Domestic cats are unique definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, the agent of an important global zoonosis and one of the most intensively studied coccidia. Nevertheless, many aspects in particular of its intestinal development and epidemiology are yet unknown.This study showed that antibody kinetics in three cats orally inoculated with tissue cysts, shedding oocysts, did not differ significantly from those of three cats inoculated with sporulated oocysts without detectable oocyst excretion, suggesting extraintestinal parasite invasion and exposure to tachyzoites at an early stage of infection after inoculation with any of both parasite stages. Analysis of serial serum samples from 65 naturally infected client-owned cats documented a persisting long-term humoral immune response over months to years. Of the 1,757 client-owned cats, presented to veterinarians in Switzerland, 42.4% had a positive antibody response to T. gondii with the ELISA. This was higher (56.3%) in cats with outside access than in those without (22.1%). In the risk factor analysis, the factors age (p<0.0001), gender (male: p=0.046), and outside access (p<0.0001) were independently associated with significantly higher ELISA values.In conclusion the results of this study not only provide a basis for future surveillance but are of importance for future interpretation of seroepidemiological studies.

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Case series summary In this report we describe the origin of protein loss and development of acute kidney injury after ibuprofen intoxication in two cats. Two 13-month-old neutered male domestic shorthair siblings were presented with acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe glomerular proteinuria following witnessed ibuprofen intoxication 3 days prior. Both cats presented with severe azotaemia (creatinine >900 µmol/l [>10 mg/dl]) and severe proteinuria (urine protein:creatinine [UPC] >20, normal <0.5). Urine protein electrophoresis upon presentation revealed mainly albumin and primary glomerular protein losses. The proteinuria and azotaemia resolved completely within 5 days of hospital treatment (8 days after ingestion). Urine protein electrophoresis, once the azotaemia and proteinuria resolved (UPC 0.11; normal <0.5), had a similar pattern to the one from admission. Both cats made a full recovery with supportive care. Relevance and novel information This is the first clinical report of AKI with nephrotic-range protein losses following ibuprofen intoxication in cats. We propose that this finding is due to idiosyncratic glomerular injury, as described in humans.

Caval syndrome due to infection with Dirofilaria (D.) immitis is a life-threatening situation, needing immediate therapeutic intervention. Severe pulmonary hypertension due to dirofilariosis was diagnosed echocardiographically in a 3.6 kg dog with heart failure and moderate hemolytic anemia. A ball of adult worms was visualized in the tricuspid valve area. Using a modified pigtail catheter, these worms were removed under fluoroscopic guidance by a transvenous approach. Already intraoperatively the hemodynamic condition improved. Subsequently, additional routine adulticide treatment was performed without complications. Over the following weeks the severe pulmonary hypertension normalized slowly but steadily. Manual extraction of adult D. immitis can be achieved with relatively simple tools and allows rapid stabilization of a critically sick patient.