Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CATS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Red blood cell transfusions in cats: 126 cases (1999).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of and reasons for RBC transfusions, incidence of acute transfusion reactions, prevalence of blood types, volume of blood administered, change in PCV, and clinical outcome in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 126 cats that received RBC transfusions. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats that received whole blood or packed RBC transfusions were reviewed for signalment, blood type, pre- and post-transfusion PCV, volume of blood product administered, clinical diagnosis and cause of anemia, clinical signs of acute transfusion reactions, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Mean volume of whole blood administered i.v. was 172 mL/kg (7.8 mL/lb) versus 9.3 mL/kg (4.2 mL/lb) for packed RBCs. Ninety-four percent of cats had blood type A. Mean increase in PCV among all cats was 6%. Fifty-two percent of cats had anemia attributed to blood loss, 10% had anemia attributed to hemolysis, and 38% had anemia attributed to erythropoietic failure. Acute transfusion reactions occurred in 11 cats. Sixty percent of cats survived until discharge. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: RBC transfusions resulted in an increase in PCV in cats with all causes of anemia in this study. The rate of death was greater than in cats that did not receive transfusions, but seriousness of the underlying disease in the 2 groups may not be comparable. Death rate of cats that received transfusions was not attributable to a high rate of transfusion reactions. Results confirm that pretransfusion blood typing or crossmatching is required to minimize the risk of adverse reactions.

Anemia↗
PubMed2005

Clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi: 163 cases (1984-2002).

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats with ureteral calculi. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 163 client-owned cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, history, clinical signs, and results of clinicopathologic testing and diagnostic imaging was obtained. RESULTS: The number of cats in which ureterolithiasis was diagnosed each year increased progressively during the study period. Clinical signs tended to be non-specific and included inappetence, vomiting, lethargy, and weight loss. A combination of survey radiography and abdominal ultrasonography revealed ureteral calculi in 66 of 73 (90%) cats in which the diagnosis was confirmed at surgery or necropsy. Ultrasonography revealed that ureteral calculi were causing ureteral obstruction in 143 of 155 (92%) cats. One hundred thirty-four of 162 (83%) cats had azotemia, 84 of 156 (54%) had hyperphosphatemia, and 22 of 152 (14%) had hypercalcemia. Urinary tract infection was documented in 10 of 119 (8%). Fifty-eight of 76 (76%) cats with unilateral ureterolithiasis had azotemia and 33 (43%) had hyperphosphatemia, indicating impairment of renal function in the contralateral kidney or prerenal azotemia. Ultrasonographic imaging of the contralateral kidney in cats with unilateral ureteral calculi suggested that preexisting renal parenchymal disease was common in cats with ureterolithiasis. Ninety-one of 93 (98%) ureteral calculi contained calcium oxalate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that abdominal imaging should be performed in all cats with chronic nonspecific signs or with acute or chronic renal failure to rule out ureterolithiasis. Preexisting renal disease may be common in cats with ureteral calculi.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Cats as a risk for transmission of antimicrobial drug-resistant Salmonella.

