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Advances in Feline Internal Medicine

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A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 52663

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paolo Emidio Crisi

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary University Hospital, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: small animal internal medicine; feline medicine; respiratory diseases; gastroenterology

Prof. Dr. Andrea Boari

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Co-Guest Editor

Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: small animal internal medicine; gastroenterology; endocrinology; feline medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Francesca De Santis

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Co-Guest Editor

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary University Hospital, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: small animal internal medicine; feline medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Feline internal medicine is a field of veterinary internal medicine that specifically deals with the pathophysiological peculiarities of the feline species and addresses the latest issues, advances, and therapies in feline care. Feline internal medicine includes a wide variety of specialistic branches such as endocrinology, cardiology, urology, nephrology, pneumology, gastroenterology, infectious and parasitic diseases, oncology, clinical nutrition, and behavioral medicine. Furthermore, a growing interest has recently involved feline geriatric medicine with a focus on the comorbidities affecting elderly cats and specific geriatric care.

This Special Issue of Veterinary Sciences, “Advances in Feline Internal Medicine”, will publish original articles, brief communications, case reports, and reviews on the latest issues of the aforementioned topics on Feline Internal Medicine.

Based on your expertise in this field, we think you can effectively contribute to the success of this initiative; we hope that this collection will stimulate closer collaboration between researchers in veterinary and medical sciences in addressing this important topic on small animal internal medicine.

Dr. Paolo Emidio Crisi
Prof. Dr. Andrea Boari
Dr. Francesca De Santis
Guest Editors

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Keywords

feline internal medicine
cat-friendly care
feline oncology
feline gerontology and geriatrics
feline comorbidities

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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17 pages, 4549 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feline Uroepithelial Cell Culture as a Novel Model of Idiopathic Cystitis: Investigations on the Effects of Norepinephrine on Inflammatory Response, Oxidative Stress, and Barrier Function

by Patrícia Hatala, Andrea Lajos, Máté Mackei, Csilla Sebők, Patrik Tráj, Júlia Vörösházi, Zsuzsanna Neogrády and Gábor Mátis

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10020132 - 8 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3126

Abstract

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is one of the most common urinary tract disorders in domestic cats. As stress is suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of FIC, the effects of norepinephrine (NE) as a stress mediator were investigated on a novel feline primary uroepithelial cell culture, serving as an in vitro model of the disease. The uroepithelial cells gained from the mucosa of the bladder of a euthanized cat were cultured for 6 days and were acutely exposed to NE (10, 100, and 1000 µM) for 1 h. NE increased the metabolic activity of the cultured cells and elevated the extracellular concentrations of the pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 (IL-6) and stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1), confirming that NE can trigger an inflammatory response in the uroepithelium. Cellular protein carbonyl levels were increased by NE exposure, while malondialdehyde and glucose regulated protein 78 concentrations remained unchanged, indicating that NE may provoke the oxidative damage of proteins without inducing lipid peroxidation or endoplasmic reticulum stress. Further, it can be strongly suggested that an acute NE challenge might diminish the barrier function of uroepithelial cells, as reflected by the decreased glycosaminoglycan concentration, claudin-4 protein expression, and reduced TER values of the NE-treated cell cultures. Based on these results, short-term NE exposure mimicking acute stress can provoke an inflammatory response and decrease the barrier integrity of cultured feline uroepithelial cells. Hence, it is highly expected that stress-associated NE release may play an important mediatory role in the pathogenesis of FIC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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13 pages, 592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Heart Murmurs Detected on Cardiac Auscultation in 856 Cats

by Luca Ferasin, Heidi Ferasin, Altin Cala and Naomi Creelman

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(10), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100564 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5941

