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Laboratory Animal Medicine Blue Book, 3rd Ed. (2015) > Chapter 13. Biology and Diseases of Cats > Flashcards

Chapter 13. Biology and Diseases of Cats Flashcards

1
Q

General research uses for cats

A

Neurology - locomotion, spinal trauma; retrovirus & zoonotic diseases; inherited diseases

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2
Q

Viruses studied in cats

A
  • Feline foamy virus (FFV) - viral vector
  • FIV - model for HIV/AIDS
  • FeLV - model for HIV/AIDS and retroviral disease
  • Feline calicivirus - development of vaccines; model for human norovirus
  • Feline coronavirus - model for SARS
  • Feline parvovirus - model for parvoviruses; vaccine development
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3
Q

Bacteria studied in cats

A
  • Helicobacter pylori, H. felis - pathogenesis & zoonotic aspects
  • Yersinia pestis - pathogenesis & zoonotic aspects
  • Bartonella henselae - pathogenesis & zoonotic aspects
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4
Q

Protozoa studied in cats

A

Toxoplasma gondii - vaccine development, zoonotic aspects

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5
Q

Domestic cats are susceptible to which 3 retroviruses?

A
  • FIV - genus Lentivirus
  • FeLV - genus Gammaretrovirus
  • Feline foamy virus (FFV) - genus Spumavirus
  • FFV generally asymptomatic; FeLV fulminant disease or controlled but not eliminated
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6
Q

FeLV cat models

A
  • FeLV studied for retroviral-induced immunodeficiency
  • Effective vaccines available
  • After infection a fraction of cats are persistently viremic, with viral excretion through saliva & nasal secretions
  • Dx: major viral core protein (p27 gag) via ELISA
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7
Q

FIV cat models

A
  • One of the most relevant naturally occurring models of HIV
  • Resembles HIV in tissue and cell tropism but is antigenically distinct
  • Cell-associated viremia occurs within 1-2 wks and remains persistent
  • Immune system changes: lymphadenopathy, neutropenia, decreased lymphocyte proliferative response, increased susceptibility to opportunistic infx; sometimes B cell lymphoma, myeloproliferative disease
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8
Q

Helicobacter felis cat models

A
  • Model for H. pylori, which causes gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma in humans
  • H. felis has a wide host range
  • Cats can be naturally infected with H. felis and H. pylori
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9
Q

Spinal cord injury cat models

A
  • Despite their small body size, the spinal cord of cats is similar in length (34 cm) and anatomy to human spinal cord (40-45 cm)
  • Cat models demonstrated that spinal cord has intrinsic circuitry to generate locomoton
  • Used recently to study embryonic stem cell transplantation, neurotransmitters & molecular genetics of the circuitry controlling locomotion in the spinal cord
  • Successful grafting of peripheral nerves onto the spinal cord has been demonstrated in cats
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10
Q

Sleep research cat models

A
  • Adult cats spend up to 2/3 of their time sleeping
  • Cats have been used to model obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - occurs when cats sleep in supine position with neck flexed & can be trained to wear CPAP
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11
Q

Parkinson’s disease cat models

A
  • PD can be induced in cats & many other species using 1-methyl-4-phenul-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP); however, unlike humans, cat recover
  • Cats experience sleep interruptions during the acute phase = possible model of sleep disorders in Parkinson’s disease
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12
Q

CNS cat models

A
  • The CNS and brain of the cat is well characterized and has similar anatomy to humans
  • Cats are a good model for gene therapy trials for neurological disorders such as lysosomal storage disease
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13
Q

Centers for feline inherited diseases

A
  • Center for Comparative Medical Genetics (CCMG) - characterizes & makes available cat modes of human diseases; maintains colonies of animals for studies of α-mannosidosis, mucolipidosis II, Neimanpick-C, glycogen storage IV, pyruvate kinase deficiency, porphyria, hypothyroidism
  • Cat Phenotype and Health Information Registry (CAT PHIR) - defines feline genetic models & characterizes the specific mutations, incl PRA and PCK in Persian cats, and hypotrichinosis in Cornish Rex
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14
Q

Problems with introducing random source cats to a research facility

A
  • Inapparent or latent diseases (e.g., FIV, FIP) may be introduced
  • Variable tractability
  • If brought in, a prolonged 8-12 week quarantine is needed with identification of diseases, parasite elimination, vaccination
  • The National Research Council states that IACUCs must give rigorous consideration to the scientific justification for the use of random-source rather than purpose-bred cats
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15
Q

Best means of obtaining substantial numbers of cats for research?

