Wavy changes in the whiskers of domestic cats are correlated with feline leukemia virus infection.

BMC Vet Res. March 2023;19(1):58.

Masataka Morishita¹, Yuji Sunden², Misaki Horiguchi³, Hirosei Sakoya⁴, Mana Yokogawa⁵, Hiroyuki Ino⁶, Satoshi Une⁷, Mutsumi Kawata⁸, Taisei Hosoido⁹, Takehito Morita¹⁰

¹ Niihama Animal Hospital, 2-1-11 Wakamizu Niihama, Ehime, 792-0017, Japan.; ² Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553, Japan. sunden@tottori-u.ac.jp.; ³ Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553, Japan.; ⁴ Niihama Animal Hospital, 2-1-11 Wakamizu Niihama, Ehime, 792-0017, Japan.; ⁵ Niihama Animal Hospital, 2-1-11 Wakamizu Niihama, Ehime, 792-0017, Japan.; ⁶ Niihama Animal Hospital, 2-1-11 Wakamizu Niihama, Ehime, 792-0017, Japan.; ⁷ Neovets VR Center, 3-8-15 Nakamichi, Higashinari, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan.; ⁸ Neovets VR Center, 3-8-15 Nakamichi, Higashinari, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan.; ⁹ Neovets VR Center, 3-8-15 Nakamichi, Higashinari, Osaka, 537-0025, Japan.; ¹⁰ Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori, 680-8553, Japan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus with global impact on the health of domestic cats and is usually examined by serology. In our daily clinical practice, we noticed that cats infected with FeLV often possess wavy whiskers (sinus hairs on the face). To investigate the relationship between wavy whiskers (WW) and FeLV infection, the association between the presence or absence of wavy changes in whiskers and serological FeLV infection was examined in a total of 358 cats including 56 cats possessing WW, using the chi-square test. The results of blood tests from 223 cases were subjected to multivariate analysis (logistic analysis). Isolated whiskers were observed under light microscopy, and upper lip tissues (proboscis) were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses.

RESULTS:The prevalence of WW was significantly correlated with FeLV antigen positivity in the blood. Of 56 cases with WW, 50 (89.3%) were serologically positive for FeLV. The significant association between WW and serological FeLV positivity was also confirmed by multivariate analysis. In WW, narrowing, degeneration, and tearing of the hair medulla were observed. Mild infiltration of mononuclear cells in the tissues, but no degeneration or necrosis, was found. By immunohistochemistry, FeLV antigens (p27, gp70 and p15E) were observed in various epithelial cells including the sinus hair follicular epithelium of the whisker.

CONCLUSIONS:The data suggest that the wavy changes in whiskers, a unique and distinctive external sign on a cat's face, were associated with FeLV infection.

Keywords

FeLV; Feline leukemia virus; Pathology; Wavy whisker (WW);

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Effective treatment with afoxolaner (NexGard) of Trixacarus caviae in a pet guinea pig.
The animal was treated with a single oral dose of 2.50 mg/kg afoxolaner, and the lesions, presence/absence of mites, and intensity of pruritus were evaluated periodically until 2 months post-treatment. A week after the medication, the lesions were milder, but pruritus was still present and was attributed to the healing process. Further examinations showed significant improvement with the complete remission of clinical signs and no mites at the microscopic examination after 4 weeks.

Cryptorchidism in dogs and cats presented for elective gonadectomy: A descriptive cohort study of 306 animals treated between 2018 and 2023.
5,476 dogs and 11,559 cats were presented to the same facility for elective surgical castration, suggesting a cryptorchid incidence of 3.21 % for dogs and 1.12 % for cats. Cryptorchid testes were more commonly observed in the inguinal area than in the abdomen, and were more frequently located unilaterally on the right side in both dogs and cats.

The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype in dachshunds.
Most dachshunds with 1 FGF4L2 copy have radiographic disc calcification scores that are associated with substantially lower risk of symptomatic disc disease. Radiographic disc calcification scores are similar in dachshunds with 0 and 1 FGF4L2 copies. Given the high allele frequency of FGF4L2, breeding to produce progeny with 1 FGF4L2 copy is expected to be a more achievable short-term goal for dachshund spinal health breeding programs than breeding for 0 copies. It is recommended that both K-n and FGF4L2 genotype status be considered when choosing dachshund breeding stock.

Case series of maggot debridement therapy demonstrates safety and efficacy for treating problematic wounds in cats and dogs in Mexico.
Treatment was administered by applying 8-10 larvae per square cm surface area directly on the wound bed and covering the wound with a sterile polyester mesh, sutured to the skin. These were left on the wound for cycles of approximately 48 hours (24-72 hours); the cycles were repeated if more than 20% necrotic tissue remained after treatment. Review of these cases revealed that 80% of treated wounds achieved 100% debridement within 48-96 hours of treatment.

Canine distemper outbreak and laryngeal paralysis in captive tigers (Panthera tigris).
All suspected and confirmed cases of CDV infections were significantly associated with laryngeal inflammation, which developed into paralysis in almost 50% of cases. Altogether, 50% of all tiger cases with chronic infection developed stridor at 314 days after virus infection. Therefore, laryngeal paralysis may result from CDV infection and degeneration, potentially affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems. This condition could pose a life-threatening risk to tigers.