Abstract

Background: Cardiac auscultation is one of the most important clinical tools to identify patients with a potential heart disease. Although several publications have reported the prevalence of murmurs in cats, little information is available in relation to the exact origin of the blood flow turbulences responsible for these murmurs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of murmurs detected during physical examination in cats. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of clinical records and echocardiographic examinations performed in cats for investigation of heart murmurs; Results: Records of 856 cats with full clinical information were available for review. The cause of murmur was identified in 93.1% of cases (72.3% with single blood flow turbulence, 26.4% with two, and 1.3% with three identifiable sources of murmur). Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) was the primary cause of murmur in this population (39.2%), followed by dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (DRVOTO) (32%) and flow murmurs (6.9%). Most cats with a murmur (56.7%) did not present any structural cardiac abnormality. Conclusions: This study indicates that some heart murmur characteristics (timing, loudness and point of maximal intensity) can potentially predict the presence of an underlying cardiac disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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8 pages, 462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Serum Protein Electrophoresis, Endoscopic and Histopathological Scores in 99 Cats with Chronic Enteropathy

by Alessio Pierini, Eleonora Gori, Fiorenza Tulone, Elena Benvenuti, Enrico Bottero, Pietro Ruggiero and Veronica Marchetti

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(9), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9090453 - 24 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2542

Abstract

Few studies have investigated total protein (TP) and serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) in cats with chronic enteropathy (CE). Cats diagnosed with CE were evaluated to investigate the relationships between TP, SPE and endoscopy, histopathology, and extraintestinal involvement. Medical records were searched for cats with a history of chronic gastrointestinal signs and a final diagnosis of CE. Information on signalment, TP, SPE, endoscopic score, histopathological diagnosis and score, and concurrent hepatic or pancreatic ultrasonographic alterations was collected. Relationships between protein profiles and other variables were investigated. Ninety-nine cats were included in the study, 63 diagnosed with various degrees of bowel inflammation and 36 with small-cell alimentary lymphoma. The most common TP alteration was hypoproteinemia (24%). No significant differences were observed between protein profiles and endoscopic and histopathological severity scores. Forty-five cats showing concurrent pancreatic and/or hepatic ultrasonographic alterations, had significantly lower albumin, lower α-globulin, and higher γ-globulin levels than cats not showing concurrent alterations. Disease severity scores did not seem to influence the protein profile in cats with CE. Extraintestinal involvement may be suspected in cats with lower albumin and α-globulins and higher γ-globulins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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20 pages, 4656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Gallic Acid-Containing Mouth Spray on Dental Health and Oral Microbiota of Healthy Cats—A Pilot Study

by Chaiyavat Chaiyasut, Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi, Muruganantham Bharathi, Chawin Tansrisook, Sartjin Peerajan, Khontaros Chaiyasut, Suchanat Khongtan, Kittidaj Tanongpitchayes, Nichaphat Thongma, Natcha Chawnan and Kriangkrai Thongkorn

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(7), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9070313 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4261

Abstract

This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of gallic acid-containing mouth spray on oral microbiota in healthy cat subjects. Forty healthy cats were recruited and randomly allocated to the control (G1; n = 20) and treatment groups (G2; n = 20). The cats were treated with mouth spray twice daily for 42 days. The changes in the gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were measured at baseline (day 0) and end of the study (42nd day). The changes in the oral microbial composition of representative animals (control, n = 9; and treatment, n = 8) were also evaluated at baseline and end of the study. Oral microbial composition was assessed by amplifying the V1–V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene from supragingival dental plaque DNA extracts. The sequences were annotated using the QIIME 2.0. The GI and PI were significantly reduced after 42 days of treatment. The deep sequencing revealed that mouth spray influenced the cats’ oral microbiome and was significantly diverse. About 20 phyla and 59 species were observed after 42 days of mouth spray usage in cats’ oral microbiota. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of post-treatment samples (PoTS) of G2 was greatly reduced compared to other samples. Further analysis revealed that mouth spray acts substantially against Desulfomicrobium orale, one of the known pathogens in periodontal disease. The mouth spray efficiently reduced the growth of 22 species and uprooted 17 species. Moreover, the mouth spray supported the growth of normal oral microbiota, including Moraxella and Neisseria species. The preliminary study suggested that the gallic acids-containing mouth spray could be an essential oral product to improve the oral hygiene of the cats. Moreover, further studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effect of mouth spray on cats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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14 pages, 2312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Canine-Origin Platelet-Rich Fibrin as an Effective Biomaterial for Wound Healing in Domestic Cats: A Preliminary Study

by Carla S. Soares, Isabel R. Dias, Maria A. Pires and Pedro P. Carvalho

Vet. Sci. 2021, 8(10), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8100213 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5619

