Cat Population Research Articles

Spay/neuter laws as a debated approach to stabilizing the populations of dogs and cats: An overview of the European legal framework and remarks

ABSTRACT To reduce the (over) population of unwanted companion non human animals, namely dogs and cats. They are used to lower negative impacts on human societies and on the animals themselves, and opting for the neutering status is usually considered a demonstration of “responsible ownership.” In Western countries, however, such provisions are not uniform and must increasingly be balanced with the recognition of animals as sentient beings with interests under the law. Furthermore, there is no consensus on whether routine neutering benefits both human and nonhuman parties, and the veterinary profession progressively claims the need for case-by-case management. Such premises make deciding how to manage companion animals’ reproductive lives legally challenging. The current work examines the European legal framework for companion animal protection and animal legal status after providing a brief overview of the global problem of overpopulation. Subsequently, the author discusses the main legal approaches to controlling companion animal reproduction, in European countries. Remarks about the legally binding option and on alternative approaches are provided, while highlighting the persistent need for appropriate and coherent European legislation.

Growth Curves and Body Condition of Young Cats and Their Relation to Maternal Body Condition.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of the litter, the individual and the mother on the likelihood that kittens become overweight by 8 months of age. Since efforts to investigate these factors in cats often do not account for variables that increase the likelihood of obesity in adult life (e.g., neutering), data on an intact cat family over 14 years were used. Both males and kittens (regardless of sex) from overweight mothers were more prone to being overweight at 8 months. A greater litter size appeared to protect kittens from becoming overweight, in contrast to a greater birthweight, which seemed to predispose them for it. The growth rate of all kittens differed according to their own (lean vs. overweight and male vs. female) and their mother’s (overweight vs. variable vs. lean) phenotype. In females but not in males, own and maternal phenotype affected the time to reach peak weight as well. Based on the results from this study, birthweight, growth rate and maternal overweight can indicate a predisposition of kittens to become overweight.The aim of the present study was to assess factors like litter, individual and maternal effects on kitten overweight at 8 months of age, defined as body condition score (BCS) ≥ 6, in an intact cat family. To minimize confounding, a homogenized cat population was used. After categorization of the life weight data according to the kittens’ sex, BCS and maternal non-pregnant phenotype (overweight (OM), lean (LM), variable (VM)), analyses including Pearson’s correlation coefficients, two-way ANOVA, linear, linear broken-line regression and repeated measures mixed model analyses were performed. Overweight and OM kittens gained weight most quickly, and females reached their peak weight earlier than males (6.2 ± 0.6 vs. 7.4 ± 0.2 months). In females but not in males the age to reach peak weight differed markedly according to category. Male (5.82 ± 0.09, p < 0.01) and OM kittens’ (5.80 ± 0.11, p = 0.07) BCS at 8 months was higher and they were heavier than their counterparts, from 3 and 5 months onwards, respectively. Litter size negatively correlated with overweight (r = −0.30, p < 0.01) and birthweight showed a positive correlation to live weight (R2 = 0.05, p = 0.05) and monthly weight gain (R2 = 0.18, p < 0.01) over time. This study supports routine monitoring of birthweight, growth rate and maternal phenotype prior to pregnancy to identify kittens at risk for becoming overweight.

Infection and seroprevalence of Borrelia persica in domestic cats and dogs in Israel

BackgroundRelapsing fever borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia, inflicting recurrent episodes of fever and spirochetemia in humans. Borrelia persica, the causative agent of relapsing fever in Israel, is prevalent over a broad geographic area that extends from India to Egypt. It is transmitted by the soft tick Ornithodoros tholozani and causes disease in humans as well as domestic cats and dogs. The goal of this study was to survey domestic dogs and cats in Israel for infection with B. persica.MethodsBlood, sera and demographic and clinical data were collected from dogs and cats brought for veterinary care in central Israel. PCR followed by DNA sequencing was used to detect B. persica DNA in blood samples, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect antibodies reactive with B. persica antigens in sera from the same animals. This is the first serological survey of B. persica in dogs and the first survey for antibodies reactive with a relapsing fever Borrelia sp. in cats globally.ResultsFour of the 208 dogs (1.9%) and three of 103 cats (2.9%) sampled were positive by PCR for B. persica DNA, and 24 dogs (11.5%) and 18 cats (17.5%) were seropositive for B. persica antigen by ELISA. The ratio between PCR-positivity and seropositivity in both the dog and cat populations was 1:6. All four PCR-positive dogs and two of three PCR-positive cats were seronegative, suggesting a probable recent infection. Thrombocytopenia showed significant association with seropositivity in dogs (P = 0.003). In cats, anemia had a significant association with seropositivity (P = 0.0001), and thrombocytopenia was associated with the combined prevalence of seropositivity or PCR-positivity (P = 0.022).ConclusionsBorrelia persica infection is more prevalent and widespread in domestic canine and feline populations in Israel than previously thought. Dogs and cats may play a role as reservoirs and sentinels for human infection. Precautions should be taken to prevent transfusion-transmitted infection between blood donor and recipient animals.Graphic

