Abstract
ESFM BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUSTRIA
(Treasurer) Tierklinik Leonding Mayrhansenstrase 21A A-4060 Leonding, AUSTRIA
27 Rue J B van Page 1083 Bruxelles, BELGIUM Tel: 322 4283963 e-mail:
Small Animal Clinic Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Veterinary and Pharmacological Science Palackeho 1/3, 61242 Brno CZECH REPUBLIC e-mail:
Falstersvej 9 DK 2000 Frederiksberg DENMARK Tel: +388 84777 Fax: +388 85777
Felina Cat Clinic Työmiehenkatu 4 C 00180 Helsinki, FINLAND Tel: 358–9–686 6560 Fax: 358–9–685 2299 e-mail:
85 ter Bd Soult 75012 Paris, FRANCE Tel: 33 1 43436344 Fax: 33 1 43473791 e-mail:
Medizinische Tierklinik Veterinasse 13 8000 Munchen 40, GERMANY Tel: 49 89 21802697 Fax: 49 89 21806240, e-mail:
Universitat Leipzig Inst fur Vet Pathologie Margarete-Blank Str 4 04103 Leipzig, GERMANY Tel: 49 341 9738271 Fax: 49 341 9738299
Biogdanfy u 7B/22 H-1117 Budapest, HUNGARY
University College Dublin Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dept. of Small Animal Clinic Studies Veterinary College Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, IRELAND Tel: 353 1 66 87988 Fax: 353 1 66 75401 e-mail:
Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Padua, ITALY Tel: 39 049 827 2948 Fax: 39 049 827 2602 e-mail:
Dipartimento di Patologia Animale Universita di Torino Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, ITALY Tel: 390 11 6688769 Fax: 390 11 8174325 e-mail:
Associate Professor Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty Utrecht University, de Uithof Androclusgebouw Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht THE NETHERLANDS Tel: 31 302532487 Fax: 31302536723 e-mail:
Dept Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals Veterinary Faculty Utrecht University, de Uithof Yalelaan 8, 3584 CM Utrecht THE NETHERLANDS Tel: 31 30 2531681 or 1589 Fax: 31 30 2518126 e-mail:
Eidskog Dyreklinikk A/S 2230 Skotterud NORWAY Tel: 47 62 835666 Fax: 47 62 836665 e-mail:
Dept of Infectious Diseases Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Warsaw Agricultural University Ul Grochowska 272 03849 Warsaw, POLAND Tel/Fax: 48 228 104651 e-mail:
Department of Internal Diseases Veterinary Faculty Agricultural University of Warsaw Grochowska 272 03849 Warsaw, POLAND Tel/fax: 48 22 810 2142 e-mail:
All Russian State Research Institute for Control, Standardization & Certification 5 Zvenigorodskove Shosse 123022 Moscow, RUSSIA Tel: 7 095 2593546 Fax: 7 095 2531491
State Diagnostics & Prevention Centre for Human and Animal Diseases 42 Timiryazevskaya Street 125422 Moscow, RUSSIA Tel/Fax: 7 095 2075474
Centro Veterinario Calle Los Naranjos s/n Pueblo Lopez 29640 Fuengirola Malaga, SPAIN Tel: 34 5 462688
Skuleviksvägen 17 S-45593 Munkedal, SWEDEN e-mail:
Veterinarnedizinisches Labor der Universitat Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 260 CH-8057 Zurich, SWITZERLAND Tel: 4 11 16358312 Fax: 4 11 16358906 e-mail:
Tierarzt, Zürcherstrasse 3 Niederglatt 8172, SWITZERLAND Tel: 4 11 8518070 Fax: 4 11 8548071 e-mail:
(Secretary ESFM) The Animal Health Trust Centre for Small Animal Studies Lanwades Park, Kentford Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK Tel: 44 1638 552700 Fax: 44 1638 555600 e-mail:
The Tile House Deepdene Wood Dorking RH5 4BD Tel: 01306 640515 Fax: 01306 640514 e-mail:
Director Institute of Veterinary Research Utrecht University, de Uithof Practicumgebouw, Yalelaan 1 3584, Utrecht THE NETHERLANDS Tel: 31 30 253 2485 Fax: 31 30 253 6723 e-mail:
ESFM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Padua, Italy Tel: 39 049 827 2948, Fax: 39 049 827 2602 E-mail:
CONTACTING ESFM
Please send letters/articles/comments for JFMS to Claire Bessant, ESFM/FAB, Taeselbury, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LD, England. Tel: 44 1747 871872, Fax: 44 1747 871873
Membership details may also be obtained from this address.
