Juvenile Cat Research Articles

Ovariohysterectomy as a potential trigger for acquired skin fragility syndrome in a juvenile cat

Ovariohysterectomy as a potential trigger for acquired skin fragility syndrome in a juvenile cat

Nasal hyperkeratosis in a juvenile Bengal cat: the first case report in Japan

Nasal hyperkeratosis in a juvenile Bengal cat: the first case report in Japan

Acquired Skin Fragility Syndrome in a Juvenile Cat Following a Routine Ovariohysterectomy

Background: Acquired skin fragility syndrome (ASFS) is a rare condition, which is characterized by spontaneous fragility of the skin and an absence of hyperextensibility. Even though the real pathogenesis of ASFS remains unknown that is reported generally with some iatrogenic causes and severe diseases. Thus, based on the clinical findings this is the first report of describes the case and treatment of feline acquired skin fragility syndrome following a routine ovariohysterectomy.Case: An 8-month-old domestic shorthair female cat was brought to the Siirt University Animal Health Application and Research Center for ovariohysterectomy operation. Before the operation physical examination of the animal revealed body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, the color of mucosas, and lymph nodes were determined normally. Besides, there is no hematological and biochemical problem detected. The cat had no previous history of several infections or systemic disease. A routine ovariohysterectomy procedure was applied under general anesthesia and the cat was discharged on the same day. Three days after that a spontaneously developed cutaneous laceration below the left scapular region was determined by the cat owner. During the clinical examination, it was determined that the cat was sensitive to touch against the left scapular area. Multiple spontaneous skin tear was revealed over the left scapular region while shaving for better inspection but did not obtain any problem with incision line. To identify the underlying cause of skin tearing, hematological and biochemical tests were done but the animal’s results were found within the normal references. Also, rapid blood tests were performed for feline leukemia virus and immunodeficiency virus, and none of them were positive. Additionally, the skin was not hyperextensible. Although the clinicopathological abnormalities were observed on the skin, there were no abnormalities in the vital signs of the cat. Based on the clinical status of the cat, daily regular wound cleaning and a wet-to-dry bandage were applied for two weeks. Skin therapy based on the use of dexpanthenol, vitamin E, and vitamin C with zinc was preferred to improve skin health. All lesions on the skin of the cat completely recovered and a follow-up visit for several weeks was recommended to the cat owner.Discussion: There have been reports that acquired skin fragility syndrome may be related to hepatic diseases, some feline viral infections, hyperadrenocorticism, or use of a long time progestational drugs. Also, acquired skin fragility syndrome can be seen in a congenital disorder known as cutaneous asthenia which is described generally in young cats. Cutaneous asthenia and acquired skin fragility syndrome are difficult to distinguish from each other even though histological examination was made. Although the cat in this report is young, there was no history of skin problems and skin hyperextensible until presentation. No specific treatment protocol described for this skin problem has been reported. Moreover, vitamins and minerals may be used for wound treatment and strengthening the skin. Ovariohysterectomy is the most common surgical technique used for sterilization of cats however; it can cause some complications, such as acute stress. Unfortunately, the exact etiology is not detected in this case report but it is thought to be that stress of ovariohysterectomy might be triggered to spontaneous skin tearing.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in the abdomen and thoracic wall of a juvenile cat

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in the abdomen and thoracic wall of a juvenile cat

Histopathological effects of tobacco leaf extract on juvenile African catfish muscle


 
 
 In Subsahara Africa, most indigenous small and medium scale catfish farmers have relied on the effectiveness of tobacco leave (Nicotiana tobacum) to treat ponds before stocking. Nicotiana tobacum in solution eliminates microbes and toxins which can be harmful to fish health. As a follow up, it is necessary to investigate if a left over minute concentration, has adverse effect on aquatic health. For this reason, the effect of ethanol extracts of Nicotiana tobacum leaf on the histopathology of muscles of juvenile fresh water Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) was investigated. The fish were acclimated for 14 days. Sublethal concentrations (0.25 mg/l, 0.50 mg/l, 0.75 mg/l, 1.00 mg/l and 1.25 mg/l) of ethanol leaf extract of Nicotiana tobacum in aqueous media were prepared. Each aquarium had 10 juveniles of mean length 6.9 ± 0.62 cm. After initial acclimation, the fish was exposed to the media for 96 hours. Histopathological micrograph of the catfish muscle tissue exposed to sublethal concentrations of Nicotiana tobacum indicate breakage of myofibrils, disintegrated myotomes, bunding of myotomes, lesions, hemorrhage and tissue inflammation. Preliminary Scanning electron microscopy of the ethanol extract of Nicotiana tobacum leaves showed the micro surface structure (morphology) and elemental composition of the extract. Results obtained from this work indicate that Nicotiana tobacum used as a biological control to eradicating predators and unwanted organisms in the ponds by local farmers in place of agrochemicals, if not controlled can exact varying degree of negative histopathological effect on the muscles of juvenile African cat fish, Clarias gariepinus.
 
