Abstract
Knottenbelt CM, Day MJ et al (
The aim of the study was to determine alloantibody titres in type A, type B and type AB cats in the UK. Of the 104 cats in the study (61 pedigree, 43 non-pedigree) 61 were type A, 40 type B and 3 AB. All 40 type B cats had anti-A antibody titres ranging from 4–1600. There was no association between serum alloantibody titre and breed or gender. Sixteen of the type B cats had low anti-A antibody titre (<64). Of the 61 type A cats, 17 cats did not have any anti-B antibodies, 17 had evidence of microscopic agglutination, but no detectable anti-B antibodies and the remainder of the cats had low levels of anti-B antibody titres. Of the three AB cats one had a very low anti-B antibody titre.
Foster DJ & Thoday KL (
A prospective study was carried out using a combination of propranolol and potassium iodate (a source of stable iodine) as an alternative to carbimazole in the preparation of hyperthyroid cats for surgical thyroidectomy. 23 hyperthyroid cats were divided in two groups. Group A (n=11) received propranolol from days 1–10, followed by propranolol and potassium iodate from days 11–20. Group B (n=10) received potassium iodate from days 1–10, followed by propranolol and potassium iodate from days 11–20. On day 21 surgery was carried out and propranolol was continued postoperatively for 3 days. In Group A the serum TT4 concentrations on day 20 were significantly lower than those on day 1 (the significant decrease happened between days 11–20) and normal on day 20 in four cats. The TT3 and rT3 did decrease significantly as well. The regime in Group B was less well tolerated (anorexia and depression were noted in four cats, jaundice in two cats and eight out of 10 cats vomited). There was a strong suggestion that adverse effects were associated with potassium iodate and were dose- and time related. The serum TT4, TT3 and rT3 concentrations on day 20 were not significantly lower than those on day 1 (one cat had a normal TT4 concentration on day 20). Comparison of TT4, TT3, rT3 concentrations between group A and B did not show significant differences. The clinical features of thyrotoxicosis improved in all cats in both groups, but the above findings suggest that the drug regime used in group A is the preferred treatment for clinical cases. The use of propranolol and potassium iodate offers an alternative to carbimazole in the presurgical treatment of hyperthyroid cats.
Leaman T, Rowland R & Long SE (
A questionnaire concerning the coat colour and sex of cats being vaccinated or neutered was sent to 2585 veterinary practices; 393 (15.2%) were returned and information was obtained about 9816 cats. Of 4598 males, 20 were recorded as tortoiseshell (0.43%). The frequency of the orange gene was 19.7%, assuming that male tortoiseshell cats had two X chromosomes. The chromosome complement and/or gonadal histology of 14 male tortoiseshell cats is described. Cytogenetic analysis of 11 animals revealed six with a 38,XX/38,XY complement, two with 39,XXY, two with 38,XX, and one with a 38,XY complement.
Lascelles BD, Capner CA & Waterman-Pearson AE (
In March 1996, a questionnaire was sent to 2000 veterinary surgeons primarily involved in small animal practice to assess their attitudes to perioperative analgesic therapy in dogs, cats and other small mammals. This paper is concerned only with the data relevant to cats, analgesic monitoring, continuing education and, to a limited extent, small mammals. The veterinary surgeons considered that pain was a consequence of all the surgical procedures specified. Analgesics were administered by 94% of them to cats undergoing orthopaedic surgery, by 72% for the repair of a ruptured diaphragm, by 56% for laparotomy, by 26% for ovariohysterectomy, by 16% for castration and by 39% for dental work. Women and more recent graduates assigned higher pain scores to the procedures, and there was a significant correlation between the pain score and the number of veterinary surgeons who routinely gave analgesic, resulting in women and more recent graduates being more likely to treat the pain with analgesics. The majority of the veterinarians performed surgery on small mammals, but on average only 22% gave perioperative analgesics, and the number giving analgesics varied with the species of small mammal. The perioperative monitoring of animals was largely delegated to nursing staff.