Assessing the Risk of Commercial Vaccines Against Pseudorabies Virus in Cats.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a zoonotic agent that causes significant economic losses in animal husbandry worldwide, and gE-deleted vaccines play an important role in its treatment in the swine industry. However, the potential risk of attenuated PRV strains in commercial vaccines for other hosts remains unclear. Especially, cats are important companion animals for human beings. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and pathogenicity of the PRV wild strain in the cat population. We found that the occurrence of PR diseases in cats is sporadic, that the attenuated PRV strain causes slight clinical signs in cats, and that the virus is excreted 3 days post-infection. Our findings will be beneficial in furthering our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of PRV in cats and implying the great risk of RPV transmission from pigs to cats.

Properties of Foods That Impact Appetite Regulation in Cats

Overweight and obesity are common in global pet cat populations which makes it important to understand how properties of food affect appetite (food motivation). In four experiments, we studied this by using a model of operant conditioning for assessing appetite in which cats could press a lever for food rewards. There was no effect of protein status on motivation for protein, when evaluated in a cross-over design with cats receiving low protein (LP) or high protein (HP) foods for 14 days. Cats obtained similar numbers of HP and LP rewards, irrespective of whether their daily food was HP or LP (mixed-effects model, P = 0.550 for food × reward, P = 0.151 for reward). High dietary protein reduced food motivation when we regressed protein levels in 12 commercial foods (12.0 to 27.4 g crude protein/MJ metabolizable energy; P = 0.022) fed for 2 days and tested at 5 h postprandially on the third day whereas fiber levels were without effect (3.8 to 17.8 g non-starch polysaccharides/MJ; P = 0.992). Dietary fiber may reduce appetite depending on its physicochemical properties and we tested the effect of a gelling fiber (alginate), viscous fiber (psyllium) and a fermentable fiber (inulin). Cats received test foods as well as control foods for 3 days and were tested on the third day at 3 h (alginate), 5 h (psyllium) or 8 h (inulin) postprandially. Enriching the food with alginate (P = 0.379) or psyllium (P = 0.153) did not affect the number of rewards obtained, but the feeding of the inulin-enriched food did make the cats obtain fewer rewards than when they received the control food (P = 0.001). Finally, cooking or grinding of dietary meat increased the number of rewards obtained by cats, on day 3 at 3 h postprandial, without evidence for additive effects of these treatments (P = 0.014 for grinding × cooking). This study shows that dietary content of protein or fiber, and the grinding or cooking of meat, all affect appetite in cats as expected, though some predicted effects remained undetected and clearly details regarding food properties matter. These and future findings can guide the designing of foods that promote satiety and prevent over-eating in meal-fed cats.

In Search of the Appropriate Anticoagulant-Associated Bleeding Risk Assessment Model for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis Patients.

