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PubMed2006

Management of feral domestic cats in the urban environment of Rome (Italy).

In Italy, which is rabies-free, the national Law No. 281 [Legge Nazionale 14 agosto 1991. No. 281: Legge Quadro in materia di animali di affezione e prevenzione del randagismo. Gazz. Uff. Rep. Ital. no 203 del 30 agosto 1991: p. 3] on the management of pets and on the control of feral cats has introduced the no-kill policy for this species. Thus, "trap-neuter-release" (TNR) programs have been carried out for >10 years. In this paper we present data on registered colonies and censused cats in Rome from 1991 to 2000; the results of the neutering campaign from 1991 to 2000; and a survey, on 103 cat colonies, on the effects of demographic control of urban feral-cat colonies in the city of Rome, carried out by the local Veterinary Public Services (VPS) in collaboration with the associations of cat care-takers. In 10 years almost 8000 were neutered and reintroduced in their original colony. The spay/neuter campaigns brought about a general decrease in cat number but the percentage of cat immigration (due to abandonment and spontaneous arrival) is around 21%. This suggests that all these efforts without an effective education of people to control the reproduction of house cats (as a prevention for abandonment) are a waste of money, time and energy.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2004

Efficacy, safety and reversibility of bisdiamine as a male contraceptive in cats.

Bisdiamines have potential as a male contraceptive due to their ability to arrest spermatogenesis. The bisdiamine WIN 18,446, has proven safe and effective in grey wolves, domestic dogs, rats, and humans, but the unique drug metabolism of cats make extrapolation to felids inappropriate. This study used domestic cats to test the efficacy and safety of bisdiamines in felids. Five domestic cats were given 150mg/kg WIN 18,446, mixed in food daily from Day 0 to Day 76, and were monitored until Day 152. Cats were observed daily and weighed weekly. Physical exam, hematology, clinical chemistry and urinalysis were conducted on Days 0, 7, 14, 28, 76, and 152 of the trial. Serum testosterone concentrations were measured on Days 0, 75, and 152. Unilateral orchectomies were performed on Days 76 and 152, and testes evaluated by histopathology. Spermatogenic arrest occurred in all cats during the treatment period, but normal spermatogenesis was restored by Day 152. Serum testosterone concentrations were lower on Day 76 (2.62 +/- 2.5 ng/ml; P < 0.01) than Day 0 (7.3 +/- 1.0 ng/ml), but returned to pre-treatment concentrations in four of five cats by Day 152 (6.16 +/- 2.1 ng/ml; P >0.05). Clinical pathology parameters remained within reference ranges during the treatment period; however, urine calcium oxalate crystals were noted only during treatment in three cats. Bisdiamine (WIN 18,446) was a safe and effective contraceptive for male cats, but testosterone concentrations decreased during treatment.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2006

Nuclear transfer in cats and its application.

Nuclear transfer (NT) technology is typically used for generating identical individuals, but it is also a powerful resource for understanding the cellular and molecular aspects of nuclear reprogramming. Most recently, the procedure has been used in humans for producing patient-specific embryonic stem cells. The successful application of NT in cats was demonstrated by the birth of domestic and non-domestic cloned kittens at a similar level of efficiency to that reported for other mammalian species. In cats, it has been demonstrated that either in vivo or in vitro matured oocytes can be used as donor cytoplasts. The length of in vitro oocyte maturation affects in vitro development of reconstructed embryos, and oocytes matured in vitro for shorter periods of time are the preferred source of donor cytoplasts. For NT, cat somatic cells can be synchronized into the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle by using different methods of cell synchronization without affecting the frequency of in vitro development of cloned embryos. Also, embryo development to the blastocyst stage in vitro is not influenced by cell type, but the effect of cell type on the percentage of normal offspring produced requires evaluation. Inter-species NT has potential application for preserving endangered felids, as live offspring of male and female African wildcats (AWC, Felis silvestris lybica) have been born and pregnancies have been produced after transferring black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) cloned embryos into domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) recipients. Also, successful in vitro embryo development to the blastocyst stage has been achieved after inter-generic NT of somatic cells of non-domestic felids into domestic cat oocytes, but no viable progeny have been obtained. Thus, while cat cytoplasm induces early nuclear remodeling of cell nuclei from a different genus, the high incidence of early embryo developmental arrest may be caused by abnormal nuclear reprogramming. Fetal resorption and abortions were frequently observed at various stages of pregnancy after transfer of AWC cloned embryos into domestic cat recipients. Abnormalities, such as abdominal organ exteriorization and respiratory failure and septicemia were the main causes of death in neonatal cloned kittens. Nonetheless, several live domestic and AWC cloned kittens have been born that are seemingly normal and healthy. It is important to continue evaluating these animals throughout their lives and to examine their capability for natural reproduction.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Reduced constitutive cytokine transcription in isolated monocytes of clinically healthy cats, infected with an FIV strain of low pathogenicity.

