Animal Shelters Research Articles

Compiling Requirements from Models for Early Phase Scope Estimation in Agile Software Development Projects

Inadequate early scope estimation is a common problem in software projects, leading to failures in meeting project requirements. Agile projects usually do not concentrate on a comprehensive requirements analysis and specification before the start of the project, making scope assessment difficult. This paper presents the methodology for facilitating a more accurate early estimation of project scope, based on requirements information gathered in various forms (requirements models and textual descriptions) during the requirements workshop. The requirements from different sources are compiled into one list and reconciled, since they are prepared by a number of participants in the requirements workshop using different notations (UML diagrams, SysML models, Story map) and may have differences in the vocabulary. Reconciliation encompasses the unification of vocabulary, as well as the identification and the removal of overlaps in requirements. The final list of requirements is used to estimate the scope of the project in story points. The estimate can be presented to the client and used as a basis for the project contract. A case study on the application of the proposed methodology is presented, using the animal shelter information system as a development project. It demonstrates that the methodology is viable and can facilitate the gathering of a more extensive set of requirements, thus ensuring a more detailed scope estimation.

Nocturnal activity as a useful indicator of adaptability of dogs in an animal shelter and after subsequent adoption

Dogs in shelters are faced with the challenge of adapting to a kennel after relinquishment and to a novel home after adoption. To measure adaptability of dogs, more feasible behavioural and physiological parameters need to be validated in different contexts. To evaluate nocturnal activity as an indicator of adaptability, we compared nocturnal activity, urinary cortisol:creatinine ratio (UCCR), and body weight changes of sheltered dogs the first period after intake in the shelter and after adoption. Nocturnal activity and UCCRs were significantly lower the first days after adoption than in the shelter. After adoption, nocturnal activity was significantly lower on night 2 than night 1, but not on night 3 and 4, suggesting a form of ‘rebound of resting’ during night 2 in the new home. UCCRs significantly decreased 7 days after adoption. Body weight decreased in the shelter but increased again after adoption. These findings suggest that overall, dogs rest better in a novel home than in a novel shelter but, in both contexts, some form of adaptation takes place. Nocturnal activity measured by an accelerometer differentiated well between shelter and home environments, and corresponded to UCCR responses, which supports usefulness of the method to monitor canine adaptability to novel environments.

Strangely Hesitant about Anti-Blackness: A Comment on Quadlin and Montgomery

We raise concerns about Quadlin and Montgomery’s Social Psychology Quarterly article, “When a Name Gives You Pause,” a study of whether racialized names affect the time to dog adoption in a county shelter. Our comment is guided by the recent insistence of American Sociological Association leadership for greater critical introspection in sociological research. First, the study is ahistorical by overlooking histories of human-animal relations and naming in the construction of anti-Blackness. Second, the study is acontextual by contorting labor market research and color-blind perspectives in a manner that directs undue attention to the treatment of dogs without specifying the concrete disadvantages for Black people. The study’s narrow focus on adopters misrepresents organizational factors within animal shelters. These various oversights invest Quadlin and Montgomery’s article in a whiteness-centered sociological tradition. We urge divesting from this tradition and conclude with a call for sociology to be more educative and reflexive.

An Epidemiological Assessment of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. Infection in Pet Animals from Taiwan

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are enteric protozoan pathogens in humans. and animals. Companion animals infected with zoonotic species/assemblages are a matter of major public concern around the world. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalences of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections and their co-infection statuses in dogs and cats living in Taiwan and to identify the species and assemblages. Fecal samples were collected from local animal shelters (n = 285) and a veterinary hospital (n = 108). Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the SSU-rRNA, β-giardin, and glutamate dehydrogenase genes for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. Results showed that the overall prevalences of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis were 7.38% (29/393) and 10.69% (42/393). In addition, co-infection was detected in 1.02% (4/393) of all samples. Sample source, clinical sign, and breed may be risk factors that influence the infection rate. In Cryptosporidium-positive samples, C. canis and C. felis were detected most frequently. Although the canine-specific assemblages C and D (37/42) were dominant, the zoonotic human-specific assemblage A (1/42) was also found in Giardia-positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most positive samples belonged to host-specific subtypes/assemblages, while some Cryptosporidium or Giardia-positive samples could be zoonotic. The findings suggested that pet animals could be a cause of zoonotic transmission, causing human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in Taiwan.

