Objectives Constipation is the infrequent or difficult emission of hard, dry faeces and is a common digestive condition in cats. Psyllium is a low-fermentable fibre, with soluble and insoluble components and water-holding properties. It forms a mucilaginous gel with water and is used for the symptomatic treatment of constipation in various species. This study evaluated the effect of dietary psyllium on faecal characteristics in cats. Methods Healthy neutered adult cats (six female and three male, aged 3.3–4.4 years) were consecutively fed a dry extruded diet containing either 6% psyllium (test) or 6% cellulose (control) for 10 days each. During the last 3 days (the collection days) of both feeding periods, bowel movements and faecal scores were recorded, and faeces were collected to measure wet weight and moisture. The statistical analysis used linear mixed models with diet, day and their interaction as fixed effects and animal as a random term. Results The test diet was associated with significantly more bowel movements per day over 3 days ( P = 0.0052) and on collection day 2 ( P = 0.0229) than the control diet. The mean faecal score was higher (softer faeces) over all three collection days ( P <0.0001) and on collection days 1, 2 and 3 ( P = 0.0011, P = 0.0349, P = 0.0003, respectively) for the test diet vs the control diet; the total faecal wet weight ( P = 0.0003) and faecal moisture (%) were also higher ( P = 0.0426) for the test diet. Faeces associated with the test diet often had a dry shell and soft interior, which increased the faecal score. Conclusions and relevance Psyllium promoted more bowel movements and higher faecal moisture and faecal score in healthy cats, consistent with a previous uncontrolled clinical trial in constipated cats. Together, the studies support the use of dietary psyllium for managing cats with constipation.

BACKGROUND:Cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (sHCM) have elevated serum insulin and serum amyloid A concentrations correlating with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. Diet might affect these and other cardiac variables. OBJECTIVE:Evaluate the effect of a complete, balanced diet with restricted starch and supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) on echocardiographic variables and cardiac biomarkers in cats with sHCM. ANIMALS:Forty-four client-owned cats with sHCM. METHODS:A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study enrolled cats with end-diastole interventricular septum thickness (IVSd) or left ventricular wall thickness (LVWd) ≥6 mm, or both. Nonsedated, fasted cats were examined at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of Test (restricted starch and EPA + DHA supplements) (n = 23) or Control (unrestricted starch without EPA + DHA supplementation) (n = 21) diet. Assessments included auscultation, body weight, body condition score, echocardiography and blood analysis. Linear and generalized mixed models analyzed diet, time and diet * time interactions (5% significance level). RESULTS:No differences between diet groups were significant for any variable at any timepoint. There were significant decreases in the Test but not Control group in maximum IVSd (P = .03), maximum LVWd (P = .02) and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels (P = .04) after 12 months, and in ultrasensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) (P = .001) after 6 months; effect sizes (95% confidence interval) were 0.53 (0.09; 0.99), 0.63 (0.18; 1.09), 0.61 (0.16; 1.07), and 0.37 (-0.06; 0.8), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:Cats with sHCM fed Test diet had significant decreases in echocardiographic variables of sHCM and in cTnI and IGF-1.

Insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and inflammation possibly are involved in cats with asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM). To evaluate echocardiography, morphology, cardiac and inflammatory markers, insulin and IGF-1 in cats with aHCM. Fifty-one client-owned cats with aHCM. Observational descriptive study. Variables (body weight [BW], body condition score [BCS], echocardiography, and serum concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], ultra-sensitive troponin-I [c-TnI], serum amyloid A [SAA], insulin, glucose and IGF-1) were evaluated for significant increases above echocardiography cutoff values and laboratory reference ranges, associations and effect of left atrial (LA) remodeling and generalized hypertrophy. Cats with aHCM had BCS ≥6/9 ( P = .01) and insulin ( P  < .001), NT-proBNP ( P = .001) and cTn-I ( P  < .001) above laboratory reference ranges. Associations were present between NT-proBNP and maximum end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness (IVSd; ρ = .32; P = .05), maximum end-diastolic left ventricular free wall thickness;(ρ = .41; P = .01), LA/Aorta (ρ = .52; P = .001) and LA diameter (LA-max; ρ = .32; P = .05); c-TnI and LA/Aorta (ρ = .49; P = .003) and LA-max (ρ = .28; P = .05); and SAA and number of IVSd regions ≥6 mm thickness (ρ = .28; P = .05). Body weight and BCS were associated with IGF-1 (r = 0.44; P = .001), and insulin (ρ = .33; P = .02), glucose (ρ = .29; P = .04) and IGF-1 (ρ = .32; P = .02), respectively. Concentrations of NT-proBNP ( P = .02) and c-TnI ( P = .01), and SAA ( P = .02), were higher in cats with LA remodeling, and generalized hypertrophy, respectively. Results suggest potential implications of insulin, IGF-1, and inflammation in cats with aHCM, but it remains to be confirmed whether these findings represent a physiological process or a part of the pathogenesis and development of disease.

