Parasitology
Bijan Esmaeilnejad; Awat Samiei; Zahra Darabizade; Mohsen Akhoondi; Romina Salavati; Bahar Ahooghalandari; Vahid Fathipour; Arash Akhavan; Armin Fakheri
Volume 15, Issue 4 , April 2024, , Pages 211-214
Abstract
A 6-year-old male domestic short-haired cat (Felis catus) was presented with weakness, anorexia, fever, icterus, a painful abdomen, ruffled hair and a tick infestation, and it had no prior surgery. Laboratory analysis revealed left-shifted neutrophils, thrombocytopenia, low albumin content and high serum ...
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A 6-year-old male domestic short-haired cat (Felis catus) was presented with weakness, anorexia, fever, icterus, a painful abdomen, ruffled hair and a tick infestation, and it had no prior surgery. Laboratory analysis revealed left-shifted neutrophils, thrombocytopenia, low albumin content and high serum bilirubin concentration as well as activities of hepatic enzymes including alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Azotemia and increased serum levels of creatinine and urea were also recorded. In Giemsa-stained blood smear, Hepatozoon gamonts were observed within neutrophils. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay was used to amplify an approximately 590 bp fragment of 18S rRNA gene and confirmed Hepatozoon felis infection. The cat was treated with imidocarb dipropionate and doxycycline and recovered completely. Six-month follow-up showed no recurrence. This study reveals the presence of H. felis in Iran and it should be considered in differential diagnosis in febrile and icteric cats. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of H. felis infection in a cat in Iran.
Zahra Darabizadeh; Keivan Keramati; Dariush Shirani; Mohammad Molazem; Saeed Heydaryan; Yasamin Vali
Volume 14, Issue 5 , May 2023, , Pages 275-279
Abstract
Right ventricular parameters change in many cardiovascular diseases; so, the presence of normal right ventricular parameters is necessary to diagnose these diseases. Ten clinically healthy adult domestic short-haired cats including six males and four females in the range of 2.70 to 4.80 kg were studied ...
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Right ventricular parameters change in many cardiovascular diseases; so, the presence of normal right ventricular parameters is necessary to diagnose these diseases. Ten clinically healthy adult domestic short-haired cats including six males and four females in the range of 2.70 to 4.80 kg were studied using echocardiography without sedation. The speed and pressure of blood flow through the tricuspid and pulmonary valves, speed of the movement of tricuspid valve and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were recorded using conventional pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and M-mode, respectively. No significant statistical differences were observed between the measured values and sex, heart rate and body weight. A positive correlation was observed between the maximum velocity of the right ventricular outflow tract and heart rate and also between TAPSE slope and body weight. With determining the normal values of PW-TDI of the right ventricle in apparently healthy domestic short-haired cats, it is expected that with providing normal reference values, the diagnosis of heart diseases especially asymptomatic heart disease be achieved as soon as possible to provide the best appropriate therapeutic management and monitoring decision about them.
Hossein Kazemi Mehrgerdi; Masoud Rajabioun; Ali Mirshahi; Ensiyeh Sajjadian Jaghargh
Volume 13, Issue 4 , December 2022, , Pages 607-610
Abstract
Diaphragmatic rupture is introduced as one of the most common injuries occurring in small animals. In our retrospective report, 14 cats with a mean age of 12 months (male = 8, female = 6) that underwent diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy were studied. The data included the following: age, sex, breed, and clinical ...