Impact of the Application of Gaseous Ozone on Selected Pathogens Found in Animal Shelters and Other Facilities.

Correctly selecting disinfection procedures is crucial in facilities housing a high number of animals as it directly affects their health. The aim of this study was to verify the virucidal effect of gaseous ozone delivered by commercially available generators under controlled experimental conditions on a selection of viral pathogens (feline coronavirus, canine coronavirus, feline calicivirus, feline parvovirus) commonly found in shelters and other facilities. Two ozone generators with outputs of 3.5 g/h and 20 g/h were used to produce ozone. Virus viability after the application of ozone was evaluated by examining for typical pathogen-specific cytopathic effects on the CRFK (Crandell-Rees Feline Kidney) cell line post-incubation. No cytopathic effect was observed in feline coronavirus after the 2-h application of ozone; in canine coronavirus, the absence of a cytopathic effect was observed after the 4-h application of ozone. The absence of a cytopathic effect in feline calicivirus was observed after the 6-h application of ozone; the viability of feline parvovirus was not impaired even by the 6-h application of ozone. The results of the study confirm lower resistance to the application of gaseous ozone in enveloped viruses.

Testing the Temperament of Dogs Housed in Animal Shelters

An overview of available research on some of the temperament tests currently used as first-line intake evaluations for dogs in a shelter, why these tests are used at all, and some possible alternatives.

Nannizzia species causing dermatophytosis in cats and dogs: First report of Nannizzia incurvata as an etiological agent in Brazil.

Dermatophytosis is a superficial cutaneous infection, most commonly caused by fungal species such as Microsporum canis, Nannizzia gypsea (Microsporum gypseum), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in dogs and cats. The zoonotic potential of these species is concerning, as companion animals are increasingly close to their owners. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to evaluate the current prevalence of Nannizzia-causing canine and feline dermatophytosis in Curitiba and Metropolitan Region, as well as perform phenotypic and phylogenetic characterizations of these isolates. Thus, 241 skin and fur samples from 163 dogs and 78 cats were analyzed from 2020 to 2021. The samples were obtained from animals of three sources: Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná, animal shelters, and private clinics. The diagnosis was performed through phenotypic characterization and sequencing ITS rDNA region. Among 97 positive samples for dermatophytes, Nannizzia was identified in 14 (14.4%) samples, while other dermatophyte genera were found in the remaining 83 (85.6%) samples. Among the canine samples, nine (90%) were N. gypsea, and one (10%) was N. incurvata. Whereas in feline samples, three (75%) were N. gypsea, and one (25%) was N. incurvata. It was concluded that among 97 animals infected with dermatophytes, dogs (24.4%; 10/41) were significantly more affected by Nannizzia than cats (7.1%; 4/56) (P<.05). According to molecular analyses, the ITS rDNA region provided satisfactory results for species-level identification of Nannizzia, confirming the first report of N. incurvata as an etiological agent of canine and feline dermatophytosis in Brazil.

A retrospective study of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in dogs and cats in the Community of Madrid, Spain.

To date, susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic animals including cats and dogs has been described. However, it is important to carry out passive surveillance of these animals to be aware of any changes in the outcomes of the disease in these species that may occur. In this study, we have performed a retrospective study in which we analyzed sera (n = 1,640) from random animals: dogs (n = 1,381) and cats (n = 259) belonging to both homes (n = 1,533) and animal protection centers (n = 107) in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Neutralizing antibodies were evaluated between November 2021 and May 2022 using a surrogate ELISA kit to determine the seroprevalence. Based on the results obtained, a few animals (both cats and dogs) presented neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (2.3%), all of them from private owners. However, the seroprevalence in cats (4.6%) resulted to be almost twice as much as in dogs (1.9%) which reinforces that cats' susceptibility to the infection seems higher than in the case of dogs, maybe due to the lower ACE2 expression of the dogs in the respiratory tract. These findings also confirm that the probability of infection is considerably higher in domestic animals in close contact with infected owners, compared to animals living in animal shelters whose contact with humans is markedly lower.