Book Review
C Poulsen Nautrup, R Tobias, R E Cartee (eds)
This is the English translation of a textbook first published in German in 1998. It is a large, glossy and impressive looking volume with 400 pages and 924 figures and represents the work of 26 contributors, most of whom are based at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover or in practice. Part 1 describes the history of ultrasonography, the general principles on which this modality is based, the construction and use of ultrasound machines, image interpretation, recognition of common artifacts and how to do an ultrasound examination of a dog or cat. Part 2, which represents about 80% of the total contents, covers clinical ultrasonography of virtually the entire body, from tongue to testicles. The stated aim of the book is to be comprehensive and current and to be useful to persons with a range of abilities, from veterinary students to experienced ultrasonographers.
At first glance, this looks like a fine textbook. The production quality, layout and scope are good. Most readers will appreciate the labelled line drawings that accompany every ultrasound image. A great deal of information is presented: the reader will learn, for example, that it is important to avoid clipping hair from the nipples of a lactating queen because the kittens, who prefer hairy nipples, may stop suckling and this can precipitate mastitis; paraprostatic cysts are the result of obstructed lymphatic drainage from the prostate; ultrasonography has almost replaced radiography for detection of fractures in children. Minority subjects such as ultrasonography of salivary glands, mammary glands and healing fractures are described in some detail. There is even a recipe for home-made ultrasound coupling gel.
The quantity of information presented should make this a useful reference text. Unfortunately, the book also suffers from a lack of consistency, which makes some sections less useful than others. Section 1 is basic, particularly in its description of the construction and operation of ultrasound machines. In Section 2 the quality of both images and text is variable. Despite the involvement of an English-speaking editor and publishers, there are many examples of curious or cumbersome language; inaccurate translation might also explain some of the novel diagnoses. Certain sections suffer from poor image quality, for example, a large proportion of the musculoskeletal images are small and too dark and the images of the normal pancreas (surely an arbiter of a quality ultrasound book?) are horrid. Many of the figures are superfluous. For example, in the short section on ultrasonography of the brain, there are 15 figures of one puppy with hydrocephalus and many of these are poor quality. There are also 10 similar examples of bladder wall thickening and nine images of the same prostatic cyst.
Despite throwing so much mud at the wall, there are still significant omissions. For example, the common occurrence of clinically silent hyperplastic masses in the canine liver, spleen and adrenal glands (a frequent source of interpretive difficulty for veterinary ultrasonographers) is not mentioned. Throughout the book there are numerous examples of colour Doppler images and Doppler spectra obtained from various blood vessels in the neck, abdomen and fetus, but there is no indication given that Doppler examination of these structures has any potential diagnostic value—one of the few reported clinical applications of abdominal Doppler ultrasound in dogs is measurement of renal resistive index in cases of suspected urinary obstruction, but that is not mentioned in this book. Similarly, scintigraphic images of the thyroid glands are included for comparison with ultrasound images, but this seems pointless because no useful comparison of these modalities is actually made; indeed, the key veterinary paper on this subject is not even cited.
Overall, this is a disappointing book. It is not as comprehensive or as current as the authors claim. It contains much information that students and ultrasound novices will find useful, but these same readers will have difficulty recognising the omissions or over-generalisations. Experienced ultrasonographers will find some new information but many deficiencies. Dip into the copy in your local library before considering buying this book.
Christopher R Lamb
Manson Publishing/The Veterinary Press, 2000 ISBN 1-874545-10-3. 400 pp, £95.00
Diary
If you are holding a feline meeting and would like to publicise it further, please send details to: Claire Bessant, JFMS, Taeselbury, High Street, Tisbury Wiltshire SP3 6LD, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1747 871873. E-mail:
Animal Health Trust Feline Day in association with the Feline Advisory Bureau
Sponsored by Virbac
Thursday 31 May 2001
9.00: Registration
9.30: Essentials of feline ophthalmology
Dr Keith Barnett
10.15: Feline hypertension—it pays to know! Jane Sansom and Dr Sarah Caney
11.00: Coffee
11.30: Itchy skins and eosinophilic granulomas Dr Steve Shaw
12.15: Feline genetics—present and future
Dr Matthew Binns
13.00: Lunch
14.00: Feline lymphoma—is it worth treating?
Sue Murphy
14.45: Surgical oncology—when to cut and how to do it
Prue Neath
15.30: Tea
16.00: Renal disease 1: The FAB PKD screening scheme
Ruth Dennis
16.20: Renal disease 2: Managing the failing kidney
Dr Andy Sparkes
American Association of Feline Practitioners/European Society of Feline Medicine study day at WSAVA
Wednesday 8 August 2001, Vancouver, Canada
Speakers Dr Stephen P Dibartola and Dr Guillermo Couto will cover the following topics during the day.
Vaccines, sarcomas and you
What's new on feline lymphoma
Update on feline haematology
Disorders of potassium
Disorders of sodium
Interpretation of acid base abnormalities.
Proceedings and lunch provided. For further information contact:
WSAVA 2001 Congress Conference Secretariat Venue West Conference Services Ltd. 645–375 Water Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6B 5C6
Tel: (604) 681 5226
Fax: (604) 681 2503
e-mail:
Website: www.venuewest.com/wsava 2001
ESFM Feline Symposium in association with European Society of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ESVIM)
This is part of the main programme and there is no separate charge for this study day.