 

Homotherium from Middle Pleistocene archaeological and carnivore den sites of Germany – Taxonomy, taphonomy and a revision of the Schöningen, West Runton and other saber-tooth cat sites

Abstract Four new saber-tooth cat ( Homotherium ) sites in Germany with new dental and postcranial bone material are different in their taphonomic context: 1. The Archaeological Middle Palaeolithic (MIS 9e-Interglacial) Schoningen Lake site with remains of a cub carcass, 2. The Middle Palaeolithic (MIS 5e-9) Archaeological/cave bear den site of Balve Cave yielding a lower canine tooth of an older individual, 3. The Zoolithen Cave (MIS 3–9) cave bear/hyena den with one distal half humerus of an adult, 4. The Ketsch open air Rhine River terrace site which has provided another distal humerus of an adult saber-tooth cat. Whereas only the Schoningen site is precisely dated as Holsteinian Interglacial (approx. 330.000–315.000 BP), all other material seems to come from the same Middle Pleistocene warm period, or few younger Saalian interstadials (MIS 7a, e) deposits, and did not extend over the last MIS 7 glacial into the Late Pleistocene. Homotherium as hyena-like slow moving cat seems to have disappeared within the Saalian due to competition with other scavengers like Ice Age spotted and brown hyenas ( Crocuta crocuta praespelaea/ultima and Pachycrocuta brunnea mosbachensis ). The juvenile saber-tooth cat cub from Schoningen might be in archaeological context or represent only a carnivore kill. At the Zoolithen Cave, the single bone must have been imported into a hyena prey bone assemblage. The situation is possibly similar at the two other sites Ketsch and Balve Cave. The formerly described Schoningen “saber-tooth cat” humerus is revised, such as other opposite as lion humeri described material from different European sites. The presence of the well-developed supracondylar ridge distinguishes Homotherium well from Middle/Late Pleistocene lions Panthera leo (e.g. spelaea, fossilis ). The Schoningen lion humrus has been chew-cut first most probably by a stripped hyena whose cutting scissor teeth produced a diagonal bite cut and P 4 /M 1 impact marks around the trochlea. 1–2 mm small, mostly triangular-oval bite marks on the lion humerus shaft compacta results from a second scavenger and not from “Neanderthal tool use”. Those bite mark sizes are produced mainly of the upper molar teeth of a the red wolf Cuon alpinus subsp. (or small fox Vulpes praecorsac ), which were present in the region within the Holsteinian/Saalian.

Development and Performance Evaluation of an Automatic Fish Feeder

Aquaculture, the process of raising aquatic animals in ponds, is gaining more attention in recent times. The feeding system is an important aspect of aquacultural practice. A simple, relatively inexpensive automatic fish feeder was designed, constructed and evaluated. The operation of the feeder does not require highly technical expertise. This paper reports the design considerations, materials used and the effectiveness of the device, based on analysis of manual feeding and automatic feeding. The main features of the device are: hopper (stainless steel), bi-directional motor, feed platform and electrical control box. The design was based on specific parameters which included capacity of culture tank, stocking density, fish biomass, diameter of the feed, angle of repose and bulk density (of the feed). The total cost of the device was 17,000 naira (approx. 106 U.S. dollars). The device was tested under two culture tanks (0.75 m3 each) with 10 kg-33 juvenile cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) placed in each tank with one feeding automatically and the other, manually. The feeder evaluation was based on feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feeding efficiency (FE). The total average gain in weight per fish was higher in the automatic feeding (89.50 g) than in manual (78.50 g). An FE of 20.9% was obtained in the automatic feeding and 18.6% in manual, in relation to their FCRs. A t-test, conducted at 5% significance level, indicated a significant difference in the two feeding methods.

A feline anaesthetic death associated with equipment incompatibility.

A juvenile cat was anaesthetised for ovariohysterectomy. After intubation, the endotracheal tube was connected to an end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) in-line adapter and then to a non-rebreathing anaesthetic system. Immediately on connection to the non-rebreathing system, the patient developed abdominal distension. The endotracheal tube was removed and found to be supplying a continuous flow of oxygen while connected to the ETCO2 monitor adapter and rebreathing system. The adapter was removed from the rebreathing line and the endotracheal tube re-inserted. Despite resuscitation attempts, the cat died. Necropsy revealed barotrauma to the lungs and separation of the diaphragm from the dorsal body wall, with retroperitoneal gas accumulation. Close inspection of the gas delivery system revealed the creation of a plastic-to-plastic seal between the internal fresh gas pipe of the non-rebreathing system and the ETCO2 adapter, preventing overflow of excess gas. Careful assessment of equipment compatibility before every anaesthetic event is essential.

