Challenging The Status QuoApril 17, 2009Originally published in the November 2007 issue of Veterinary Practice News After struggling with an especially unmanageable case of diabetes mellitus in her own cat for almost a year and hearing euthanasia recommended by colleagues, Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, went back to the drawing board. It was 1994 and she had left her position as vice president of marketing at Hill’s Pet Nutrition to start law school. She began studying ingredients on the label of dry food she had been feeding the 4-year-old cat. What she discovered not only cured her Punkin of diabetes in five days but also led to her patenting a canned food for diabetic cats and developing her “Tight Regulation” protocol, which she says has permanently cured several hundred diabetics in her feline practice. Spreading the Word In her new book, “Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life” (Thomas Dunne Books, 2007), Hodgkins shares her rationale and offers case studies from her Yorba Linda, Calif., practice, All About Cats Health Center. She also explains the history and influence of the pet food industry to help readers understand why today’s cats are being fed dry food, which she firmly believes is causing a multitude of …
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Transdermals Effective For Feline HyperthyroidismApril 17, 2009 Methimazole is commonly used for the medical management of hyperthyroidism in cats. With some cats, giving an oral medication can be challenging and alternatives have been sought. A promising avenue is the transdermal application of methimazole in a pleuronic lecithin organogel. The gel allows penetration through the skin of the patient. The use of methimazole formulated in PLO gel has previously been reported and it has been demonstrated that chronic administration can control hyperthyroidism in cats.1 The dosage required to achieve control varies, however, with 2.5 mg administered BID, 67 percent of cats with follow-up at four weeks were well controlled. A group of researchers from the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich looked at short and long-term follow-up in a group of cats treated with transdermal methimazole.2 The study encompassed 20 newly diagnosed hyperthyroid cats. Initial dose was 2.5 mg BID. All cats were rechecked between one and four weeks after starting therapy. Eight cats were also reevaluated at five to eight weeks, nine to 20 weeks and after a median of 42.5 weeks (range 21 to 118 weeks). This study also attempted to look at the effect of the gel on T4 concentrations over a …
Allergens Can Trigger Feline AsthmaApril 17, 2009 Feline asthma is the most common cause of coughing in cats. It is also known as bronchial asthma and allergic bronchitis. It is considered an allergic disease driven by T-helper 2 lymphocytes against an inhaled allergen. Cytokines are produced which perpetuate the disease. The pathogenesis includes activation of inflammatory cells, induction of hyperreactivity in airways, synthesis of allergen-specific antibodies, and remodeling of airway tissues. Serotonin is the primary mediator that contributes to airway smooth-muscle contraction; serotonin is found in mast cells. Inhaled antigens within airways cause acute mast-cell degranulation and thus a release of serotonin. This results in a sudden contraction of the airway smooth muscle. Asthma Signs The disease initially manifests as coughing with the cat assuming a crouched down, extended neck position. The cough is generally non-productive. The disease is often progressive, resulting in bronchiectasis and emphysema. Cats with severe cases exhibit expiratory dyspnea, wheezing, open-mouth breathing and cyanosis. Harsh lung sounds, crackles and prolonged expiratory phase of respiration also occur in some cats. The antigens that initiate serotonin release are usually undiagnosed, but the common suspects are grass and tree pollens, house dust mites, smoke (cigarette or fireplace), sprays (hair …
Study Says Cats Can Get Alzheimer’sApril 17, 2009 Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh, St. Andrews and Bristol in the United Kingdom and in California say they have identified a key protein which can build up in the nerve cells of a cat’s brain and cause mental deterioration. In humans with Alzheimer’s disease, this protein creates “tangles” inside the nerve cells which inhibit messages being processed by the brain. The team says the presence of this protein in cats is proof that they, too, can develop this type of disease. “We’ve known for a long time that cats develop dementia, but this study tells us that the cat’s neural system is being compromised in a similar fashion to that we see in human Alzheimer’s sufferers,” said Danielle Gunn-Moore of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal School of Veterinary Studies. The shorter lifespan of a cat, compared to humans, is expected to allow researchers to more rapidly assess the effects of diet, high blood pressure and prescribed drugs on the course of the disease. Researchers say that good diet, mental stimulation and companionship can reduce the risk of dementia in both humans and cats. “If humans and their cats live in a poor environment …
Understanding The Gap In Feline CareApril 17, 2009 Cats outnumber dogs in American households by 90 million to 62 million, but when it comes to veterinary care, veterinarians see far more canines for wellness visits, routine examinations and medical treatments. That frustrates Patricia Olson, DVM, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Morris Animal Foundation, the Englewood, Colo., non-profit group that funds more studies for companion animals than any other foundation. “There is a definite concern among leaders in the pet industry as to why veterinarians see relatively fewer cats and why less research is being conducted on cats than dogs,” says Dr. Olson. “Despite the cat’s rising popularity–the population of owned cats is growing 25 percent faster than dogs–less money is spent on health care for cats.” In 2006, the Morris Animal Foundation funded $4 million for 44 new and 53 ongoing studies for companion animals. Of those studies, canine-related studies represented 38 percent, followed by horses at 13 percent. Feline studies garnered only 10 percent of those research dollars. James Richards, DVM, past president of the American Assn. of Feline Practitioners and director of the Feline Health Center at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., says one reason for the discrepancy may …
