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Health Texts

Follow the link to jump to each article!

1.  Feline Hip Dysplasia

2.  HCM & Fundraiser Information

3.  Ventricular Wall Thickness Measurements for HCM Screening

4.  Spasticity: How To Eliminate An Undesired Gene From a Breeding Program

5.  Congenital Deafness & BAER Testing Information

6.  Use of Lufenuron For Treating Fungal Infections

7.  Information & Dosages on Flagyl, Strongid-T, and Panacur

8.  Various Treatments & Dosages

Ahh, the dreaded ringworm.  This fungus can be picked up anywhere:  daycare facilities (if you have small children), schools, playgrounds, shopping carts, doorknobs, clothing, other people's homes, and other pets!  Not only can this fungus affect our pets, but it can easily transfer to humans as well!  There are many old-fashioned techniques and methods to rid yourself of this fungus such as using bleach, antifungal creams designed for athlete's foot...However, there are much safer alternatives to controlling the spread and killing the spores in your home and for your pets.

This product, Health Guard Medicated Spray, which can be bought online here:

http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/2982-Health-Guard-Medicated-Spray-for-Kittens-Puppies.aspx

is a very inexpensive alternative with quick results!  This spray is excellent choice for Sphynx, as you can see the spots and treat them immediately.  You may also use another product:  Vibax laundry additive, that you can add to your washload for removing the spores from infected pet bedding and clothing.

Article courtesy of FHDA

Hip Dysplasia is a disease that has been considered a canine-specific health issue occurring mostly in the larger breeds of dogs although occasionally seen in some smaller breeds.  This condition is also present in the general feline population and is seen in all types of body styles - from relatively small cats like the Siamese to the larger breeds like Persians and Maine Coon Cats.  This condition is also prevelent in the Devon Rex, which are in most, if not all, of today's Sphynx pedigrees.  To date, there has been limited knowledge and minimal awareness or public discussion of  this condition's impact on cats and those who love them.  It is becoming more evident that hip dysplasia does occur in cats and  warrants our attention.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiac disease that affects the heart muscle, causing an enlarged heart, and can occur in all cats.  It is not a Sphynx-specific disorder.  At this time, there is no test for HCM that is 100% accurate.  While using a cardiac ultrasound as a screen is helpful,  and should be strongly encouraged, breeders need a breed-specific DNA test in order to identify the disease is present.  While a negative ultrasound cannot guarantee a cat will never develop HCM, it can identify currently affected cats.  Of course, those cats should be spayed/neutered and treated.

The Winn Feline Foundation has made a recent breakthrough for the Maine Coons, and now those breeders have a DNA test.  Unfortunately, testing DNA must be done for each breed, as the DNA "markers" are different.  If all kittens were DNA tested, we as breeders could eliminate HCM from our beloved breed.    

ATTENTION!!!

Sphynx breeders & fanciers alike have joined together for a great cause:  to help find a cure for HCM in our beloved breed!  To donate: Simply go to the link below, and click DONATE TODAY. Then scroll down and enter whatever amount you wish to donate, click MEMORIAL DONATION, and then type in: HCM SPHYNX RESEARCH. Click ADD TO CART, then click CHECK OUT NOW. The prompts lead you to place your donation on a credit card.  Your donations are greatly appreciated!  Please note: Your donations ARE tax-deductable!

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/donate.html

MORE THAN MONEY IS NEEDED!!
Have you been involved with HCM and one of your Sphynx, whether the outcome was good or bad? We need a copy of the cat's medical records. Dr. Kate Meurs will be collecting all available information relating to Sphynx and  HCM to include: PEDIGREES, MEDICAL RECORDS and/or AUTOPSY reports of HCM affected Sphynx cats, as well as those of Scanned CLEAR Cats. ALL INFORMATION WILL BE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL! Please forward, or have your vet forward the information to:

Kate Meurs, DVM
Washington State University – CVM
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science
Pullman, Washington 99164

Her email address is: meurs@vetmed.wsu.edu

Her fax number is: 1-509-335-0880  Please note - this is NOT a dedicated fax and you will have to use a cover sheet addressed to Dr. Meurs.

For more information regarding the Sphynx HCM Research Project, please follow this link:

http://www.sphynxbc.org/hcmresearch.htm

From the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, The Animal Medical Center, Bobst Hospital and Caspary Research Institute for Veterinary Research (P.R.F., S.K.L.), New York, NY; and Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (B.J.M.), Minneapolis, Minn.