To determine whether cats were a risk for transmission of Salmonella to humans, we evaluated the excretion of Salmonella by pet cats. Rectal-swab specimens were taken from 278 healthy house cats, from 58 cats that died of disease, and from 35 group-housed cats. Group-housed cats were kept in one room with three cat trays and a common water and feed tray. Eighteen (51.4%) of 35 group-housed cats, 5 (8.6%) of 58 diseased cats (5/58), and 1 (0.36%) of 278 healthy house cats excreted Salmonella. Salmonella isolates were of serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Bovismorbificans and 4:i:-. Acquired antimicrobial resistance was found in serotype Typhimurium (resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline; to ampicillin; and to chloramphenicol) and 4:i:- strains (resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim). Cats that excrete Salmonella can pose a public health hazard to people who are highly susceptible to Salmonella, such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of methimazole on renal function in cats with hyperthyroidism.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of methimazole on renal function in cats with hyperthyroidism. Twelve cats with naturally occurring hyperthyroidism and 10 clinically normal (i.e., control) cats were included in this study. All cats initially were evaluated with a history, physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, basal serum total thyroxine concentration, complete urinalysis, and urine bacterial culture. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by a plasma iohexol clearance (PIC) test. After initial evaluation, hyperthyroid cats were treated with methimazole until euthyroidism was achieved. Both groups of cats were then reevaluated by repeating the initial tests four to six weeks later. The mean (+/-standard deviation) pretreatment estimated GFR for the hyperthyroid cats was significantly higher (3.83+/-1.82 ml/kg per min) than that of the control cats (1.83+/-0.56 ml/kg per min). Control of the hyperthyroidism resulted in a significantly decreased mean GFR of 2.02+/-0.81 ml/kg per minute when compared to pretreatment values. In the hyperthyroid group, the mean increases in serum urea nitrogen (SUN) and creatinine concentrations and the mean decrease in the urine specific gravity after treatment were not statistically significant when compared to pretreatment values. Two of the 12 hyperthyroid cats developed abnormally high serum creatinine concentrations following treatment. These results provide evidence that cats with hyperthyroidism have increased GFR compared to normal cats, and that treatment of feline hyperthyroidism with methimazole results in decreased GFR.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effects of chromium supplementation on glucose tolerance in obese and nonobese cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of dietary supplementation with chromium (Cr) picolinate on health and response to i.v. glucose tolerance testing (IVGTT) in obese and nonobese cats. ANIMALS: 7 obese and 12 nonobese cats. PROCEDURE: 6 nonobese cats were untreated controls, whereas 6 different nonobese cats and 7 obese cats received oral administration of 100 microg Cr/d for 6 weeks. All cats were evaluated before and immediately after the treatment period by use of physical examination, CBC, serum biochemical analyses, and IVGTT. Calculated values included glucose half-life, coefficient of glucose disappearance, insulin peak response, insulinogenic index, and insulin secretion rate determined at various times after start of IVGTT. RESULTS: Adverse effects on cats' health were not observed during or after treatment, and significant changes in body weight, hematologic values, or most serum biochemical values were not detected. Serum potassium concentration decreased significantly after treatment in obese cats but was within reference range. Compared with nonobese cats, obese cats had significantly higher insulin peak response, insulinogenic index, and insulin secretion rate before and after treatment. Chromium supplementation did not alter responses to IVGTT in either treatment group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dietary supplementation with 100 microg of Cr/d for 6 weeks is safe but does not affect glucose tolerance in obese or nonobese cats.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effect of enalapril on blood pressure, renal function, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in cats with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate blood pressure, renal function, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in cats with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and to assess the effect of enalapril on these variables. ANIMALS: 6 cats with ADPKD and 6 age-matched healthy cats. PROCEDURE: To measure blood pressure and heart rate, a radiotelemetry catheter was placed in the left femoral artery of each cat. Baseline data collection included 24-hour blood pressure, heart rate, and motor activity. Blood was then collected for analysis of RAAS status and renal function. Enalapril (0.5 mg/kg of body weight, p.o., q 24 h) was administered for 1 week, and data collection was repeated. RESULTS: Differences in baseline blood pressure, heart rate, motor activity, RAAS status, and renal function were not detected between cats with ADPKD and control cats. Hypertension was not documented in cats with ADPKD. Blood pressure was significantly reduced for 15 to 17 hours after treatment with enalapril in both groups. Administration of enalapril also resulted in significant increases in plasma renin activity and significant decreases in angiotensin converting enzyme activity and atrial natriuretic peptide concentration but only minimal changes in glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow in both groups of cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although hypertension is common in humans with ADPKD, cats with ADPKD were normotensive. Treatment with enalapril (0.5 mg/kg, p.o., q 24 h) significantly reduced blood pressure in normotensive healthy cats and cats with ADPKD, and resulted in predictable changes in RAAS enzyme activities and hormone concentrations. Enalapril had minimal effects on renal function.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Hematologic and radiographic changes in cats after inoculation with infective larvae of Dirofilaria immitis.