Abstract

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a recent platelet-based biomaterial, poised as an innovative regenerative strategy for the treatment of wounds from different etiologies. PRF is defined as a biodegradable scaffold containing elevated amounts of platelets and leukocytes having the capability to release high concentrations of bioactive structural proteins and acting as a temporal release healing hemoderivative. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of canine-origin PRF, obtained from blood of screened donors, as a regenerative biomaterial suitable for the treatment of critical wounds in felines. Four short-hair felines with naturally occurring wounds were enrolled in this study. Three of the wounds were considered infected. Each PRF treatment was the result of the grafting of newly produced PRFs at the recipient area. The PRF treatment was initially performed two to three times per week, followed by single weekly treatments. The study was finalized when complete wound closure was achieved. No topical antimicrobial/antiseptic treatment was applied. The present research demonstrated that xenogenic PRFs significantly induced healthy vascularized granulation tissue in lesions with soft tissue deficit, also prompting the epithelization at the injured site. No rejection, necrosis, or infection signs were recorded. Additionally, PRF-therapy was revealed to be a biological cost-effective treatment, accelerating the wound healing process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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11 pages, 3860 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Evaluation of Weight Gain, Clinicopathological and Radiographic Changes after Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Cats

by Stefania Golinelli, Antonio Maria Tardo, Carla Giuditta Vecchiato, Eleonora Anicito Guido, Simone Perfetti, Alessia Diana and Federico Fracassi

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(3), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9030140 - 16 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4870

Abstract

Congenital hypothyroidism is uncommon in cats. This case report describes weight gain, clinicopathological and radiographic changes after early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism in three British shorthair cats’ siblings. Data were assessed at 53 (diagnosis), 83, 185 and 365 days of age. Correlations between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and body weight, levothyroxine dose, total thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations were evaluated. The body weights of the congenital hypothyroid kittens were compared with those of their two healthy siblings and British shorthair kittens of the same age. At diagnosis, the congenital hypothyroid kittens showed a significantly lower body weight compared to the healthy siblings (p = 0.03). After diagnosis, oral levothyroxine supplementation was started. The difference in body weight was no longer observed after one month of treatment. The clinical signs, clinicopathological and radiographic abnormalities ameliorated after one month of treatment. IGF-1 concentration was significantly positively correlated with body weight (rs = 0.80, p < 0.002). In conclusion, resolution of the clinical signs, achieving a consistent within-breed weight, and improvement of the clinicopathological and radiographic parameters demonstrated the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of feline congenital hypothyroidism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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8 pages, 2304 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

In Situ Hybridization of Feline Leukemia Virus in a Case of Osteochondromatosis

by Anna Szilasi, Zsófia Koltai, Lilla Dénes, Gyula Balka and Míra Mándoki

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9020059 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6890

Abstract

Osteochondromatosis, also known as multiple cartilaginous exostosis, polyostotic osteochondroma, and multiple osteochondromas, comprises one-fifth of all primary bone tumors in cats, with no breed or sex predisposition or hereditary pattern. Unlike in dogs, horses, and humans, it is predominantly seen in young cats (2–4 years old), after the maturation of the skeleton. Although the pathogenesis of osteochondromatosis is not fully understood, it is considered to be related to infection by feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or other retroviruses, such as the feline sarcoma virus. However, the presence of viral particles within tumor lesions has only been demonstrated by electron microscopy. The malignant transformation of osteochondromas, most typically to osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma, has also been attributed to the viral infection. Here we report the case of osteochondromatosis in a 3.5-year-old male domestic European shorthair cat with concurrent FeLV infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Viral RNA was visualized in representative tissues (spleen, mesenteric lymph node, liver, kidney, lung, brain) and in the osteochondromas with RNAscope in situ hybridization, which supports that FeLV infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteochondromatosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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13 pages, 1650 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Cytauxzoon sp. Infection and Coinfections in Three Domestic Cats in Central Italy

by Maria Teresa Antognoni, Francesca Rocconi, Silvia Ravagnan, Marta Vascellari, Gioia Capelli, Arianna Miglio and Morena Di Tommaso

