Small Animal Article Summaries – FELINE MEDICINE & SURGERY September-November 2013 Contributor ISFM The International Society of Feline Medicine Small Animal Article Summaries (SAAS) is a veterinarian resource where a range of article summaries can be accessed in one easy location. The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) was established in 1996 as the veterinary focus for the work of the charity and, together with the American Society of Feline Practitioners, it publishes the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 Uspensky, I. (2014) Ticks Tick Borne Dis 5:41-47. Tick pests and vectors (Acari: Ixodoidea) in European towns: Introduction, persistence and management. Ticks have always been a part of fauna in and around human settlements, and their significance changed concurrently with the enlargement of settlements and their transformation into towns. The increased rate of urbanization during the last decades has created a new reality for tick existence. Two groups of ticks are of major concern for modern towns: those living under natural conditions of urban surroundings and those well-adapted to urban conditions. During the process of urbanization, encroachment into forested and uncultivated areas as well as protection of existing green spaces create opportunities for ticks living in nature to also exist under urban and suburban conditions. Conditions of modern urban and especially suburban environment in developed European countries adequately meet tick requirements. Tick species having an advantage in urban areas are those that can use one and the same host at all parasitic stages, can starve for a prolonged time, can use either urban pests or domesticated animals as hosts, and can live in man-made buildings. The ticks of the Argas reflexus group (Argasidae) and the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Ixodidae) comply with practically all conditions necessary for successful survival in urban areas. The ability of ticks to transmit numerous human and animal pathogens and the presence of many reservoir hosts in urban and suburban areas create persistent danger for human populations and domestic animals. Impact on urban ticks should be directed against the two major requirements of tick existence: reducing populations of potential tick hosts (feral pigeons, stray dogs and cats, and urban rodents), and changing other environmental conditions to make them less suitable for ticks. It is especially important that urban inhabitants be properly informed about the danger posed by ticks, the sites of possible tick attacks, and basic self-protection techniques. Tseng, Z. J., X. Wang, G. J. Slater, G. T. Takeuchi, Q. Li, J. Liu, and G. Xie (2014) Proc Biol Sci 281:20132686. Himalayan fossils of the oldest known pantherine establish ancient origin of big cats. Pantherine felids (’big cats’) include the largest living cats, apex predators in their respective ecosystems. They are also the earliest diverging living cat lineage, and thus are important for understanding the evolution of all subsequent felid groups. Although the oldest pantherine fossils occur in Africa, molecular phylogenies point to Asia as their region of origin. This paradox cannot be reconciled using current knowledge, mainly because early big cat fossils are exceedingly rare and fragmentary. Here, we report the discovery of a fossil pantherine from the Tibetan Himalaya, with an age of Late Miocene-Early Pliocene, replacing African records as the oldest pantherine. A ‘total evidence’ phylogenetic analysis of pantherines indicates that the new cat is closely related to the snow leopard and exhibits intermediate characteristics on the evolutionary line to the largest cats. Historical biogeographic models provide robust support for the Asian origin of pantherines. The combined analyses indicate that 75% of the divergence events in the pantherine lineage extended back to the Miocene, up to 7 Myr earlier than previously estimated. The deeper evolutionary origin of big cats revealed by the new fossils and analyses indicate a close association between Tibetan Plateau uplift and diversification of the earliest living cats. Epstein, S. E. (2014) Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 44:161-180. Exudative pleural diseases in small animals. Exudative pleural diseases are a common cause of respiratory distress and systemic illness in dogs and 1 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 cats. This article addresses the pathophysiology, development, and classification of exudative pleural effusions. The most current diagnostic strategies, causes, imaging findings, and medical or surgical treatment options for select diseases are reviewed in detail. Jones, I. M., E. R. Brunton, and I. F. Burgess (2014) Vet Parasitol 199:99-106. 0.4% Dimeticone spray, a novel physically acting household treatment for control of cat fleas. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the most important ectoparasite of cats and dogs worldwide as a cause of irritation and health problems. Most products to control these pests in the household environment rely upon a combination of neurotoxic insecticides and insect growth regulators to inhibit development of flea eggs and larvae into adults. However, some of these are affected by problems of insecticide resistance as well as public concerns about their potential for toxicity in domestic use. Heavy synthetic oils, like the siloxane dimeticone, are currently widely used to treat human ectoparasite infestations, acting by a physical mode of action, and have been used in a variety of presentations for killing all life stages of fleas. We have investigated the activity of low concentrations of high molecular weight dimeticone in a volatile silicone base for ability to immobilise flea life stages without asphyxiating them. We found that cat flea adults and larvae were immobilised by a surface film of dimeticone that inhibited movement of cuticular joints, apparently forming an effective sticky trap. When cocoons were treated the fleas continued to develop within the pupae but failed to emerge. An aerosol spray incorporating 0.4% concentration of dimeticone, for use as a residual household treatment, showed no significant difference in knock down capability compared with that of a widely used pyriproxifen/permethrin spray in a repeat challenge test, with effects persisting to inhibit adult flea emergence in the test arena area for more than 3 weeks after application. Lam, R., S. J. Niessen, and C. R. Lamb (2013) Vet Radiol Ultrasound X-RAY ATTENUATION OF THE LIVER AND KIDNEY IN CATS CONSIDERED AT VARYING RISK OF HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS. X-ray attenuation of the liver has been measured using computed tomography (CT) and reported to decrease in cats with experimentally induced hepatic lipidosis. To assess the clinical utility of this technique, medical records and noncontrast CT scans of a series of cats were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 112 cats met inclusion criteria and were stratified into three hepatic lipidosis risk groups. Group 1 cats were considered low-risk based on no history of inappetence or weight loss, and normal serum chemistry values; Group 2 cats were considered intermediate risk based on weight loss, serum hepatic enzymes above normal limits, or reasonably controlled diabetes mellitus; and Group 3 cats were considered high risk based on poorly controlled diabetes mellitus due to hypersomatotropism. Mean CT attenuation values (Hounsfield units, HU) were measured using regions of interest placed within the liver and cranial pole of the right kidney. Hepatic and renal attenuation were weakly positively correlated with each other (r = 0.2, P = 0.03) and weakly negatively correlated with body weight (r = -0.21, P = 0.05, and r = -0.34, P = 0.001, respectively). Mean (SD) hepatic and renal cortical attenuation values were 70.7 (8.7) HU and 49.6 (9.2) HU for Group 1 cats, 71.4 (7.9) HU and 48.6 (9.1) HU for Group 2, and 68.9 (7.6) HU and 47.6 (7.2) HU for Group 3. There were no significant differences in hepatic or renal attenuation among groups. Findings indicated that CT measures of X-ray attenuation in the liver and kidney may not be accurate predictors of naturally occurring hepatic lipidosis in cats. 2 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 Loeffler, A., A. McCarthy, D. H. Lloyd, E. Musilova, D. U. Pfeiffer, and J. A. Lindsay (2013) Vet Dermatol 24:538-e128. Whole-genome comparison of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC22 SCCmecIV from people and their in-contact pets. BACKGROUND: Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections remain important medical and veterinary challenges. The MRSA isolated from dogs and cats typically belong to dominant hospital-associated clones, in the UK mostly EMRSA-15 (CC22 SCCmecIV), suggesting original human-to-animal transmission. Nevertheless, little is known about host-specific genetic variation within the same S. aureus lineage. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To identify host-specific variation amongst MRSA CC22 SCCmecIV by comparing isolates from pets with those from in- contact humans using whole-genome microarray. METHODS: Six pairs of MRSA CC22 SCCmecIV from human carriers (owners and veterinary staff) and their respective infected in-contact pets were compared using a 62-strain whole-genome S. aureus microarray (SAM-62). The presence of putative host-specific genes was subsequently determined in a larger number of human (n = 47) and pet isolates (n = 93) by PCR screening. RESULTS: Variation in mobile genetic elements (MGEs) occurred frequently and appeared largely independent of host and in-contact pair. A plasmid (SAP078A) encoding heavy-metal resistance genes (arsR, arsA, cadA, cadC, mco and copB) was found in three of six human and none of six animal isolates. However, only two of four resistance genes were associated with human hosts (P = 0.015 for arsA and cadA). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The variation found amongst MGEs highlights that genetic adaptation in MRSA continues. However, host-specific MGEs were not detected, which supports the hypothesis that pets may not be natural hosts of MRSA CC22 and emphasizes that rigorous hygiene measures are critical to prevent contamination and infection of dogs and cats. The host specificity of individual heavy-metal resistance genes warrants further investigation into different selection pressures in humans and animals. Gosling, L., J. Stavisky, and R. Dean (2013) J Feline Med Surg 15:759-764. What is a feral cat?: Variation in definitions may be associated with different management strategies. STUDY RATIONALE: The definition of a true feral cat is an area of much contention, with many variations used worldwide. In this study, opinions were gathered from feral cat rescue workers and veterinary surgeons working in the United Kingdom to identify a practical definition of a feral cat, suitable for use in the field, education and research. PROTOCOL: A mixed methods approach, using questionnaires and focus groups, was used to collect data from feral cat workers and veterinary surgeons. FINDINGS: Conflicts in opinion on the implications of taming feral cats exist. The rescue workers typically felt that most cats could be tamed, whereas the veterinary surgeons felt this was generally inappropriate, except in the case of young kittens. A consistent definition of feral cats would enable better communication regarding the welfare and management of these animals, and would be useful for further research and education of the public. PROPOSED DEFINITION: A feral cat is proposed by this study to be a cat that is unapproachable in its free-roaming environment and is capable of surviving with or without direct human intervention, and may additionally show fearful or defensive behaviour on human contact. Carter, J., and D. A. Story (2013) Anaesth Intensive Care 41:710-718. Veterinary and human anaesthesia: an overview of some parallels and contrasts. The history of human and veterinary anaesthesia is both intertwined and parallel. Physicians and 3 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 anaesthetists often first experimented on animals and developments from human anaesthesia have been incorporated into veterinary medicine. Within veterinary medicine, anaesthesia is a specialty discipline as it is in human medicine. Veterinary anaesthetists undertake additional training and rigorous examinations for a diploma or fellowship. In contrast to human anaesthesia in Australia and New Zealand, veterinary anaesthesia is often performed by non-specialists and by veterinary nurses. Veterinary anaesthesia uses many of the same drugs for premedication, induction and maintenance of anaesthesia as human anaesthesia. However, there are species specific effects of some of the drugs used that differ from the effects in humans. Furthermore, some agents, particularly alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists and ketamine, are used very widely in veterinary practice. Also in contrast to most human anaesthesia, in large animal and exotic animal practice the patients can present a physical danger to the anaesthetist. The most notable contrast between human and veterinary anaesthesia is in the reported perioperative complication and mortality rates, with a species dependent perianaesthetic mortality of up to 2% in dogs, cats and horses and greater than 2% in guinea pigs and birds, which is up to 100-fold higher than in human anaesthesia. Gutierrez-Quintana, R., G. Hammond, and A. Wessmann (2013) J Feline Med Surg Ventral occipito-atlanto-axial fluid-filled lesion causing dynamic spinal cord compression in a cat. Cystic lesions affecting the vertebral canal or spinal cord have rarely been reported in cats. A 3-year- old female neutered domestic longhair cat presented for evaluation of a 2-year-history of episodes of ataxia and paresis affecting all limbs. Neurological examination was consistent with a lesion in the C1- C5 spinal cord segments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a fluid-filled lesion at the occipito-atlanto-axial region causing dynamic spinal cord compression on flexion of the neck. The imaging characteristics were compatible with a juxta-articular cyst. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a fluid-filled lesion causing dynamic cervical spinal cord compression in a cat and highlights the importance of performing flexion-extension MRI views in diagnosing cases with dynamic spinal cord compression. Zhang, N. Z., J. Chen, M. Wang, E. Petersen, and X. Q. Zhu (2013) Expert Rev Vaccines 12:1287- 1299. Vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii: new developments and perspectives. Toxoplasmosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a major public health problem, infecting one-third of the world human beings, and leads to abortion in domestic animals. A vaccine strategy would be an ideal tool for improving disease control. Many efforts have been made to develop vaccines against T. gondii to reduce oocyst shedding in cats and tissue cyst formation in mammals over the last 20 years, but only a live-attenuated vaccine based on the S48 strain has been licensed for veterinary use. Here, the authors review the recent development of T. gondii vaccines in cats, food-producing animals and mice, and present its future perspectives. However, a single or only a few antigen candidates revealed by various experimental studies are limited by only eliciting partial protective immunity against T. gondii. Future studies of T. gondii vaccines should include as many CTL epitopes as the live attenuated vaccines. Oyama, M. A. (2013) Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 43:1261-72, vi. Using cardiac biomarkers in veterinary practice. 