How To Eliminate An Undesired Gene From a Breeding Program

by Gerard A. Scardino, MD

In recent years, a very serious neuromuscular condition, referred to as spasticity, has reared its ugly head as an autosomal recessively inherited condition that occurs in the Devon Rex.  And, because of their cross-breeing with the Sphynx, this condition is of much concern among Devon and Sphynx breeders.  This is principally due to the fact that, in many cases, it is lethal.  And, since it is an autosomal recessive problem, a carrier state also exists.  The task I think we have as reputable breeders is to institute intelligent, rational breeding procedures designed to eliminate this problem from our breeding stock.  During the course of this article, I will propose such a program which is based on general genetic principles for breeding out an undesired gene.  Since the gene that causes spasticity is an autosomal recessive gene, two copies of it must be present in order for the condition to exist.  If an individual only has one copy of the defective gene, then he is referred to as a carrier because he also has one normal copy of the corresponding normal allele of the same gene.  Since the gene is recessive, it is usually only discovered in breeding colonies when particular matings are done, usually between closely related individuals.

The first principle to remember in order to eliminate the problem from a breeding colony is that the affected animals, the spastics, or their parents, the carriers, should be eliminated from the breeding program.  The difficulty in this, however, lies in detecting which of the normal appearing cats carry the defective gene and thus are carriers of the condition.  In general, it is safe to assume that all offspring from known carriers are prime suspects.

In the case where an affected individual is available, that is, a spastic cat is available for breedings, it can be used in test matings with suspect individuals.  When such a suspect cat is mated to a suspected carrier, approximately half the progeny will be expected to have the condition.  Of course, it only takes one abnormal kitten out of such a mating to prove that the suspect carries the defective allele, i.e. only one defective kitten is necessary to prove that the suspect is a carrier.  A more difficult question to answer is how many normal kittens must be produced from such test matings before the breeder can be reasonably sure that the suspect is not a carrier.

To answer that question, one must recall that if the suspect is a carrier, the probability of the offsprings' recieving a normal gene from that parent is 1/2.  Thus, in the mating of the suspect catwith the spastic cat, the probability of producing a kitten with one normal allele is 1/2.  The probability of producing two kittens with one normal allele is 1/2 times 1/2, or 1/4.  The probability of producing three kittenswho have one normal allele is 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2, or 1/8.  And, correspondingly, the probability of producing four kittens with one normal allele is 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2, or 1/16.  We can, of course, go on with this progression and the confidence that the suspect is not a carrier increases with each normal kitten produced.  The point at which the breeder should stop is when the probabilities drop to an acceptably low level , that is, less than one percent.  Such a point will be reached when seven successive normal kittens have been produced.  In other words, the probability of getting seven kittens with one normal allele is 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2 times 1/2, or 1/128 which equals 0.01, or one percent.  One must keep in mind, of course, that if just one affected spastic kitten is produced that wil lprove the suspect is a carrier and the test matings can stop at that point.  In a situation where an affected individual cat or a spastic cat is unavailable, then test matings must be made with carrier individuals, or heterozygous individuals; that is, those that have produced affected progeny.

Very little information is available documenting deafness in various cat breeds. Deafness can result from effects of the dominant white (W) gene. A dominant piebald or white-spotting gene (S) is also found in various cat breeds but there has been no report of deafness associated with its presence. Cats carrying the W gene are not always solid white, often having colored spots on their heads that may disappear with age. Unlike dogs with the merle gene, homozygous white cats do not have visual or reproductive defects, but they are more prone to the occurrence of blue irises and deafness, either unilateral or bilateral, and deafness occurrence increases with the number of blue eyes. Long-haired cats have a higher prevalence of blue eyes and deafness than short-haired cats. White cats carrying the underlying cs Siamese dilution pigment gene can have blue eyes without deafness, and it has been suggested that the presence of this gene explains why purebred white cats are less often deaf than mixed-breed white cats. Data supporting this is not available.

From studies of mixed-breed white cats (the W gene):

• Out of 256 white cats from three studies, 12.1% were unilaterally deaf and 37.9% were bilaterally deaf, or a total of 50% were affected.
• When cats that were the offspring of two white parents were examined, the prevalence of deafness (unilateral or bilateral) ranged from 52% to 96%.
• When examined the effect of blue eye color on deafness, they found, respectively, a prevalence of deafness (unilateral and bilateral combined) of 85% and 64.9% in cats with two blue eyes, 40% and 39.1% in cats with one blue eye, and 16.7% and 22% in cats with no blue eyes.
• Purebred white cats are said to have a lower prevalence of deafness than mixed-breed white cats, but supporting data are unavailable.