Exploring the Domestication Syndrome Hypothesis in Dogs: Pigmentation Does Not Predict Cortisol Levels.

Previous research has found connections between pigmentation, behavior, and the physiological stress response in both wild and domestic animals; however, to date, no extensive research has been devoted to answering these questions in domestic dogs. Modern dogs are exposed to a variety of stressors; one well-studied stressor is residing in an animal shelter. To explore the possible relationships between dogs' responses to stress and their pigmentation, we conducted statistical analyses of the cortisol:creatinine ratios of 208 American shelter dogs as a function of their coat color/pattern, eumelanin pigmentation, or white spotting. These dogs had been enrolled in previous welfare studies investigating the effect of interventions during which they left the animal shelter and spent time with humans. In the current investigation, we visually phenotype dogs based on photographs in order to classify their pigmentation and then conduct post hoc analyses to examine whether they differentially experience stress as a function of pigmentation. We found that the dogs did not differ significantly in their urinary cortisol:creatinine ratios based on coat color/pattern, eumelanin pigmentation, or white spotting, either while they were residing in the animal shelter or during the human interaction intervention. These preliminary data suggest that pigmentation alone does not predict the stress responses of shelter dogs; however, due to the small sample size and retrospective nature of the study, more research is needed.

Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in canines from animal shelters in the Colombian coffee region (Eje Cafetero)

In Colombia, there are reports of approximately 6.4 million pets, making this the fourth country in Latin America and leading the pet sector with an annual growth of 13%. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic nematode, in 170 canines from the municipalities of Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal, and La Virginia, located in the department of Risaralda and the municipalities of Calarca and Armenia in the department of Quindio. A cross-sectional study was carried out on canines from animal shelters during the period 2021–2022. Blood samples were taken, and in vitro immunochromatography was performed to detect specific lesions for Dirofilaria immitis. A peripheral blood smear confirmed positive patients, and a chest x-ray was performed to show changes in the morphology of the heart and blood vessels. Seroprevalence was determined by calculating proportions with the 95% confidence interval determined by the exact or Clopper-Pearson method for a proportion based on sample size and the number of positive cases. The seroprevalence of the test for Dirofilaria immitis was 0.62% (95% CI = 0.016–3.42%). This parasite is a nematode of low distribution in areas of the coffee region. However, surveillance programmes that help control and reduce its transmission should be established.

Discovery of Influenza A (H7N2) in a Cat After Admission to an Animal Shelter: A Case Report

This case report describes the discovery of a low pathogenic avian lineage influenza A (H7N2) (A/feline/New York/16-040082-1/2016) infecting a cat in a shelter environment. Low pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N2 had previously circulated in poultry and farmed waterfowl and had reportedly been eradicated from live bird markets in 2006. Its appearance in a cat caused concern for the local cat population and had the potential to negatively impact the agricultural industry and human health. The first cat diagnosed presented to the shelter with no apparent clinical signs. Later, conjunctivitis developed and then upper respiratory congestion, which progressed to severe pneumonia that was unresponsive to treatment and characterized by dyspnea, tachypnea, and collapse. A second cat, who had entered the shelter 17 days earlier and had died at an emergency clinic, was later considered to be the index case. The second cat had similarly arrived with no apparent clinical signs, developed respiratory congestion leading to pneumonia with tachypnea and dyspnea, and tested positive for influenza A. Clinical consultation and diagnostic testing through multiple organizations identified the virus as an avian lineage H7N2 influenza virus.