4 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 Blood-based assays for various cardiac biomarkers can assist in the diagnosis of heart disease in dogs and cats. The two most common markers are cardiac troponin-I and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Biomarker assays can assist in differentiating cardiac from noncardiac causes of respiratory signs and detection of preclinical cardiomyopathy. Increasingly, studies indicate that cardiac biomarker testing can help assess the risk of morbidity and mortality in animals with heart disease. Usage of cardiac biomarker testing in clinical practice relies on proper patient selection, correct interpretation of test results, and incorporation of biomarker testing into existing diagnostic methods. Simpson, D. L., and G. G. Burton (2013) Vet Dermatol Use of prednisolone as monotherapy in the treatment of feline pemphigus foliaceus: a retrospective study of 37 cats. BACKGROUND: Prednisone doses of up to 8 mg/kg/day have been used to treat feline pemphigus foliaceus (PF). Oral prednisolone has more favourable pharmacokinetics in cats than prednisone; therefore, lower doses of prednisolone may be effective in treating feline PF. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To assess the dose of prednisolone required to induce and maintain remission of PF in cats. ANIMALS: Thirty-seven client-owned cats with a diagnosis of PF treated with prednisolone monotherapy for induction of remission. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of records of a veterinary dermatology referral practice between the years of 1995 and 2013 was carried out. History, clinical signs, cytological and/or histopathological findings, lack of response to antimicrobials, absence of fungal hyphae on periodic acid Schiff staining and/or negative fungal culture and positive response to immunosuppressive therapy were used to confirm the diagnosis. Cats were included in the study if prednisolone was used as the monotherapy induction protocol. RESULTS: Complete remission was achieved within 8 weeks in 97% of cats with a median induction dose of 2 mg/kg prednisolone daily. In cats requiring ongoing treatment, 67% were maintained in remission with prednisolone monotherapy. The median maintenance dose was 1.2 mg/kg/week. In 14% of cats, medication was eventually discontinued. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Daily prednisolone at 2 mg/kg is an effective dose for inducing remission of PF in cats. Adverse effects were uncommon with this dose. In a small population, permanent remission may be induced. Secondary bacterial overgrowth and exudate in claw folds resolved in all cases with immunosuppressive therapy; therefore, antimicrobial therapy may be unnecessary. Beck, A. (2013) J Feline Med Surg 15:829-830. Use of pheromones to reduce stress in sheltered cats. Kidwell, J. H., G. J. Buckley, A. E. Allen, and C. Bandt (2013) J Am Anim Hosp Assoc Use of IV Lipid Emulsion for Treatment of Ivermectin Toxicosis in a Cat. Ivermectin toxicosis in cats is infrequently reported. IV lipid emulsion (ILE) is a novel treatment in veterinary medicine that has been used for amelioration of adverse effects seen with multiple lipid soluble compounds. Previously, ILE has been investigated in experimental models with rats, rabbits, pigs, and dogs, mainly for resuscitation of cardiopulmonary arrest and treatment of hypotension due to local anesthetic drug overdose. There are few case reports in veterinary medicine of using ILE for drug toxicity. Only one feline case has been reported, with IV lipids used for treatment of lidocaine toxicity. This report describes a case of ivermectin toxicosis in a 1 yr old domestic shorthair that was safely and successfully treated using ILE. 5 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 Sobel, D. S. (2013) J Feline Med Surg 15:1007-1017. Upper respiratory tract endoscopy in the cat: a minimally invasive approach to diagnostics and therapeutics. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Endoscopy of the feline upper respiratory tract has always taken a bit of a back seat to exploration of the canine nose and paranasal sinuses, pharynx and trachea, due to some anatomic limitations and lack of availability of appropriate-sized equipment. PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: With proper training, however, even the inexperienced endoscopist can find that endoscopy and endoscopic surgery can be of tremendous utility in feline practice. What had previously been largely off-limits sites, in terms of direct visualization and surgical intervention, the feline rhinarium, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and trachea are now anatomic areas that can be effectively visualized in most clinical scenarios. Moreover, endoscopic surgery is now an area gaining significant appreciation for its diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. AUDIENCE: This article will not serve as a complete treatise on disease processes of the upper respiratory tract in cats, but rather is intended as a technical and instructional reference point on upper airway endoscopy for veterinary surgeons, both in first opinion as well as referral small animal practice. Viviano, K. R. (2013) Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 43:1149-1170. Update on immununosuppressive therapies for dogs and cats. Treatment of immune-mediated disease in dogs and cats continues to evolve as new therapies are introduced or adapted from human medicine. Glucocorticoids remain the first-line therapy for many of the immune-mediated or inflammatory diseases of cats and dogs. The focus of this article is to provide an update on some of the common immunosuppressive therapies used in small animal veterinary medicine. The goals of therapy are to induce disease remission through the inhibition of inflammation and the modulation of lymphocyte function. Adami, C., T. Dayer, C. Spadavecchia, and G. Angeli (2013) J Feline Med Surg Ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block in cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy: a prospective, randomised, investigator-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness, in terms of analgesic efficacy and safety, of ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block performed with bupivacaine in cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy. Eighteen client-owned male cats scheduled for perineal urethrostomy were enrolled in the study and assigned to one of two treatment groups. The pudendal nerve block was performed under general anaesthesia as described elsewhere, with 0.3 ml/kg of either saline (group C) or 0.5% bupivacaine (group B) - the total injection volume being split equally on the two sites of injection (left and right). Intra-operatively, assessment of nociception was based on the rescue analgesics requirement, as well as on the evaluation of changes in physiological parameters in comparison with the baseline values. Post-operative pain assessment was performed using three different pain scales at recovery and then 1, 2 and 3 h after recovery. Cats in group B showed lower heart rates and required fewer analgesics during surgery than group C. Post-operatively, group B had lower pain scores and needed less rescue buprenorphine than group C. Iatrogenic block-related complications were not observed. In conclusion, the ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block can be considered clinically useful in feline medicine as it provides reliable analgesia in cats undergoing perineal urethrostomy. 6 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 Di Donato, P., D. Penninck, M. Pietra, M. Cipone, and A. Diana (2013) J Feline Med Surg Ultrasonographic measurement of the relative thickness of intestinal wall layers in clinically healthly cats. The normal sonographic thickness of the individual layers (ie mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and subserosa-serosa) of the intestinal wall was evaluated in 20 clinically healthy cats. The mean thickness of the wall was 2.20 mm, 2.22 mm, 3.00 mm and 2.04 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively. The mean thickness of the mucosal layer was 1.27, 1.2, 0.46 and 0.49 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, and its contribution to wall thickness was significantly greater than that of the other layers in the duodenum (57.7%) and jejunum (55.2%). The mean thickness of submucosal layer was 0.36, 0.36, 1.49 and 0.53 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, and its contribution to wall thickness was greater than that of the muscularis in the duodenum (16.3%), jejunum (16%) and ileum (fold) (49.8 %). The mean thickness of muscularis was 0.28, 0.35, 0.66 and 0.65 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, with a corresponding contribution to wall thickness of 12.7 %, 14.4%, 22% and 31.6%. Finally, the mean thickness of serosa was 0.29, 0.31, 0.38 and 0.38 mm for duodenum, jejunum, ileum (fold) and ileum (between folds), respectively, with a corresponding contribution to wall thickness of 13.3%, 14.4%, 12.7 % and 18.7%. These values can provide baseline information that might be useful in evaluating intestinal disorders affecting preferentially some of the intestinal layers. Sislak, M. D., K. A. Spaulding, D. L. Zoran, J. E. Bauer, and J. A. Thompson (2013) Vet