Simple SummaryPatients with venous thromboembolism events in the context of cancer should receive anticoagulants as long as the cancer is active. Therefore, a tailor-made anticoagulation strategy should rely on an individualized assessment of the risks of recurrent venous thromboembolism and anticoagulant-associated bleeding. No existing risk assessment model for anticoagulant-associated bleeding risk has been validated for cancer-associated thrombosis. To obtain a better risk assessment model to assess anticoagulant-associated bleeding risk in cancer-associated thrombosis patients, we deemed it necessary to answer questions related to how and when to assess anticoagulant-associated bleeding risk as well as what factors to assess for which patients. Patients with venous thromboembolism events (VTE) in the context of cancer should receive anticoagulants as long as the cancer is active. Therefore, a tailor-made anticoagulation strategy should rely on an individualized risk assessment model (RAM) of recurrent VTE and anticoagulant-associated bleeding. The aim of this review is to investigate the applicability of the currently available RAMs for anticoagulant-associated bleeding after VTE in the CAT population and to provide new insights on how we can succeed in developing a new anticoagulant-associated bleeding RAM for the current medical care of CAT patients. A systematic search for peer-reviewed publications was performed in PubMed. Studies, including systematic reviews, were eligible if they comprised patients with VTE and used a design for developing a prediction model, score, or other prognostic tools for anticoagulant-associated bleeding during anticoagulant treatment. Out of 15 RAMs, just the CAT-BLEED was developed for CAT patients and none of the presented RAMs developed for the VTE general population were externally validated in a population of CAT patients. The current review illustrates the limitations of the available RAMs for anticoagulant-associated bleeding in CAT patients. The development of a RAM for bleeding risk assessment in patients with CAT is warranted.

Prevalence of gallbladder sludge and associated abnormalities in cats undergoing abdominal ultrasound.

The significance of gallbladder sludge in cats remains largely unknown and has been speculated to be a pathologic finding in cats. The objectives of this retrospective, observational study were to determine the prevalence of gallbladder sludge in the population of cats presenting for abdominal ultrasound; to describe clinical signs, laboratory findings and certain abdominal ultrasound abnormalities; and to compare these findings to cats without gallbladder sludge. One hundred and ninety-two cats were included. Medical records were searched for cats with an abdominal ultrasound performed between October 2014-2015. Signalment, clinical signs, complete blood count, biochemical findings, presence or absence of gallbladder sludge, and hepatobiliary and pancreatic ultrasound findings were recorded. Gallbladder sludge was present in 44% of cats that underwent an abdominal ultrasound. There was no significant difference in age, sex, presenting clinical signs or clinicopathologic variables between the two groups. Gallbladder wall thickening significantly increased the odds of detecting gallbladder sludge (OR-3.7 95% CI 1.4 - 10.0). Gallbladder sludge was not associated with other ultrasonographic abnormalities of the liver, gallbladder, bile duct or pancreas. Gallbladder sludge is common in cats undergoing abdominal ultrasound and appears to be a non-specific finding. The clinical significance of concurrent gallbladder sludge and gallbladder wall thickening present on ultrasound in cats remains to be determined.

Mapping the \u201ccatscape\u201d formed by a population of pet cats with outdoor access

The domestic cat (Felis catus) is among the most popular companion animals and most abundant carnivores globally. It is also a pet with an immense ecological footprint because even non-feral and food-subsidized cats can be prolific predators. Whereas knowledge about the spatial behavior of individual domestic cats is growing, we still know little about how a local population of free-ranging pet cats occupies the landscape. Using a citizen science approach, we GPS-tagged 92 pet cats with outdoor access living in a residential area in southern Norway. The resulting position data allowed us to construct both individual home range kernels and a population-level utilization distribution. Our results reveal a dense predatory blanket that outdoor cats drape over and beyond the urban landscape. It is this population-level intensity surface—the “catscape”—that potential prey have to navigate. There were few gaps in the catscape within our residential study area and therefore few terrestrial refuges from potential cat predation. However, cats spent on average 79% of their outdoor time within 50 m to their owner’s home, which suggests that the primary impact is local and most acute for wildlife in the vicinity to homes with cats. We discuss the catscape as a conceptual and quantitative tool for better understanding and mitigating the environmental impact of domestic cats.

Clinicopathological findings of FeLV- positive cats at a secondary referral center in Florida, USA (2008-2019).