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Diaphragmatic rupture is introduced as one of the most common injuries occurring in small animals. In our retrospective report, 14 cats with a mean age of 12 months (male = 8, female = 6) that underwent diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy were studied. The data included the following: age, sex, breed, and clinical signs. The cause of diaphragmatic hernia, diaphragmatic rupture area, herniated organs, concomitant injuries, and survival rate after surgical treatment were detailed. The cats included 11 domestic shorthair (DSH) and three Persian. Trauma was the most common cause of rupture in these patients and one 3-month old Persian cat had peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). The most common clinical sign was dyspnea. Concurrent disorders included fractures of pelvic, long bones and ribs and mild pneumothorax. One of the five cats survived with concurrent disorders. In this study, the frequency of rupture sites was as follows: the right-side (11 cats), left-side (2 cats), and dorsal side of diaphragm in one case. The most frequently inserted organ into the chest was liver. In our study, the survival rate after surgical treatment was 71.00%. In conclusion, we suggested that stabilization of the patient was important before herniorrhaphy. Based on our study, the concurrent damages affected the survival rate.
Reza Sadjadi; Mohammad Nasrollahzadeh Masouleh; Ahmad Asghari; Saied Bokaie
Volume 12, Issue 3 , September 2021, , Pages 383-386
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate effects of medetomidine on left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocity in domestic short-haired cats. Eighteen healthy adult male domestic short-haired cats were used for this study. All animals were client-owned. Echocardiography machine with 7.50 ...
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The purpose of the present study was to evaluate effects of medetomidine on left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocity in domestic short-haired cats. Eighteen healthy adult male domestic short-haired cats were used for this study. All animals were client-owned. Echocardiography machine with 7.50 MHz transducer was used. Specific veterinary two-dimensional and pulse-waved echocardiogram images in apical five chamber right parasternal view were obtained and blood velocity in LVOT was calculated. After baseline echocardiographic recordings, 0.04 mg kg-1 of medetomidine was intramuscularly administered to each animal and LVOT velocity was calculated after 15 (T15), 50 (T30) and 80 (T80) min following drug administration. The LVOT velocity values (mean ± SEM) of cats in baseline were 1.06 ± 0.04 m sec-1. There were significant differences between baseline and T15 and T30 regarding mean LVOT values. Age and weight had no significant effect on LVOT velocity values. The LVOT velocity values of T15, T50 and T80 were 0.77 ± 0.04, 0.80 ± 0.02 and 0.96±0.03 m sec-1, respectively. Our findings revealed significant decrease in mean LVOT velocity up to 50 min following medetomidine administration. The present study determined normal LVOT velocity range for a small population of cats before and after intra-muscular medetomidine administration.
Diagnostic Imaging
Salah Nadimi; Mohammad Molazem; Seyedhosein Jarolmasjed; Mohammad Reza Esmaili Nejad
Volume 9, Issue 4 , December 2018, , Pages 337-341
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the pituitary gland dimensions due to age and weight using computed tomography (CT) in dogs and cats. The CT images of pituitary gland were assessed in 11 client-owned dogs (six males and five females; age range, 1 to 9 years) and 15 client-owned cats (eight ...
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the pituitary gland dimensions due to age and weight using computed tomography (CT) in dogs and cats. The CT images of pituitary gland were assessed in 11 client-owned dogs (six males and five females; age range, 1 to 9 years) and 15 client-owned cats (eight males and seven females; age range, 1 to 14 years) with no evidence of pituitary diseases. The length, height, width and volume of the pituitary gland were measured in sagittal and transverse planes. Mean pituitary length, width, height and volume (± standard deviation: SD) were respectively 4.96 (± 0.69 mm), 3.62 (± 0.64 mm), 2.62 (± 0.05 mm) and 26.19 (± 7.99 mm3) in cats and were 7.00 (± 2.14 mm), 4.80 (± 1.20 mm), 3.80 (± 0.70 mm) and 77.53 (± 51.64 mm3) in dogs, respectively. Mean pituitary height-to-brain ratio (P:B ratio), (± SD) in cats and dogs was 0.28 (± 0.05) and 0.21 (± 0.03), respectively and mean percent of pituitary volume to brain volume (± SD) in cats and dogs was 0.10 (± 0.05) and 0.10 (± 0.07), respectively. There was no significant correlation between the size of pituitary gland and age, weight and body condition score (BCS) in dogs, however in cats, significant difference was found between height of pituitary gland and weight and BCS, pituitary width and weight and P:B ratio and BCS. These findings could be useful to identify abnormal pituitary gland enlargement in CT images. To be more accurate in the assessments, further studies are required.