Twenty-five barrier-maintained cats had been experimentally infected for 9.5 months with an FIV strain of low pathogenicity, FIV Zurich 2. Animals were clinically healthy and did not exhibit any haematological changes. FIV proviral DNA was demonstrated in peripheral blood lymphocytes of all cats and in monocytes of most animals, identifying FIV Zurich 2 as a both lympho- and monocytotropic strain. Monocytes were isolated from FIV-infected cats as well as from age-matched uninfected control cats, short-term cultured and examined for cytokine (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 p40 and TNF-alpha) transcription by real-time PCR. Constitutive transcription of cytokines in monocytes from FIV-infected cats was restricted to IL-1beta and, in the majority of samples, TNF-alpha. For all cytokines, transcription levels were significantly lower in FIV-infected cats than in control cats. Transcription was often least intense in those samples where FIV infection of the monocyte fraction was not demonstrated. Results show that infection of cats with an FIV strain of low pathogenicity was associated with depression of constitutive cytokine transcription in monocytes even if clinical and haematological changes were not observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

6-hydroxydopamine and aggression in cats.

The effect of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injected into the cerebral ventricles on behaviour of singly- and group-housed cats was investigated. 6-OHDA in doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg was administered every morning for 5 to 8 days. In small doses 6-OHDA in singly- and group-housed cats evoked motor phenomena such as tremor, ataxia, rigidity, weakness and sometimes clonic-tonic convulsions. Occasionally restlessness, irritability and rage were observed. Large doses of 6-OHDA in group-housed cats, after a short latent period (2-3 days) produced aggression which intensified on subsequent injections, and thereafter, on repeated administrations, no longer occurred. The aggression consisted of restlessness, irritability, anger, rage, apprehension, threat, attack, fighting, flight and crying. Of autonomic phenomena mydriasis, dyspnea and sometimes piloerection were observed. The aggression was initiated by the most restless cat, or by disturbing the animals, such as by moving the cage. When 6-OHDA no longer produced aggressive behaviour, motor changes such as tremor, ataxia, rigidity, walking on broad base, weakness with adynamia and clonic-tonic convulsions developed. These latter symptoms were produced by large doses of 6-OHDA in singly-housed cats. In these animals spontaneous signs of aggressive behaviour usually were not observed, although if handled they showed rage, snarling and hissing. When singly-housed cats were kept in the same cage with group-housed animals, the singly-housed cats usually became aggressive. It appears that hyperactivity induced aggression in 6-OHDA-treated cats.

Aggression↗
PubMed1998

Study of the behavioral effects of bilateral nucleus accumbens lesions on amphetamine and apomorphine in adult cats.