Geçici Hayvan Bakımevleri İçin Hata Türleri ve Etkileri Analizi (FMEA) Örneği

Kısırlaştırma işlemi hayvanların üremesini kalıcı bir şekilde durdurmak için yapılan cerrahi bir müdahaledir. Ülkemizde sahipsiz sokak hayvan sayısı milyonlarla, buna karşılık kısırlaştırılan sokak hayvan sayısı binli sayılarla ifade edilmektedir (Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı,2022). Sokakta yaşayan, başıboş kedi köpek gibi evcil hayvanların popülasyonundaki kontrolsüz büyümenin önüne geçmek için kısırlaştırma işlemleri yerel belediyelere ait geçici hayvan bakımevlerinde yapılır. Kısırlaştırma işlemi anestezi eşliğinde yapılan basit bir operasyon olarak görünse de alt süreçlerine bakıldığında olası hataların oluşturacağı tehlike ve risklerle göz ardı edilmemesi gereken bir süreçtir. Bu konuda potansiyel tehlikelerin belirlenmesi ve sonuçlarının analizini yapılması risk değerlendirmeleri ile mümkün olur. FMEA (Hata Tür ve Etkileri Analizi Risk Analizi), basitliği ve görünürlüğü göz önüne alındığında başta sağlık hizmetleri olmak üzere çoğu alanda kalite iyileştirme çalışmaları için sıklıkla kullanılan bir yöntemdir. Uygulaması kolay ve maliyeti düşüktür. Bu yöntemle yüksek riskli süreçlerde oluşabilecek hatalar önceden tespit edilerek, hastaya ulaşmadan önce önlem alınabilir ve böylece hataların oluşma sıklığı düşürülebilir.&#x0D; İş sağlığı ve güvenliği kapsamında yapılan risk değerlendirme çalışmaları çalışanın ve çalışma ortamının risklerini değerlendirmek için yapılır. Çalışmamızda gerçekleştirilen risk analizi ile geçici hayvan barınakları ve burada kısırlaştırılan hayvanların sağlık ve güvenliği hedeflenmiştir.&#x0D; FMEA yöntemi kullanılarak yapılan analizde; öncelikle bir risk analiz ekibi kurularak, iş akış şeması çıkarılmıştır. Ardından operasyon için adım diyagramları hazırlanmış ve tehlikeler tespit edilmiştir. Sonuçta oluşturulan risk analizi uzman ekip tarafından değerlendirilmiştir. Buna göre geçici hayvan barınaklarında gerçekleştirilen kısırlaştırma işleminin FMEA ile 6 tane alt süreç irdelemesi yapılmış, toplamda 17 olası hata türü belirlenmiştir. Hata türlerinin tayin edilen olasılık ve şiddetine bağlı olarak risk skorları bulunmuştur. Yapılan risk değerlendirmesinin kazaları meydana getirebilecek her türlü unsurun bertaraf edilmesinde önemli etkisinin olduğu açıktır.

Canine respiratory disease outbreak involving canine pneumovirus at an American animal shelter

AbstractAn outbreak of canine infectious respiratory disease complex was attributed to canine pneumovirus in a municipal animal shelter in the northeastern United States. The outbreak comprised eight fatalities and over 100 cases in dogs of all signalments. Cases were characterised by mild to severe signs indicating upper airway, lower airway, and systemic involvement. Nasopharyngeal samples submitted to one commercial and one university laboratory for quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing revealed several canine infectious respiratory disease complex pathogens. However, only the university lab detected canine pneumovirus: multiple nasopharyngeal and lung samples tested positive. Vaccination status, lack of response to antimicrobials, and improvement after implementation of canine infectious respiratory disease outbreak management strategies tailored to canine pneumovirus characteristics indicate substantial involvement of this virus. The outbreak resolved within 1 month of adherence to clean break procedures, limitation of incoming dogs, and deep clean of the premises. This case highlights the difficulty in reliably detecting canine pneumovirus and how population management deficits permit canine infectious respiratory disease complex outbreaks.

Complete coding sequence of two feline panleukopenia virus strains isolated from domestic cats (Felis catus) in Tennessee, USA.

Here, we announce the complete coding sequence of two strains of feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) that were obtained from deceased domestic cats in animal shelters in Tennessee. The provided sequence data will contribute to a deeper comprehension of the genetic characteristics and evolutionary patterns of FPLV in the USA.

Evidence-based legislation, strong institutions and consensus needed to mitigate the negative impacts of free-ranging dogs.