Small Animal Internal Medicine
Farzaneh Azizi; Mohammad Nasrollahzadeh Masouleh; Seeyamak Mashhadi Rafie; Ahmad Asghari; Saied Bokaie
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2018, , Pages 137-143
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of intramuscular injection of medetomidine on intra-renal arteriesresistive and pulsatility indices by duplex Doppler ultrasonographyin clinically normal adult domestic shorthair cats. For this purpose, twenty-six neutered adult healthy domestic shorthair ...
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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of intramuscular injection of medetomidine on intra-renal arteriesresistive and pulsatility indices by duplex Doppler ultrasonographyin clinically normal adult domestic shorthair cats. For this purpose, twenty-six neutered adult healthy domestic shorthair cats (13 females and 13 males) were evaluated. B-mode, color Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler ultrasonography of right and left kidneys were performed to record the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of intra-renal arteries. To minimize statistical errors, the mean RI and PI were determined for each kidney by averaging three waveforms from the intra-renal arteries. Twenty-four hr later, the cats were sedated by 0.04 mg kg-1 intramuscular administration of medetomidine. All the Doppler measurements were repeated 15 min after drug administration. Mean ± standard deviation )SD( of PI and RI of the intra-renal arteries before administration of intramuscular medetomidine were 1.03 ± 0.08 and 0.61 ± 0.02, respectively. Fifteen min after medetomidine administration, the mean ± SD of PI and RI values were 1.04 ± 0.08 and 0.61 ± 0.02, respectively. Significant differences were not detected in mean PI and RI values before and 15 min after drug administration. Our findings showed that intramuscular administration of medetomidine does not cause significant hemodynamic changes in the intra-renal arteries after 15 min.
Small Animal Surgery
Zahra Nikousefat; Mohammad Hashemnia; Moosa Javdani; Ali Ghashghaii
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2018, , Pages 199-203
Abstract
Feline lower urinary tract diseases are known to be life threatening conditions in cats, especially when they occur as obstructive diseases in males. Early diagnosis and treatment is necessary, otherwise it may lead to death. A 3-year-old male Persian cat was referred to the clinic with a history of ...
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Feline lower urinary tract diseases are known to be life threatening conditions in cats, especially when they occur as obstructive diseases in males. Early diagnosis and treatment is necessary, otherwise it may lead to death. A 3-year-old male Persian cat was referred to the clinic with a history of anuria, lethargy, loss of appetite and exploratory cystotomy 6 months ago due to urethral obstruction following urolithiasis. Urinary bladder was enlarged and painful on palpation and urine accumulation was observed in ultrasonography. Biochemical and hematological analyses revealed hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and hyperkalemia and increase in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and hematocrit. Urine analysis showed a turbid appearance, protein 1+, blood 3+, pH reduction, increased WBCs and RBCs and presence of bacteria, calcium oxalate crystals and epithelial cells. Urine culture reveled Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Postoperatively, microscopic examinations of the urinary bladder biopsy showed pathological lesions of bacterial cystitis. Based on these findings, bacterial cystitis and urethral obstruction due to post-operative urinary tract infections were diagnosed. For treatment, electrolyte imbalances were corrected firstly, cystotomy was performed and a catheter was conducted into the urethra; then, urethra was flushed and obstruction was resolved. Ampicillin was effective in reducing the bacterial count in urine. Despite the fact that cystotomy is a common procedure in veterinary medicine, clinicians should be aware of its complications such as post-operative urinary tract infections.
Small Animal Internal Medicine
Masoud Rajabioun; Hamideh Salari Sedigh; Ali Mirshahi
Volume 8, Issue 2 , June 2017, , Pages 175-177
Abstract
Bilateral simple ectopic kidney was diagnosed in an apparently healthy 3-year-old, female domestic short hair cat, incidentally based on radiology and ultrasonography examination. The cat was presented for routine examination without any complaint. In clinical evaluation, no significant abnormal clinical ...