The aim of the present work was to study the effects of three different types of bilateral lesions performed on the nucleus accumbens, upon the behaviors elicited in adult cats by parenteral administration of amphetamine and apomorphine, and to obtain an understanding of the functional role played by the cited structure. To this end, 10 cats received bilateral injections of 6-OHDA, 18 microg in each accumbens; 8 cats received a similar treatment with ibotenic acid (20 microg), and 11 cats were submitted to bilateral electrolytic damage. Before and after performing these lesions, in separate sessions, amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg SC) and apomorphine (2.0 mg/kg SC) were administered and their respective behaviors were compared. Besides, in a group of 10 cats, 6 of them were bilaterally injected with the above cited dose of 6-OHDA into the accumbens to determine dopamine concentration and the other four served as control. In three cats, ibotenic acid (20 microg) was unilaterally injected into the accumbens for histological analysis. The contralateral structure served as control. Finally, four cats were sham operated. The results obtained show that the accumbens in cats participates in locomotion, in stereotyped motor behaviors, and in emotional fear-like behavior. Its role in the production of motor behaviors apparently is not as important as has been reported in rodents.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed1990

Cat skin as an important source of Fel d I allergen.

It is generally recognized that cat skin is an important extrasalivary source of the major cat allergen, Fel d I. Nevertheless, since cat saliva is readily applied to the skin during grooming, we tried to demonstrate that Fel d I can accumulate on cat skin without licking. Eight adult female cats were used. On day 0, two separate sites of the trunk were shaved and a 6 cm2 area in each site was washed three times with 5 ml of distilled water. The first and third washes were collected and stored for assay. The areas were then covered with an occlusive dressing. Twenty-four hours later, the site was washed once and the sample stored. On day 7, washes were collected as on day 0, and a collar was attached to the neck to prevent contamination from saliva. A single wash was done 24 hours later. Comparison of data was achieved with an analysis of variance. Repeated washes significantly reduced Fel d I levels from 35 +/- 21 to 10 +/- 9 mU/cm2 on day 0 (p less than 0.01) and from 36 +/- 18 to 12 +/- 7 mU/cm2 on day 7 (p less than 0.01). Fel d I levels increased significantly after 24 hours of occlusion from 10 +/- 9 to 41 +/- 24 mU/cm2 (p less than 0.01) and collar wearing from 12 +/- 7 to 54 +/- 21 mU/cm2 (p less than 0.001). These findings demonstrate that Fel d I is produced by cat skin. Mean daily production of Fel d I by cat skin is estimated to be 36 units. Cat skin is an important extrasalivary source of Fel d I.

Allergens↗
PubMed1995

Cat shedding of Fel d I is not reduced by washings, Allerpet-C spray, or acepromazine.

BACKGROUND: No published studies have compared the effectiveness of several treatments proposed to reduce cat allergenicity. Cat washing studies demonstrating efficacy involved very small sample sizes or infrequent washings. Allerpet-C (Allerpet, Inc., New York, N.Y.), a widely advertised topical spray, and acepromazine, a tranquilizer advocated as efficacious in subsedating doses, have never been scientifically studied. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effects of cat washing, Allerpet-C spray, and acepromazine with that of no treatment on the shedding of the primary cat allergen, Felis domesticus I by cats. METHODS: In a blinded, comparative, controlled study, we measured the amounts of Fel d I shed during an 8-week treatment period with a sample of 24 female mongrel cats randomly assigned to four groups; one group received weekly distilled water washings, one received weekly Allerpet-C spray applications, one received daily oral acepromazine, and one had no treatment (control). Thirty-minute, twice-weekly air samples were collected from each cat with a laminated plastic-acrylic chamber and air sampler. RESULTS: One-sample, two-sided t tests comparing baseline to final-week measurements revealed no significant change in Fel d I within each group (mean change +/- SD: washing; 487.6 +/- 1896.4 mU per 30 minutes, p = 0.63; Allerpet-C spray, 429.2 +/- 871.6 mU per 30 minutes, p = 0.46 acepromazine; -620.6 +/- 1031.2, p = 0.52 per 30 minutes). Furthermore, analysis of covariance revealed no significant change in Fel d I levels between groups (p = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Out data do not show significant reductions in Fel d I shedding as a result of any of these treatments. Therefore we cannot recommend them to patients allergic to cats.