Pure cat breeds carrying the white (W) coat pigment gene and at risk for congenital deafness (no prevalence data available):

• White
• White Scottish Fold
• European White
• Norwegian Forest Cats
• White Turkish Angora
• Foreign White
• White American Wirehair
• White Cornish Rex
• White American Shorthair
• White Devon Rex
• White Sphynx
• White British Shorthair
• White Manx
• White Exotic Shorthair
• White Persian
• White Oriental Shorthair

It is obvious that much more research needs to be performed before deafness in cats is well understood.

What is the BAER test?

The hearing test known as the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) or brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) detects electrical activity in the cochlea and auditory pathways in the brain in much the same way that an antenna detects radio or TV signals or an EKG detects electrical activity of the heart. The response waveform consists of a series of peaks numbered with Roman numerals: peak I is produced by the cochlea and later peaks are produced within the brain. The response from an ear that is deaf is an essentially flat line. Because the response amplitude is so small it is necessary to average the responses to multiple stimuli (clicks) to unmask them from the other unrelated electrical activity that is also present on the scalp (EEG, muscle activity, etc).

The response is collected with a special computer through extremely small electrodes placed under the skin of the scalp: one in front of each ear, one at the top of the head, and one between and behind the eyes. It is rare for a cat to show any evidence of pain from the placement of the electrodes - if anything the cat objects to the gentle restraint and the irritation of wires hanging in front of its face. The stimulus click produced by the computer is directed into the ear with a foam insert earphone. Each ear is tested individually, and the test usually is complete in 10-15 minutes. Sedation or anesthesia are usually not necessary unless the cat becomes extremely agitated, which can usually be avoided with patient and gentle handling. A printout of the test results, showing the actual recorded waveform, is provided at the end of the procedure.

BAER testing is required in Europe for Breeders of White & Van cats, and although it is not yet required elsewhere, it is strongly encouraged.  Here, you can find vets throughout the world that currently perform the BAER hearing test:  http://www.lsu.edu/deafness/baersite.htm

Excerpts taken from article in JAVMA, Vol 217, No 10, November 15, 2000

Objective
To evaluate use of Luferuron for treating cutaneous fungal infections in dogs and cats.
Design
Retrospective Study
Procedure
Medical records were reviewed for dogs and cats that has been treated for dermatophytosis for other fungal infections by administration of lufenuron and 18 dogs and 42 cats that were not treated and served as a control group
Results
Dogs were treated once by oral administration of lufenuron tablets at doses ranging from 54.2 to 68.3 mg/kg (24.6 to 31.0 mg/lb of body weight. Samples of skin, scrapings, and hair were obtained daily from 14 dogs with dermatophytosis: mean duration from time of treatment to time of negative fungal culture results and resolution of gross lesions were 14.5 and 20.75 days, respectively. In all treated dogs, gross lesions resolved within approx 21 days. Cats were treated once by oral administration of lufenuron suspension in doses ranging from 51.2 to 266 mg/kg (23.3 to 120.9 mg/lb. Samples were obtained daily from 23 cats: mean durations from time of treatment to time of negative fungal culture results and resolution of gross lesions were 8.3 and 12 days, respectively. Time to resolution of lesions in most untreated control animals was approximately 90 days. Adverse effects of treatment were not detected.
Conclusions and clinical relevance. 
Results of this study suggests that lufenuron provided an effective, convenient and rapid method of treating fungal infections in dogs and cats. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000:217:1510-1513