Hematologic and radiographic findings in 15 domestic cats inoculated with 25, 100, or 200 to 400 infective larvae of Dirofilaria immitis and in 5 uninoculated cats were compared. Eosinophilia and leukocytosis developed 3 to 5 months after inoculation; packed cell volume and hemoglobin values were similar for inoculated cats and controls. Changes detected in radiographs of inoculated cats were: (1) increased visualization of the pulmonary arteries; (2) right-side cardiac enlargement; and (3) diffuse to focal areas of density in the pulmonary parenchyma. At least one of these lesions was visible radiographically by 3 to 7 months after inoculation in all 15 cats. The severity of changes was not directly proportional to the number of infective larvae inoculated, adult worm burden, or age of cat. However, male cats had more severe cardiopulmonary lesions than did females, and cats that had microfilaremia during the course of infection had more severe pulmonary lesions, as determined radiographically. Parenchymal densities decreased in 8 of the 15 inoculated cats 6 to 14 months after inoculation. Cardiac enlargement was detected radiographically in 10 of the inoculated cats. Enlargement of the pulmonary arteries was the most consistent sign of D immitis infection; it developed and persisted in 12 cats found to be infected at necropsy.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Response of cats with dilated cardiomyopathy to taurine supplementation.

Between October 1986 and September 1988, 37 cats with moderate to severe idiopathic myocardial failure (dilated cardiomyopathy) were evaluated. Clinical management of these cats was similar to that described in the literature, except that it also included administration of 500 or 1,000 mg of the sulfur amino acid, taurine per day. Early death (death within the first 30 days of treatment) occurred in 14 (38%) cats. One cat was lost to follow-up evaluation. Twenty-two cats (59%) had marked clinical and echocardiographic improvement and survived longer than 240 days. In all but 1 cat, the observed improvement in echocardiographic measurements persisted. Hypothermia and thromboembolism were positively associated with an increased risk of early death. Administration of digoxin did not significantly affect survival. All 22 cats that survived greater than 30 days remained clinically stable despite withdrawal of all medications except taurine. Administration of taurine was eventually discontinued in 20 of the 22 cats and adequate taurine intake was thereafter provided for in the food. The clinical response and 1-year survival rate of 58% (21 of 36 cats with a known outcome) in the taurine-treated group represents a marked improvement, compared with a 1-year survival rate of 13% (4 of 31 cats with a known outcome) in a retrospectively evaluated population of 33 cats with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1991

Clinical and pathologic features of endometrial hyperplasia, pyometra, and endometritis in cats: 79 cases (1980-1985).

Records of 79 cats determined to have endometrial hyperplasia (EH) with or without pyometra or endometritis were studied. Forty-eight cats (61%) were spayed or died because of complications relating to reproductive tract disease. All other cats were free of clinical signs of disease, and lesions were found incidentally during routine ovariohysterectomy or at necropsy. Prevalence of uterine lesions was greater in cats greater than or equal to 5 years old. Breeding, age at first breeding, and queening could not be correlated with clinical or pathologic signs of disease. Seventy-one percent (34/48) of cats with clinical signs referable to the reproductive tract had histologic evidence of pyometra or endometritis, whereas only 19% (6/31) of cats without clinical signs had histologic evidence of either disease. Only 23% (9/39) of cats without pyometra or endometritis had corpora lutea (CL) in at least one ovary, whereas 40% (16/40) of cats with either pyometra or endometritis had CL. We concluded that the prevalence of EH in cats increases with age in sexually intact female cats, and that most cases of pyometra or endometritis, but not EH, in cats are associated with retained CL.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence of disease in nonviremic cats previously exposed to feline leukemia virus.