Fatal pneumonia caused by Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) in a juvenile cat recovered from an animal hoarding incident

The current study describes isolation of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) from a juvenile male cat that died after being rescued from an animal hoarding incident. Grossly, there was evidence of pneumonia and renal abscessation. Histologically, there was diffuse interstitial pneumonia with necrosis and necrotizing and suppurative nephritis with colonies of coccobacilli. Within the lung, kidney, and mesentery there was necrotizing and suppurative vasculitis with thrombosis and coccobacilli. E. coli strain belonging to serotype O6:H1 that carried many of the virulence genes associated with ExPEC was isolated from the lung and kidney. The cat was part of a community of approximately 60 cats that lived in a house in a residential neighborhood, in which multiple cats had died. The case was of major significance to public health, as first responders, animal health professionals, and other community members were likely exposed to ExPEC, which is known to have zoonotic potential. It is important that pet owners, animal health and public health professionals, and first responders be made aware of the potential for zoonotic diseases.

Evaluation of the immune responses induced by four targeted DNA vaccines encoding the juvenile liver fluke antigen, cathepsin B in a mouse model

BackgroundLiver fluke can infect cattle and sheep, and is also emerging as a human pathogen in developing countries. Cathepsin B (Cat B2) is a major cysteine protease secreted by the juvenile flukes. To enhance the immune responses of Cat B2, the cDNA sequence was fused with four different DNA vaccine vectors. The induced cellular and antibody responses were compared in vaccinated mice.MethodsThe following recombinant DNA vaccine constructs were constructed: empty vector VR1012 as negative control, cytoplasmic construct pVR1012 Cat B2, secretory construct pVR1020 Cat B2, chemokine-fused construct pMCP3 Cat B2 and lymph node targeting construct pCTLA-4 Cat B2. Plasmids were constructed using standard procedures, and positive constructs screened and selected using restriction digestion analysis followed by sequence analysis. The constructs were then tested in Cos-7 cells for in vitro expression, which was analysed using immunoblotting. Subsequently, female BALB/c mice were immunised with DNA constructs as vaccines. Elicited antibody responses were measured using ELISA. The ratio between IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses was estimated among different vaccine groups. IgG antibody avidity assay was performed and the relative avidity index was calculated. The induced cytokine production from splenocytes of vaccinated animals was estimated using ELISPOT.ResultsDNA vaccine constructs carrying Cat B2 were expressed in Cos-7 cell lines and encoded protein was recognised using western blotting using rat anti- cathepsin B antibody. DNA vaccines elicited high Cat B2- specific IgG, IgG1, IgE and also modest IgG2a antibody responses. Cat B2 specific IL-4 T cell responses were also observed in Cat B2 vaccinated mice. The comparison of immunogenic potential in each of these constructs was demonstrated as enhanced antibody responses on the lymph-node targeting vector pCTLA-4 Cat B2, the high antibody avidity of chemo-attractant pMCP3 Cat B2 and stronger T cellular responses of non-secretory DNA vaccine pVR1012 Cat B2 in vaccinated animals.ConclusionThis study showed that the targeting DNA vaccine strategies enhanced specific immune responses to juvenile fluke Cat B2. The results of our current study have demonstrated that a gene-based vaccine as an immunotherapeutic approach to combat Fasciola infection may be feasible.

Health implications of harmful algal blooms in tank culture of catfish

Health implications of harmful algal bloom in tank culture of Clarias gariepinus were investigated to ascertain its possible effects on fish by application of commonly used organic manure for pond fertilization. Poultry droppings, cow dung and excess feeding were used to generate algal blooms in tanks A, B and C respectively with tanks held in a static non-renewal bioassay and tank D (control) in static renewal bioassay. Ten juvenile cat fish introduced into the tanks were fed twice daily. Water samples were collected weekly from all tanks and analyzed by microscopy for presence of algae and water quality parameters. Algal bloom was observed in tanks A and B while blooms were not found in Tanks C and D. Algal species identified were Anabaena, Volvox, Phacus, Euglena, Spirogyra, Chlamydomonas, Synedra, Mallomones, Oscillatoria, Ceratium, Dinoflagellates, Cladophora, and Microcystis. Similar species with significantly higher (P≥ 0.05) number of algae/ ml was observed in tanks A and B than in C and D. The duo of Anabaena and Chlamydomonas blooms had the highest number of algae/ ml in tanks A and B respectively. Fish kills and algae die off were observed in tanks A and B as well as oxygen depletion also in tank C except in control. Dissolved oxygen level was significantly reduced (P ≥0.05) in tanks A and B when compared tanks C and D. Turbidity levels followed an increasing sequence of tanks D < C < A < B. Temperature and pH in treatment tanks were not significantly different from control. This study has shown that using poultry droppings for pond fertilization can encourage harmful algal bloom. There is a need to assess and monitor algal growth in tank culture of fish to know the species of algae in water samples and be able to estimate the algal density which is important to reduce impact of algal bloom in water bodies.

