis. At 12 months, BUN and creatinine were 1.5 mg/dl and 25 mg/dl, respectively, and a subclinical urinary tract infection was identified (Enterococcus faecalis). Antibiotic therapy was not prescribed in order to prevent multidrug resistance. At 42 months, BUN was 38 mg/dl and creatinine was 2.0 mg/dl. The cat had occasional and intermittent signs of pollakiuria and stranguria but was otherwise doing well.Relevance and novel informationTo our knowledge, this is the first case report to describe the use of a SUB device for management of traumatic proximal ureteral injury in a cat with one kidney. The case outcome provides valuable information about the direct effect of the SUB device and the presence of chronic Enterococcus species infection on long-term renal function.

When Neglect Isn’t Working Anymore: The Unlikely Success of the Tuxedo Party

Abstract In 2012, Tuxedo Stan, a domestic long-hair cat, “ran for mayor” of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a year later Stan’s brother, Earl Grey, “ran for premier” of Nova Scotia. What separated Stan and Earl Grey (who ran under the banner of the Tuxedo Party) from other politically minded felines was that the Tuxedo Party campaigns were not stunt or joke campaigns. While the cats could obviously not take office, the two campaigns were nonetheless political advocacy campaigns, with a clearly articulated message to make life better for feral and stray cats. This paper argues that the Tuxedo Party successfully elevated the issue onto the political agenda through their savvy mix of social media, and the use of positive imagery of cats in their campaigns.