Abstract
A total of 11 clinical/research abstracts were accepted for presentation at the poster session held during the 2014 ISFM Congress in Riga, Latvia, June 18–22, 2014.
Neutering of Cats and Kittens in Rescue Centres
School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, UK Email:
Pre-pubertal neutering is a key strategy in the population control of cats. Although rescue centres have to deal with the consequences of overpopulation, anecdotally it is believed that the minimum age that rescue cats are neutered varies between centres, which could influence the proportion rehomed entire.
A survey of UK rescue centres involved with rehoming cats was undertaken in November 2013, with a response rate of 35% (230/659). Of the 230 questionnaires available, 20.0% (n = 46) were from national charity adoption centres (CP/RSPCA/ SSPCA/Blue Cross), 34.3% (n = 79) from national charity branches and 45.2% (n = 104) from independent centres. One questionnaire could not be linked to organisation type. Nineteen percent (43/225) of centres reported neutering all cats prior to rehoming, while the remainder indicated that a variable proportion of cats were rehomed entire. Overall, there was no significant difference between the minimum ages at which the sexes were neutered; however, the minimum neutering age at centres varied between 4 weeks and 6 months. The median minimum age of neutering was 10.0 (IQR 8.75–12.0) weeks in centres reported to neuter all cats and 17.3 (IQR 16.00–21.65) weeks in centres that neuter some cats. Of centres that rehomed some cats unneutered, 95.9% (163/170) indicated that they neutered all cats older than the minimum neutering age reported for their centre. Fifty percent of centres that rehomed some cats unneutered recommended neutering at ages greater than 4 months.
Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with whether centres reported to neuter all vs some/no cats prior to rehoming. Results indicated that the minimum age at which the centre manager felt it was appropriate to neuter male cats (OR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.5), the minimum age that their vet was reported to neuter female cats (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.55–0.89) and the minimum age that cats were rehomed (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9) were significantly associated with the outcome investigated (P <0.05). The results of this study suggest that a substantial proportion of cats are rehomed from rescue centres unneutered. Adopting the Cat Group Policy recommended age of neutering would reduce this proportion.
Ease of Use of Semintra – Cat Owner Feedback Under European Field Conditions (‘Easy Programme’)
1Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health GmbH, Ingelheim (Germany)
2Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd, Berkshire (UK)
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common, irreversible and progressive condition that affects more than one-third of geriatric cats. Currently, the disease cannot be cured although it can be efficiently managed with lifelong daily treatment. Cats can sometimes be a challenge to medicate, and the relatively low compliance and acceptance rates for renal diets and administration of tablets can compromise the effectiveness of treatment options. In 2013, Semintra Oral Solution for Cats (telmisartan) gained a licence from the European Medicines Agency for the reduction of proteinuria associated with CKD in cats, and is the first angiotensin receptor blocker authorised for use in veterinary medicine.
Semintra was specifically designed with a liquid formulation to improve compliance of both owners and cats. In order to investigate the product’s ease of use in the field, owners of cats with CKD that had been prescribed Semintra were asked to complete a feedback questionnaire after 1 month of treatment at 1 mg/kg q24h. Cases were recruited during June to December 2013 from both first opinion and referral veterinary centres across Europe; participating clinics were located in Germany, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Italy.
A total of 270 completed questionnaires were received. Gender was equally distributed across the sample population. Age distribution was typical for a population of cats with CKD: 10.4% were less than 7 years old, 68.2% were 7–15 years old and 20.0% were 16 years and older. Age was unknown in 1.4% of cats.
In response to the question ‘How easy or difficult would you rate adjusting the Semintra syringe to the correct dosage?’, 91.4% of cat owners indicated that measuring an accurate dose of Semintra was ‘very easy’ or ‘easy’ (possible responses: ‘very easy’, ‘easy’, ‘neither easy nor difficult’, ‘difficult’, ‘very difficult’). Additionally, when asked to compare Semintra with their previous experience of medicating cats with tablets, 80.7% indicated that Semintra was ‘very easy’ or ‘easy’ to give (question: ‘Compared with any previous experience giving tablets/pills to your cat, how easy or difficult was it to medicate your cat with Semintra’s liquid formulation?’, possible responses: ‘very easy’, ‘easy’, ‘neither easy nor difficult’, ‘difficult’, ‘very difficult’, ‘I have no previous experience with administering tablets/pills to my cat’). Finally, when asked the question ‘If equivalent in taste, what formulation would you prefer for long-term daily administration to your cat?’, 87.4% of owners indicated a preference for ‘A liquid formulation’ rather than ‘A tablet formulation’.