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Bilateral simple ectopic kidney was diagnosed in an apparently healthy 3-year-old, female domestic short hair cat, incidentally based on radiology and ultrasonography examination. The cat was presented for routine examination without any complaint. In clinical evaluation, no significant abnormal clinical sign was seen except for the absence of both kidneys in their proper location in abdominal palpation, which they were palpated more caudally. Radiography revealed silhouettes of soft tissue opacity in the caudal part of the abdominal cavity superimposed on urinary bladder. Ultrasonography confirmed the presence of both kidneys more caudally. The left kidney was dorsal to the urinary bladder and the right kidney located cranially than the left one. Each kidney showed normal shape and size and imaged in their proper side. Hematological, biochemical and urinalysis examinations showed normal values. Ectopic kidney can be diagnosed in feline patients as an incidental finding but it is important to evaluate the kidney for concurrent problems.
Small Animal Internal Medicine
Fereshteh Ghazisaeedi; Nahid Atyabi; Taghi Zahraei Salehi; Iraj Ashrafi Tamai; Saeid Tabatabaei; Solmaz Chegeni
Volume 8, Issue 1 , March 2017, , Pages 67-73
Abstract
Three known feline hemoplasmas are Mycoplsama haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’. They are described as cause of feline infectious anemia in domestic and wild felids. Other blood parasites or blood-related pathogens like concurrent ...
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Three known feline hemoplasmas are Mycoplsama haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’. They are described as cause of feline infectious anemia in domestic and wild felids. Other blood parasites or blood-related pathogens like concurrent retroviral infections may deteriorate the clinical condition and severity of anemia. The aims of this study were molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hemoplasmas in domestic cats in Iran for the first time. Blood samples were collected from 185 healthy and diseased domestic cats. Blood smears were prepared and hematological parameters were measured to determine possible anemia. Using 16S rRNA gene universal and species specific polymerase chain reactions with the following sequencing, 47 (25.40%) of cats were hemoplasma positive. Also, 17.02%, 72.50% and 40.40% of total positive samples were M. haemofelis, ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’ and ‘Ca.M. turicensis’ infected, respectively. 10 (21.20%) of hemoplasma positive cats had anemic blood profiles (HCT < 24.00%). All M. haemofelis infected cases were included. Partial 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis revealed a high identity between the hemoplasma species found in this study and domestic cat sequences existing in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 94.00% to 100% sequence identity between sequences of this study and existing sequences in Genbank. All hemoplasma isolates in this study were grouped within a single clade and additionally subdivided into two groups; haemofelis group including M. haemofelis and ‘Ca. M. turicensis’ and haemominutum group including ‘Ca. M. haemominutum’.
Microbiology
Baharak Akhtardanesh; Reza Ghanbarpour; Sadaf Ganjalikhani; Parisa Gazanfari
Volume 7, Issue 4 , December 2016, , Pages 301-308
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine antibiotic resistance genes, phylogenetic groups and anti-microbial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of healthy pet cats in Kerman city. Ninety E. coli isolates were recovered from obtained rectal swabs. Antibiotic resistance pattern ...