Feline leukemia virus status and antibody titer to feline oncornavirus-associated cell membrane antigen (FOCMA) were determined on plasma from 183 outpatient cats and 61 cats from 2 closed, FeLV-positive, multiple-cat households. Cats with FOCMA antibody titer had a significantly (P less than 0.02) higher prevalence of history of disease than did cats without FOCMA antibody. Diseases included upper respiratory tract infections, abscesses, ear infections, lower urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disease, pneumonia, uterine infection, lymphadenopathy, fever of unknown origin, and bacterial infections. The FOCMA antibody titer was determined by use of an indirect fluorescent antibody test; titer greater than or equal to 1:16 was considered to be positive results. Lower mean FOCMA antibody titer was observed in young cats with history of disease (P less than 0.05) than in young cats without history of disease or in older cats with or without history of disease. Prevalence of FOCMA antibody titer was identical (38%) in young and adult cats, indicating cats likely were exposed to FeLV as kittens because a higher prevalence of FOCMA antibody titer in older cats would otherwise be expected.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Tick parasitism and antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in cats.

Ticks were removed from naturally infested cats, and serum samples from these cats were tested for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Twenty-two of 93 cats (23.7%) had one or more motile stages of Ixodes dammini attached. Of 2 larvae and 20 nymphs removed from cats, 1 larva and 2 nymphs were infected with B burgdorferi. Spirochetes were not found in tissues of 13 female and 4 male ticks. Ten of 71 serum samples analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody staining or ELISA contained antibodies to this spirochete. Maximal antibody titers were 1:256 and 1:2,560, respectively. At titers greater than or equal to 1:160 in ELISA, seropositivity ranged from 8.8% (n = 34 sera tested from 34 cats) in May through July to 33.3% (n = 12 cats tested) during February through April. In clinical studies of 30 cats, there were nearly equal percentages of seropositive cats with limb or joint disorders not accompanied by fever, anorexia, or fatigue (5 of 21 cats) and cats with these signs of illness but lacking lameness (2 of 9 cats.)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of nonthyroidal illness on serum thyroxine concentrations in cats: 494 cases (1988).

We reviewed the medical records of 494 cats with a variety of nonthyroidal diseases in which serum thyroxine (T4) concentration was determined as part of diagnostic evaluation. The cats were grouped by category of disease (ie, renal disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, focal neoplasia, systemic neoplasia, hepatopathy, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory pulmonary disease, miscellaneous diseases, or undiagnosed disease), degree of illness (ie, mild, moderate, or severe), survival (ie, lived, died, or euthanatized), and presence or absence of a palpable thyroid gland. The mean (+/- SD) serum T4 concentrations in all 10 groups of cats, which ranged from 10.5 +/- 11.1 nmol/L in cats with diabetes mellitus to 18.7 +/- 7.8 nmol/L in cats with focal neoplasia, were significantly (P less than 0.001) lower than those of normal cats (27.0 +/- 10.4 nmol/L). The number of ill cats with low serum T4 concentrations (less than 10 nmol/L) was highest in the cats with diabetes mellitus (59%), hepatopathy (54%), renal failure (48%), and systemic neoplasia (41%). When the serum T4 concentrations in cats with mild, moderate, and severe illness were compared, mean concentrations were progressively lower (21.3 +/- 6.8, 14.8 +/- 8.1, and 6.5 +/- 5.8 nmol/L, respectively) as degree of illness increased. Severity of illness had a more significant (P less than 0.001) effect in lowering serum T4 concentrations than did disease category. Mean serum T4 concentrations in the cats that died (7.8 +/- 9.8 nmol/L) or were euthanatized (10.0 +/- 7.0 nmol/L) were also significantly (P less than 0.001) lower than those of cats that survived (15.2 +/- 8.8 nmol/L).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Contribution of propylene glycol-induced Heinz body formation to anemia in cats.

