Feline morbillivirus (FmoPV) is a new virus species that was first discovered in Hong Kong in 2012. Study of FmoPV is important because relationship between its infection and tubulointerstitial nephritis in cats was implicated in the first report. We attempted to develop a genetic detection system based on the consensus sequence of 9 FmoPV genomic sequences in the L gene, since there were FmoPV strains undetectable by the previous RT-PCR system. When 83 samples were tested with this system, we detected 4 new FmoPV strains previously undetected by the previous RT-PCR. In order to develop an antibody detection system specific to a FmoPV-antigen, we expressed a recombinant FmoPV P protein in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase and developed an ELISA with the purified P protein. We detected FmoPV in 82% (26/34) of formalin-fixed kidney samples from cats suffered from nephritis, suggesting correlation between FmoPV infection and chronic nephritis. We are currently attempting to develop model systems to study FmoPV’s pathogenicity using tissue culture cells or experimental animals.

A 7-year-old Chihuahua was diagnosed with lymphoma based on clinical findings. The lymphoma was further classified as follicular center cell lymphoma III following pathological examination of the spleen. The dog was then diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after pathological examination of the popliteal lymph node at the time of relapse after chemotherapy. Both types of lymphoma respond well to the cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) protocol. Upon relapse, the dog underwent the CHOP the protocol, which resulted in remission of the disease. The case has progressed well, and the dog remains in remission as of the 1356th day of illness.

A 5-month-old male Toy Poodle was presented with neurological dysfunction after eating. The presence of a portosystemic shunt (PSS) was suspected because of the medical history and clinicopathologic findings. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that the positions of the thoraco-abdominal organs were symmetrically reversed from left to right. A single congenital PSS (splenoazygos shunt), segmental aplasia of caudal vena cava, and morphological anomaly of the spleen were found. Heterotaxy was diagnosed. Although surgical attenuation of the PSS was recommended, the dog was treated with medical therapy alone according to the owner’s preference. After approximately 3 years of asymptomatic medical management of PSS, the dog suddenly died at home of unknown causes. It could not be concluded that the cause of the death was related to transposition of the thoraco-abdominal organs.

An 11-year-old spayed domestic cat was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of neoplasm of the hind limb. After the first surgery, the neoplasm was diagnosed as a sarcoma not otherwise specified (NOS). The tumor recurred locally thrice, and was surgically excised each time. After the third surgery, administration of recombinant feline interferon-ω (r-FeINF-ω) was started once a week. Nevertheless, the index of nuclear division of the neoplasm was high, the tumor has not recurred for seven months after the fourth surgery.

A 9-year-old, castrated male Norwegian Forest cat was presented for a health examination. The initial complete blood cell count (CBC) revealed a degenerative left shift. The blood smear examination indicated significant nuclear hyposegmentation of the neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes; this observation persisted over a year. Pelger-Huet was suspected based on the results of the chemistry profile, imaging examination, microorganism test, and bone marrow examination; the diagnosis of Pelger-Huet anomaly was established in this cat.

A 4-month-old intact female Bernese Mountain Dog was presented for evaluation of a grade IV/VI left systolic heart murmur. An echocardiography revealed fused aortic valve leaflets, causing an instantaneous pressure gradient of 115.3 mmHg across the stenosed aortic valves. Intervention with a high-pressure balloon dilation catheter was pursued : this significantly decreased the pressure gradient to 53.8 mmHg and improved valve motion. Aortic regurgitation was unchanged before and after balloon valvuloplasty. Long-term management and follow-up and management will be necessary for the evaluation of prognosis.