AbstractBackgroundInsulin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), and inflammation possibly are involved in cats with asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM).ObjectivesTo evaluate echocardiography, morphology, cardiac and inflammatory markers, insulin and IGF‐1 in cats with aHCM.AnimalsFifty‐one client‐owned cats with aHCM.MethodsObservational descriptive study. Variables (body weight [BW], body condition score [BCS], echocardiography, and serum concentrations of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide [NT‐proBNP], ultra‐sensitive troponin‐I [c‐TnI], serum amyloid A [SAA], insulin, glucose and IGF‐1) were evaluated for significant increases above echocardiography cutoff values and laboratory reference ranges, associations and effect of left atrial (LA) remodeling and generalized hypertrophy.ResultsCats with aHCM had BCS ≥6/9 (P = .01) and insulin (P < .001), NT‐proBNP (P = .001) and cTn‐I (P < .001) above laboratory reference ranges. Associations were present between NT‐proBNP and maximum end‐diastolic interventricular septum thickness (IVSd; ρ = .32; P = .05), maximum end‐diastolic left ventricular free wall thickness;(ρ = .41; P = .01), LA/Aorta (ρ = .52; P = .001) and LA diameter (LA‐max; ρ = .32; P = .05); c‐TnI and LA/Aorta (ρ = .49; P = .003) and LA‐max (ρ = .28; P = .05); and SAA and number of IVSd regions ≥6 mm thickness (ρ = .28; P = .05). Body weight and BCS were associated with IGF‐1 (r = 0.44; P = .001), and insulin (ρ = .33; P = .02), glucose (ρ = .29; P = .04) and IGF‐1 (ρ = .32; P = .02), respectively. Concentrations of NT‐proBNP (P = .02) and c‐TnI (P = .01), and SAA (P = .02), were higher in cats with LA remodeling, and generalized hypertrophy, respectively.Conclusions and clinical importanceResults suggest potential implications of insulin, IGF‐1, and inflammation in cats with aHCM, but it remains to be confirmed whether these findings represent a physiological process or a part of the pathogenesis and development of disease.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2018.03.002.].

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiac size and early growth through echocardiographic, bodyweight (BW), body condition score (BCS), morphometric and biomarker changes in cats followed from 6 to 24 months of age. Methods Twenty-four female European shorthair colony cats were evaluated at birth for BW and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age for BW, BCS, head length (HL) and head width (HW), N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and echocardiographic measurements. Results BCS, HW, left ventricular free wall in diastole, left atrium diameter and aortic diameter increased significantly between 6 and 12 months, while BW, HL and interventricular septum in diastole increased significantly between 6, 12 and 18 months, and BW decreased significantly between 18 and 24 months. NT-proBNP decreased significantly between 6 and 12 months. IGF-1 increased significantly between 6 and 12 months but decreased significantly between 12 and 18 months. Conclusions and relevance This study prospectively evaluated changes in echocardiographic measurements, BW, BCS, HL, HW, IGF-1 and NT-proBNP in cats during the first 2 years of life. Results show a comparable change over time for different variables. These findings contribute to the understanding of a possible relationship between cardiac measures and body size from young age through to adulthood.

Cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (sHCM) have elevated serum insulin and serum amyloid A concentrations correlating with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. Diet might affect these and other cardiac variables. Evaluate the effect of a complete, balanced diet with restricted starch and supplemented with eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) on echocardiographic variables and cardiac biomarkers in cats with sHCM. Forty-four client-owned cats with sHCM. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study enrolled cats with end-diastole interventricular septum thickness (IVSd) or left ventricular wall thickness (LVWd) ≥6 mm, or both. Nonsedated, fasted cats were examined at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of Test (restricted starch and EPA + DHA supplements) (n = 23) or Control (unrestricted starch without EPA + DHA supplementation) (n = 21) diet. Assessments included auscultation, body weight, body condition score, echocardiography and blood analysis. Linear and generalized mixed models analyzed diet, time and diet * time interactions (5% significance level). No differences between diet groups were significant for any variable at any timepoint. There were significant decreases in the Test but not Control group in maximum IVSd ( P = .03), maximum LVWd ( P = .02) and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels ( P = .04) after 12 months, and in ultrasensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) ( P = .001) after 6 months; effect sizes (95% confidence interval) were 0.53 (0.09; 0.99), 0.63 (0.18; 1.09), 0.61 (0.16; 1.07), and 0.37 (−0.06; 0.8), respectively. Cats with sHCM fed Test diet had significant decreases in echocardiographic variables of sHCM and in cTnI and IGF-1.

Citation for published version: Hoek, IV, Hodgkiss-Geere, H, Bode, L, Hamilton-Elliot, J, Mõtsküla, P, Palermo, V, Martinez-Pereira, Y, Culshaw, G, Ivanova, A & Dukes-McEwan, J 2020, 'Associations Between Echocardiography, Cardiac Biomarkers, Insulin Metabolism, Morphology and Inflammation In Feline Asymptomatic Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy', Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15730

OBJECTIVE To quantify vitamin D3 (VitD3) concentrations in commercial dog foods and compare those concentrations with Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommendations and manufacturer-reported concentrations. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE 82 commercial dog foods. PROCEDURES Samples of commercially available dog foods were obtained from owners of healthy dogs in the Guelph, ON, Canada, area and owners of dogs that were patients at the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre's Mona Campbell Centre for Animal Cancer. For each food, the VitD3 concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and adherence to AAFCO and National Research Council recommendations was assessed. Analyzed VitD3 concentrations were compared with manufacturer-reported VitD3 concentrations and between wet and dry foods, among AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements (nutrient profiles vs feeding trials and adult maintenance vs all life stages), between foods sold only by veterinarians and those sold over the counter, and between small and large manufacturers. RESULTS The analyzed VitD3 concentration was below both AAFCO and National Research Council recommendations for one sample and below the assay detection limit for another. Analyzed VitD3 concentrations did not differ significantly from manufacturer-reported VitD3 concentrations or between wet and dry foods, among foods with different AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements, between foods sold only by veterinarians and those sold over the counter, or between foods produced by small and large manufacturers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that manufacturer-reported VitD3 concentrations were accurate and that dog owners can be confident that VitD3 intake is adequate for AAFCO-compliant commercial dog foods.

Since the first description of feline hyperthyroidism (HT) in 1979, several studies have been undertaken to define the etiology of the disease. Epidemiologic studies, after investigating non-food- and food-associated factors, suggest a multifactorial etiology. However, in the absence of prospective cohort studies that can confirm a cause-and-effect relationship between HT and associated risk factors, no causative factor for HT has been identified to date. Feline HT resembles toxic nodular goiter in humans, with autonomously functioning upregulated iodide uptake systems. Contribution of the diet to HT development remains controversial. The purpose of this paper is to review critically the reported food-associated risk factors for HT.

Background Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) are larger and have higher insulin‐like growth factor‐1 ( IGF ‐1) concentrations than cats without HCM . Hypothesis/Objectives The aim of this study was to assess echocardiographic findings in a colony of adult cats to determine the relationship between early growth and left ventricular hypertrophy ( LVH ). Animals Twenty‐eight neutered adult cats (20 males, 8 females) from a colony ≥3 years of age for which growth curves were available. Methods Case–control study. Physical examination and echocardiography were performed, and body weight, body condition score ( BCS ), and head length and width were measured. Circulating glucose, insulin, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), and IGF ‐1 concentrations were measured and growth data were collected. Stepwise multivariate analyses were performed. Results Mean age was 5.2 ± 1.1 years. Current BCS s ranged from 4 to 9 (median, 6) and mean body weight was 4.88 ± 1.29 kg. Variation in body weight was apparent by 6 (mean = 3.26 ± 0.80 kg) and 12 months of age (mean = 4.02 ± 1.02 kg). Cardiac abnormalities included a cardiac murmur (n = 7; 24%), gallop (n = 3; 10%), and arrhythmia (n = 1; 4%). Fourteen of 28 cats (50%) had echocardiographic evidence of LVH . Head width ( P = .017), body weight ( P < .001), NT ‐pro BNP ( P = .023), and IGF ‐1 ( P = .013–.022) were significantly associated with selected measures of LVH . Conclusions and Clinical Importance Potential associations between body size, IGF ‐1, LVH , and HCM warrant future prospective studies.

