Monitoring of otodectosis in cats in Mykolaiv

There are numerous cat breeds, grouped according to the phylogenetic or geographic origin. A plethora of reports have been published regarding the distribution and prevalence of the blood groups in pedigree and non-pedigree cats, but in Ukraine such data have not been systematically generalized. Therefore, the objectives of our research were to study the distribution of the blood groups in cats according to their breed features and enumerate the percentage proportion of each group in relation to the general number of the examined cats, and also identify the blood group of both the donor and recipient. In this study, we present the data on the blood groups and breeds of cats that we came across in 2018–2023. For each breed of cats, we estimated the percentage of prevalence in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. The general number of patients in our statistical studies was 519. Having analyzed the obtained results and having grouped the animals according to the blood groups, we see that the blood groups A and B were most often found in mixed-breed cats, accounting respectively for 55.4% (250 cases) and 33.3% (18 animals) of the general number. Also, we should note that according to our studies, the other commonest breeds of cats were the Scottish Folds, in which the group A was found in 7.8%, 35 cases, and the group B in 22.2% and 14.8%, in 12 and 8 animals, respectively. The AB blood group system is the most important cat system, and identifying the blood group using specific methods is an important step towards avoiding or reducing the risk of side-effects in the recipient patient during transfusion. Inferring from our study, the AB system was found only in 14 animals over a five year period, most commonly in Scottish Fold, measuring 50.0%, or 7 individuals.

BackgroundAll Scottish Fold cats are believed to be affected by osteochondrodysplasia, a painful degenerative joint disorder. This retrospective study aimed to estimate the prevalence of osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish Fold and Scottish Straight cats in Australian veterinary clinics using electronic patient records (EPRs), collected between 1992 and 2018.ResultsConsultation events (34,926) in EPRs from veterinary clinics located in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, were collected from 1,131 Scottish Fold and 117 Scottish Shorthair cats. A clinical diagnosis of osteochondrodysplasia was made in 12/1,131 Scottish Fold cats. Additionally, 69 cats were identified with suspected osteochondrodysplasia. Of these, 64 were Scottish Fold and 5 were Scottish Shorthair cats. Male and female cats were equally represented. However, a significant difference was observed for the age clinical signs were first recorded in the EPRs. Cats diagnosed clinically with osteochondrodysplasia were significantly younger (p < 0.0001) compared to cats identified as suspected SFOCD cases.ConclusionsFindings from this study suggest a relatively low prevalence of clinically diagnosed Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia (SFOCD) in the studied Australian Scottish Fold population, with cats generally diagnosed with SFOCD at less than 30 months of age. Further evidence is required to accurately assess the clinical relevance of SFOCD in the Scottish Fold population.

Cortisol levels and aggression in neutered and intact free-roaming female cats living in urban social groups

Free-roaming domestic cats near conservation areas in Chile: Spatial movements, human care and risks for wildlife

This study aimed to investigate the craniometric and topographic measurements of the skull and mandible of British shorthair and Scottish fold cats using computed tomography and 3D software. For this purpose, in a total of 26 cats, 13 British shorthair (7 males and 6 females) and 13 (7 males and 6 females) Scottish fold cats were used in the study. The skulls were scanned with 64-detector multislice Siemens computed tomography devices at 80kV, 200 MA, 639 mGY and 0.625mm section thickness. The resulting images were saved in DICOM format. They were modelled and measured with 3D slicer software. In the study, surface area measurements were found to be statistically significant in both cat breeds (British shorthair: p<0.01; Scottish fold: p<0.05). However, in mandibular measurements, the CAP parameter was statistically significant only in Scottish fold cats (p<0.01), whereas no significant difference was observed in British shorthair cats (p>0.05). Craniometric and topographical measurements were performed in British shorthair and Scottish fold cats using a 3D model to reveal the differences between male and female. It will also guide the determination of taxonomic locations of these two species and the detection of morphometric differences between the sexes.

Cats are animals with highly efficient reproduction, clearly pointing to a need for suppression of fertility. Although surgical contraception is highly effective, it is not always the method of choice. This is predominantly because it is cost-intensive, time-consuming and irreversible, with the latter being of major importance for cat breeders. This article reviews the use of progestins, scleroting agents, immunocontraception, melatonin, GnRH antagonists and finally, GnRH agonists, in adult male and female cats in detail, according to the present state of the art. By now, various scientific and clinical options are available for the suppression of fertility in adult cats and the decision as to which should be chosen - independent of the legal registration of any state - depends on different facts: (i) feral or privately owned animal? (ii) temporary or permanent suppression of fertility wanted/needed? (iii) sex of the animal? New effective and available methods for hormonal contraception include melatonin implants for short-term post ponement of oestrus in adult queens and slow-release GnRH-agonist implants containing deslorelin (Suprelorin(®) ) for short- and long-term contraception in male and female companion and breeding cats.