A

Establish institutional breeding colony

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16
Q

Housing requirements for cats

A
  • Primary enclosure height: at least 24 inches
  • Floor space: 3 ft^2 per cat weighing less than 8.8 lg (4 kg) & 4 ft^2 for cats weighing more
  • Queens with nursing kittens require additional space
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17
Q

Cats should be socially housed unless…?

A
  • Single housing for particular experimental objectives
  • Temporary single housing for collection of specimens, administration of treatments, or observation
  • Cats that are aggressive towards other cats
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18
Q

Harem breeding of cats

A

~4-6 queens per tom

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19
Q

Maximum number of cats in a single room

A

-Typically 20-25 animals is the maximum for a successful breeding room, as long as there is enough floor, perch, feeding, and litter space

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20
Q

Housing of queens and kittens

A
  • Housing compatible pregnant queens together before delivery may lead to sharing nursing and neonatal care
  • Queens nursing litters & kittens under 4 months of age should not be housed with other adult cats
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21
Q

Perch space for cats

A
  • USDA regulations require that enough perch space is available for all cats to rest comfortably on a perch surface simultaneously
  • If the resting areas are placed so low to the ground that a cat cannot rest comfortably underneath it, the resting surface will be considered floor space
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22
Q

Litter for cats used in research

A
  • Can be any clean, dust-free, absorbent material (e.g., extruded corn pellets)
  • One box per two cats is recommended
  • Soiled litter must be removed and replaced daily to minimize cat-to-cat transmission of enteric pathogens
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23
Q

How long does it take Toxoplasma gondii oocysts to sporulate?

A

1-5 days

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24
Q

Temperature and humidity range for cats in the Guide

A
  • 64-84 F

- 30-70%

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25
Q

Stress in cats used in research

A
  • As natural predators, cats have keen senses & heightened fight-or-flight responses = susceptible to environmental stress
  • Become readily entrained to daily activity patterns
  • Unpredictable caretaking & handling are potent stressors
  • Overcrowding & insufficient resting and hiding places also increase stress
  • Ability to hide profoundly decreases cortisol concentrations in cats
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26
Q

Signs of stress in cats

A

-Decreased activity (grooming, social interaction), withdrawal behavior, altered appetite

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27
Q

Communication between cats

A
  • Visual: body posture & facial expression
  • Auditory: meowing, chirping vs. hissing, shrieking
  • Tactile: body & nose rubbin
  • Olfactory: urine spraying, rubbing scent glands
  • Affiliative behaviors include mutual grooming & allorubbing; these behaviors more common in females; Play behavior & food sharing common in kittens & adolescents
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28
Q

Maternal behavior in cats

A
  • Primary social pattern of the female cat; queens have strong maternal instincts
  • Adult queens form social groups along with their kittens & juvenile offspring;
  • Cooperative nursing is common
  • Kittens raised in communal nests develop faster and leave the nest sooner
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29
Q

Socialization period for kittens

A

3-8 weeks

30
Q

Tom cat behavior

A
  • Adult toms reside within one group or roam between groups
  • Commonly exhibit aggressive behaviors toward other toms with urine spraying, fighting
  • In contrast, usually affiliative towards females = housed with spayed females when not breeding
  • Neutered males display less agonistic behaviors towards other cats
31
Q

Housing cats to exclude pathogens

A
  • Facility should have various areas to house different life stages, health statuses, as well as quarantine
  • Quarantine cats that have had exposure to infectious diseases (i.e., non-SPF cats) ideally for at least 6 weeks = time it takes cats to seroconvert against FIV or become antigen-positive to FeLV
  • Quarantine cats from SPF sources for at least 1 week
  • Handle queens with young litters first; handle youngest & most immunocompromised before others
  • Equipment should be room-specific
  • Provide enough litter boxes to decrease waster material accumulation & disease spread
  • Air exchanges of 10-12 per hour & using filtration in air-supply system help reduce air contaminants
32
Q

Recommended regular caretaking operations for cat facilities

A

-Daily operations should include vacuuming and
mopping floors, disposal of soiled litter, replacing soiled cardboard nesting boxes, and washing utensils for water
and food as needed
-Weekly procedures should include washing litter boxes and food/water utensils in 180°F
water, scrubbing soiled areas, and replacing nesting boxes; cage washer washing of caging units

33
Q

What disinfectants are effective against nonenveloped viruses like feline panleukopenia virus & feline calicivirus?