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(2), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9020050 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3458

Abstract

Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging disease caused by a tick-transmitted haemoprotozoan affecting domestic and wild felids. The clinical and biomolecular findings of the infection due to Cytauxzoon sp. and concomitant coinfections are described in three cats in central Italy. Three domestic cats were referred for different clinical conditions (impact trauma, lameness, and weight loss and lethargy). They presented different hematobiochemical profiles. Only two cats were anemic, but in all three cats, endo erythrocyte inclusions suggestive of piroplasmids were found at blood smear evaluation. EDTA blood samples were submitted to rapid ELISA test for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and to biomolecular investigations for Piroplasmida (Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Cytauxzoon spp.) and Mycoplasma spp. All three cats were positive for Cytauxzoon sp. (European Cytauxzoon species) and two cases were also coinfected by Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis and FIV. This report suggests that cytauxzoonosis should be included among differential diagnoses in subjects with possibility of contact with ticks and with presence of coinfections by tick-borne parasites, including in non-endemic areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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8 pages, 2844 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Presumptive Non-Ischemic Priapism in a Cat

by Jeong-Min Lee, Ah-Won Sung, Han-Joon Lee, Joong-Hyun Song and Kun-Ho Song

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9010029 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 7193

Abstract

A 14-year-old neutered male British shorthair cat presented with a 21-day history of persistent erection and dysuria, along with overgrooming of the perineal region. Mild palpation induced pain and rigid corpora cavernosa with flaccid glans were observed during physical examination. Ultrasonography of the penis did not detect significant blood flow in the penile cavernosal artery. The drawing of aspirate blood from cavernosal bodies for gas analysis was impossible because of the anatomically small penis size of cats. Conservative management, including topical steroid ointment, lidocaine gel, gabapentin, and diazepam, was prescribed for supportive management. The clinical signs resolved, and ultrasonographic examination of the penis revealed no abnormalities. The cat remains clinically well without recurrence during the 6 months after treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of non-ischemic priapism in a cat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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8 pages, 4653 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Anaplastic Mammary Carcinoma in Cat

by Maria Soares, Jorge Correia, Catarina Nascimento and Fernando Ferreira

Vet. Sci. 2021, 8(5), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8050077 - 4 May 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5237

Abstract

Clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical findings related to a feline mammary tumor with similar features to canine anaplastic mammary carcinoma are herein described for the first time. A female cat was presented for clinical evaluation with gastrointestinal signs, oedema, erythema, and painful lesion in the right inguinal region. Three weeks later, the mass had doubled in size and radiographic revaluation of the thoracic cavity revealed a metastatic pattern. Due to the poor prognosis and decline of the clinical status the owners decided for euthanasia. Post-mortem examination exposed a mammary tumoral mass with subcutaneous oedema, an enlargement of the right inguinal lymph node, and nodules in several organs. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of large pleomorphic epithelial cells, often grouped in small clusters with bizarre nuclei. Immunohistochemical study of the different lesions was performed and both primary tumor and regional metastasis showed tumor cells to be negative estrogen receptor alpha, positive progesterone receptor, positive HER-2, and positive pan-cytokeratin. Given that the clinical history was compatible with an inflammatory mammary carcinoma, the cyclooxygenase-2 expression levels were evaluated and presented a weak immunoreactivity. Regarding the distant metastatic lesions, tumor cells were negative for ER-α and PR and, positive both for HER-2 and pan-cytokeratin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Feline Internal Medicine)

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