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The aim of this study was to determine antibiotic resistance genes, phylogenetic groups and anti-microbial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of healthy pet cats in Kerman city. Ninety E. coli isolates were recovered from obtained rectal swabs. Antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates against seven selected antibiotic was determined using disc diffusion method. Phylogenetic background of the isolates was determined according to the presence of the chuA, yjaA and TspE4C2 markers. Theisolates were examined to determine a selection of antibiotic resistance genes including tetA, tetB, aadA, sulI and dhfrV by polymerase chain reaction. Forty two isolates (46.6%) were positive at least for one of the examined genes. Phylotyping revealed that the isolates are segregated in phylogenetic groups A (66.7%), B1 (1.2%), B2 (13.4%) and D (18.9%). Among 90 isolates, 26.6% were positive for tetB gene, 10.0% for cqnrS gene, 12.3% for sulI and aadA genes, 8.9% for tetA and 2.2% for dhfrVgene. None of the E. coli isolates were positive for qnrA and qnrB genes. Sixteen combination patterns of antibiotic resistance genes were identified which belonged to four phylogroups. Maximum and minimum resistant isolates were recorded against to tetracycline (82.3%) and gentamycin (1.2%), respectively. Fifteen antibiotic resistance patterns were determined in different phylo-genetic groups. In conclusion, feces of healthy pet cat in Kerman could be a source of antibiotic resistant E. coli isolates, whereas these isolates were distributed all over the main phylogroups.
Small Animal Internal Medicine
Ramin Mazaheri Nezhad Fard; Seyed Milad Vahedi; Iraj Ashrafi; Faranak Alipour; Golnaz Sharafi; Hesam Akbarein; Seyed Javid Aldavood
Volume 7, Issue 1 , March 2016, , Pages 69-72
Abstract
One of the most important species of the Bartonella genus is B. henselae that causes a zoonotic infection, cat scratch disease (CSD). The main source of the bacteria is cat and the carrier is Ctenocephalides felis flea. One hundred and forty nail and saliva samples were collected from 70 domestic cats. ...
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One of the most important species of the Bartonella genus is B. henselae that causes a zoonotic infection, cat scratch disease (CSD). The main source of the bacteria is cat and the carrier is Ctenocephalides felis flea. One hundred and forty nail and saliva samples were collected from 70 domestic cats. Positive samples for B. henselae were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Sequences of gltA gene were trimmed using BioEdit software and then compared with the sequences of the same gene from B. henselae isolated from cats and humans in GenBank database. Phylogenic tree was constructed using CLC Sequence Viewer software and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method. Molecular assessments showed that five samples out of 70 nail samples (7.14%) and one sample out of 70 saliva samples (1.42%) were genetically positive for B. henselae. At least an 87.00% similarity was seen between the gene sequences from the current study and the reference sequences from the GenBank database. Phylogenic analysis has shown that strains isolated in this study were grouped in a different haplo group, compared to other strains.Among the Asian countries, the prevalence of the bacteria in Iran was close to that in Japan and Turkey. In conclusion, findings of this study showed the prevalence of B. henselae in Iranian cats which is important due to its public health issues, especially for the immunocompromised pet owners.
Microbiology
Massoud Talebkhan Garoussi; Mohsen Mehravaran; Gholamreza Abdollahpour; Javad Khoshnegah
Volume 6, Issue 4 , December 2015, , Pages 301-304
Abstract
The importance of cats in the Leptospira epidemiology is due to the possibility of transferring leptospirosis to wild and domesticated animals. The purpose of this survey was to determine the prevalence of Leptospira infection in shorthair cats in different location of Mashhad, Iran. Totally, 147 blood ...
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The importance of cats in the Leptospira epidemiology is due to the possibility of transferring leptospirosis to wild and domesticated animals. The purpose of this survey was to determine the prevalence of Leptospira infection in shorthair cats in different location of Mashhad, Iran. Totally, 147 blood samples were taken from 42 (28.57%), 52 (35.37%) and 53 (36.05%) households, stray and cats which lived in industrial dairy cattle herds of Mashhad, Iran, respectively. Sera were tested with seven live Leptospira antigens using microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Sera with 50.00% agglutination at the dilution of ≥ 1/100 were considered as positive samples. Agglutination at dilutions of < 1/100 considered as suspected to Leptospira infection. Overall, 19 (12.92%) out of 147 cats showed reaction in MAT. The seroprevalence at a titer ≥ 1:100 and < 1:100 were 10 (6.80%) and 9 (6.12%), respectively. Serum samples showed positive reaction against Leptospira intterogans hardjo (no = 10; 52.63%), pomona (no = 5; 26.31%) and icterohaemorrhagiae (no = 4; 21.05%). Eight cats (42.10%) belong to dairy cattle herds had the most infection only by L. I. hardjo with 1:200 titer. There were no significant differences among the weight‚ age and sex of infected cats. However, there were significant differences between the infected cats in dairy cattle herds and the cats in the urban area (p < 0.05). It is concluded that cats can be infected by Leptospira spp. especially in commercial dairy cattle herds. Cats can be considered as a sanitation hazards in the area for this zoonotic disease.