A

-Aldehydes, hypochlorite, peracetic acid

34
Q

What disinfectants are effective against dermatophytes?

A

-Require much higher concentrations & repeated applications of hypochlorite compared to nonenveloped viruses

35
Q

What disinfection is needed for coccidia?

A

-Steam cleaning & disinfectants specifically labeled for coccidia

36
Q

Environmental enrichment for cats

A
  • Toys and play that appeal to cat’s predatory instincts
  • Items that can be scent marked
  • Provide multiple enrichment items for group-housed cats so they are not all hoarded by dominant cats
  • Hiding places
  • Extra human interaction for singly housed cats
  • Perches for resting (‘rest boards’)
37
Q

Reproductive biology of queens

A
  • First estrous cycle at 5-9 months of age (range 3.5 to 18 months); usually occurs after reaching body weight of 2 kg or more
  • Group housing, especially introduction of a tom or estral queen, provides social stimuli that hastens onset of estrus
  • Seasonally polyestrus: in Northern hemisphere season begins in Jan-Feb & lasts until fall; anestrus persists from Oct-Dec
  • 10 or more hours of light per day required for reproductive cycling
  • Peak sexual activity occurs btwn 1.5-7 years, with average of 2-3 litters per year & 3-4 kittens per litter
  • If allowed, queens may accept a number of males & therefore litters may have multiple sires
  • Queens less than 1 year old & 8 years or older tend to cycle irregularly, have smaller litters w/ more abortions, stillbirths, birth defects
  • Following a normal lactation, queens return to estrus in 2-8 weeks (avg 4); can return to fertile cycling while nursing
  • Queens need a period of rest to regain body condition after nursing
38
Q

Photoperiod for maximum fertility period and estrous cycling in cats

A
  • 14 hr light photoperiod with natural daylight spectrum fluorescent bulbs
  • Estrous cycling typically occurs within 7-10 wks of instituting this light cycle; this period can be shortened if preceded by a nonstimulatory light cycle or 8 or fewer hours or if tom cat or estral queen introduced at same time as increased light duration
39
Q

Rest periods for queens

A
  • Provide a period of short days (8 hr of light or less) for 4-6 weeks each year to ensure anestrus & reproductive rest
  • This may ultimately enhance reproductive performance
40
Q

Reproductive biology of toms

A
  • Tomcats reach puberty at 8-13 mths of age
  • Sexually active year-round, polygamous
  • Peak reproductive function between 2-8 years of age
  • Behavior traits - docile, tractable, east to handle - have been found to relate to traits in kittens
41
Q

Neonatal isoerythrolysis

A
  • Blood type A toms should not be bred to type B queens to prevent neonatal isoerythrolysis
  • Blood type B is rare in domestic shorthairs, but common in certain purebreds
42
Q

Infertility in cat colonies

A
  • Inbreeding is a common cause of reduced fecundity, birth defects, infertility
  • Periodically review breeding records to identify fertility, fecundity, lactation problems and abnormal viability of kittens in utero and postnatally
43
Q

Assisted reproduction in cats

A
  • Colonies of domestic cats are used as models to develop techniques of assisted reproduction for management of valuable domestic cats & endangered nondomestic cats
  • Techniques include cryopreservation of spermatozoa, laparoscopic oviductal embryo transfer
  • Cats are the first carnivore for which a transgenic model is available - manipulation of feline gametes & embryo transfer to create transgenic line expressing antiviral restriction factor
44
Q

Nutrition for cats

A
  • Obligate carnivores; adapted for high protein diets
  • Diet of free-ranging cats contains ~52% crude protein
  • Cats require dietary supplementation of taurine, arginine, arachidonic acid, Vitamins A, D, and many B (niacin, thiamine, etc.) - in the wild these are present in tissues of prey
  • Intestinal tract of cats is only 4.2 times their body length (compared to 6 times longer in dogs) = evolved to accommodate consumption of highly digestible prey
  • Vitamin A deficiency d/t gamma-irradiation of diet reported to cause progressive hind limb ataxia & proprioceptive defects = leukoencephalomyelopathy
  • Taurine deficiency in diets leads to retinal degeneration; diets marginally deficient in taurine can produce dilated cardiomyopathy
45
Q