Treatment compliance is one of the major deciding factors in the efficacy of long-term daily oral treatments, especially in cats. Ease of dosing and ease of use not only ensure correct administration, but also improve owner compliance, which is a key factor in ensuring successful management. These initial results indicate that owners found Semintra easy to use and that they would prefer a liquid formulation for long-term daily treatment of cats. Semintra, therefore, provides a solution for improved cat and owner compliance during the management of CKD.
Effect of Semintra on Quality of Life in Cats With CKD – Cat Owner Feedback Under European Field Conditions (‘Easy Programme’)
1Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health GmbH, Ingelheim (Germany)
2Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd, Berkshire (UK)
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In cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), clinical signs are usually not evident until about three-quarters of renal function has been lost. Signs associated with CKD such as reduced appetite, weight loss, depression, polyuria and polydipsia are mainly non-specific but have a great impact on quality of life. As CKD is an irreversible, progressive and currently incurable disease, treatment focuses on slowing progression of the disease as well as maintaining or even improving quality of life in cats suffering from CKD.
In 2013, Semintra Oral Solution for Cats (telmisartan) gained a licence from the European Medicines Agency for the reduction of proteinuria associated with CKD in cats, and is the first angiotensin receptor blocker authorised for use in veterinary medicine.
In order to investigate owners’ perception of the influence of Semintra on quality of life, owners of cats with CKD that had been prescribed Semintra were asked to complete a feedback questionnaire after 1 month of treatment at 1 mg/kg q24h. Cases were recruited during June to December 2013 from both first opinion and referral veterinary centres across Europe: participating clinics were located in Germany, Spain, France, the UK, the Netherlands and Italy.
A total of 270 completed questionnaires were received. Owners indicated that appetite was maintained or improved in 90% of cats during the treatment period (question and possible responses: ‘During treatment with Semintra, would you say the appetite of your cat: increased significantly, increased a little, remained the same, decreased a little, decreased significantly, I don’t know’). Additionally, owners indicated that activity level was maintained or improved in 91% of cats during the treatment period (question and possible responses: ‘During treatment with Semintra, would you say the level of your cat’s activity: increased significantly, increased a little, remained the same, decreased a little, decreased significantly, I don’t know’).
As reduced appetite and weight loss are major problems associated with CKD in cats, maintaining or even increasing appetite is a desirable benefit of any treatment. Additionally, decreased activity often accompanies CKD and negatively affects quality of life. A medication that can maintain or even increase the activity of cats suffering from CKD is, therefore, also desirable. Although this multicentre European programme had a subjective design and was uncontrolled, these initial results suggest that improvements in quality of life might be observed by owners of cats with CKD receiving Semintra. This is an area that should receive further investigation.
Effect of Calculolytic Diets on Feline Mineral Metabolism
Carmen Pineda1, Escolastico Aguilera-Tejero1, Ana I Raya1, Beatriz Navarro1, Elisabet L Viejo1, Azahara Perales1, Addy Montes de Oca1, Mariano Rodriguez2 and
1Department of Medicina y Cirugia Animal, Universidad de Cordoba, Spain
2Department of Nefrologia y Unidad de Investigacion, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Cordoba, Spain
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Nutritional management, through the use of calculolytic diets, is quite effective both in preventing and treating struvite uroliths in cats. Since these diets are fed for prolonged periods they are potentially able to modify mineral metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two calculolytic diets on parameters of mineral metabolism in cats.
Fourteen sexually intact European cats were studied. The effect of struvite urolith dissolution diets on mineral metabolism parameters was determined using two commercial diets: diet 1 (Prescription Diet Feline s/d, Hill’s, Madrid, Spain) and diet 2 (Veterinary Diet Urinary S/O Feline, Royal Canin, Aimargues, France). The study was designed as a two sequence, four period cross-over protocol with two ‘run-in’ periods and one ‘wash-out’ period.
Feeding on the calculolytic diets for 2 months did not alter plasma concentrations of calcium (ionised and total), phosphorus, magnesium and parathyroid hormone; however, a marked decline in calcitriol was observed after administering both treatment diets (see Table). Magnesium concentration in urine was significantly increased with both diets, from 2.8 ± 0.3 to 4.0 ± 0.2 mg/dl (diet 1) and from 2.7 ± 0.3 to 4.4 ± 0.6 mg/dl (diet 2).