Dogs bring many benefits to our society but, if not properly managed, they can be detrimental for humans, livestock and wildlife. We highlight the increasing problems associated with free-ranging dogs using examples from two regions of the world where this issue is pervasive, India and South America. In these regions, free-ranging dogs spread diseases, injure people, harm biodiversity, and negatively impact human livelihoods. We discuss why mitigating these deleterious effects can be extremely complicated because there are diverse challenges such as: (a) a lack of or inappropriate legislations concerning free-ranging dog management and human-dog interactions, (b) unregulated intentional and unintentional feeding of free-ranging dogs, (c) limitations of animal shelters, (d) non-responsible ownership, and (e) uncontrolled dog populations. As the management of animal species is usually shaped by differing interests, existing policies and regulations, views and social influence of stakeholders, power asymmetries between interested parties is yet another challenge in this regard. We need evidence-based legislations and strong institutions (e.g., public health and conservation institutions) that are capable of implementing governance principles and managing the complexities of this socio-ecological system by taking science-based decisions, and balancing power asymmetries to promote consensus.

Animal Rescue Team (ART) Application

"ART" is an innovative mobile phone software created to simplify the adoption and animal rescue procedure, ultimately altering the lives of both animals in need and caring people or families looking for companionship. This app uses technology to provide a seamless and effective platform for responsible pet adoption by bridging the gap between animal shelters, rescue groups, and future adopters. This entire project would involve the development of the app using Android Studio and Firebase

Parasites and zoonotic bacteria in the feces of cats and dogs from animal shelters in Carinthia, Austria

Due to their close associations with humans, dogs and cats can be important reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens. In the current study 200 fecal samples of dogs (n = 70 samples) and cats (n = 130 samples) from animal shelters in Carinthia, southern Austria, were examined for the presence of parasites (fecal flotation and larval migration assay) and selected bacteria. Overall, 17.1% of the canine and 38.5% of the feline samples were positive for parasites (p < 0.001), most commonly Giardia duodenalis (dogs and cats), including potentially zoonotic genotypes revealed by multilocus genotyping, and Toxocara cati (cats). Cryptosporidium (C. felis), Cystoisospora spp. (dogs and cats), hookworms (dog), Trichuris (dog) Capillaria hepatica (cats), taeniids (cat), and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (cat) were also found. Zoonotic bacteria were detected in 10.5% of the samples, Salmonella enterica (dogs), Campylobacter jejuni (dogs and cats) and Yersinia enterocolitica (cat) and were significantly associated with parasite infections in cats but not in dogs. Samples that were positive for several pathogens were common; especially G. duodenalis and T. cati were frequently found in association with each other, other parasites or bacteria. The spectrum of detected pathogens is comparable to that of other dog and cat populations in central Europe. However, since animals from shelters are frequently rehomed, diagnostic measures, appropriate hygiene and therapy as well as training of shelter staff are recommended to prevent zoonotic transmission of enteropathogens to staff or new owners. The presence of heteroxenic parasites, i.e. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Taenia taeniaeformis, and spurious excretion of Ca. hepatica in cats, indicates that these animals preyed on intermediate hosts, and that biosafety measures in pet shelters need to be evaluated for their efficacy in the prevention of pathogen transmission.

Daily gabapentin improved behavior modification progress and decreased stress in shelter cats from hoarding environments in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

To evaluate the impact of daily gabapentin on behavior modification progression and signs of stress in fearful shelter cats from hoarding environments. 37 cats (32 met inclusion criteria). Healthy fearful cats were entered into group (1) gabapentin or (2) placebo upon intake. Both groups received daily behavior modification. Cats received 10 mg/kg of liquid gabapentin or placebo every 12 hours. Daily measures of cat stress score, latency to emerge from hiding, general in-shelter behavior, and urine suppression were collected. Results were analyzed on an intention-to-treat and per-protocol basis (including only cats that received > 75% of their doses). Post-adoption surveys assessed cat social behavior. Of 32 fearful cats, 28 (87.5%) graduated from the behavior modification program in a median of 11 days (range, 4 to 51 days). Per-protocol analysis showed that gabapentin predicted quicker behavior modification progression and lower cat stress score, latency to emerge, and urine suppression compared to placebo. Median time to graduation was reduced by half with gabapentin. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that gabapentin predicted a lower cat stress score and latency to emerge. No differences were observed between groups for general in-shelter behavior. Among limited survey respondents (n = 7), despite showing unsocial behavior in the first week and among unfamiliar people, cats showed social behavior 1 year post-adoption. Daily gabapentin was beneficial in behavior modification progress and reduced signs of stress in shelter cats. Fearful cats from hoarding environments can be successfully treated with behavior modification ± daily gabapentin within an animal shelter.