Propylene glycol (PG) is a common preservative and source of synthetic carbohydrates in soft-moist pet foods. Propylene glycol was fed to cats for 5 weeks at concentrations found in commercial diets (1.6 g/kg of body weight; 12% of diet on a dry-weight basis) and for 3 weeks at concentrations exceeding usual intake (8 g/kg; 41% of diet). There was a dose-dependent increase in Heinz body percentage to 28% in cats fed the low dose of PG and to 92% in cats fed the high dose. Erythrocyte half-life, measured using [14C]-cyanate hemoglobin (Hb), decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) by 18.8% and 60% in cats fed the low and high PG doses, respectively. The PCV in cats fed the low dose was unaffected, whereas cats fed the high dose had a mean (+/- SEM) decrease in PCV from 33.5 +/- 1.05% to 26.3 +/- 1.45%, accompanied by punctate reticulocytosis and bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia. A dose-dependent increase in iron pigment was found in the liver and spleen of all cats. In cats fed the low dose of PG, erythrocyte reduced glutathione concentration actually increased from 7.02 +/- 0.56 to 9.74 +/- 0.69 mumol/g of Hb, but decreased to 2.96 +/- 0.27 mumol/g of Hb in cats fed the high dose. There was no significant increase in methemoglobin concentration. These results indicated that PG cannot be considered innocuous even at concentrations consumed by cats eating commercial diets. Heinz body-induced acceleration of RBC destruction develops in a dose-dependent manner, so that cats with greater food intake, ie, lactating queens and nursing kittens, are at greater risk for development of PG-induced Heinz body hemolytic anemia.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗
PubMed1988

Hyperadrenocorticism in cats: seven cases (1978-1987).

Hyperadrenocorticism was diagnosed in 7 cats with concurrent diabetes mellitus. Four cats had pituitary adenoma with bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia, 1 cat had pituitary carcinoma with bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia, 1 cat had adrenocortical carcinoma, and 1 cat had adrenocortical adenoma of the left adrenal gland. One year later, adrenocortical adenoma involving the right adrenal gland also was diagnosed in this cat. Clinical signs included polyuria and polydipsia (n = 7), development of pot-bellied appearance (n = 5), dermatologic alterations (n = 5), lethargy (n = 3), weight loss (n = 3), dyspnea/panting (n = 2), and recurrent bacterial infections (n = 2). In 6 cats, the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism was established before death on the basis of results of the ACTH stimulation test (n = 3) and the dexamethasone screening test (n = 5). Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism was differentiated from adrenocortical neoplasia on the basis of results of the dexamethasone suppression test (n = 4), endogenous ACTH concentration (n = 3), results of abdominal radiography and ultrasonography (n = 3), and exploratory celiotomy (n = 1). Four cats died or were euthanatized without treatment attempts. Treatment with mitotane followed by 60Co teletherapy was ineffective in one cat with pituitary adenoma. One cat with pituitary carcinoma died one week after bilateral adrenalectomy. Bilateral adrenocortical adenomas were removed surgically in the affected cat.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1985

Hemangiosarcoma in the cat: retrospective evaluation of 31 surgical cases.

Hemangiosarcoma was diagnosed in 31 cats. Diagnosis was confirmed by surgical biopsy. Locations of the primary tumors were the abdominal cavity (15 cats), sc tissue (13 cats), thoracic cavity (2 cats), and nasal cavity (1 cat). Nine (60%) of the 15 cats with abdominal hemangiosarcoma had extrathoracic evidence of metastasis: this was not found in the other cats. Of the cats with tumors located in the sc tissue, 6 of 10 (60%) evaluated on a long-term basis had local recurrence of the tumor. Eleven cats were not available for follow-up evaluation, 3 cats were euthanatized at the time of surgery, and 2 others were euthanatized within the first postoperative week subsequent to histologic diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. Of the remaining 15 cats, 4 with abdominal hemangiosarcoma and 5 with hemangiosarcoma of the sc tissue died at means of 22 and 44 weeks, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Blood volume of nonsplenectomized and splenectomized cats before and after acute hemorrhage.