Parameters of mineral metabolism in plasma samples obtained from cats before (day 0) and after (days 30 and 60) being fed calculolytic diets (diet 1 and diet 2)
P <0.05 vs day 0
In conclusion, contrary to our hypothesis, the calculolytic diets under study did not alter blood parameters of mineral metabolism and did not seem to negatively influence mineral metabolism. Both diets resulted in an increased urinary excretion of magnesium, but through different mechanisms: urine acidification (diet 1) and increased sodium load (diet 2).
A Comparison of Axillary, Aural and Rectal Temperatures in Cats
Small Animal Hospital, University of Glasgow, UK
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Rectal temperature is used to assess core body temperature in cats but has limitations and can be poorly tolerated. Aural and axillary temperatures are reported as alternatives in both human and veterinary medicine, with axillary temperature having the advantage of not requiring a specialised thermometer. Previous studies have compared feline aural and rectal temperatures but not axillary. We aimed to compare axillary, aural and rectal temperatures in cats and to assess how well these methods are tolerated.
Axillary, aural and rectal temperatures were measured by one person using a standardised approach. A digital thermometer and an infrared aural thermometer (designed for veterinary use) were used. The order of measurements and the choice of left or right (for axillary and aural measurements) were randomised. Cats were subjectively reported as tolerant or intolerant of the procedure.
One hundred and twenty cats were included (15 breeds, ages 3 months to 18 years, weights 0.7–7.8 kg, BCS 1–9/9). Ninety-one cats were conscious, 17 sedated and 12 anaesthetised. Rectal temperatures ranged from 35.5°C to 40.4°C, with 46 cats classed as hypothermic (<37.8°C), 62 normothermic and 12 hyperthermic (>39.2°C).
Axillary temperatures ranged from 35.3°C to 40.3°C and were a median of 0.1°C less than the rectal temperature (range –1.4°C to +1°C). Axillary temperatures were within 0.5°C of the rectal temperature in 94 cats (78.3%) and within 1°C in 115 cats (95.8%). Aural temperatures ranged from 35.7°C to 40.9°C and were a median of 0.3°C higher than rectal temperature (range –2.4°C to +1.6°C). Aural temperatures were within 0.5°C of the rectal temperature in 63 cats (52.5%) and within 1°C in 94 cats (78.3%). Using McNemar’s test, significantly more cats had axillary temperatures within 0.5°C of rectal temperature when compared with the number with aural temperatures within these limits (P = 0.00003).
Of the 91 conscious cats, 85 cats (93.4%), 73 cats (80%) and 47 cats (51.6%) undergoing axillary, aural and rectal temperature measurements, respectively, were tolerant of the procedure. Axillary temperatures were well tolerated and differed from the rectal temperature by a lesser magnitude when compared with aural temperatures. Axillary temperatures may be a more reliable alternative for patients in which rectal temperatures cannot be obtained.
Dietary Hypervitaminosis D in Two British Shorthair Cats Partially Fed a ‘Natural’ Complementary Cat Food
1School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
2School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, Spain
3The Feline Centre, Langford Veterinary Services, Bristol, UK
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Dietary hypervitaminosis D is one of several recognised causes of hypercalcaemia in cats. A previously published report documented hypercalcaemia in cats associated with the ingestion of a complete commercial cat food found to contain excessive amounts of vitamin D. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no previous reports of hypercalcaemia related to hypervitaminosis D associated with feeding a complementary food as part of the diet.
Two sibling (one male entire, one female entire) 5-month-old British Shorthair cats were referred to The Feline Centre, Langford Veterinary Services for investigation of hypercalcaemia. Dietary history revealed that both cats were fed a variety of complete wet and dry cat foods supplemented by a complementary ‘natural’ wet food. There was no known history of access to vitamin D-containing plants or products. At presentation, ionised calcium was 1.82 mmol/l and 1.83 mmol/l in the male and female, respectively (reference interval [RI] 1.1–1.4 mmol/l). Renal parameters (urea, creatinine and phosphorus) were normal. Physical examination, and thoracic and abdominal imaging revealed no significant abnormalities.
Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were 553.4 nmol/l (RI 126–163 nmol/l) and 436.4 pmol/l (RI 192–317 pmol/l), respectively, in the male and 242.5 nmol/l and 406.3 pmol/l in the female. Independent accredited (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) nutritional analysis of the complementary ‘natural’ food, fed as part of the cats’ diet, revealed excessive concentrations of cholecalciferol at 318,325 IU/kg DM, above the nutritional maximum of 30,000 IU/kg DM stated by the European Pet Food Industry Federation, and a calcium:phosphorus ratio of 0.07:1, below the recommended minimum of 1:1.