Acepromazine↗
PubMed1997

Cat allergen (Fel d 1) levels on school children's clothing and in primary school classrooms in Wellington, New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: New Zealand has a high prevalence of the major allergic diseases including asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, and cat ownership is common, with more than 50% of homes containing a cat. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to examine the levels of cat allergen (Fel d 1) in the primary school environment, both on floors and on children's clothing. METHODS: We collected and analyzed dust samples from 11 school classrooms and from 202 children's garments using vacuum sampling and two-site monoclonal antibody ELISA, respectively. Environmental variables were identified by questionnaire. RESULTS: The geometric mean level of Fel d 1 in classrooms was 2.61 micro/gm (95% confidence interval, 1.28 to 3.84); however, seven classrooms had a floor sample with Fel d 1 greater than 8 microg/m2. Carpeted floor levels at 2.21 microg/gm (1.28 to 3.84) were considerably higher than those on uncarpeted floors, at 0.33 microg/gm (0.1 to 1.14). Floor levels and pupil cat ownership rates were positively correlated (r2 = 0.93, p = 0.0003). Children from homes with cats carried allergen on their clothes (mean Fel d 1, 6.10 microg per garment compared with non-cat owners (0.72 microg per garment). Wool and polyester garments contained more Fel d 1 than cotton clothing. Girls' clothing had significantly higher levels of allergen than did that of boys, even after controlling for cat status and fabric differences. CONCLUSIONS: Carpeting should be discouraged in environments such as schools and child care centers, where children spend considerable time. Transport of Fel d 1 on clothing from the domestic to the school environment is a major source of classroom cat allergen.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The value of acoustic rhinometry in assessing nasal responses to cat exposure.

BACKGROUND: Acoustic rhinometry (AR) uses sonar principles to map the anatomy of the nasal cavity and has been used in other studies to assess acute airway responses to allergen exposure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of AR in assessing acute airway responses to cat allergen exposure by using a well-characterized cat exposure model. METHODS: Thirty subjects with a history of cat-induced rhinitis and a positive skin prick test response to cat allergen underwent an environmental cat challenge. Of these 30 subjects, 10 also had repeat challenges at lower levels of antigen to determine whether there was a dose response. Five subjects with negative skin test responses to cat were recruited as control subjects. During the 1-hour cat exposure, upper and lower respiratory symptoms were scored every 5 minutes, and spirometry and AR were obtained every 15 minutes. RESULTS: Although 29 of 30 subjects had changes in AR measurements, no correlations were detected between upper respiratory symptom scores and any of the changes observed in AR. In comparing the baseline challenges with lower antigen level challenges, upper respiratory symptom scores differed significantly (P = .002), whereas AR responses were nearly identical. Subjects without cat allergy did exhibit less response by AR (P = .05 to .13), but the greatest differences remained in the upper respiratory symptoms scores (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that although AR does provide an objective measure of nasal response to allergen exposure, it has significant limitations. These are evidenced by the lack of correlation with symptoms, the inability to measure a dose response, and the changes noted even among the control subjects.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1999

Exposure and sensitization to cat dander: asthma and asthma-like symptoms among adults.