Feral cats are considered as strays and are more likely to hunt in the street. We investigated the effect of environmental adaptations on the structures of lingual papillae in feral cats, which could be used as forensic evidence for their identification. There are no reported studies about the structural comparison of lingual papillae between suckling and adult feral cats. The present study described the lingual papillae of both suckling and adult cats macroscopically and microscopically via light and scanning electron microscopy. A total of nine tongue samples each for suckling and adult feral cats were examined grossly and histologically. Papillae distributions of suckling cats were similar to those observed in adult cats. Meanwhile, the shapes of those papillae were markedly different from that of corresponding papillae in adults. The change in taste bud position and size seemed to be related to the progressive growth of the papillae between adult and suckling cats; absence of taste buds in foliate papillae of feral cats at any stage; and marginal papillae which were a characteristic feature for all suckling cats. All previous elements could be affected by the specific feeding behaviour and mastication mode adaptation in suckling and adult feral cats which might help to identify suckling and adult feral cats among other breeds and animal species. We anticipate these findings may provide promising forensic evidence to discriminate between adult and suckling feral cat remains as well as prediction of environmental harshness and feeding behaviour.

Free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are known to pose threats to ecosystem health via transmission of zoonotic diseases and predation of native wildlife. Likewise, free-roaming cats are also susceptible to predation or disease transmission from native wildlife. Physical interactions are required for many of these risks to be manifested, necessitating spatial and temporal overlap between cats and wildlife species. Therefore, knowledge of the location and extent of shared habitat and activity periods would benefit management programs. We used data from a 3-year camera trap survey to model species-specific occupancy and identify landscape variables that contribute to the distribution of free-roaming domestic cats and eight native mammal species in Washington, DC. (USA). Our analysis includes five species that are common prey items of domestic cats, and three species that are potential disease vectors or are otherwise known to be a risk to cats. We then predicted the probability of occupancy and estimated the probability of spatial overlap between cats and each native wildlife species at multiple scales. We also used kernel density estimations to calculate temporal overlap between cats and each native wildlife species. Across spatial scales, occupancy for potential disease vector species was generally positively correlated with canopy cover and open water. Prey species were also generally positively correlated with canopy cover, but displayed negative associations with human population density and inconsistent associations with average per capita income. Domestic cat occupancy was negatively correlated with natural habitat characteristics and positively correlated with human population density. Predicted spatial overlap between domestic cats and native wildlife was greatest for potential disease vector species. Temporal overlap was high (&amp;gt;0.50) between cats and all but two native wildlife species, indicating that temporal overlap is probable wherever species overlap spatially. Our findings indicate that the risk to and from domestic cats varies across urban landscapes, but primarily arises from human activities. As such, humans are implicated in the negative outcomes that result from cats interacting with wildlife. Data-driven management to reduce such interactions can aid in cat population management, biodiversity conservation, and public health campaigns.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that can have severe implications for human health. Acutely infected cats shed environmentally resistant T. gondii oocysts in their faeces that contaminate soil, and soil can serve as a reservoir of infection for humans. Free-roaming domestic cats are thought to play an important role in environmental contamination with T. gondii, but few studies have directly measured the direct contribution of free-roaming cats to T. gondii in soil. Our goals were to determine whether T. gondii soil contamination occurs in public areas with free-roaming cat colonies in central California and examine spatial and temporal variation in soil contamination. We initially performed spiking experiments to compare the limit of T. gondii detection in soil using three conventional nested PCR assays and one real-time quantitative PCR. The nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of the small subunit ribosomal RNA was the most sensitive assay, with a limit of detection between 20 and 200 oocysts per gram of soil. We applied the ITS1 PCR assay on soil from sites in city and state parks, public playgrounds and community gardens in central California, USA. Samples were collected during spring, summer and fall and in sites located along the coast and inland. We detected and sequence-confirmed T. gondii in 5.6% ofall of our soil sub-samples, but with large seasonal and spatial variation in soil contamination: we only detected T. gondii during fall and only in coastal sites (44.3% soil prevalence), despite similar sampling intensity across space and time. Our results suggest that free-roaming cat colonies are an important source of T. gondii in spaces where people recreate and grow food and that soil contamination is highly seasonal and spatially variable. Management of free-roaming cats could prevent T. gondii infections by reducing environmental contamination with this zoonotic pathogen.

Rats are managed using anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in cities worldwide, but these compounds cause morbidity and mortality in nontarget wildlife. Several cities also use free-roaming outdoor cat (Felis catus) colonies to help reduce rats, but there have been no investigations of how often these cats are exposed to ARs. In this study, our goal was to assess how often free-roaming domestic cats are exposed to ARs to 1) understand health risks for urban predators by using free-roaming cats as a proxy and 2) evaluate the health risks associated with using cats as rodent control. We tested blood samples from 57 cats that were part of trap-neuter-release cat colonies in Chicago, Illinois, USA. We found that 7% (4/57) of cats tested positive for one type of rodenticide at trace amounts. Free-roaming cats can therefore be exposed to ARs, although the prevalence and concentrations were lower than in wild carnivores. Future research is needed to understand how often cats may be exposed to ARs by killing or consuming rats and any health impacts. Stronger rodenticide regulations are needed to reduce health risks for urban predators, and owned cats should be kept indoors to minimize the risk of rodenticide exposure.