These cases emphasise the importance both of considering nutritional hypervitaminosis D as a differential diagnosis for hypercalcaemia in cats and of rigorous testing of commercially produced cat foods to ensure their safety and suitability.
Effect of Dietary Change on Urinalysis and Fractional Excretion Rate of Minerals and Electrolytes in Cats With or Without Stage I Chronic Kidney Disease
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Japan
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Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is most commonly caused by tubulointerstitial dysfunction. Fractional excretion rate (FE) and urine specific gravity (USG) are useful factors for the diagnosis and prognostication of tubular function disorders at an early stage; however, these factors are affected by the animal’s food and hydration status. In this study, we investigated the effect of three different kinds of food on the osmolarity and levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cre), minerals and electrolytes in cats with or without stage I CKD.
Japanese Bobtail cats (aged 8–12 years) with stage I CKD (n = 4) and healthy cats (n = 5) were used in this study. The healthy cats and the cats with renal disease were divided into three groups. In a crossover study design, each of these groups was fed one of three types of food: general commercial dry food (Cont), KSD (Royal Canin, Japan) and ACSII (Royal Canin, Japan), for a period of 3 weeks, after which the type of food was changed for another 3 weeks. Food was given once a day according to the recommended quantity, and water was available freely. At the end of the 3 weeks for each type of food, blood and urine samples were collected, analysed, and the FE of minerals and electrolytes was calculated.
In both groups, BUN, Cre, FENa and plasma osmolarity (Posm) were not affected by the different foods. FEiP inversely correlated with the Ca/iP ratio in food, Ca and FECa with the Ca/iP ratio in food, K and FEK with the K content in food, and Na with the Na content in food. Moreover, urinary osmolarity (Uosm) and USG decreased in the CKD group when fed KSD and ACSII.
Cre and FENa were higher in the CKD group than in the healthy group with all types of food; however, Cre in the CKD group was within the clinically normal range (<1.5 mg/dl). Moreover, FECa, FEiP and FEK in the CKD group differed significantly from the values in the healthy group but were strongly influenced by food content. Uosm and USG in the CKD group were lower than in the healthy group when they were fed the food meant for aged cats or cats with renal disease.
In conclusion, FENa could be a beneficial index for diagnosing stage I CKD, when cats are fed any type of food. Further, Uosm and USG could be used to diagnose CKD when cats are fed food for senile state or renal disease.
Prevalence of FHV-1, FCV, Chlamydophila Felis and Mycoplasma Felis in Cats With Urtd, Conjunctivitis and Chronic Gingivostomatitis in Spain
1Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
2Merial Laboratorios, Barcelona, Spain
3Merial SAS, Lyon, France
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A large multicentre study was conducted with the aim of reporting the prevalence of feline herpesvirus–1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV), Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma felis by PCR in cats with upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), conjunctivitis and/or chronic gingivostomatitis (CGS) in Spain; and to compare with the prevalence in cats without these clinical signs.
The study population consisted of 358 cats, including 98 control cats. Among the 260 diseased cats, 127 cats presented URTD, 149 cats had conjunctivitis and 154 cats were suffering CGS, many of them presenting more than one clinical sign. The prevalences observed are summarised in the Table. Coinfections were common among all groups of cats. Cats with signs of URTD were significantly more likely to be infected with FHV-1, C felis and M felis. Cats with conjunctivitis were significantly more likely to be infected with FHV-1 and C felis. Cats with CGS were significantly more likely to be infected with FCV (P <0.001 each).
Prevalence of pathogens according to clinical signs
This is the first epidemiological study describing the prevalence of feline respiratory pathogens in Spain. Results are similar to previously reported prevalences of FHV-1, FCV and C felis in other countries, while M felis was encountered slightly more frequently. It outlines the respective importance of FHV and FCV in URTD and CGS, and the importance of putting into place preventive measures. The clinical relevance of M felis needs to be further investigated.
