Practical relevance: Feline hypertension is a common disease in older catsthat is frequently diagnosed in association with other diseases such as chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (so-called secondary hypertension), although some cases of apparent primary hypertension are also reported. The clinical consequences of hypertension can be severe, related to 'target organ damage' (eye, heart and vasculature, brain and kidneys), and early diagnosis followed by appropriate therapeutic management should help reduce the morbidity associated with this condition. Clinical challenges: Despite being a common disease, routine blood pressure (BP) monitoring is generally performed infrequently, probably leading to underdiagnosis of feline hypertension in clinical practice. There is a need to: (i) ensure BP is measured as accurately as possible with a reproducible technique; (ii) identify and monitor patients at risk of developing hypertension; (iii) establish appropriate criteria for therapeutic intervention; and (iv) establish appropriate therapeutic targets. Based on current data, amlodipine besylate is the treatment of choice to manage feline hypertension and is effective in the majority of cats, but the dose needed to successfully manage hypertension varies between individuals. Some cats require long-term adjuvant therapy and, occasionally, additional therapy is necessary for emergency management of hypertensive crises. Evidence base: These Guidelines from the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) are based on a comprehensive review of the currently available literature, and are aimed at providing practical recommendations to address the challenges of feline hypertension for veterinarians. There are many areas where more data is required which, in the future, will serve to confirm or modify some of the recommendations in these Guidelines.

This report describes a nosocomial outbreak of feline calicivirus (FCV) associated virulent systemic disease (VSD) in a French veterinary teaching hospital in 2005. The outbreak started in March and resolved within 1 month. Signs, clinical course, clinicopathological findings and lesions were typical of FCV-induced VSD. FCV infection was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Among the eight infected cats, two had to be euthanased, three died, and three recovered after medical treatment. Virus could not be confined inside the animal hospital and on two occasions, students' own cats became infected. Subsequent genetic sequencing studies confirmed that the eight cats were infected with the same strain of virus, and that it was distinct from those involved in the US and UK outbreaks of VSD. Virulence and viral excretion patterns of the isolated strain were further characterised by experimental infection.

The clinical follow-up of four cats presumptively diagnosed with pseudomembranous cystitis is described. All presented with acute urine outflow obstruction and acute renal failure. Urethral catheterisation was performed without difficulty but ultrasonography and contrast radiography consistently revealed abnormal bladder wall and content. One cat was euthanased, the remaining three underwent an exploratory cystotomy. Abundant inflammatory and necrotic tissue covering an ulcerated bladder mucosa was removed. All cats recovered uneventfully. No definitive cause was identified but the clinical course of the disease was not typical of idiopathic cystitis.

Background: Reference intervals (RI) are pivotal in clinical pathology. The influence of breed on RI has been poorly documented in cats.Hypothesis/Objectives: RI for plasma biochemistry variables are breed-dependent in cats. Animals: Five hundred and thirty-six clinically healthy, fasted, client-owned cats from 4 breeds: Holly Birman (n 5 132), Chartreux (n 5 129), Maine Coon (n 5 139), and Persian (n 5 136).Methods: Prospective observational study: Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein into capillary tubes containing lithium heparin. Plasma glucose, urea, creatinine, total proteins, albumin, calcium, phosphate, sodium, potassium, chloride, and total CO 2 concentrations and the activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were assayed with a dry slide biochemical analyzer. RI were defined as central 95% intervals bounded by the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. Data were analyzed by a linear mixed effects model with type I error rate of 0.05.Results: A significant (P o .05) breed effect was observed for 9/13 variables. The magnitude of the differences between breeds could be clinically relevant for creatinine, glucose, and total protein. Age, body weight, sex, and housing conditions had significant (P o .05) breed-related effects on different variables.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Breed-specific RI should be considered for cats.