The Congress dates are 5–8 September and the feline date has yet to be confirmed. The programme includes:
Current concepts on the aetiopathogenesis and treatment of IBD
Al Jergens
Feline pancreatitis
Kenny Simpson
Feline myopathies
Fred Gaschen
Pathogenesis of feline hyperthyroidism
Carmel Mooney
Feline hyperadrenocorticism—where are we now?
Margaret Hoenig
Idiopathic cystitis—the present and the future
David Senior
Information on the ESVIM website at
President's Note
Please note that Prof Dott Stefano Romagnoli, President of the ESFM, has moved. His new address is as follows:
Prof Dott Stefano Romagnoli
Professor and Division Leader
Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Padua Italy Tel: +39 049 827 2948 Fax: +39 049 827 2602 e-mail:
Proceedings of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists Spring Meeting, March 2000
Correlation between plasma concentrations of buprenorphine and morphine and thermal thresholds in cats
Robertson SA, Taylor PM, Dixon MJ, Sear JW, Ruprah M & Waters C.
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK.
There is little specific information on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of opioids in cats. Dosing schedules for cats are extrapolated from other species despite evidence that they handle drugs uniquely (Pascoe et al 1993). Plasma concentrations alone do not predict analgesia unless objective measurements are also made. This study aimed: (1) to determine the pharmacokinetics of IM buprenorphine and morphine in cats, and (2) to measure thermal thresholds following their administration. Six cats participated.
Blood was withdrawn from pre-placed jugular cetheters before, at 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60 min, and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after iv and im injection of buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg) or morphine (0.2 mg/kg). Plasma buprenorphine and morphine were measured by radioimmunoassay and GC, respectivly. Plasma concentration-time data were used to determine a pharmacokinetic profile.
In the thermal threshold study, all cats received three treatments in a randomised cross-over design: buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg), morphine (0.2 mg/kg) and saline (0.3 ml) im. The investigator was blinded to the treatments. Thermal thresholds were tested as previously described (Dixon et al 1999). Measurements were made before, at 5, 30, 45, 60 min and 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h after im injection. Data were analysed by two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures.
The terminal half-lives ranged between 75.7 and 137.5 min following morphine, and 135.2 and 509.6 min after buprenorphine (P<0.05). Buprenorphine median (range) Cmax and Tmax were 8.7 (3.6–11.8) ng/ml and 3 (2–15) min; after morphine, Cmax and Tmax were 120 (75–218) ng/ml and 5 (1–45) min.
There was no significant change in thermal threshold after saline. Thermal thresholds were significantly increased at 2 and 6 h (5.6 and 5.8%, respectively) after buprenorphine and at 4 h (11.4%) after morphine.
This study shows that significant increases in thermal thresholds are slow to develop in cats following opioid administration, and occur when plasma levels are low.
Sear JW, Taylor PM, Robertson SA*, Waters C*, Dixon M*, Ruprah M*, Bloomfield M*
Department of Veterinary Anaesthesia, University of Cambridge and *Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, University of Oxford, UK
Although the disposition of buprenorphine has been described in awake and anaesthetised patients with normal renal function and in patients with renal failure (Bullingham et al 1980, Hand et al 1990), there are few data relating to its use in animal species. In the present study, we have examined the disposition of buprenorphine in cats by two dosing routes and compared the data with that for morphine.
Ten cats (ages 2–11 years, weights 2.9–4.4 kg) received either buprenorphine (10 μg/kg) by iv dosing over 5–10 s (n=5) or by im injection into the epaxial muscle (n=6), or morphine (0.2 mg/kg) by iv (n=6) or im dosing (n=4) as part of a study examining the effects of opiates on thermal and mechanical threshold stimuli (Dixon et al 2000). Cats were dosed in random order with at least 2 weeks between studies when the same cat participated. Blood samples were withdrawn from a jugular vein catheter at 15 time points to 24 h. Plasma buprenorphine concentrations were measured using a double-antibody I125-labelled solid-phase RIA and morphine by HPLC. Concentration-time data were used to determine the area under the curve (AUC) and its first moment (AUMC); mean residence time (MRT); clearance (Clp); apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) and elimination half-life (T1/2). For both drugs, 100% bioavailability was assumed for the two routes of administration; derived kinetic parameters are shown as mean (SD).
Table: Disposition of buprenorphine and morphine by iv and im dosing in cats (mean ± SD).
Clp: ml/kg/min; MRT and T1/2: min; Vss: l/kg.