Commercial diets for cats

A
  • To avoid nutritionally incomplete diets, select a commercially prepared diet labeled with a ‘nutritional adequacy statement’ = diet has passed Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Cat Food Feeding Protocol
  • AAFCO feeding trial assess digestibility, bioavailability, and palatability
  • Commercial cat diets can provide a source of contamination for SPF colonies (e.g., Salmonella)
  • To avoid contamination & dietary imbalance due to autoclaving or irradiating diet, use a diet specifically formulated for laboratory cats
  • Free-choice feeding mimics pattern of free-ranging cats that consume multiple small meals over the course of 24 hr, but can lead to excess weight/obesity
  • Canned foods may spoil if left out for more than 8-12 hr
46
Q

Energy requirements of cats

A
  • Adult cat at maintenance: 100 kcal/(kg body weight)^0.67 per day
  • Assessing muscle condition is important because cats tend to catabolize lean body tissue under conditions of acute stress & loss of muscle tissue may not be readily appreciated with traditional body scoring
47
Q

Health risks of obesity in cats

A
  • Increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hepatic lipidosis, urinary tract disease
  • White adipose tissue releases several factors including steroid hormones, growth factors & various cytokines such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin (adipokines)
  • Leptin is several fold higher in obese cats compared to lean cats without leading to appropriate physiological response of appetite suppression
  • Obesity can upregulate mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFalpha & interferon-gamma in adiposites
48
Q

Energy requirements of queens

A
  • Queens gain weight in a linear fashion throughout gestation
  • Energy requirements increase by 25-30% by midgestation
  • Energy requirements continue to rise to 3-4x maintenance after parturition to provide for lactation
  • Peak lactation occurs 2-3 weeks postpartum
  • After weaning, mild production and mammary congestion can be decreased by fasting queens for 24 hr before returning to maintenance feeding
49
Q

Preventive medicine for cats used in research

A
  • Selection for disease resistance, docile temperament, breeding and maternal care success in queens in breeding programs should be considered
  • Cats used in infectious disease or vaccine research may not be vaccinated or may be vaccinated only with killed vaccines to avoid perturbations to the immune response
  • Early cessation of immunization protocols is the most common form of immunization failure
  • Young kittens (less than 6 mth old) represent a main target population for immunization due to their increased susceptibility to infection
50
Q

Maternal antibodies in cats

A

-Maternal antibodies acquired through colostrum can interfere with immunization as late as 16 wk of age in kittens & will vary depending on pathogen

51
Q

Considerations for cat vaccination protocol

A

-The closed/open status
of a colony, animal density, research use of animals, and potential exposure (either through fomites carried into the facility or geographical presence of pathogens)
-Type of vaccine administered can vary depending on the reproductive status of the individual animal; vaccinating pregnant queens generally not recommended (possibility of infecting fetus during pregnancy or lactation)
-Ex: modified live feline panleukopenia virus vaccine given to a pregnant queen could cause cerebellar hypoplasia in the kittens (inactivated vaccines should be used instead if must be given)
-Multivalent panleukopenia vaccines found to induce more lethargy post-vaccination

52
Q

Overcrowding in cat colonies

A
  • One of the most potent stressors in cats
  • Increases number of pathogens, susceptible, animals, & number of asymptomatic carriers in a given groups
  • Increases likelihood of disease transmission d/t direct contact and fomites
  • Keep groups as small and stable as possible
  • Kittens should remain only with queens and littermates until weaning
53
Q

Synthetic feline facial pheomones (FFP)

A
  • Recommended in treatment of stress-related behaviors due to apparent anxiolytic effect on cats
  • Can decrease urine-spraying according to one study; but other studies have found inconsistent results for reducing stress in unfamiliar environments
54
Q

Upper respiratory tract infections in cats - etiology

A
  • Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) & feline calicivirus (FCV) are primary agents; also Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, reovirus, Bordetella
  • Chlamydophila felis - normally assoc w/ serous conjunctivitis, mild URI that self-resolve; multivalent vaccine available
  • Mycoplasma felis - primary conjunctivitis, anemia, URI; can treat with antimycoplasmal drugs
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica - acute bronchitis, pneumonia, ocular discharge, death; vaccination may be warranted in colonies with a history of infection
55
Q

Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1)