Blood volume (BV) was determined in awake, nonsplenectomized (NSPX) and splenectomized (SPX) cats before and after hemorrhage (6 ml/kg). Each NSPX cat had a determined BV at least 10 ml/kg greater than the same cat after splenectomy. The mean BV of SPX cats was 43.4 +/- 8.94. ml kg (4.3% of body weight). The calculated RBC masses of NSPX and SPX cats were 17.0 +/- 4.07 and 12.2 +/- 1.12 ml/kg, respectively. Each NSPX cat had apparent RBC masses of 5 ml/kg greater than that of the same cat after splenectomy was done. At 1 hour after a hemorrhage, the BV and RBC masses determined in SPX cats were 46.7 +/- 12.1 and 9.7 +/- 1.90 ml/kg, respectively. Extravascular-to-intravascular fluid flux (calculated from RBC masses and plasma protein dilution) was approximately 0.80% of body weight. The indirect method with 51Cr-labeled RBC for BV determination was accurate and precise in awake, SPX cats; in awake, NSPX cats, the 51Cr-labeled RBC dilution method was precise, but not accurate. The spleen in the cat resulted in marked overestimations of BV and RBC masses.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Echocardiographic evidence for myocardial failure induced by taurine deficiency in domestic cats.

Dietary taurine-deficiency is a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in cats. While the incidence of clinical cases of feline DCM has markedly decreased since the association between DCM and taurine-deficiency was first recognized, not all cats maintained on taurine-deficient diets develop DCM. The objective was to temporally evaluate left ventricular (LV) function using M-mode echocardiography in 23 cats maintained on a taurine-deficient diet; 20 time-matched, taurine-supplemented cats served as controls. The duration of feeding trials ranged from 6-15 months. No diminution of myocardial function was recorded in a small number of taurine-deficient cats whereas cardiac performance in some taurine-deficient cats diminished to levels characteristic of DCM. Of the taurine-deficient cats, 17 (74%) experienced a greater than 25% reduction in fractional shortening and 21 (91%) had a greater than 25% increase in LV end-systolic short-axis diameter. On average, LV end-systolic short-axis diameter increased by 70% and fractional shortening decreased by 37% in taurine-deficient cats. Mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening was similarly reduced in taurine-deficient cats. The greatest rate of change in M-mode echocardiographic variables occurred during the first four months on the taurine-deficient diet. Dietary taurine deficiency leads to a spectrum of changes in myocardial function in domestic cats. While DCM is observed in some cats, decreased systolic pump function and increased LV end-systolic short-axis diameter are more consistent findings.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Toxicoses and efficacy associated with administration of mitoxantrone to cats with malignant tumors.

Eighty-seven cats with histologically confirmed malignant tumors were used in a prospective study to determine the toxicity of mitoxantrone, a dihydroxyquinone derivative of anthracene, which was administered at 21-day intervals at dosages ranging from 2.5 to 6.5 mg/m2 of body surface, IV. Eleven of these cats were treated concurrently with radiation but were evaluated separately. Each cat was evaluated for signs of toxicosis for 3 weeks after each dose was administered or until the cat developed progressive disease, or until the cat's quality of life diminished to an unacceptable level as determined by the owner or attending veterinarian. Although the primary purpose of this study was to determine a clinically useful dosage and to characterize the toxicoses associated with mitoxantrone administration, each cat was monitored for response to treatment. Forty-nine cats had been refractory to 1 or more treatment modalities prior to inclusion in this study. The most common signs of toxicosis after treatment with mitoxantrone were vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, lethargy, sepsis secondary to myelosuppression, and seizures. Two cats died of complications that may have been attributed to mitoxantrone: 1 of cardiomyopathy and the other of pulmonary edema of an undetermined cause. Older cats were more likely to develop signs of toxicosis after the third or fourth mitoxantrone treatment than younger cats (P < or = 0.05). Cats with signs of toxicosis during the 21-day interval after administration of the first dose of mitoxantrone were significantly (P < or = 0.05) more likely to develop signs of toxicosis during the 21-day interval between the second and third doses of mitoxantrone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