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the seroprevalence, presenting complaint, clinicopathological changes, co-morbidities and outcomes of feline leukemia virus positive cats presented to a specialty referral center in Florida, USA.MethodsIn this retrospective study, medical records of 8050 cats presented to a private referral center from August 2008 to September 2019 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria required was a positive result for feline leukemia virus by point-of-care antigen testing or immunofluorescence assay.ResultsForty-one cases met the inclusion criteria. Of 2002 cats that were tested, 41 cats (2%) met the inclusion criteria. One cat had a negative point of care antigen test result and positive bone marrow IFA result. The mean age at diagnosis was 9 years. The main reasons for presentation were abnormal complete blood cell count results (35%), followed by pleural effusion (18%), and anorexia (15%). The most common laboratory abnormalities included anaemia (71%), of which 74% had a nonregenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia (52%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (50%), hyperbilirubinemia (35%), and hypokalemia (35%). Seven percent of cats (3/41) were also positive for feline immunodeficiency virus. The most common diagnoses were neoplasia (76%) and bone marrow disorders (12%). Cats with neoplasia were significantly younger. Survival to discharge was 88%.Conclusion and relevanceResults of this study show that feline leukemia virus is uncommon in secondary referral center, even if this represents a population of unhealthy cats. The most common associated diagnosis was neoplasia, which was more likely to be seen in younger cats (< 4 years of age). The mean age of cats positive for feline leukemia virus was also older than previously published data. These findings support the current guidelines which indicate that cats presented with clinical illness should be tested for FeLV at the time of presentation.

Estimating the Population of Unowned Free-Ranging Domestic Cats in Denmark Using a Combination of Questionnaires and GPS Tracking.

Simple SummaryUnowned free-ranging domestic cats divide opinion. Some people object to them. They dislike the noise they cause and disapprove when they find their faeces in gardens and public places. Others are concerned about the cats’ welfare. It is widely believed that the number of unowned unsocialised cats (alleged to be 500,000) and additional unowned socialised cats in Denmark is huge. To assess whether this belief is correct, this study estimated the size of the population of unowned free-ranging domestic cats and their distribution in Denmark using a combination of questionnaires and GPS tracking. It was estimated that approximately 90,000 unowned cats are in the country, and that one-third are socialised and two-thirds unsocialised. It seems therefore that the number of free-ranging cats in Denmark that are unowned and unsocialised is only a fraction of that claimed, and that panic is unwarranted. The highest population density of unowned cats was found in rural areas.The present study aimed (1) to estimate the size of the population of unowned free-ranging domestic cats in Denmark using a questionnaire survey combined with a GPS-tracking survey, and (2) to estimate the distribution of the population across different habitats. The questionnaires were circulated in 94 randomly selected parishes ranging across seven kinds of habitat. Using responses from five of the habitats, we estimated the population of unowned free-ranging cats nationally. In the other two habitats, questionnaire data were collected in a simpler way. The territory of 59 owned cats was estimated with GPS tracking to assess home ranges. Home range area was calculated using 95% Brownian bridge kernel density estimation (0.033–0.077 ± 0.011–0.023 km2, median ± SE). We estimated a population of unowned free-ranging cats in Denmark of 89,000 ± 11,000 (SE), with a mean density of 2 ± 0.3 (SE) cats per km2, living primarily in rural habitats. Approximately one-third of the cats were estimated to be socialised and two-thirds unsocialised. Our method may be suitable for use in other temperate areas facing problems with unowned free-ranging cats.

Reduction of free-roaming cat population requires high-intensity neutering in spatial contiguity to mitigate compensatory effects

When free-roaming in natural areas, the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) is ranked high among the most destructive alien species. Near human dwellings, it might pose a risk to humans, impair sanitation, and suffer from poor welfare. Cats' popularity as companion animals complicates their population control. Thus, culling is often replaced by a fertility control method called “trap–neuter–return/release” (TNR), considered more humane. Despite the extensive application of TNR, a long-term controlled study was never performed to test its effectiveness. We present a uniquely designed controlled field experiment for examining TNR effectiveness. The study was performed over a 12-y period, divided into preintervention and mixed- and full-intervention phases, and spanned a 20-km2 urban area. Trends of cat, intact-female, and kitten counts, cat reproduction, and carcass reports were compared among study phases and areas with different neutering intensities. The cat population increased during the first two study phases and did not decline in highly neutered populations, presumably due to cat immigration. Expansion of high-intensity neutering to the entire city in the full-intervention phase (>70% neutering percentage) reversed cat population growth, reaching an annual approximately 7% reduction. This population reduction was limited by a rebound increase in cat reproduction and longevity. We conclude that cat population management by TNR should be performed with high intensity, continuously, and in geographic contiguity to enable population reduction. To enhance management effectiveness and mitigate compensatory effects, we recommend further evaluating an integrated strategy that combines TNR with complementary methods (e.g., vital resource regulation, ill cat euthanasia, and adoption).