A
  • FHV-1 - subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae; feline viral rhinotracheitis; acute rhinitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, sneezing, conjunctival hyperemia, coughing; shed in oculonasal discharge; transmission is direct contact; acute disease is 10-14 days; can shed for up to 3 weeks
  • Spreads to trigeminal nerve to establish latency
  • Over 80% of cats that recover become carriers & intermittently shed following stress (glucocorticoid administration, parturition, relocalization of cats)
  • Shedding begins within 1 week of stressful event & continues for ~2 weeks
56
Q

Feline calcivirus (FCV)

A
  • Acute URI, acute stomatitis, lingual ulceration
  • Chronic stomatitis (possibly immune-mediated) & limping syndrome d/t idiopathic acute synovitis have been reported
  • Infected through oronasal route - transient viremia in following 3-4 days; healing takes place 3-4 weeks following infection
  • Virulent systemic disease recently assoc w/ FCV in US and Europe: systemic inflammatory disease, DIC, organ failure, death; mortality rate up to 67%
  • Infected cats shed FCV for 30 days; many cats clear infection but others can continually shed virus (potentially lifelong; rare)
  • FCV may undergo mutations to its capsid protein, possibly avoiding host immune response
57
Q

Upper respiratory infection in cats - treatment

A
  • Primarily supportive - clean eyes & nose; mucolytic agents; nebulization with saline; fluids; nutrition maintenance
  • Antibiotics is secondary bacterial infection
  • Acyclovir and famciclovir can be beneficial for FHV-1
58
Q

Upper respiratory infection in cats - vaccination, control

A
  • Parenteral & intranasal vaccines available for FHV-1 & FCV
  • Multivalent vaccines coupled with FPV are common
  • Vaccination against FCV will NOT prevent shedding or clinical disease & does not protect against all FCV strains
  • FHV-1 very labile in environment, tends to persist for only 24 hr
  • FCV can persist in environment for up to 2 wks & transmit via fomites; eliminate with bleach
59
Q

Feline parvovirus (feline panleukopenia)

A
  • Highly contagious, causes serious clinical disease
  • Easily controlled by vaccination
  • Transmission: indirect via fecal-oral
  • Clin signs: diarrhea, lympopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, cerebellar hypoplasia in kittens, abortion
  • Kittens are most vulnerable with mortality as high as 90%
  • Nonenveloped = very resistant in environment & rapidly accumulates in environment d/t high shedding
  • Passive immunity from maternal antibodies tends to last 6-8 weeks; immunity gap can occur where antibody levels too low to protect kitten but high enough to interfere with vaccination = vaccinate kittens as early as 6 weeks & repeat every 3-4 weeks until 16-20 wks
  • Repeat vaccination at 1 year, then every 3 years
60
Q

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) - etiology

A
  • May arise in otherwise healthy cats, cannot be distinguished serologically from other coronaviruses, causes recurring appearance of disease that tends to be fatal
  • 2 types of coronaviruses in cats: feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) & FIP virus (FIPV) - antigenically & morphologically indistinguishable from each other
  • Both genus Alphacoronavirus
  • FECV ubiquitous & avirulent
61
Q

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) - epizootiology

A
  • FECV endemic in nearly all environments with large numbers of cats; spread fecal-oral & assoc w/ subclinical or self-limiting GI signs (diarrhea)
  • Viral shedding of FECV from small and large intestine typically for 1 week after infection but up to 18 months
  • Immunity is not lifelong - recovered cats can be reinfected with typically the same strain
  • Immunity btwn FECV & FIPV NOT crossprotective
  • A mutation in FECV is believed to cause FIP - mutation at a spike protein cleavage site theorized to lead to altered fusion properties that provide for macrophage tropism, systemic spread, development of FIP
  • FECV mutations differ between littermates & even within different tissues of same animal; kittens most susceptible to this mutation during primary infection
  • Coinfections with other viruses & stress increase incidence of FIP
  • Other risk factors for FIP: genetic susceptibility, coronavirus titer, proportion of FECV shedding, prevalence of chronic shedders in colony
62
Q