Technology To Predetermine Cat Sexes DevelopedApril 17, 2009 The Audubon Nature Institute and XY Inc. of Fort Collins, Colo., say they have developed a process allowing the sex of felines to be chosen before they’re born. The technology, developed by XY, resulted in a litter of healthy kittens, produced from embryos fertilized with sexed sperm, born at Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species (ACRES) in New Orleans on Oct. 11, according to the nature institute. “The knowledge gained through this research will help scientists and conservationists cope with threats to the most seriously endangered feline species by developing new reproductive technologies and reintroduction techniques necessary to ensure their long-term survival,” said Betsy Dresser, Audubon Nature Institute senior vice president and ACRES director of research. ACRES’ wildlife conservation-directed research focuses on use of reproductive technologies such as cryopreservation of sperm and embryos, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. “Sex selection is critically important in the race against extinction of endangered exotic feline populations,” said C. Earle Pope, the ACRES research team leader for the project. “Our ability to determine the birth of female felines in captivity will help advance the work of animal preservationists trying to increase the numbers of endangered …
What’s Wrong With Murphy? You Make The CallApril 17, 2009 Bought to you by Signalment: 4 year old MC domestic short hair cat History: Murphy has been restless the last few days and has spent a lot of time on the litter box. He has been vocalizing excessively. Today he refused to eat, started vomiting and became progressively more lethargic. Physical Examination: T: 97.0 P: 110 R: 14 Murphy is somewhat obese with a BCS of 7/9. He is minimally responsive on presentation. Thoracic auscultation fails to reveal any abnormalities. Abdominal palpation is resented, a large bladder is palpated. Palpation results in obvious discomfort. Pulses are thready. An ECG is obtained. 1. What is the rate and rhythm on this ECG tracing? 2. What are potential differentials for this type of rhythm? 3. What clinical significance does this rhythm have and what other clinical findings could suggest that a severe problem is present? 4. What treatment is recommended for this rhythm? 5. What other diagnostics are appropriate? Answers: 1. What is the rate and rhythm on this ECG tracing? The ECG shows a slow heart rate of approximately 100 …
Cyclosporine Therapy In Veterinary DermatologyJuly 29, 2008 Treating canine and feline dermatoses with cyclosporine has been the subject of great interest in recent years.1 Many studies have focused on canine atopic dermatitis, and now there is substantial evidence that cyclosporine is efficacious in treating this common condition.2 In addition, cyclosporine has been used to treat a number of recalcitrant skin diseases, ranging from canine perianal fistulas to feline eosinophilic granuloma complex. Cyclosporine is a potent immunomodulating polypeptide originally isolated from the soil fungus Tolypocladium inflatum. By inhibiting the production of IL-2, IL-4 and other cytokines, cyclosporine is effective in controlling the inflammation associated with many allergic and immune-mediated skin diseases. Atopica (cyclosporine, modified; Novartis Animal Health, Inc.) was approved for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis in 2003. It is available in 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg capsules. Compared to the original form, this micro-emulsified version of cyclosporine increases the oral bioavailability and consistency of absorption in dogs.3 Food in the gastrointestinal tract decreases absorption by about 20 percent. The drug is metabolized primarily in the liver by the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A4. Drugs metabolized by the …
Canine Melanoma Vaccine Gets Conditional OKMay 23, 2007 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has conditionally licensed a vaccine to treat canine oral melanoma—the first approved therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of cancer in either animals or humans, according to the company that produces it, Merial. The vaccine is indicated for the treatment of dogs with stage II or stage III oral melanoma for which local disease control has been achieved. It has been in the making for some time. Merial has been involved with the research for four to five years, said Bob Nordgren, Ph.D., vice president of biologics research, development and technology acquisition for Merial. The initial research, however, began even further back. Ongoing research into human treatments that was being conducted by Jedd Wolchok, MD, Ph.D., at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City led to collaboration with Philip Bergman, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM (Oncology) at the Animal Medical Center in New York. The collaboration resulted in the canine melanoma vaccine. Dr. Bergman approached Merial to support the research, which helped further develop and refine the vaccine. The vaccine alerts the immune system to the presence of the melanoma tumor protein tyrosinase. The vaccine uses a gene for …
The Pain PrognosisMay 23, 2007Every day, it seems, research sheds more light on the physiological avenues of pain, revealing new opportunities to improve quality of life. The trick, of course, is to translate those insights into tools of measurement and treatment that make a real-world difference for animals in pain. To gain a better understanding of the near- and long-term future of pain management, we asked seven veterinary experts from the pharmaceutical industry, academic research and clinical practice to give their prognoses. On more than a few fronts, they see reasons for optimism. In their eyes, hope takes the form of: New pain scales that remove much of the guesswork from assessment. NSAIDs and opioids that better target specific diseases and other ailments. Research that yields novel uses for existing medications. Sustained-release drugs that take compliance off the list of concerns. With some of these and other predictions, it’s hard to separate aspiration from expectation, while in other areas, forecasts are already coming true. For instance, existing drugs are regularly being used to treat pain in new ways. On two points, at least, the experts agree: This is an exciting, dynamic time to tackle issues of pain management and prevention. A world of progress …