Following im dosing, the median (range) Cmax and Tmax values were 8.7 (3.6–11.8) ng/ml and 3 (2–15) min for buprenorphine, and 120 (45–218) ng/ml and 15 (1–45) min for morphine. By both dosing routes, drug clearances were similar but buprenorphine had a larger Vss and longer MRT and T1/2 than morphine, reflecting its greater lipid solubility. These kinetic estimates are broadly similar to data from human studies.
Study supported by the Feline Advisory Bureau.
Abstracts
Poulet H, Brunet S, Soulier M, Leroy V, Goutebroze S, Chappuis G (2000) Arch Virol
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a major oral and respiratory pathogen of cats, able to induce subclinical infection as well as acute disease. It is also characterised by a high degree of antigenic variation. This work sought to address the question of the existence of distinct biotypes of FCV. Eight French, six British and nine American FCV isolates, responsible for acute oral/respiratory disease or chronic gingivitis/stomatitis, were compared for their pathogenicity, antigenic profiles and serological relationships. Antigenic profiles were assessed by an indirect immunofluorescence assay with a large panel of characterised monoclonal antibodies. Cross-neutralisation assays were performed with specific cat antisera collected at 30 days p.i., then analysed by calculation of antigenic bilateral relatedness and dominance. Whatever their pathogenic origin, all the isolates induced an acute upper-respiratory tract infection in oronasally infected SPF kittens. Their antigenic profiles were different and did not correlate with their geographical or pathological origin. Cross-neutralisation studies and calculation of the mean bilateral relatedness allowed us to distinguish chronic original isolates from acute original ones. This study did not confirm the existence of FCV biotypes but showed that the chronic carrier state is related to the emergence of antigenically distant viruses.
Flynn JN, Hanlon L, Jarrett O (2000) Immunology
Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) nucleic acid vaccination of domestic cats affords protection against viraemia and the development of latency without inducing antiviral antibodies. To determine the contribution of cell-mediated immunity to the control of virus replication and clearance from the host, FeLV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses were compared in vaccine-protected, transiently viraemic, and persistently viraemic cats. Vaccinal immunity was associated with the detection of higher levels of virus-specific effector CTL in the peripheral blood and lymphoid organs to FeLV Gag/Pro and Env antigens than those observed in unvaccinated control, persistently viraemic cats (P < 0·001). Likewise, higher levels of virus-specific CTLs were also observed in transiently viraemic cats which recovered following exposure to FeLV. In cats that controlled their infection, recognition of Gag/Pro antigens was significantly higher than the recognition of Env antigens. This is the first report highlighting the very significant role that virus-specific CTL have in determining the outcome of FeLV infection in either vaccinated cats or cats recovering naturally from FeLV exposure.
Hosie MJ, Dunsford T, Klein D, Willett BJ, Cannon C, Osborne R, Macdonald J, Spibey N, Mackay N, Jarrett O, Neil JC (2000) J Virol
It has been shown that cats can be protected against infection with the prototypic Petaluma strain of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV(PET)) using vaccines based on either inactivated virus particles or replication-defective proviral DNA. However, the utility of such vaccines in the field is uncertain, given the absence of consistent protection against antigenically distinct strains and the concern that the Petaluma strain may be an unrepresentative, attenuated isolate. Since reduction of viral pathogenicity and dissemination may be useful outcomes of vaccination, even in the absence of complete protection, we tested whether either of these vaccine strategies ameliorates the early course of infection following challenge with heterologous and more virulent isolates. We now report that an inactivated virus vaccine, which generates high levels of virus neutralising antibodies, confers reduced virus loads following challenge with two heterologous isolates, FIV(AM6) and FIV(GL8). This vaccine also prevented the marked early decline in CD4/CD8 ratio seen in FIV(GL8)-infected cats. In contrast, DNA vaccines based on either FIV(PET) or FIV(GL8), which induce cell-mediated responses but no detectable antiviral antibodies, protected a fraction of cats against infection with FIV(PET) but had no measurable effect on virus load when the infecting virus was FIV(GL8). These results indicate that the more virulent FIV(GL8) is intrinsically more resistant to vaccinal immunity than the FIV(PET) strain and that a broad spectrum of responses which includes virus neutralising antibodies is a desirable goal for lentivirus vaccine development.
Barber LG, Sorenmo KU, Cronin KL, Shofer FS (2000) J Am Anim Hosp Assoc
A retrospective evaluation was performed on 12 cats with non-resectable, histopathologically confirmed fibrosarcomas that were treated with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. All of the tumors were located in sites potentially used for vaccination. Six cats had a greater than 50% decrease in gross tumor burden. However, the responses were not durable, with a median response duration of 125 days. All cats developed progressive disease. When animals that received other treatments after doxorubicin-based chemotherapy were eliminated from the analysis, median survival time was significantly longer for cats that responded to chemotherapy compared with the median survival time for nonresponders (242 and 83 days, respectively). These findings may serve as a basis for further evaluating the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of vaccine-associated sarcomas.