Feline infectious peritonitis - clinical signs

A
  • Clinical disease more common in young animals from 5-6 weeks up to 16 months of age
  • 2 Forms of FIP = effusive ‘wet’ form & dry form
  • Effusive Form: more common, shorter incubation period (2-14 day); may be subclinical for weeks with affected young appearing unthrifty; signs: fever, anorexia, malaise, weight loss, painless abdominal distension (ascites; mucinous yellow fluid); dyspnea from pleural & thoracic effusion; ocular & neurologic signs; scrotal edema; synovitis due to immune complex formation
  • Dry Form: less common; granulomatous lesions in various organs (kidneys, mesenteric LNs, liver - lesion painful on palpation); CNS involvement; ocular disease
63
Q

Feline infectious peritonitis - diagnosis

A
  • Serology does not differentiate FECV from FIPV
  • Effusion aspiration - high protein content (>35 g/l); exudative effusion with neutrophils & macrophages
  • Specific mutation at S1/S2 site may allow diagnosis of FIP prior to development of disease
64
Q

Feline infectious peritonitis - prevention & control

A
  • Typically fatal; no current effective treatment
  • A reliable vaccine has not been developed
  • Virus may persist for up to 2 months in environment
  • Prevention: minimize fecal-oral spread
65
Q

Fleas in cats

A
  • Cause marked allergic dermatitis in many adults
  • Vectors for tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum), many infectious diseases
  • Cats & kittens are extremely sensitive to toxic effects of insecticides = use products intended for cats
  • Eradication includes environmental sanitation to eliminate opportunities for larval development
66
Q

Ear mites in cats

A
  • Otodectes cynotis - most common cause of otitis externa in cats
  • Live in external ear canal, feed on tissue fluids & produce irritation
  • Clin signs: thick, dark-brown exudate consisting of cerumen & exfoliated debris; head shaking; scratching at ears; pinnae excoriations
  • Dx: otoscopic examination or microscopic examination of exudate in mineral oil
  • Tx: if diagnosed in a colony, all cats whether infected o not should be treated; ivermectin (200-300 ug/kg SC Q2 weeks x 2 treatments) is a safe, inexpensive option
67
Q

Endoparasites in cats

A
  • Roundworms: Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina
  • Hookworms: Ancylostoma & Uncinaria
  • Transmission: transmammary most common route for roundworms & hookworms; also from ingesting contaminated soil
  • Larvae ingested by adult cat migrate to body tissues & persist for years, then reactivated & travel to mammary glands to be shed in milk
  • Infested kittens may have diarrhea as early as 2-3 weeks of age
  • Hookworms can cause blood loss & anemia; female worms produce eggs that pass in feces & can persist in soil for years
  • Control: proper sanitation, routine deworming of kittens; pyrantel pamoate (8-10 mg/kg PO Q3 weeks x 3 treatments) effective for roundworms & hookworms
  • Adult cats acquire immunity & rarely reinfested
  • In humans: hookworms = cutaneous larval migrans; roundworms = visceral larval migrans
68
Q

Coccidia in cats

A
  • Cats are definitive host for Isospora felis & Isospora rivolta
  • Young kittens usually affected
  • Eggs passed in feces & sporulate in as little as 12 hr; adult forms replicate in small intestine & cause vilous atrophy, dilated lacteals, lymphoid proliferation of Peyer’s patches
  • Clin signs: watery diarrhea that may contain blood, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, anorexia
  • Dx: eggs on fecal float
  • Tx: sulfadimethoxine
  • Control: eggs resistant to many disinfectants - prompt removal of feces & steam cleaning surfaces helps decrease coccidial egg load in environment
69
Q

Giardia in cats

A
  • Less common than coccidia
  • Occur in condition of poor sanitation, particularly in kittens
  • Parasitization of small intestine may result in diarrhea
  • Tx: metronidazole or fenbendazole
70
Q

Personnel health concerns when working with cats

A
  • Cat Scratch Disease: Bartonella henselae; transmitted by bite or scratch wounds or by fleas; personnel should wash wounds thoroughly & seek medical attention if not responding to usual treatment
  • Dermatophytosis: Microsporum canis; dx by culture
  • Toxoplasmosis: obligate intracellular protozoa; transmission by ingestion of infected feces/soil or undercooked meat; diagnosis is difficult; use gloves when handling litter & wash hands
  • Rabies: consideration vaccination of cats because of legal obligations when shipping, otherwise little risk with closed colony derived from disease-free stock
  • Cat salivary & urine proteins are potent allergens; 5 cat allergens have been characterized; cats more commonly implicated in ashthma and allergic disease than other pet species

Laboratory Animal Medicine Blue Book, 3rd Ed. (2015) (16 decks)

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