Colloid Gold Nanoparticles Conjunct With Doxorubicin as a Potent Therapeutic Agent for Feline Injection-Site Sarcomas. Experiments in Vitro and in Ovo
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
2Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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A higher cytotoxic effect of colloid gold nanoparticles conjunct with doxorubicin was observed in three out of four feline fibrosarcoma cell lines (FFS1, FFS3, FFS1WAW) than the effect of free doxorubicin. As this might be the result of gold nanoparticles bypassing glycoprotein P (the main efflux pump responsible for multidrug resistance), the activity of glycoprotein P was assessed. Half maximal inhibitory concentrations were two, seven and 12.5 times lower for colloid gold nanoparticles conjunct with doxorubicin than doxorubicin alone for FFS1WAW, FFS3 and FFS1 cell lines with high glycoprotein P activity (53, 541, 384, respectively). By contrast, colloid gold nanoparticles conjunct with doxorubicin did not have a more cytotoxic effect than free doxorubicin on cell line FFS5, which did not demonstrate any glycoprotein P activity. The results indicate a higher effectiveness of colloid gold nanoparticles conjunct with doxorubicin than of doxorubicin alone in cell lines with a high activity of glycoprotein P.
We have indicated the possibility of forming solid tumours (feline fibrosarcomas from FFS1 and FFS3 cell lines) on chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane, which was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we have demonstrated the practical use of this model for drug testing. A significant reduction in tumour size (P <0.01) was observed 72 h after a single intratumoral administration of doxorubicin conjunct with colloid gold nanoparticles (in doses obtained in vitro with cell proliferation and viability assay). A single intratumoral administration of free doxorubicin in the same doses was ineffective and a progression of tumours was observed.
New Genetic Tools for Detecting the Three Feline Demodex Mites Using Non-Invasive Sampling Methods
1Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
2Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, Vetmeduni Vienna, Austria
3Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
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Demodex mites are the causative agents of canine and feline demodicosis and have been associated with facial erythema rosacea in humans. Recently a third feline Demodex mite with distinct morphological and genetic characteristics has been described. Only Demodex cati had been reported in Austria until the detection of the first case of Demodex gatoi in a Cornish Rex cat last year. To evaluate the applicability and sensitivity of a non-invasive sampling method for parasite detection, faeces samples from the affected cat were collected.
When compared with skin scrapings and cellophane tapes, D gatoi was detected more frequently and in higher numbers in faecal samples. In order to genetically verify the differentiation among the three feline Demodex mites, we designed a novel PCR-based detection method. A new real-time PCR with three fluorescent TaqMan probes was created. Species-specific amplifications could be detected and the mites differentiated to species level in a single reaction. No cross-reactivity was observed. The limit of detection was determined using a dilution series, and amplification was successful down to 1.4 ng of Demodex DNA (equivalent to less than one mite). The sensitivity and specificity of the novel PCR was assessed by comparison with conventional and SybrGreen PCR methods. The dissociation curve revealed similar primer specificity and improved Ct-values compared with published assays.
In this study we describe a novel assay for the simultaneous detection and discrimination of all three feline Demodex mites in clinical samples. This assay will be a valuable tool for future research to shed more light on this parasitic disease. We suggest that D gatoi, and most likely the other mite species, can be efficiently diagnosed with coproscopy and provide evidence that faecal flotation liquid is suitable for DNA extraction and PCR-based species verification of D gatoi.
Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of an Adjuvant Immunotherapy for Feline Injection-Site Sarcomas, in Association With Surgery and Brachytherapy
1Merial SAS, R&D, Lyon, France
2MICEN Vet, Créteil, France
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A randomised, controlled, monocentric trial assessed the efficacy of a recombinant canarypox virus (ALVAC) expressing locally feline interleukin-2 (IL-2) as an adjuvant treatment for feline injection site sarcomas (FISSs) in cats, in combination with surgery and brachytherapy.
Forty-eight cats with first occurrence of FISS were recruited. Twenty-three cats received surgery and brachytherapy (control group), and 25 cats were treated with ALVAC IL-2 in addition (treated group), administered subcutaneously at the tumour site on day 0 (one day before brachytherapy treatment), day 7, day 14, day 21, day 35 and day 49.
Only 27.8% of the treated cats relapsed within a 24 month follow-up period vs 59.1% of controls. The median time to relapse (local recurrence or metastasis) was 287 days for the control group, whereas it was longer than 730 days for the treated group. The treatment is efficacious and reduced the risk of relapse over 2 years by 65% in treated cats compared with control cats (P = 0.048) (Figure 1). Importantly, no serious adverse event was reported after treatment with ALVAC IL-2.
Beneficial effect of adjuvant immunotherapy (ALVAC IL-2) on time to relapse and risk of relapse for FISS
Radical surgical excision remains the reference treatment for FISS, with radiotherapy. Due to the high potential for the recurrence of this invasive tumour, an adjuvant treatment such as ALVAC IL-2 is expected to increase the time to relapse and to reduce the risk of relapse.