Chew BP, Park JS, Weng BC, Wong TS, Hayek MG, Reinhart GA (2000) J Nutr
Three experiments were conducted to study the uptake of oral beta-carotene by blood plasma and leukocytes in domestic cats. In Experiment 1, mature female Tabby cats (12 months old) were given once orally 0, 10, 20 or 50 mg of beta-carotene and blood taken at 0, 12, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 and 72 h after dosing. Concentrations of plasma beta-carotene increased in a dose-dependent manner. Peak concentrations were observed at 12–24 h and declined gradually thereafter. The half-life of plasma beta-carotene was 12–30 h. In Experiment 2, cats were dosed daily for six consecutive days with 0, 1, 2, 5 or 10 mg beta-carotene. Blood was sampled once daily at 12 h after each feeding. Daily dosing of cats with beta-carotene for 6 days resulted in a dose-dependent increase in circulating beta-carotene. Experiment 3 was designed to study the uptake of beta-carotene by blood leukocytes. Cats were fed 0, 5 or 10 mg of beta-carotene daily for 14 days. Blood leukocytes were obtained on days 7 and 14 to determine beta-carotene content in whole lymphocytes and in subcellular fractions. Blood lymphocytes took up large amounts of beta-carotene by day 7 of feeding. Furthermore, beta-carotene accumulated mainly in the mitochondria (40–52%), with lower amounts accumulating in the microsomes (20–35%), cytosol (15–34%), and nuclei (1·5–6%). Therefore, domestic cats readily absorb beta-carotene across the intestinal mucosa and transfer the beta-carotene into peripheral blood leukocytes and their subcellular organelles. beta-Carotene uptake kinetics show that some aspects of beta-carotene absorption and metabolism in cats are similar to those of humans.
Hayes KA, Phipps AJ, Francke S, Mathes LE (2000) Antimicrob Agents Chemother
The thymus is a major target organ in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected young cats (GA Dean & NC Pedersen, J Virol
Penzhorn BL, Lewis BD, Lopez-Rebollar LM, Swan GE (2000) J S Afr Vet Assoc
The efficacy of five drugs was tested against experimental Babesia felis infection in domestic cats. Two of the drugs, rifampicin and a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination, appeared to have an anti-parasitic effect, but were inferior to primaquine. The other three drugs, buparvaquone, enrofloxacin and danofloxacin, had no significant anti-babesial effect.
Krautmann MJ, Novotny MJ, De Keulenaer K, Godin CS, Evans EI, McCall JW, Wang C, Rowan TG, Jernigan AD (2000) Vet Parasitol
The safety of the avermectin, selamectin, was evaluated for topical use on the skin of cats of age 6 weeks and above, including reproducing cats and cats infected with adult heartworms. All studies used healthy cats. Acute safety was evaluated in domestic cross-bred cats. Margin of safety was evaluated in domestic-shorthaired cats, starting at 6 weeks of age. Reproductive, heartworm-infected, and oral safety studies were conducted in adult, domestic-shorthaired cats. Studies were designed to measure the safety of selamectin at the recommended dosage range of 6–12 mg/kg of body weight. Assessments included clinical, biochemical, pathologic, and reproductive indices. Selected variables in the margin of safety study and the reproductive studies were subjected to statistical analyses by using a mixed linear model. Cats received large doses of selamectin at the beginning of the margin of safety study when they were 6 weeks of age and at their lowest body weight, yet displayed no clinical or pathologic evidence of toxicosis. Similarly, selamectin had no adverse effect on reproduction in adult male and female cats. There were no adverse effects in heartworm-infected cats. Oral administration of the topical formulation, which might occur accidentally, caused mild, intermittent, self-limiting salivation and vomiting. Selamectin is a broad-spectrum avermectin endectocide that is safe for use in cats starting at 6 weeks of age, including heartworm-infected cats and cats of reproducing age, when administered topically to the skin monthly at the recommended dosage to deliver at least 6 mg/kg.
Six RH, Sture GH, Thomas CA, Clemence RG, Benchaoui HA, Boy MG, Watson P, Smith DG, Jernigan AD, Rowan TG (2000) Vet Parasitol
A series of randomised, controlled, masked, field (veterinary patient) studies were conducted in the USA and Europe to evaluate the efficacy of selamectin, a novel macrocyclic lactone of the avermectin subclass, in the treatment of naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode infections in cats. After confirmation of ascarid and/or hookworm infection, 298 cats of various ages and breeds were randomly assigned to treatment with selamectin (n=202) or an existing commercially approved positive-control product (n=96). Unit doses of selamectin (providing a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg) were administered topically to the skin in a single spot at monthly intervals. Quantitative fecal examinations were performed on days 0 (before treatment), 30, and 60. In the selamectin-treated cats, fecal ascarid egg counts were reduced by 99·6 to 100% on day 30, and by 99·9 to 100% on day 60. Fecal hookworm egg counts were reduced by 98.3%; on day 30, and by 100% on day 60 in the selamectin-treated cats. The positive-control products achieved reductions in egg counts of 96.5 to 100% (ascarids) and 98.9 to 99.9% (hookworms). These studies have shown that monthly topical administration of selamectin is safe and highly effective in the treatment of naturally acquired ascarid and hookworm infections in cats.