BACKGROUND: Several pets, such as cats, dogs, and rodents, are known to produce allergens. Despite the clinical and laboratory evidence that exposure to pets can cause bronchoconstriction in sensitized subjects, the results of population studies have been contradictory. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cat ownership and the prevalence of asthma, asthma-like symptoms, and bronchitic symptoms among subjects 20 to 44 years of age in Vancouver, Canada and to determine whether sensitization is responsible for such an association. METHODS: Two thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (88%) randomly selected subjects responded to a mail questionnaire. Of these, 504 participated in laboratory examination, including allergy skin testing. RESULTS: One thousand nineteen study responders (34%) were pet owners at the time of the study (current owners). Current pet owners were found to have a higher prevalence of current asthma, asthma-like symptoms, and bronchitic symptoms compared with those without pets. Cat owners had significantly higher risk of having current asthma and asthma-like symptoms. In the subset who had allergic skin tests, we found that those who were allergic to cat dander had a significantly higher risk of current asthma than those not allergic to cat dander and not owning a cat. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that sensitization to cat dander is a more important risk factor for current asthma and asthma-like symptoms than cat ownership itself.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Sensitisation, asthma, and a modified Th2 response in children exposed to cat allergen: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although asthma is strongly associated with immediate hypersensitivity to indoor allergens, several studies have suggested that a cat in the house can decrease the risk of asthma. We investigated the immune response to cat and mite allergens, and asthma among children with a wide range of allergen exposure. METHODS: We did a population-based cross-sectional study of children (aged 12-14 years), some of whom had symptoms of asthma and bronchial hyper-reactivity. Antibodies to mite (Der f 1) and cat (Fel d 1) allergens measured by isotype (IgG and IgG4) specific radioimmunoprecipitation assays were compared with sensitisation and allergen concentrations in house dust. FINDINGS: 226 children were recruited, 47 of whom had symptoms of asthma and bronchial hyper-reactivity. Increasing exposure to mite was associated with increased prevalence of sensitisation and IgG antibody to Der f 1. By contrast, the highest exposure to cat was associated with decreased sensitisation, but a higher prevalence of IgG antibody to Fel d 1. Thus, among children with high exposure, the odds of sensitisation to mite rather than cat was 4.0 (99% CI 1.49-10.00). Furthermore, 31 of 76 children with 23 microg Fel d 1 at home, who were not sensitised to cat allergen had >125 units of IgG antibody to Fel d 1. Antibodies to Fel d 1 of the IgG4 isotype were strongly correlated with IgG antibody in both allergic and non-allergic children (r=0.84 and r=0.66, respectively). Sensitisation to mite or cat allergens was the strongest independent risk factor for asthma (p<0.001). INTERPRETATION: Exposure to cat allergen can produce an IgG and IgG4 antibody response without sensitisation or risk of asthma. This modified T-helper-2 cell response should be regarded as a form of tolerance and may be the correct objective of immunotherapy. The results may also explain the observation that animals in the house can decrease the risk of asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Visual discrimination learning under switching procedure in visually deprived cats.

Previous studies have shown that fine visual discrimination learning is severely impaired in cats binocularly deprived in the early period of life (BD cats) and also somewhat in control cats reared with open eyes in the limited laboratory environment (C cats) compared with cats reared in a normal rural environment (N cats). It was concluded that visual deprivation impairs perceptual learning. In the present study discriminative stimuli were dissimilar and so the task was perceptually easy, but using a switching procedure made it associatively difficult. In regular trials a gate with a grating pattern was positive and a blank gate negative, whereas in switching trials the meaning of the gates was reversed. The switching stimulus was intermittent light in some stages of training and intermittent tone in others. Learning was severely impaired in BD cats and somewhat in C cats and the deficit was similar under visual and auditory switching. Thus, early visual deprivation impairs associative learning. The impairment probably includes associations between switching stimulus and instrumental responses and configural associations between switching stimulus and discriminative stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Changes in some acute phase protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in cats affected by feline infectious peritonitis or exposed to feline coronavirus infection.

