Changes in glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in a cohort of cats with chronic obesity.

Obesity, which is the most common spontaneous nutritional disorder in cats, is a known risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus and has been linked to insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and altered adipose-derived hormone secretion in cats. The objective of this study was to monitor and report changes in the results of serial intravenous glucose tolerance testing (IVGTT) and other metabolic parameters in 4 obese cats over a 4-year period. Serial IVGTT, insulin sensitivity indices, adipokine concentrations, and lipid profiles were evaluated. All cats had IVGTT changes consistent with impaired glucose tolerance and altered insulin secretory patterns during the 4-year study period. There was no significant increase in the fasting blood glucose or insulin concentrations and no changes in the insulin sensitivity indices evaluated. The mean adiponectin concentration decreased significantly over time, but there was no significant increase in the leptin concentration and no changes were observed in lipid profiles. Although IVGTT can be used to document early and/or mild impairment of glucose tolerance and changes in insulin secretory pattern, this test cannot be easily or readily carried out on client-owned cats in most clinical settings. More work needs to be done to establish reliable, convenient methods for earlier identification of cats at risk of developing clinical diabetes mellitus.

L'obésité, qui est le désordre nutritionnel spontané le plus fréquent chez les chats, est un facteur de risque connu pour le développement du diabète mellitus et a été associé à une résistance à l'insuline, à de l'hyperinsulinémie et à une sécrétion altérée d'hormone dérivée du tissu adipeux chez les chats. L'objectif de cette étude était de surveiller et rapporter les changements dans les résultats de tests de tolérance au glucose intraveineux en série (IVGTT) et autres paramètres métaboliques chez quatre chats obèses sur une période de 4 ans. Des IVGTT en série, les indices de sensibilité à l'insuline, les concentrations d'adipokines et les profils lipidiques ont été évalués. Tous les chats avaient des changements d'IVGTT compatibles avec une tolérance réduite au glucose et des patrons de sécrétion d'insuline altérés durant la période d'étude de 4 ans. Il n'y avait pas d'augmentation significative des concentrations de glucose sanguin ou d'insuline à jeun et aucun changement dans les indices de sensibilité à l'insuline évalués. La concentration moyenne d'adiponectine a diminué de manière significative en fonction du temps, mais il n'y avait pas d'augmentation significative de la concentration de leptine et aucun changement n'a été observé dans les profils lipidiques. Bien que l'IVGTT peut être utilisé pour documenter une diminution naissante et/ou légère de la tolérance au glucose et des changements dans le patron de sécrétion d'insuline, ce test ne peut pas être réalisé facilement ou rapidement sur des chats de clients dans la plupart des milieux de pratique. Plus de travail doit être fait pour établir des méthodes fiables et pratiques pour une identification plus précoce des chats à risque de développer un diabète mellitus.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

In vitro efficacy of ganciclovir against feline herpesvirus type 1 and assessment of ocular tolerability in healthy cats.

OBJECTIVES: Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a prevalent cause of ocular disease in cats and limited topical options for treatment currently exist. The first objective of this study was to confirm the efficacy of ganciclovir against FHV-1 in vitro. The second objective was to assess the safety and ocular tolerability of topically applied ganciclovir eye gel (GEG) in healthy cats. METHODS: FHV-1 was used to infect tissue culture wells covered in maximally confluent Crandall-Rees feline kidney cells prior to the addition of three molarities of ganciclovir (8.9 µM, 17.8 µM and 89 µM) before being incubated for 48 h. Ganciclovir efficacy in vitro was then assessed using standard plaque reduction assay. Commercially available GEG (0.15%) was applied q8h to one randomly chosen eye of four healthy cats for 7 days. Commercially available lubricating eye gel (LEG) was applied to the opposite eye q8h. Complete blood counts (CBCs), blood chemistry panels (CHEM) and urinalysis (UA) were performed on all cats before and after the study period. Ocular lesions were assessed daily using a standardized scheme. RESULTS: Ganciclovir led to a significant reduction in FHV-1 plaque number, area and diameter at all tested molarities in vitro. The highest molarity assessed (89 µM) caused a 100% reduction in viral plaque number. There was no significant difference in ocular lesion scores between eyes receiving GEG and LEG. Animals remained healthy throughout the study period with CBC, CHEM and UA showing no clinically significant alterations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Based on the in vitro results, ganciclovir appears to be effective against FHV-1 in vitro. When applied q8h as a commercial 0.15% gel to a small group of cats with normal eyes, this medication was well tolerated. Taken together, these data suggest this medication warrants further investigation in cats with ocular disease caused by FHV-1.

Schirmer strip wetting length varies by commercial manufacturer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether wetting length of Schirmer tear test (STT) strips varies by commercial manufacturer of test. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten normal female beagle cross-breed dogs. PROCEDURES: Schirmer tear test strips from four commercial manufacturers were used to assess wetting lengths in-vitro when exposed to a set volume of water over 1 minute. Digital photography was used to assess the total surface area of Schirmer strips from each manufacturer. Schirmer tear test type 1 was performed on normal dogs over 1 minute with STT strips from the same four commercial manufacturers in a randomized crossover design. ANOVA was used to detect differences between strips from different manufacturers. RESULTS: Significant differences in wetting length were found between STT strips from different manufacturers in-vitro (P < .0001) and in-vivo (P < .0001). STT wetting lengths for the in-vitro experiments (mean ± SD) were 21.2 ± 0.8 mm (Amcon Laboratories), 27.8 ± 2.7 mm (Merck Animal Health), 30.0 ± 1.7 mm (HUB pharmaceuticals), and 31.5 ± 2.3 mm (Gulden Ophthalmics). STT wetting lengths for the experiments in live dogs (mean ± SD) were 17.5 ± 3.4 mm (Amcon Laboratories), 24.8 ± 3.9 mm (Merck Animal Health), 26.5 ± 3.7 mm (HUB pharmaceuticals), and 24.0 ± 3.9 mm (Gulden Ophthalmics). The surface area of STT strips were found to vary between different manufacturers. CONCLUSIONS: Schirmer tear test type 1 results in dogs are affected by choice of STT strip commercial manufacturer. It is proposed that guidelines are created for the standardization of future STT strip production.