A noninvasive method of temperature measurement using a noncontact handheld infrared thermometer fails to correlate with rectal temperature in dogs and cats.

To perform a retrospective, multicenter observational study that compares the agreement of rectal temperature with the temperature measured with noncontact infrared thermometer (NCIT) in a population of dogs and cats. 168 dogs and 61 cats. NCIT readings were taken in triplicate from the medial pinna, then rectal temperature was taken with a standard digital rectal thermometer (RT). Ambient room temperature, signalment, presence of icterus, skin and coat color, reason for presentation, and final diagnosis were recorded. In dogs, median (range) body temperature reflected by RT and NCIT measurements was 38.4 °C (33.4 to 40.3 °C) and 36.3 °C (30.8 to 40.0 °C), respectively. In cats, median (range) body temperature reflected by RT and NCIT measurements was 38.3 °C (36.2 to 40.0 °C) and 35.7 °C (31.8 to 38.0 °C), respectively. There was a weak positive correlation between body temperatures measured by NCIT and RT in dogs (Kendall tau = 0.154), but there was no correlation in cats (Kendall tau = -0.01). A significant, albeit weak, agreement was seen between temperature measured by NCIT and RT in dogs (Kappa value, 0.05), but not cats (Kappa value, -0.08). In both species, NCIT tended to underread body temperature, compared with RT (dogs: mean ± SD bias -2.2 ± 1.51 °C; cats: mean bias -2.7 ± 1.44 °C), with the degree of low measurements lessening as body temperature increased. Given both poor correlation and agreement in body temperature measured by NCIT and rectal thermometer, NCIT measurements cannot be recommended at the current time as a means to determine body temperature in dogs and cats.

Serological survey of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in shelter-housed cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus, Brazil

Felines play a leading role in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection, but there is scarce information about the epidemiology of Neospora caninum, particularly in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cats. Cats seropositive to T. gondii do not usually show symptoms unless they are immunosuppressed, such as FIV-infected cats. The same relationship remains poorly known for N. caninum, although it has been associated with neurological disorders in HIV-infected people. Since FIV-infected cats are prone to develop encephalitis of unknown etiology, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of specific antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum in a shelter for stray cats naturally infected with FIV. A total of 104 serum samples from cats living in a shelter, located in São Paulo city (Brazil), was assessed for T. gondii and N. caninum specific antibody by indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT). Of the 104 cats, 25 (24%) were infected with FIV and, aside from these, 8 (32%) had antibodies against T. gondii (titers from 16 to 128). Only 1 (4%) of the FIV infected cats had antibodies against N. caninum, which was the first record of coinfection. Among the FIV-naïve cats, 11 (14%) were positive for T. gondii (titers from 16 to 256) and only 1 (1.2%) had antibodies against N. caninum. Serologically positive reactions to T. gondii and N. caninum were not correlated with age or sex (p&gt;0.05), and there was no correlation between FIV and the occurrence of anti-T. gondii or anti-N. caninum antibodies (p&gt;0.05). Further studies encompassing larger cat populations from different origins and locations are essential to clarify the prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies in FIV-positive cats.

Prey selection and predation behavior of free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) in an urban ecosystem: Implications for urban cat management

The ecological impact of free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) is well-studied. However, despite receiving considerable attention in both the scientific and popular literature, predation behavior is rarely an explicit consideration when developing cat population management plans. We used motion-activated wildlife cameras to document predation events by cats in Washington, D.C. (U.S.A), and assessed the relationships between predation and local environmental characteristics. Our analyses reveal that predation by cats is greatest where supplemental food is most abundant, and that the probability of a cat preying upon a native species increases closer to forest edges. Conversely, we found that the probability of a cat depredating a non-native brown rat increases with increasing distance from forest edges. Therefore, we recommend the implementation of cat exclusionary buffer zones around urban forests and that free-roaming domestic cat management policies explicitly consider the spatial location of cat-feeding sites. Our findings provide a data-driven approach to free-roaming cat management.