The possible role of some acute phase proteins (APPs) and immunoglobulins in both the pathogenesis and diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) has been investigated. Serum protein electrophoresis and the concentration of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP), IgG and IgM were evaluated in cats exposed to feline coronavirus (FCoV) and in cats with FIP. The highest concentration of APPs was detected in affected cats, confirming the role of these proteins in supporting a clinical diagnosis of FIP. Repeated samplings from both FIP affected and FCoV-exposed cats showed that when FIP appeared in the group, all the cats had increased APP levels. This increase persisted only in cats that developed FIP (in spite of a decrease in alpha(2)-globulins) but it was only transient in FCoV-exposed cats, in which a long lasting increase in alpha(2)-globulins was observed. These results suggest that changes in the electrophoretic motility of APPs or APPs other than Hp, SAA and AGP might be involved in the pathogenesis of FIP or in protecting cats from the disease.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity in the vestibular nuclei of normal and unilateral vestibular neurectomized cats.

Recent neurochemical investigations of the central vestibular pathways have demonstrated that several neurotransmitters are involved in various operations required for stabilizing posture and gaze. Neurons of the vestibular nuclei (VN) receive GABAergic inhibitory afferents, and GABAergic neurons distributed throughout the vestibular complex are implicated in inhibitory vestibulo-ocular and vestibulo-spinal pathways. The aim of this study was to analyse the modifications of GABA immunoreactivity (GABA-ir) in the cat VN after unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN). Indeed, compensation of vestibular deficits is a good model for studying adult central nervous system (CNS) plasticity and the GABAergic system is involved in CNS plasticity. We studied GABA-ir by using a purified polyclonal antibody raised against GABA. Light microscopic preparations of thin (20 microm) sections of cat VN were used to quantify GABA-ir by an image analysing system measuring GABA-positive punctate structures and the number of GABA-positive neurons. Both the lesioned and intact sides were analysed in three populations of UVN cats killed at different times after injury (1 week, 3 weeks and 1 year). These data were compared to those collected in normal unlesioned and sham-operated cats. Results showed a spatial distribution of GABA-ir in the control cats that confirmed previous studies. GABA-ir neurons, fibres and nerve terminals were scattered in all parts of the VN. A higher concentration of GABA-positive neurons (small cells) was detected in the medial and inferior VN (MVN and IVN) and in the dorsal part of the lateral VN (LVNd). A higher level of GABA-positive punctate structures was observed in the MVN and in the prepositus hypoglossi (PH) nucleus. Lesion-induced changes were found at each survival time. One week after injury the number of GABA-positive neurons was significantly increased in the MVN, the IVN and the dorsal part of the LVN on the lesioned side and in the ventral part of the LVN on the intact side. One year later a bilateral increase in GABA-positive neurons was detected in the MVN whilst a bilateral decrease was observed in both the SVN and the ventral part of the LVN. Changes in the GABA-staining varicosities did not strictly coincide with the distribution of GABA-ir cells, suggesting that GABA-ir fibres and nerve terminals were also modified. One week and later after injury, higher GABA-staining varicosities were seen unilaterally in the ipsilateral MVN. In contrast, bilateral increases (in PH) and bilateral decreases (in SVN and the ventral part of the LVN) were recorded in the nearly (3 weeks) or fully (1 year) compensated cats. At this stage GABA-staining varicosities were significantly increased in the lesioned side of the MVN. These findings demonstrate the reorganization of the GABAergic system in the VN and its possible role in recovery process after UVN in the cat. The changes seen during the acute stage could be causally related to the VN neuron deafferentation, contributing to the static vestibular deficits. Those found in the compensated cats would be more functionally implicated in the dynamic aspects of vestibular compensation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Effects of topical 0.5% tropicamide on intraocular pressure in normal cats.