Small Animal Internal Medicine
Naqa Tamimi; Abdolali Malmasi; Aniseh Talebi; Fatemeh Tamimi; Atoosa Amini
Volume 6, Issue 2 , June 2015, , Pages 143-147
Abstract
Behavioral problems in cats have drawn more attention in recent years since they affect the cat-owner relationship. This study was designed to study the rate of cats with undesirable behaviors according to their owners. Frequency of behavioral problems in 167 cats attending Small Animal Hospital, Faculty ...
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Behavioral problems in cats have drawn more attention in recent years since they affect the cat-owner relationship. This study was designed to study the rate of cats with undesirable behaviors according to their owners. Frequency of behavioral problems in 167 cats attending Small Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, was evaluated using a questionnaire. According to the results, 94.6% of owners reported that their cats have exhibited at least one undesirable behavior. Fearfulness, attention seeking, aggression towards other cats/people, scratching, and elimination problems were the most prevalent behavioral complaints reported by the owners; whereas obsessive behaviors were the least common behavioral complaints. In addition, data analysis suggested that age, breed, outdoor access, owner reaction towards the behavior and the cat’s interaction with other cats/people might have been associated with the development of some behavioral problems in cats. Considerable rate of undesirable behaviors in domestic cats in Iran is important enough to highlight the significance of veterinary intervention.
Small Animal Surgery
Amin Bigham-Sadegh; Mohammad Shadkhast; Zahra Shafiei Shafiei; Bizhan Ziae
Volume 1, Issue 1 , June 2010, , Pages 21-25
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether anesthesia consisting of sedation induced by intramuscular administration of xylazine-diazepam and lumbosacral analgesia induced by epidural administration of lidocaine and xylazine is satisfactory for castration and ovariohysterectomy in cats. Six adult ...
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The aim of this study was to determine whether anesthesia consisting of sedation induced by intramuscular administration of xylazine-diazepam and lumbosacral analgesia induced by epidural administration of lidocaine and xylazine is satisfactory for castration and ovariohysterectomy in cats. Six adult (3 male and 3 female, 2.5 ± 0.5 years of age) cats (mean body weight ± SD, 2.2 ± 0.44 kg) were used in this study. Cats were sedated with xylazine (1-2 mg kg-1 IM) and diazepam (0.2 mg kg-1, IM) and 5 minutes later a 2% solution of lidocaine (0.5ml/4.5kg) and xylazine (1 mg kg-1) were administered into the lumbosacral epidural space. Open castration technique or ventral midline routine ovariohysterectomy were performed. Time to onset, duration and cranial spread of analgesia were recorded. Heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were recorded at time 0 (prior to epidural drugs administration) as a base line values and at 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the epidural administration. Onset time of analgesia was 4.0 ± 0.63 min (Mean ± SEM) and duration of analgesia was 89.5 ± 3.0 min (Mean ± SEM). However, surgical procedures were completed within 25-37 min. There were significant decrease in heart rate and rectal temperature values and significant increase in respiratory rate (P < 0.001). Intramuscular administration of xylazine-diazepam for sedation and epidural administration of lidocaine and xylazine for analgesia provided satisfactory analgesia for castration and ovariohysterectomy in cats. Utilizing epidural anesthetic technique with this combination is most useful for spaying surgery, especially when the surgical procedure can be completed in < 40 minutes.