Dermatophytes are classified on the basis of their morphologic characteristics and include morphologic characteristics and include Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophytonspp all of which are pathogentic for humans and animals. Three species, M canis, M gypseum and T mentagrophytes cause most clinical cases of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats.
Microsporum canis is the most common cause of ringworm and is transmitted from cats and dogs to humans. Spontaneous remission of dermatophytosis in companion animals often occurs within1 to 3 months, whereas treatment is undertaken to reduce transmission to other animals, including human, and eradicate the infection. Dermatomycoses that affect companion animals include nondermatophytic superficial fungal infections with organisms such as Aspergillue, Candica, Malassezia and trichosporon spp. Traditionally, fungal infections have been treated with griseofulvin and ketoconazole.
   Lufenuron is classified as an insect development inhibitor because of its ability to inhibit citin ( a poly-mer of n-acetylglucosamine) syntesis, polymerization, and deposition. It is used in veterinary medicine as a flea control treatment, administered orally once per month.
Results:
357 dogs and cats met study criteria, Sixty animals were untreated control and 297 animals with fungal infections had been treated with lufenuron. 71 were males, and 88 were females. 145 of these cats were mixed-breeds, 8 were Siamese, 7 were Persians, 1 was an Angora, and 1 was a Himalayan. Ages ranged from 2 to 128 months (mean, 16.2 + - 16 months) and body weight ranged from 0.55 to 5 kg {1.2 to 11 lb; mean 3.1 + - l.l kg (6.8 = - 2.4 lbs}). One hundred fifty-six cats were infected with M canis and 18 of these cats had generalized infection. Three cats were infected with T mentagrophytes. Lesions were located on the head and neck (n=136), limbs (10) trunk (7), and tail (6).
In these treated cats, hair started to regbrow after 5 or 6 days, and full growth was usually completed within 10 to 12 days. Mean clinical recovery time was 11.6 =m –  1.4 days. Of the 18 cats with generalized M canis infection, 14 recovered within 10 days, 2 recovered within 11 days, and 1 recovered within 14 days.  One2 month old Persian kitten did not recover, even after 20 days. Of the 23 cats examined individually on a daily basis by use of fungal culture, mycologic cure was detected within 7 to 14 days (mean, 8.3 =- 1.2 days), whereas clinical recovery was complete within 10 to 15 days (mean, 12 =- 1.8 days). In one cat, positive culture results were obtained again 35 days after treatment; a second treatment was admininstred, and negative culture results were obtained for the next 8 weeks. Three cats again developed clinical signs of infection several weeks after initial remission of clinical signs; M canis was cultured from the lesions, and the cats responded well to a second treatment of lufenuron.
Discussion
Results of the study reported here indicated that dermatophytosis persisted for 2 to 3 months in untreated animals, whereas dogs and cats that were treated with lufenuron has remission of clinical signs much more rapidly: approximately 10 to 15 days for cats and 16 to25 days for dogs. Furthermore, mean recovery times of dogs affected by superficial dermatomycoses were quite similar.
Evaluation of results of daily mycologic culture of specimens from 16 treated dogs and 23 treated cats permitted a comparison of mycologic cure and clinical recovery times in these animals. In all instances, culture results were negative before clinical signs had disappeared. Differences in duration between these 2 findings ranged from 1 to 19 days for dogs and 1 to 5 days for cats.
Lufenuron appeared not to have adverse effects. Kittens that weighed as little as 0.5 kg received an entire tube (133mg) of the drug equivalent to a dose of 266 mg/kg, which is considerably larger that that typically administered for flea control, with no apparent adverse effects. Nevertheless, approximately 5%of treated animals became reinfected including 1 dog and 1` cat that were monitored daily by use of fungal culture. Infections reappeared at 25 to35 days after treatment, respectively, and were successfully treated with a second dose of lufenuron. It is not known whether these animals has become reinfected by natural exposure or were latently infected despite treatment. Nevertheless, oral administration of lufenuron appears to be effective treatment for certain cutaneous fungal infections in dogs and cats.

For a complete reading of this article refer to JAVMA, Vol 217, No 10, November 15,2000

Other than Flagyl these medications only help with diarrhea or loose stools when it is caused by parasites, or protozoa sensitive to the medicine.  Metronidazole does help with most diarrhea because it soothes the bowel, but that is only treating the symptom and not the cause.  It's also not recommended for kittens.  Another med to treat symptoms is Endosorb, but I don't always find that helps.  If the diarrhea is bacterial I find Biosol does a good job at curing that, usually almost immediately.

Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an antibiotic, antiprotozoal, and has anti-inflammatory effects in the bowel. It is used for protozoal infections such as giardia or entamoeba, and for bacterial infections.  It is also used for inflammatory bowel disease, colitis caused by other antibiotics, and diarrhea of undetermined cause.  It is tolerated better when given with food.  The dosage for treatment of giardia is 5-11 mg/lb orally twice a day for 10 days.  (Because giardia can be persistent I would give it for 10 days, stop for 5-7 days, then give it again for another 10 days)   Metronidazole causes birth defects and should not be given to pregnant animals.  It is also excreted in breast milk so should not be given to lactating females.  It should also not be given to kittens.  This is not the most effective medication for giardia.

Dosage for Strongid:  9 mg/lb once, then repeat in 7 days  (I always repeat the dose once again in 7 more days which is what my vet recommended)

Using the Strongid from Revival (Pyrantel Pamoate 250mg/5ml):  Give 0.2 ml per pound

Panacur: Efficiancy is increased when given with food.  Dosage is 23mg/lb  If treating worms give this dose for three days in a row.  If treating for giardia give this dose for 14 days, stop for one week, and repeat for 14 more days.
Using the Panacur granules from Revival:  Mix one packet with 10ml water.  Give 0.2 cc per pound