McTier TL, Shanks DJ, Wren JA, Six RH, Bowman DD, McCall JW, Pengo G, Genchi C, Smothers CD, Rowan TG, Jernigan AD (2000) Vet Parasitol
The efficacy of selamectin against experimentally induced and naturally acquired infections of adult ascarids (Toxocara cati) and adult hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) was evaluated in five controlled studies in cats. Two studies evaluated the efficacy of selamectin against both ascarid (natural or induced) and hookworm (induced) infections; two studies evaluated the efficacy of selamectin against single natural infections of T cati or A tubaeforme; and the fifth study evaluated the efficacy of selamectin against induced infections of A tubaeforme. Cats received selamectin topically in unit doses designed to deliver a minimum of 6 mg/kg. Treatments were applied to the skin on each animal's back at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. For experimentally induced infections, cats were inoculated orally with approximately 500 embryonated eggs of T cati 56 days prior to treatment and/or approximately 150–250 larvae (L(3)) of A tubaeforme 30 or 42 days prior to treatment. For both induced and naturally acquired infections, cats were allocated randomly to treatments (6–12 cats per treatment) on the basis of fecal egg counts to receive either selamectin or a vehicle containing the inert formulation ingredients. In all studies, adult worm counts were performed at necropsy 14 days after the last treatment administration. Against T cati, a single application of selamectin provided a 100% reduction in the geometric mean number of adult worms for both experimentally induced and naturally acquired infections. Against A tubaeforme, a single administration of selamectin provided a 99·4% reduction in the geometric mean number of adult worms in cats with natural infections, and an 84·7–99·7% reduction in adult worms in cats with induced infections. Two doses of selamectin administered at monthly intervals provided a 91·9% reduction in the geometric mean number of adult A. tubaeforme worms in cats with experimentally induced infections. The geometric mean numbers of adult worms (T cati and A tubaeforme) from selamectin-treated cats were significantly (P < or =0·0018) lower than for vehicle-treated cats in all studies. Thus, a single topical unit dosage providing a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg selamectin was highly effective in the treatment of naturally acquired and experimentally induced infections of T cati and A tubaeforme in cats.
Shanks DJ, McTier TL, Rowan TG, Watson P, Thomas CA, Bowman DD, Hair JA, Pengo G, Genchi C, Smothers CD, Smith DG, Jernigan AD (2000) Vet Parasitol
The efficacy of a novel avermectin, selamectin, was evaluated against naturally acquired aural infestations of Otodectes cynotis on dogs and cats. In four controlled and masked studies conducted in the USA and Europe, animals were allocated randomly to treatment with either selamectin at a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg (range, 6–12, 5 mg/kg) or the vehicle only from the commercial formulation of selamectin (negative control). Treatments were administered topically in a single spot to the skin of each animal's back at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. Cats were treated on day 0 only, and dogs were treated either on day 0 only or on days 0 and 30. The ears of dogs were examined otoscopically on day 14 for the presence of viable mites. Mite counts were conducted on day 30 for animals that had received one dose and on day 60 for animals that had received two doses. Percentage reductions in geometric mean mite counts for selamectin treatment compared with the vehicle were 100% for all animals on all count days. Analysis of variance, confirmed by Savage Scores, showed that ln(mite count + 1) values were significantly (P < or =0·0015) lower for selamectin than for the vehicle for all animals on all count days. Thus, selamectin administered topically at a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg was safe and 100% effective against naturally acquired aural infestations of O cynotis in dogs and cats after a single dose or after two doses administered 1 month apart.
McTier TL, Shanks DJ, Watson P, McCall JW, Genchi C, Six RH, Thomas CA, Dickin SK, Pengo G, Rowan TG, Jernigan AD (2000) Vet Parasitol
In a series of six controlled studies (four in dogs, two in cats), heartworm-free dogs and cats were inoculated with Dirofilaria immitis larvae (L(3)) prior to topical treatment with the novel avermectin selamectin or a negative control containing inert formulation ingredients (vehicle). Selamectin and negative-control treatments were administered topically to the skin at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. In dogs, selamectin was applied topically at dosages of 3 or 6 mg/kg at 30 days post-inoculation (PI), or of 3 or 6 mg/kg at 45 days PI, or of 6 mg/kg at 60 days PI. Cats were treated topically with unit doses providing a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg selamectin at 30 days PI. Of the animals that were treated 30 days PI, some dogs were bathed with water or shampoo between 2 and 96 h after treatment, and some cats were bathed with shampoo at 24 h after treatment. Between 140 and 199 days PI, the animals were euthanised and examined for adult D immitis. Adult heartworms developed in all control dogs (geometric mean count, 18·7 worms) and in 88% of control cats (geometric mean count, 2·1 worms). Selamectin was 100% effective in preventing heartworm development in dogs when administered as a single topical dose of 3 or 6 mg/kg at 30 days after infection, 3 or 6 mg/kg at 45 days after infection, or 6 mg/kg at 60 days after infection. Selamectin was 100% effective against heartworm infections in cats when administered as a single topical unit dose of 6 mg/kg. Bathing with water or shampoo between 2 and 96 h after treatment did not reduce the efficacy of selamectin as a heartworm prophylactic in dogs. Likewise, bathing with shampoo at 24 h after treatment did not reduce the efficacy of selamectin in cats. These studies demonstrated that, at the recommended dosage and treatment interval, a single topical administration of selamectin was 100% effective in preventing the development of D immitis in dogs and cats.