Arthropod-borne pathogens circulating in free-roaming domestic cats in a zoo environment in Brazil

Free-roaming domestic cats in Natura 2000 sites of central Spain: Home range, distance travelled and management implications

Scottish Fold cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus 1758) are one of the most well-known and popular cat breeds in the world, characterized by their folded ears attached to the head. Very frequently, cats fall prey of different trauma and accidents that can cause bone fractures especially in the metapodial bones. The method of radiometry is used in veterinary practice to visualize and measure different parts of the animal skeleton. The aim of this study was to assess the linear parameters derived from radiographic images of the metacarpals and metatarsals in Scottish Fold cats and additionally detecting potential sexual dimorphism. Radiographic images of 24 adult Scottish Fold cats (12 male and 12 females) of different ages and weights were analysed. Six linear measurements of the metapodial bones were evaluated to investigate any differences between the sexes. The linear radiometric measurements of the five metacarpals (MC1-5) and the four metatarsals (MT2-5) bones were larger in male metapodial bones than that of female cats. The maximum length (Ml) of the MC1 and MC2 was statistically different between sex, respectively, (p = 0.001) and (p = 0.05). The others metacarpal bones were different in mostly all linear parameters but not statistically significant. The most significant differences between sexes were observed in the parameter of width proximal end (Wp) of MC1-3 (p = 0.001) and MC4 (p = 0.05). More statistical different was MT2 and less MT3. The linear parameter of Bd of the MT4 was the most different statistically between sex (p = 0.001). The results of the study will be useful in function of comparative anatomy, in veterinary clinical practice, in zoo archaeology and in the veterinary forensic investigation.

Simple SummaryFrom the taxonomic point of view, it is important to reveal the interspecific and interracial differences in the shape of the skull. This study revealed differences in the shape of the skulls of three different cat breeds. The differences generally occurred around the orbit. It has been shown that the shape of the orbit’s edge is a distinctive feature that differentiates the skulls of cats.A variety of skull shapes are frequently used for discrimination between animal species, breeds, and sexes. In this study, skulls of three different breeds of cats were examined by the geometric morphometric method, with the aim of revealing skull shape differences. For this purpose, 27 cats (6 British Shorthair, 7 Scottish Fold, and 14 Van cats) were used. The skulls of cats were modeled by computed tomography. Geometric morphometrics was applied using dorsal (8 landmarks, 63 semilandmarks) and lateral (8 landmarks, 63 semilandmarks) skull projections on these models. Centroid size differences between the breeds were statistically insignificant. However, the differences in shape were statistically significant for both the dorsal view and lateral view. Shape variation was less in the British Shorthair than in other breeds. Shape differences generally occurred around the orbit. In the skull of Scottish Folds, the orbit was situated more caudally than in other breeds. The British Shorthair had the largest orbital ring. In dorsal view, the Scottish Fold had the largest orbital diameter. The orbital ring of Van cats was smallest in both dorsal and lateral views. In the canonical variate analysis, it was seen that the breeds were separated from each other. The shape difference in the skull between different cat breeds could be revealed by geometric morphometrics. The results of this study provide useful information for taxonomy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats with a suspected genetic origin. Previous studies have identified five HCM-associated variants in three genes (Myosin binding protein C3: MYBPC3 p.A31P, p.A74T, p.R820W; Myosin heavy chain 7: MYH7 p.E1883K; Alstrom syndrome protein 1: ALMS1 p.G3376R). These variants are considered breed-specific, with the exception of MYBPC3 p.A74T, and have rarely been found in other breeds. However, genetic studies on HCM-associated variants across breeds are still insufficient because of population and breed bias caused by differences in genetic background. This study investigates the ubiquitous occurrence of HCM-associated genetic variants among cat breeds, using 57 HCM-affected, 19 HCM-unaffected, and 227 non-examined cats from the Japanese population. Genotyping of the five variants revealed the presence of MYBPC3 p.A31P and ALMS1 p.G3376R in two (Munchkin and Scottish Fold) and five non-specific breeds (American Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Minuet, Munchkin and Scottish Fold), respectively, in which the variants had not been identified previously. In addition, our results indicate that the ALMS1 variants identified in the Sphynx breed might not be Sphynx-specific. Overall, our results suggest that these two specific variants may still be found in other cat breeds and should be examined in detail in a population-driven manner. Furthermore, applying genetic testing to Munchkin and Scottish Fold, the breeds with both MYBPC3 and ALMS1 variants, will help prevent the development of new HCM-affected cat colonies.