Drug	Indication	Dose per lb.	Frequency
Albendazole/Valbazen	Giardia	12 mg.	Twice per day x2 days
Amoxicillin / Amoxi Drops, Biomox, Polymox	Bacterial infections	5-10 mg	1-2x per day for 7 days
Amoxicillin-potassium clavulanate/ Clavamox, Augmentin, Synulox	Bacterial infections	2.5-5 mg	1-2x per day for 7 days
Ampicillin/Polycillan, Polyflex	Bacterial infections	10-15 mg	3x per day
Azithromycin/Zithromax, Azitrocin	Bacterial/mycoplasmal infections	2.5 - 10 mg	1x per day to every other day
Cefaclor/Ceclor	Bacterial infections	5-15 mg	2-3x per day
Cefadroxil/Cefa-Drops, Cefa-Tabs, DuriCef	Bacterial infections	5-15 mg	2-3x per day
Cefazolin/Ancef, Kefzol	Bacterial infections	5-15 mg	2-3x per day
Cefpodoxime proxetil/Simplicef, Vantin	Bacterial infections	2-5mg	Once per day
Cephalexin/Keflex	Bacterial infections	5-15 mg	2-3x per day
Ciprofloxacin/Cipro	Bacterial infections	5 mg	2x per day
Clarithromycin/Biaxin	Bacterial/mycoplasmal infections	2.5 mg	2x per day
Clindamycin/Antirobe	Bacterial infections, especially in the mouth	5-10 mg	Once per day
Clomipramine/Anafranil	Urine Spraying	0.1-0.25 mg	Once per day
Doxycycline/Vibramycin	Bacterial and mycoplasma infections, chlamydia	3 mg	2x a day. MUST be given with water or as a suspension
Enrofloxacin/Baytril	Bacterial infections	2 mg	Once a day. DO NOT exceed 2.3 mg/pound per day
Erythromycin	Bacterial infections	2 -10 mg	3x per day
Fenbendazole/Panacur	Roundworms, Giardia	23 mg	1x per day for 3 days
Fipronil/Frontline	Fleas, Mites	4 mg	Once a month. If using dog formulation, one drop (0.05ml) per pound
Fluconazole/Diflucan	Fungal infections/ringworm	5 mg	Every other day
Griseofulvin/Fulvicin	Ringworm	7 mg microsized, 3.5 mg ultramicrosized	2x per day
Imidacloprid/Advantage	Fleas	5 mg	Once a month. If using dog formulation, one drop (0.05ml) per pound.
Itraconazole/Sporonox	Fungal infections/ringworm	5 mg	Once per day
Ivermectin/Ivomec	Roundworms, mites	0.2-0.4 mg	Treat once. Repeat in 2-3 weeks. 0.05 ml of 0.27% solution per pound or 0.1 ml of 1% solution PER ADULT CAT
L-Lysine	Herpes virus infections	250 mg PER CAT	2x per day
Metoclopramide/Reglan	Anti-emetic	.1-.2 mg	3x per day
Metronidazole/Flagyl	Giardia, IBD	5-20 mg	Once to twice a day, given with food
Orbifloxacin/Orbax	Bacterial infections	1-3.5 mg	once per day
Penicillin/Penicillin G Procaine, Pen BP-48, Crystiben, Dual-Pen	Bacterial infections	10,000-20,000 IU	Every 4-48 hours, check label. Newborns: 0.05 ml at birth of 150,000 IU/ml Pen BP
Ponazuril/Bayer Marquis Paste	Coccidia	10 mg	Given once, repeat in one week
Praziquantel/Droncit	Tapeworms	0.05 ml inj., 2.5 mg oral	Treat once
Pyrantel Pamoate/Nemex 2, Strongid-T, Pyratabs, D-Worm, Evict	Roundworms	2.5 mg	Treat once. Repeat in two weeks
Ronidazole/Tricho Plus	tritrichomonas intestinal parasites	15-25 mg	once or twice a day for two weeks
Selamectin/Revolution	Fleas, mites, roundworms	3 mg	Once a month. If using a dog formulation, one drop (0.05ml) per two pounds. CAUTION: this practice may increase the incidence of adverse reactions!
Sulfadimethoxine/Albon	Coccidia	12.5 mg, double first dose	once per day
Terbinafine/Lamisil	fungal infections,  ringworm	15-20 mg	once per day
Tetracycline/Albaplex, Panamycin	Bacterial infections	10 mg	Two to three times a day. MUST be given with water or as a suspensi
Toltrazuril/Baycox	Coccidia	0.2 ml of 5% solution	Dose once; repeat in one week
Trimethoprim/Sulfadiazine and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole/ Tribrissen, Septra, Bactrim	Bacterial infections	15 mg	once per day
Tylosin/Tylan	Bacterial infections	10-20 mg	2x per day

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