A Pandora's box in feline medicine: presenting signs and surgical outcomes in 58 previously hoarded cats with chronic otitis media-interna.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to report clinical findings, surgical complications and outcomes for previously hoarded cats treated surgically for otitis media-interna (OMI) and to investigate the risk factors for complications and poor outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 58 cats from an institutional hoarding environment that underwent ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO). RESULTS: Inappetence was uncommon at presentation (9/58, 16%) compared with pruritus/alopecia (50%), nasopharyngeal signs (45%), otitis externa (OE) (79%) and otitis interna (OI) (ataxia ± head tilt/head excursions) in 40%. Purulent aural discharge occurred in 36% and polyps in 26%. The tympanic bulla wall was moderately or severely thickened radiographically in 38/108 (35%) ears. Cultures were positive for Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus in 26/48 (54%) cats. Of the 58 cats, 40 (69%) had complications after the first VBO and 19/30 (63%) after the second. Of 101 complications, 56 (55%), from 27/88 (31%) surgeries, were considered serious, including life-threatening perioperative complications in seven, OI in eight, prolonged anorexia in six and worsening of pruritus/alopecia in nine cases. Three cats developed xerostomia (dry mouth) after the second VBO. Pruritus/alopecia, nasopharyngeal signs, OE and purulent aural discharge resolved in a statistically significant proportion of cats but persisted in some. Full resolution of OI was uncommon. OI preoperatively, and surgery performed by a generalist (vs specialist) surgeon, were risk factors for OE at recheck (OI: odds ratio [OR] 4.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-15.70; P = 0.02; surgery: OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.03-12.87; P = 0.045). No other prognostic indicators were identified. No variables tested were significantly associated with risk of serious complications or euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Surgical management of chronic OMI was successful in most cases but was not benign and not always beneficial. The analysis was unable to identify clinically helpful outcome predictors. Optimal management of chronic feline OMI remains a challenge, particularly for animal shelters. Less invasive approaches and chronic medical management require further investigation.

Behavior and adoptability of hoarded cats admitted to an animal shelter.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the behavioral characteristics and success of adoption for previously hoarded cats. METHODS: Shelter records and post-adoption surveys were analyzed for hoarded cats ⩾6 months old at intake. A non-standard scoring system was used. Intake scores were allocated contemporaneously and socialization scores were applied retrospectively for three time points (TPs): 5-10 days post-intake (shelter TP), ⩽1 week post-adoption (home TP1) and >1 week post-adoption (home TP2). Adoption returns were compared between hoarded and non-hoarded cats. RESULTS: The study included 195 hoarded cats, of which 174 were adopted. Of 164 cats with intake scores, 86 (52%) were scored as 'friendly' at intake. Forty-five cats had socialization scores for all of the TPs, and of these, the percentages of 'supersocial' or 'social' decreased from 87% at the shelter TP to 47% at home TP1, then increased to 84% at home TP2. Most cats that scored as 'tense' at intake had supersocial or social scores at home TP2. Nine of the 88 cats with survey results had out-of-box (OOB) elimination in either the shelter or home but only 1/88 in both. Adopters expressed positive feelings for 42/43 cats for which feelings-based language was used in their survey responses. Notable behaviors, such as neediness, were recorded for 48/88 cats. Relationships with other household pets were typically positive. Eighteen of 174 hoarded (10%) and 188/2662 non-hoarded (7.1%) cats were returned post-adoption. Of these, six hoarded and 87 non-hoarded returns included behavioral reasons. There were no significant differences between hoarded and non-hoarded cats for total or behavioral returns. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Hoarded cats had high adoption rates, high adopter satisfaction and the potential for good emotional well-being in adoptive homes. Behavior at intake and OOB elimination in the shelter may not reflect post-adoption behavior. Behavior-based outcome decisions for these vulnerable animals should be deferred to allow time for habituation.

Fecal viral DNA shedding following clinical panleukopenia virus infection in shelter kittens: a prospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the magnitude and duration of fecal viral DNA shedding after diagnosis of feline panleukopenia (FP) in a group of shelter cats using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR); to assess the utility of a negative point-of-care test or the resolution of diarrhea and systemic signs as proxy measures for qPCR positivity; and to investigate patterns of additional enteric pathogens in relation to feline panleukopenia viral shedding duration. METHODS: Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infection in clinically affected shelter cats was confirmed by a commercial qPCR test. Observations were made on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 post-diagnosis. Fecal flotation, FPV qPCR and the canine parvovirus IDEXX SNAP Parvo ELISA (SNAP) test were performed on fecal samples. RESULTS: Forty cats and kittens with confirmed panleukopenia were initially enrolled. Sixteen kittens were sampled until day 14, and 12 were followed to day 21. Median DNA viral copy numbers fell below the diagnostic cut-off by day 7, with 13/16, 6/16, 1/16 and 0/12 testing PCR-positive on days 3, 7, 14 and 21, respectively. The SNAP test was positive in 12/16 kittens on day 0 and only 3/16 on day 3. SNAP test results, diarrhea and systemic signs were inconsistent in relation to qPCR positivity post-diagnosis. Additional enteric pathogens were common. The presence of additional pathogen types was suggestive of a longer PCR shedding duration, but this was not tested statistically owing to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that cats should be isolated for at least 14 days after a diagnosis of FP, but that release from isolation after this point is reasonable, in association with a multifaceted infection control strategy. The study findings did not support using SNAP test results, diarrhea or systemic signs as proxy measures for virus shedding.

Diagnostic testing for feline panleukopenia in a shelter setting: a prospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to optimize the diagnosis of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) infection in a shelter setting by: (1) comparing the results of the canine parvovirus IDEXX SNAP Parvo (SNAP) point-of-care ELISA with a commercial FPV quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) test; (2) assessing whether vomit and anal/rectal swabs could be used for early diagnosis; and (3) clarifying the interpretation of weak-positive SNAP test results. METHODS: The study included shelter cats and kittens with incomplete or unknown vaccination history that had clinical signs suspicious for feline panleukopenia and fecal SNAP and PCR tests performed within 24 h of onset. Feces, anal/rectal swabs and vomit were tested using SNAP and PCR, with fecal PCR utilized as the reference standard. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-five cats were included. Seventeen were diagnosed with FPV infection and 62 were negative; 66 could not be individually designated because they were co-housed. Sensitivity was as follows: fecal SNAP 55% (n = 102; 95% confidence interval [CI] 32-77); swab SNAP 30% (n = 55; 95% CI 7-65); swab PCR 77% (n = 55; 95% CI 46-95); and vomit PCR 100% (n = 17; 95% CI 16-100). Specificity was high (96-100%) for all sample and test types. For PCR-positive fecal samples, true-positive SNAP tests (including weak positives) had significantly higher DNA viral copy numbers than false-negative SNAP tests (P = 0.0031). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The SNAP ELISA should be viewed as an initial diagnostic test to rule in feline panleukopenia. Positive fecal SNAP test results, including weak positives, are highly likely to be true positives in clinically affected animals. Negative results in clinically affected animals are unreliable and should be followed up with PCR testing.