Boy MG, Six RH, Thomas CA, Novotny MJ, Smothers CD, Rowan TG, Jernigan AD (2000) Vet Parasitol
A series of randomised, controlled, masked field studies was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of selamectin in the treatment of flea infestations on dogs and cats, and in the prevention of heartworm infection in dogs. In addition, observations were made on the beneficial effect of selamectin treatment on dogs and cats showing signs of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). In all studies selamectin was applied topically, once per month, in unit doses providing a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg. Dogs and cats with naturally occurring flea infestations, some of which also had signs associated with FAD, were assigned randomly to receive three months of topical treatment with selamectin (220 dogs, 189 cats) or a positive-control product (dogs: fenthion, n=81; cats: pyrethrins, n=66). Selamectin was administered on days 0, 30, and 60. Day 0 was defined as the day that the animal first received treatment. Flea burdens were assessed by flea comb counts and clinical evaluations of FAD were performed before treatment, and on days 14, 30, 60, and 90. On days 30, 60, and 90, mean flea counts in selamectin-treated dogs were reduced by 92·1, 99·0, and 99′·8%, and mean flea counts in fenthion-treated dogs were reduced by 81′·5, 86′·8, and 86·1%, respectively, compared with day 0 counts. Also, on days 30, 60, and 90, mean flea counts in selamectin-treated cats were reduced by 92·5, 98′·3, and 99·3%, and mean flea counts in pyrethrin-treated cats were reduced by 66·4, 73·9, and 81·3%, respectively, compared with day 0 counts. Selamectin also was beneficial in alleviating signs in dogs and cats diagnosed clinically with FAD. A total of 397 dogs free of adult heartworm infection from four heartworm-endemic areas of the USA were allocated randomly to six months of treatment with selamectin (n=298) or ivermectin (n=99). Selamectin achieved a heart-worm prevention rate of 100%, with all dogs testing negative for microfilariae and adult heartworm antigen on days 180 and 300. Selamectin was administered to a total of 673 dogs and 347 cats having an age range of 6 weeks to 19 years (3954 doses). The animals included 19 purebred or crossbred Collies (Bearded, Border, and unspecified). There were no serious adverse events. Results of these studies indicated that selamectin was highly effective in the control of flea infestations in dogs and cats without the need for simultaneous treatment of the environment or of in-contact animals and also was beneficial in alleviating signs associated with FAD. Selamectin also was 100% effective in preventing the development of canine heartworms and was safe for topical use in dogs and cats.
Benchaoui HA, Clemence RG, Clements PJ, Jones RL, Watson P, Shanks DJ, Smith DG, Sture GH, Jernigan AD, Rowan TG (2000) Vet Parasitol
Two controlled and masked multi-centre studies were conducted to examine the efficacy of a novel topical avermectin, selamectin, against natural flea infestations on 418 dogs and 345 cats. Veterinary patients with viable flea infestations were enrolled in the studies, which were conducted in United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy. Animals were allocated randomly in a 2:1 ratio to one of two treatments: either selamectin alone at a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg or fenthion at recommended dose rates. Concurrent use of an environmental spray (containing methoprene and either pyrethrins or permethrin) was permitted only for fenthion-treated animals. In-contact cats and dogs (animals living in the same home) received the same treatment as the first animal enrolled from the household, if recommended by the veterinarian. Study day 0 was defined as the day of first treatment. Animals were treated on days 0, 30, and 60, and flea comb counts and clinical evaluations were conducted on days 0, 14, 30, 60, and 90. Analysis of variance of ln(flea count + 1) showed that values were significantly lower for selamectin alone compared with fenthion (with or without the concurrent use of an environmental spray) in dogs on days 30, 60, and 90 (P < 0·05) and in cats on days 14, 30, 60, and 90 (P < 0·01). For selamectin, the reductions in geometric mean flea counts on days 14, 30, 60, and 90, compared with day 0, were 92·5, 90·7, 98·1, and 99·1%, respectively, for dogs and 92·8, 92·7, 97·7, and 98·4%, respectively, for cats. Selamectin was shown to be safe and highly effective in the control of naturally acquired flea infestations on dogs and cats presented as veterinary patients in Europe.