Radiol Ultrasound ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF LIPIDURIA IN CLINICALLY NORMAL CATS. Echoes are frequently seen in the urinary bladder of cats during abdominal ultrasound. These have been attributed to hematuria, pyuria, crystalluria, and lipid. However, sonographic findings have not been previously correlated with urinalysis. We prospectively evaluated 40 clinically normal cats via ultrasound, serum chemistry, and urinalysis. Thin layer chromatography was performed on the urine to determine the amount (mg) of lipid subfractions including diacylglycerol, triglyceride, phospholipid, free fatty acid, cholesterol, and cholesterol ester. Ninety percent (36/40) of the cats in our population had sonographic echoes suspended in the urinary bladder, with most having a subjective score of mild echoes (n = 20). None of the sonographic echoes were gravity dependent or caused distal acoustic shadowing, reverberation, or twinkle artifact. Of the cats with sonographic echoes in the urine, 66% (24/36) had no significant findings on urinalysis other than the presence of lipid. The total amount of subjective sonographic echoes was not significantly related to the total amount of fat measured on thin layer chromatography or the number of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis. An increased amount of urine diacylglycerol was significantly associated with clumping of echoes (P = 0.02) and the amount of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis (P = 0.04). An association between increased amounts of urine diacylglycerol and the amount of echoes seen on ultrasound approached significance (P = 0.05). Findings from this study support previously published theories that sonographic echoes within the urinary bladder of clinically normal cats may be due to urine lipid. Mellett Keith, A. M., D. Bruyette, and S. Stanley (2013) J Vet Intern Med Trilostane Therapy for Treatment of Spontaneous Hyperadrenocorticism in Cats: 15 Cases 7 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 (2004-2012). BACKGROUND: Medical treatment with trilostane improves clinical signs, causes unclear insulin requirement changes, and variable survival times in cats. OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To characterize the long-term efficacy of trilostane in treating cats with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). ANIMALS: Fifteen client-owned cats with spontaneous HAC. METHODS: Multicenter descriptive retrospective study with a search performed on all medical records for cats diagnosed with spontaneous HAC. RESULTS: Clinical signs (13 of 15 cats) and ACTH stimulation testing results (13 of 15) improved with trilostane therapy. Diabetes mellitus was reported in 9/15 cases. Insulin requirements decreased by 36% within 2 months in 6/9 diabetic cats. Median survival time was 617 days for all cats (range 80-1,278 days). Complications included weight loss, urinary tract infections, chronic kidney disease, seizures, and recurrent pancreatitis. Hypocortisolemia was documented in 1 case. Cause of death occurred as a result of nonadrenal or nondiabetic illnesses (renal failure, seizures [caused by hypoglycemia or unknown]), or lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Trilostane ameliorates clinical signs of HAC in cats, is tolerated well in the long term, and can lead to improved regulation of diabetes. Muniz, I. M., B. Penna, and W. Lilenbaum (2013) Zoonoses Public Health 60:504-509. Treating animal bites: susceptibility of Staphylococci from oral mucosa of cats. Infected wounds determined by cats’ bites represent high costs to public health, and their adequate treatment relies on the knowledge of the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial agents found in the oral microbiota. Members of the genus Staphylococcus sp. belong to the microbiota of the oral mucosa of cats and are frequently involved in secondary infections of these wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus species isolated from oral mucosa of cats. Samples were collected from 200 clinically healthy cats and processed by standard bacteriological methods and tested for susceptibility to a panel of 16 antimicrobials. A total of 212 staphylococci isolates were obtained from 141 of the 200 cats (70.5%), and more than one colony was recognized in 53 cases. Coagulase-negative species were most frequently found (89.6%) distributed among Staphylococcus xylosus (50.9%), Staphylococcus felis (27.4%), Staphylococcus simulans (6.1%) and Staphylococcus sciuri (5.2%). Coagulase-positive species (10.4%) were distributed among Staphylococcus aureus (4.7%) and Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) (5.7%). Regarding to antimicrobial resistance, 178 isolates (83.9%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, and rifampicin showed the best results with 100% of sensitive strains. Conversely, high rates of resistance were observed for penicillin and tetracycline (56.1%). The 212 staphylococci isolates and 30 (14.1%) strains were resistant to methicillin (on the disc susceptibility test) and may be preliminarily considered as methicilin-resistant staphylococci. In conclusion, this study reports important rates of antimicrobial resistance among the species of Staphylococcus isolated from clinical specimens of cats, which must be considered for the treating of cats’ bites in humans. Boretti, F. S., N. S. Sieber-Ruckstuhl, S. Schafer, B. Gerber, C. Baumgartner, B. Riond, R. Hofmann- Lehmann, and C. E. Reusch (2013) J Feline Med Surg Transdermal application of methimazole in hyperthyroid cats: a long-term follow-up study. Transdermal methimazole is suggested as an alternative to oral therapy for hyperthyroid cats that are difficult to pill. However, no information on long-term management with this treatment is available. Our objective was therefore to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term transdermal methimazole-treated hyperthyroid cats. Sixty cats with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism and available 8 ISFM Feline References Sep-Nov 2013 long-term follow-up information were included. Methimazole was formulated in a pluronic lecithin organogel-based vehicle and was applied to the pinna of the inner ear. Cats were re-evaluated at regular intervals. Median (range) follow-up was 22.6 months (3.6-88.4 months). Clinical improvement was observed in all cats and side effects were rare (mild transient gastrointestinal signs: n = 3; erythema of the pinna: n = 2, necessitating a switch to oral medication). Despite a significant decrease, with median T4 concentrations within the reference interval during the follow-up period, several cats repeatedly had T4 concentrations in the thyrotoxic and hypothyroid range. Maximal and minimal daily doses during the follow-up period were 15.0 and 1.0 mg, respectively; they were significantly higher than the starting dose after 24-36 months of therapy. Although the majority of owners were highly satisfied with the treatment, several admitted not treating their cat regularly. Transdermal methimazole is a safe option for the long-term management of feline hyperthyroidism. However, it seems difficult to keep the T4 concentrations constantly within the reference interval: higher doses can be expected after prolonged treatment and, despite the convenience of transdermal application, owner compliance should be assessed regularly. Harun, M. S., C. O. Kuan, G. T. Selvarajah, T. S. Wei, S. S. Arshad, M. H. Bejo, and A. R. Omar (2013) Virol J 10:329. Transcriptional profiling of feline infectious peritonitis virus infection in CRFK cells and in PBMCs from FIP diagnosed cats. BACKGROUND: Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a lethal systemic disease, caused by the FIP Virus (FIPV); a virulent mutant of Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV). Currently, the viruses virulence determinants and host gene expressions during FIPV infection are not fully understood. METHODS: RNA sequencing of Crandell Rees Feline Kidney (CRFK) cells, infected with FIPV strain 79--1146 at 3 hours post infection (h.p.i), were sequenced using the Illumina next generation sequencing approach. Bioinformatic’s analysis, based on Felis catus 2X annotated shotgun reference genome, using CLC bio Genome Workbench mapped both control and infected cell reads to 18899 genes out of 19046 annotated genes. Kal’s Z test statistical analysis was used to analyse the differentially expressed genes from the infected CRFK cells. Real time RT-qPCR was developed for further transcriptional profiling of three genes (PD-1, PD-L1 and A3H) in infected CRFK cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from healthy and FIP-diseased cats. RESULTS: Based on Kal’s Z-test, with False Discovery Rate (FDR) <0.05 and >1.99 fold change on gene expressions, a total of 61 genes were differentially expressed by both samples, where 44 genes were up-regulated and the remainder were down-regulated. Most genes were closely clustered together, suggesting a homogeneous expression. The majority of the genes that were significantly regulated, were those associated with monocytes- macrophage and Th1 cell functions, and the regulation of apoptosis. Real time RT-qPCR developed focusing on 2 up-regulated genes (PD-L1 and A3H) together with an apoptosis associated gene PD-1 expressions in FIPV infected CRFK cells and in PBMCs from healthy and FIP diagnosed cats produced concordant results with transcriptome data. CONCLUSION: The possible roles of these genes, and their importance in feline coronaviruses infection, are discussed. Yap, F. W., A. L. Dunn, M. Farrell, and I. Calvo (2013) J Feline Med Surg Trans-iliac pin/bolt/screw internal fixation for sacroiliac luxation or separation in cats: six cases. Trans-iliac pin, bolt or screw stabilisation was performed on six cats with sacroiliac (SI) luxation and separation. For the purpose of this study, SI luxation is defined as the separation of the iliac wing from the sacrum without fracture of the sacral or iliac wing; SI separation is defined as the separation of the 9