Objectives Diagnosis of early feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is challenging. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best overall indicator of kidney function, but multisample plasma clearance methods to determine GFR are labour intensive, time consuming and stressful for feline patients. This study aimed to develop simplified methods to detect decreased GFR in cats. Methods Data from a nine-sample combined plasma exogenous creatinine–iohexol clearance test of 73 cats were used. Limited sampling strategies were developed by comparing all sampling time combinations with the complete nine sampling times set and selecting the best sampling time combinations based on maximum relative error. By regression analysis, the ability of routine blood (serum creatinine, serum urea) and urine (urine specific gravity, urinary protein:creatinine ratio) variables to predict GFR or identify cats with low or borderline GFR was examined. Cut-off clearance marker concentrations to predict low or borderline GFR was determined at three time points after marker injection. All procedures were analysed for three clearance markers (exo-iohexol, creatinine, endo-iohexol). Results For reliable estimation of GFR, at least three blood samples for clinical purposes and five blood samples for research purposes are required. Regression formulae based on routine variables did not reliably predict GFR, but accurately identified cats with low (sensitivity 96.5–98.2%; specificity 60–91.3%) or borderline (sensitivity 91.1–96%; specificity 76.5–81.8%) GFR. Clearance marker concentrations exceeding given marker cut-off concentrations also identified cats with low or borderline GFR with high sensitivities and specificities. Conclusions and relevance These simplified methods will facilitate the detection of early kidney dysfunction in cats. Early diagnosis allows timely therapeutic intervention, and future studies must reveal whether this improves the long-term outcome of cats with CKD.

Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) was developed after bovine thyrotropin (bTSH) was no longer commercially available. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) as an aid to diagnostic follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in humans and for thyroid remnant ablation with radioiodine. In addition, rhTSH is used in human medicine to evaluate thyroid reserve capacity and to enhance radioiodine uptake in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer and multinodular goiter. Likewise, rhTSH has been used in veterinary medicine over the last decade. The most important veterinary use of rhTSH is thyroidal functional reserve testing for the diagnosis of canine hypothyroidism. Recent pilot studies performed at Ghent University in Belgium have investigated the use of rhTSH to optimize radioiodine treatment of canine thyroid carcinoma and feline hyperthyroidism. Radioiodine treatment optimization may allow a decreased therapeutic dosage of radioiodine and thus may improve radioprotection. This review outlines the current uses of rhTSH in human and veterinary medicine, emphasizing research performed in dogs and cats, as well as potential future applications.

Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) is one of the most common minerals found in feline uroliths. Previous studies have shown the efficacy of acidifying calculolytic diets (inducing urine pH < 6.5), in dissolving struvite stones in cats. Recent work in our laboratory found that wet and dry test diets induce a struvite urinary relative supersaturation (RSS) < 1 and that the urine of healthy cats fed the dry test diet dissolved feline struvite stones in vitro. The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the efficacy of those test diets on naturally occurring struvite urocystoliths in cats. A total of twenty-one cats were used, of which seventeen completed the study. Of the seventeen cats, eight were fed the wet test diet and nine the dry test diet. Uroliths dissolved in a median of 18 (10-55) d. In the remaining four cats, uroliths failed to dissolve and were removed surgically. Quantitative analysis showed that these uroliths contained either calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. The present study demonstrates that diets that induce a struvite RSS < 1 result in struvite stone dissolution in vivo.

This study investigated the recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) stimulation test in healthy cats (group 1), cats with non-thyroidal illness (group 2) and cats with low serum total T(4) (TT(4)) and azotaemia after (131)I treatment (group 3). Serum TT(4) responses and thyroidal pertechnetate uptake after administration of 25 microg rhTSH IV were assessed. Baseline serum TT(4) was significantly lower in group 3 compared with group 1, but not between other group pairs. Serum TT(4) increased significantly in groups 1 and 2 but not in group 3 after rhTSH administration. Post-rhTSH serum TT(4) concentrations differed significantly between groups 1 and 3 and groups 2 and 3, but not between groups 1 and 2. Thyroid/salivary gland uptake ratio (T/S uptake ratio) differed only significantly between groups 1 and 3. Stimulation with rhTSH is valuable to differentiate euthyroidism from iatrogenic hypothyroidism in cats.