McTier TL, Jones RL, Holbert MS, Murphy MG, Watson P, Sun F, Smith DG, Rowan TG, Jernigan AD (2000) Vet Parasitol
Selamectin was evaluated in eight controlled studies (four in dogs, four in cats) to determine the efficacy of a single topical unit dose providing the recommended minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg against Ctenocephalides felis felis and Ctenocephalides canis fleas on dogs and against C felis on cats. In addition, the effect of bathing on the efficacy of selamectin against C felis was evaluated. Identical studies were performed in Beagles and domestic shorthaired cats. For each study, animals were allocated randomly to treatments of 8–12 animals each. All studies (dog studies A, B, C, and D and cat studies A, B, C, and D) evaluated the efficacy of selamectin without bathing. In addition, study C in both dogs and cats evaluated efficacy with a shampoo bath at 24 h after dosing, and study D evaluated the efficacy of selamectin with water soaking at 2 h after dosing or with a shampoo bath at 2–6 h after dosing. Dog study B evaluated efficacy against C canis, whereas all other studies used C felis. In each study, selamectin was administered on day 0 as a topical dose that was applied directly to the skin in a single spot at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. Dogs and cats were infested with approximately 100 viable unfed C felis or C canis on days 4, 11, 18, and 27. On days 7, 14, 21, and 30, approximately 72 h after infestation, a comb count of the number of viable fleas present on each animal was made. For C felis and C canis for dogs and cats, compared with controls, selamectin achieved significant reductions in geometric mean adult flea comb counts of > or =98·9% on days 7, 14, and 21 in all eight studies. On day 30, the reduction for C felis remained at or above 98·0%. This included the dogs and cats that were soaked with water or bathed with shampoo at 2, 6, or 24 h after treatment. There were no significant (P>0·05) differences between the flea counts from selamectin-treated animals in these studies, regardless of bathing status. On day 30, a significant reduction of 91·8% was achieved against C canis on dogs. Thus, these studies demonstrated that a single topical unit dose of selamectin was highly effective against adult fleas on dogs and cats for at least 27 days.
Gabor LJ, Canfield PJ, Malik R (2000) Aust Vet J
Beatty JA, Charles JA, Malik R, France MP, Hunt GB (2000) Aust Vet J
A 7-month-old, male, Burmese cat was presented with an oral mass that had rapidly regrown following excisional biopsy 3 weeks earlier. The tumour was identified by histological examination as a feline inductive odontogenic tumour. A unilateral segmental mandibulectomy was performed. Although dental malocclusion resulted from mandibular drift to the operated side, the cat displayed minimal dysphagia post-operatively and there was no evidence of tumour regrowth 8 months after surgery. Feline inductive odontogenic tumour is a rare dental tumour described exclusively in cats under 3 years of age. Although histopathologically benign, feline inductive odontogenic tumour grows by expansion and can infiltrate underlying bone to cause considerable local destruction. This article is intended to increase awareness of this unusual tumour which, with complete surgical excision, carries a good prognosis. It also emphasises the importance of obtaining a histological diagnosis from oral mass lesions to direct appropriate therapy and to provide an accurate prognosis.
Degiorgis MP, Berg AL, Hard Af Segerstad C, Morner T, Johansson M, Berg M (2000) J Clin Microbiol
A free-ranging lynx (Lynx lynx) was shot because of its abnormal behaviour. Histopathological examination revealed a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. In situ hybridisation, immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcriptase PCR analysis showed the presence of Borna disease virus infection in the brain. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of Borna disease in a large felid.
Moses L, Harpster NK, Beck KA, Hartzband L (2000) J Am Anim Hosp Assoc
A retrospective study evaluated cases of feline esophageal dysfunction. Cats identified had contrast esophagrams performed during a 6-year period. Of 56 cases undergoing esophagography, 51 had complete records available for review. Forty-four cases were felt to be abnormal and were included in the study. Cases were analysed for signalment, presenting complaints, and identifiable causes of abnormal esophageal motility. Response to treatment and case outcome were also reviewed. The signalment of the cases varied widely, especially in age. The occurrence of esophageal motility dysfunction was low, comprising only 0·05% of all feline cases seen in a 6-year period. Forty-three percent of cases were considered idiopathic, and 57% were congenital or diagnosed with conditions known to cause esophageal motility dysfunction. The causative disease states included myasthenia gravis, mediastinal masses, vascular ring anomalies, dysautonomia, and esophageal stricture. Seventy-eight percent of those treated with medical therapy (ie combinations of sucralfate, H2 receptor antagonists, and either metoclopramide or cisapride) showed clinical improvement.