Characteristics of cat semi-owners.

Unowned 'stray' domestic cats threaten wildlife, as well as create a community nuisance and contribute to high rates of euthanasia in animal shelters. These cats can experience poor welfare, contribute to the pet cat population and compromise attempts to control feral cats. However, many unowned domestic cats are cared for by semi-owners who do not consider they own these cats; therefore, semi-owners are a potentially important target population for human behaviour change interventions. The present study aimed to describe the characteristics of cat semi-owners and compare these with the general population of cat owners and non-cat owners to inform future cat management interventions. An online questionnaire open to all residents of New South Wales, Australia was developed and advertised. Respondents were asked 'do you care for other free-roaming or stray cats (not including the cats you own)?', whether they owned cats, about characteristics of their home and their agreement with 15 capability, social opportunity and motivation (COM) items relating to cat containment. Questionnaire responses were received from 8708 people, including 588 semi-owners (7%). Semi-owners were significantly more likely to be female, live in urban areas, live in lower socioeconomic areas and rent their home. Most semi-owners also owned their own cats and owned more cats than non-semi-owners. Semi-owners of unowned 'stray' cats are a valuable potential target audience for human behaviour change interventions. Understanding that these semi-owners often have their own cats, might already be overwhelmed with cat-caring responsibilities and are disproportionately from lower socioeconomic backgrounds should guide intervention design. A nuanced approach is needed that prioritises the wellbeing of cats and semi-owners for semi-owners to 'buy in'. Any intervention should also recognise that semi-owners often face multiple, complex barriers to neutering or claiming ownership of the cats they care for, especially cost, and trust in the authorities.

A Pandora's box in feline medicine: presenting signs and surgical outcomes in 58 previously hoarded cats with chronic otitis media-interna.

The aim of the present study was to report clinical findings, surgical complications and outcomes for previously hoarded cats treated surgically for otitis media-interna (OMI) and to investigate the risk factors for complications and poor outcomes. A retrospective study was conducted of 58 cats from an institutional hoarding environment that underwent ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO). Inappetence was uncommon at presentation (9/58, 16%) compared with pruritus/alopecia (50%), nasopharyngeal signs (45%), otitis externa (OE) (79%) and otitis interna (OI) (ataxia ± head tilt/head excursions) in 40%. Purulent aural discharge occurred in 36% and polyps in 26%. The tympanic bulla wall was moderately or severely thickened radiographically in 38/108 (35%) ears. Cultures were positive for Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus in 26/48 (54%) cats. Of the 58 cats, 40 (69%) had complications after the first VBO and 19/30 (63%) after the second. Of 101 complications, 56 (55%), from 27/88 (31%) surgeries, were considered serious, including life-threatening perioperative complications in seven, OI in eight, prolonged anorexia in six and worsening of pruritus/alopecia in nine cases. Three cats developed xerostomia (dry mouth) after the second VBO. Pruritus/alopecia, nasopharyngeal signs, OE and purulent aural discharge resolved in a statistically significant proportion of cats but persisted in some. Full resolution of OI was uncommon. OI preoperatively, and surgery performed by a generalist (vs specialist) surgeon, were risk factors for OE at recheck (OI: odds ratio [OR] 4.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-15.70; P = 0.02; surgery: OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.03-12.87; P = 0.045). No other prognostic indicators were identified. No variables tested were significantly associated with risk of serious complications or euthanasia. Surgical management of chronic OMI was successful in most cases but was not benign and not always beneficial. The analysis was unable to identify clinically helpful outcome predictors. Optimal management of chronic feline OMI remains a challenge, particularly for animal shelters. Less invasive approaches and chronic medical management require further investigation.