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of topical 0.5% tropicamide on intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive feline eyes. IOP was measured bilaterally in 70 clinically healthy cats and gonioscopy (and goniophotography) was performed. Thereafter, 50 cats were treated unilaterally with one drop of 0.5% tropicamide. The contralateral, left eye served as a control. In the placebo group consisting of 20 cats, one drop of physiologic saline solution was administered to the right eye. In all cats, IOP of both eyes was measured 30, 60 and 90 min after topical administration. After unilateral tropicamide application, IOP increased significantly both in the right and in the left eye. Maximum average IOP increase was observed at the control measurement performed 90 min after treatment, with an elevation of 3.8 +/- 4.2 mmHg in the right eye and 3.5 +/- 3.6 mmHg in the left eye. Maximum IOP increase after treatment was 18.0 mmHg in the treated eye and 17.0 mmHg in the left eye. Measurements made at 60 min after treatment revealed a significantly higher increase in IOP in the right eye as compared to the left eye (P60 < 0.05), whereas the differences between right and left eye in IOP increase were not significant at 30 and 90 min after mydriatic application (P30 = 0.123; P90 = 0.305). Although tropicamide-induced mydriasis was observed in the treated eye, the contralateral eye did not show any changes in pupillary function at any time. With increasing age of the cats, IOP increase was found to be more moderate, whereas the gender of the cats did not have any significant influence on IOP changes. In the 20 cats in the placebo group, no significant changes in IOP were observed. We conclude that topical 0.5% tropicamide causes a significant elevation of IOP in the treated and untreated eye in normal cats.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Detection of feline leukaemia virus in blood and bone marrow of cats with varying suspicion of latent infection.

The purpose of this study was to determine if polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could be used to detect FeLV proviral DNA in bone marrow samples of cats with varying suspicion of latent infection. Blood and bone marrow samples from 50 cats and bone marrow from one fetus were collected, including 16 cats with diseases suspected to be FeLV-associated. Serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), blood and bone marrow immunofluorescent antibody test (IFA), and blood and bone marrow PCR were performed on each cat, and IFA and PCR on bone marrow of the fetus. Forty-one cats were FeLV negative. Five cats and one fetus were persistently infected with FeLV. Four cats had discordant test results. No cats were positive on bone marrow PCR only. It appears persistent or latent FeLV infection is not always present in conditions classically associated with FeLV.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Bacteriologic analysis of infected dog and cat bites. Emergency Medicine Animal Bite Infection Study Group.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: To define better the bacteria responsible for infections of dog and cat bites, we conducted a prospective study at 18 emergency departments. To be eligible for enrollment, patients had to meet one of three major criteria for infection of a bite wound (fever, abscess, and lymphangitis) or four of five minor criteria (wound-associated erythema, tenderness at the wound site, swelling at the site, purulent drainage, and leukocytosis). Wound specimens were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at a research microbiology laboratory and, in some cases, at local hospital laboratories. RESULTS: The infected wounds of 50 patients with dog bites and 57 patients with cat bites yielded a median of 5 bacterial isolates per culture (range, 0 to 16) at the reference laboratory. Significantly more isolates grew at the reference laboratory than at the local laboratories (median, 1; range, 0 to 5; P<0.001). Aerobes and anaerobes were isolated from 56 percent of the wounds, aerobes alone from 36 percent, and anaerobes alone from 1 percent; 7 percent of cultures had no growth. Pasteurella species were the most frequent isolates from both dog bites (50 percent) and cat bites (75 percent). Pasteurella canis was the most common isolate of dog bites, and Past. multocida subspecies multocida and septica were the most common isolates of cat bites. Other common aerobes included streptococci, staphylococci, moraxella, and neisseria. Common anaerobes included fusobacterium, bacteroides, porphyromonas, and prevotella. Isolates not previously identified as human pathogens included Reimerella anatipestifer from two cat bites and Bacteroides tectum, Prevotella heparinolytica, and several porphyromonas species from dog and cat bites. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from two cat bites. Patients were most often treated with a combination of a beta-lactam antibiotic and a beta-lactamase inhibitor, which, on the basis of the microbiologic findings, was appropriate therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Infected dog and cat bites have a complex microbiologic mix that usually includes pasteurella species but may also include many other organisms not routinely identified by clinical microbiology laboratories and not previously recognized as bite-wound pathogens.

Adolescent↗