Development of cerebral fiber pathways in cats revealed by diffusion spectrum imaging

Examination of the three-dimensional axonal pathways in the developing brain is key to understanding the formation of cerebral connectivity. By tracing fiber pathways throughout the entire brain, diffusion tractography provides information that cannot be achieved by conventional anatomical MR imaging or histology. However, standard diffusion tractography (based on diffusion tensor imaging, or DTI) tends to terminate in brain areas with low water diffusivity, indexed by low diffusion fractional anisotropy (FA), which can be caused by crossing fibers as well as fibers with less myelin. For this reason, DTI tractography is not effective for delineating the structural changes that occur in the developing brain, where the process of myelination is incomplete, and where crossing fibers exist in greater numbers than in the adult brain. Unlike DTI, diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) can define multiple directions of water diffusivity; as such, diffusion tractography based on DSI provides marked flexibility for delineation of fiber tracts in areas where the fiber architecture is complex and multidirectional, even in areas of low FA. In this study, we showed that FA values were lower in the white matter of newborn (postnatal day 0; P0) cat brains than in the white matter of infant (P35) and juvenile (P100) cat brains. These results correlated well with histological myelin stains of the white matter: the newborn kitten brain has much less myelin than that found in cat brains at later stages of development. Using DSI tractography, we successfully identified structural changes in thalamo-cortical and cortico-cortical association tracts in cat brains from one stage of development to another. In newborns, the main body of the thalamo-cortical tract was smooth, and fibers branching from it were almost straight, while the main body became more complex and branching fibers became curved reflecting gyrification in the older cats. Cortico-cortical tracts in the temporal lobe were smooth in newborns, and they formed a sharper angle in the later stages of development. The cingulum bundle and superior longitudinal fasciculus became more visible with time. Within the first month after birth, structural changes occurred in these tracts that coincided with the formation of the gyri. These results show that DSI tractography has the potential for mapping morphological changes in low FA areas associated with growth and development. The technique may also be applicable to the study of other forms of brain plasticity, including future studies in vivo.

Clinical Facts & Curios

The current study describes isolation of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) from a juvenile male cat that died after being rescued from an animal hoarding incident. Grossly, there was evidence of pneumonia and renal abscessation. Histologically, there was diffuse interstitial pneumonia with necrosis and necrotizing and suppurative nephritis with colonies of coccobacilli. Within the lung, kidney, and mesentery there was necrotizing and suppurative vasculitis with thrombosis and coccobacilli. E. coli strain belonging to serotype O6:H1 that carried many of the virulence genes associated with ExPEC was isolated from the lung and kidney. The cat was part of a community of approximately 60 cats that lived in a house in a residential neighborhood, in which multiple cats had died. The case was of major significance to public health, as first responders, animal health professionals, and other community members were likely exposed to ExPEC, which is known to have zoonotic potential. It is important that pet owners, animal health and public health professionals, and first responders be made aware of the potential for zoonotic diseases.

Spectrally enhanced acoustic environment disrupts frequency representation in cat auditory cortex

Sensory environments are known to shape nervous system organization. Here we show that passive long-term exposure to a spectrally enhanced acoustic environment (EAE) causes reorganization of the tonotopic map in juvenile cat auditory cortex without inducing any hearing loss. The EAE consisted of tone pips of 32 different frequencies (5-20 kHz), presented in random order at an average rate of 96 Hz. The EAE caused a strong reduction of the representation of EAE frequencies and an over-representation of frequencies neighboring those of the EAE. This is in sharp contrast with earlier developmental studies showing an enlargement of the cortical representation of EAEs consisting of a narrow frequency band. We observed fewer than normal appropriately tuned short-latency responses to EAE frequencies, together with more common long-latency responses tuned to EAE-neighboring frequencies.

