ascorbic-acid and Cat-Diseases

Vitamin C is synthesized in the liver in most species, including dogs and cats, and is widely distributed through body tissues. Vitamin C has an important physiologic role in numerous metabolic functions including tissue growth and maintenance, amelioration of oxidative stress, and immune regulation. It is also a co-factor in the production of important substances such as catecholamines and vasopressin. Decreased vitamin C levels have been documented in a wide variety of diseases, and in critically ill human patients may be associated with increased severity of disease and decreased survival. Intravenous supplementation with vitamin C has been proposed as a potential life-saving treatment in conditions such as septic shock, and results of small some human trials are promising. Data in companion in animals is very limited, but the possible benefits and , seemingly low risk of adverse effects , and the low cost of this treatment make vitamin C therapy a promising area of future investigation in critically ill dogs and cats.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Critical Illness; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Pets

Oxidative stress may contribute to the progression of chronic renal failure. In this study, cats with spontaneous renal insufficiency were fed a dry cat food supplemented with the antioxidants vitamins E and C, and beta-carotene for 4 weeks. When compared with healthy cats, cats with renal insufficiency had a tendency to oxidative stress. The antioxidant supplements significantly reduced DNA damage in cats with renal insufficiency as evidenced by reduced serum 8-OHdG and comet assay parameters. Therefore, supplements of vitamins E and C and beta-carotene as antioxidants may be beneficial to cats with renal disease.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Cat Diseases; Cats; Creatinine; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Supplements; Female; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Oxidative Stress; Phosphorus; Vitamin E

The clinical and microbiological effects of zinc ascorbate gel applied orally in cats were evaluated during a 42-day study period. Cats were divided randomly into two equal groups, with the treatment group (18 cats) receiving zinc ascorbate gel and the control group (18 cats) receiving a placebo (0.9% sterile saline). Clinical parameters evaluated biweekly included halitosis, plaque, calculus, and gingivitis. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were obtained from cats in the treatment group at Days 0 and 42. There was a significant decrease in plaque, gingivitis, and anaerobic periodontal pathogens in treatment group cats. Halitosis and calculus scores were not significantly different in treatment group compared with control group cats. The results of this study suggest that zinc ascorbate gel used as an oral antiseptic improves feline oral health, and may be most effective in decreasing bacterial growth, plaque formation, and gingivitis when applied following a professional teeth cleaning procedure.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dental Plaque; Dental Plaque Index; Female; Gels; Gingivitis; Halitosis; Male; Oral Hygiene; Toothpastes; Treatment Outcome; Zinc Compounds

The clinicopathological findings of perforating dermatitis in two young and two adult cats are described. In all cases, the lesions were characterized by single or multiple papules and plaques, 0.5-3.0 cm in diameter, each containing a central, firm, exophytic, cone-shaped, yellow-orange keratotic plug, tightly adherent to the underlying skin. Removal of the protruding material was associated with bleeding and left the ulcerated surface exposed. In one case, the lesions showed a linear configuration and identical lesions occurred on the suture sites following biopsy. Histopathologically, the diagnosis was straightforward because of the presence of vertically orientated collagen bundles extruded from ulcerated, concave-shaped invaginations of the skin. In two cases, vitamin C administration failed to resolve the disease. In two cases, methyl-prednisolone acetate was used to manage relapsing episodes and vitamin C helped to reduce glucocorticoid requirements. In one case, treatment with methyl-prednisolone acetate only appeared to be curative. The fourth case was lost to follow-up immediately after the diagnosis.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dermatitis; Female; Male; Methylprednisolone; Methylprednisolone Acetate

To determine the effectiveness of 3 antioxidants in preventing Heinz body anemia in cats.. Prospective study.. 44 specific-pathogen-free healthy cats.. Cats were housed individually, divided randomly into 4 groups, and given the following orally every 12 hours: empty gelcaps (control cats), N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 100 mg/kg of body weight), vitamin E (d,l-alpha-tocopherol; 400 IU), or ascorbate (250 mg). After 2 weeks, Heinz bodies were induced by dietary onion powder (OP; 1% or 3% of dry matter) or propylene glycol (PG, 8% wt/vol in drinking water) for an additional 3 weeks. Intake of treated water or food was recorded daily. Body weight, PCV, Heinz body and reticulocyte percentages, reduced glutathione concentration, and total antioxidant status were measured twice weekly in all cats.. Heinz body percentage and degree of anemia did not differ significantly among cats receiving antioxidants and control cats except in cats that ingested water containing PG, in which antioxidant supplementation was associated with a decrease in water intake. Of cats that were fed a diet that contained OP, cats that received NAC had significantly higher reduced glutathione concentrations, compared with other cats in the experiment. Total antioxidant status did not consistently correlate with antioxidant supplementation or type of oxidant administered (ie, OP or PG).. Although the effect of antioxidant supplementation on Heinz body anemia in cats was minimal, antioxidants may have subclinical biochemical effects such as GSH sparing that may be important against milder forms of oxidative stress.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Anemia, Hemolytic; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Eating; Female; Free Radical Scavengers; Glutathione; Heinz Bodies; Hematocrit; Male; Propylene Glycol; Prospective Studies; Random Allocation; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Vitamin E

The reagent strip technique of quantitative urine culture was a satisfactory screening test for the detection of significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats. The reagent strip technique was found to be of almost equal sensitivity as the calibrated loop technique in identifying significant bacteriuria. Significant bacteriuria was detected in 38 of 148 urine samples evaluated by the calibrated loop technique. Of these 38 urine samples, significant bacteriuria was detected in 35 by the commercial test. False-negative results were obtained with reagent strips in 1 urine sample which had significant bacteriuria by the calibrated loop technique. The other 2 samples had bacterial counts of suspicious significance (10,000/ml of urine) by the reagent strip technique. False-positive results were obtained with the reagent strip technique in 3 urine samples; however, all 3 urine samples had bacterial counts (10,000/ml of urine) of suspicious significance when evaluated by the calibrated loop technique. The reagent strip technique was not satisfactory for the examination of patients with gross hematuria. The nitrite test portion of the commercial test did not detect significant bacteriuria in all samples and, therefore, was not suitable as a screening test for significant bacteriuria in dogs and cats. The nitrite test may have been inhibited by ascorbic acid, a metabolite which normally may exist in the urine of these animals.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bacteriological Techniques; Bacteriuria; Cat Diseases; Cats; Culture Media; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Escherichia coli; Indicators and Reagents; Nitrites; Proteus; Reagent Strips

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dietary Proteins; Meat; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Riboflavin Deficiency; Rickets; Thiamine Deficiency; Urinary Calculi; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Picornaviridae; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Tracheitis; Uridine; Virus Diseases

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Herpesviridae Infections; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Distemper; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Male