Retinotopic mapping in cat visual cortex using high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging

In the field of neuroscience, there has always been a need for imaging techniques that provide high-resolution, large field-of-view measurements of neural activity. Functional MRI has this capability, but the link between the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal and neural activity is indirect. High magnetic field strengths (>3 T) improve the strength and specificity of the BOLD signal, but there are additional concerns about imaging artifacts at high field. We have tested the capabilities of ultra high field fMRI in the anesthetized juvenile cat, demonstrating rapid, non-invasive retinotopic mapping of early visual areas. Maps of topographic organization and measured cortical magnification factors are in good agreement with electrophysiological studies. Measurement precision was estimated at 1 mm. This mapping, performed with an MRI scanner at ultra high field (9.4 T), demonstrates the capabilities of high-resolution functional mapping of the visual system at ultra high field.

Haematology of the weanling, juvenile and adult cat

ABSTRACTNormal values for haematological parameters within the cat colony at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition were reviewed over a period of five years. Data was collected from a large number of animals (n = 468) fed commercially prepared pet food and will provide a useful guide for practitioners when assessing cats in a practice situation.

Fine structure of cochlear innervation in the cat.

Examination of adult and juvenile cat cochleas by electron microscopy and semi-serial sections permitted identification of the cytological features characteristic of the afferent and efferent nerve fiber populations identified in Golgi impregnations of the cochlea. This study demonstrated the distribution of synaptic contacts made by these fiber populations. As in the Golgi findings, radial and outer spiral afferent fibers were identified in well separated zones of the inner spiral bundle. The trunks of the outer spiral fibers, containing many microtubules and few neurofilaments, at first coursed spirally below the inner hair cells on the proximal face of the inner pillar, turned abruptly between adjacent pillar cells and entered the tunnel without branching. Radial afferents, containing many neurofilaments and a few microtubules, coursed through the inner spiral bundle, maintaining a radial or oblique orientation and proceeded directly toward the inner hair cells. Efferent fibers in the region of the inner spiral bundle were distinguishable by size, by orientation, and, to a lesser extent, by cytology. Small (1 micron) efferent fibers, containing few neurofilaments, an occasional microtubule, and mitochondria, occurred in the inner and tunnel spiral bundles and formed large varicosities, which contacted radial afferents. A separate population of much thicker efferents, containing many neurofilaments, mitochondria and dense-cored vesicles, but no microtubules, did not enter the inner spiral bundle but coursed directly to the level of the tunnel spiral bundle on the proximal face of the inner pillar cells. These fibers crossed the tunnel at the level of the tunnel spiral bundle and, upon reaching the outer hair cells, formed large synaptic contacts on outer hair cells and on outer spiral fibers as well. Some of these efferent fibers also synapse on afferent fibers while crossing the tunnel. The findings agree with previous observations with the Golgi method showing that entirely separate populations of spiral ganglion cells innervate the inner and outer hair cells. Likewise, there are efferent fibers innervating only inner or outer hair cells, but the probability of efferent fibers to both inner and outer hair cells cannot be ruled out.

Presence of melatonin in various cat brainstem nuclei determined by radioimmunoassay.

Microdissected samples of juvenile cat brain tissue were assayed for melatonin content using a double antibody radioimmunoassay. Immunoreactive melatonin was consistently detected, albeit in variable amounts, in pineal, habenula, the region of the nucleus gracilis, gigantocellular reticular formation of the pons and medulla oblongata. Among the negative areas were raphe nuclei, substantia nigra and locus caeruleus. These findings suggest that melatonin may play a role in some structures of the central nervous system outside the pineal-hypothalamo-pituitary axis. This immunoreactive melatonin could reflect a local synthesis, or a tissular uptake of melatonin from blood or cerebrospinal fluid.

Neuronal GM1 gangliosidosis in a Siamese cat with beta-galactosidase deficiency.

A juvenile Siamese cat with severe, progressive motor disability was shown to have extensive neuronal degeneration caused by accumulation of GM(1) ganglioside. Tissues from brain and kidney were markedly deficient in beta-galactosidase activity. The disease in this cat is thought to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and is strikingly similar to juvenile GM(1) gangliosidosis of children.

Lactic dehydrogenase isozyme distruction in various tissue fractions of the developing mammalian liver

1. 1. LDH isozyme patterns have been analyzed in whole liver and two readily separable tissue fractions, “liver cells” and “connective tissue”, from late fetal, neonatal and juvenile mouse, rabbit, cat, pig, guinea-pig and hamster. 2. 2. A formula containing a term for the heterogeneity of the isozymes is used for the characterization of isozyme patterns (IEP) in these multicellular sources. 3. 3. The results imply that during development changes occur both in the isozyme patterns within the cell lines constituting the liver and in the proportions between different cell lines.