Epidemiology and clinical presentation of feline presumed hereditary or breed-related ocular diseases in France: retrospective study of 129 cats.

This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of presumed hereditary or presumed breed-related ocular diseases in a population of cats in France. Medical records from between September 2013 and August 2017 were reviewed to identify cats with at least one presumed hereditary or breed-related ocular disease. Cats with concurrent, or a history of, ocular or systemic infectious diseases were excluded. Signalment, history and clinical findings were recorded. Of the 1161 cats that presented to our institution during the study period, 129 were diagnosed with at least one presumed hereditary or presumed breed-related ocular disease (11.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.3-12.9). Five ocular abnormalities had a prevalence of >1%: entropion, corneal sequestration, persistent pupillary membrane, cataract and retinal dysplasia. The prevalence of entropion was 2.2% (95% CI 1.3-3.0), with Persians (P = 0.03), Maine Coons (P <0.01) and male cats (P <0.01) being over-represented. The prevalence of corneal sequestration was 2.4% (95% CI 1.5-3.3), with Persians (P <0.01) and Exotic Shorthairs (P = 0.02) being over-represented. Persistent pupillary membranes and cataracts had the same prevalence of 2.3% (95% CI 1.5-3.2), with no particular sex or breed significantly over-represented. Retinal dysplasia had a prevalence of 1.6% (95% CI 0.8-2.3) and Persian cats were over-represented (P = 0.04). Anterior segment dysgenesis had a low prevalence (0.9%, 95% CI 0.4-1.5), with all affected cats being domestic shorthairs and this breed therefore was over-represented (P = 0.04). In a French population of cats, presumed hereditary or breed-related ocular diseases accounted for 11.1% of all ocular diseases. Cataracts, corneal sequestration, persistent pupillary membrane, entropion and retinal dysplasia were the most common conditions. Statistical breed over-representation was observed for entropion, corneal sequestration and retinal dysplasia. We recommend that more systematic screening of feline species is conducted.

Characteristics and outcomes of dog attacks to dogs and cats in Melbourne, Australia: A retrospective study of 459 cases (2018)

Dog-dog and dog-cat attacks can result in severe medical, financial, and emotional injury to pets and owners. The characteristics of dog-dog and dog-cat attack victims, the circumstances surrounding these attacks and the financial burden from veterinary visits is not reported in Australia. Medical records from 459 animals that were presented to the emergency service of four specialty hospitals in Melbourne, Australia in 2018 following a dog attack were assessed via univariate and multivariate methodologies with a retrospective case-control study design. Animals who had been attacked by a dog comprised 2.4% of the overall caseload at these four hospitals. Risk factors identified in dog-dog attack victims for presenting to a veterinary emergency hospital after being attacked were being cross-bred (OR = 1.4, p = 0.014, 95% CI = 1.07–1.84) and neutered (OR = 1.4, p = 0.035, 95% CI = 1.03–2.00). Being aged > 2–7years was protective (OR = 0.70, p = 0.010, CI = 0.48–0.88). Dogs from houses with a lower Socio-economic Indices for Areas score (SIEFA) were more likely to be attacked at home by a known attacker, compared to those from houses with a higher SIEFA score who were more likely to be attacked in public by a dog unknown to them (p = <0.001). Cats who presented following a dog attack had a 46.3% survival to discharge, compared to 91.8% in dogs (p < 0.001). Final cost of treatment for dogs and cats was similar (median AU $380 vs AU $360, respectively). Further research is needed to evaluate the population of dogs and cats attacked by dogs, to inform and direct public education campaigns aimed at reducing their incidence and overall burdens.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotypes isolated for the first time in feral cats: The impact on public health

Stray cat populations can represent a significant threat of the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as salmonellosis. The objective of this study was to assess Salmonella carriage by free-living cats in Gran Canaria island and the Salmonella serovars involved, in order to inform to those responsible for the colonies about the possible risk factors. One hundred rectal swabs of feral cats were taken. Salmonella strains were serotyped in accordance with Kauffman-White-Le-Minor technique. Of a total of 100 animals under study, 19% were found to be positive to Salmonella spp. This is the first report that described the zoonotic serovars S. Nima, S. Bredeney, S. Grancanaria and S. Kottbus in cats. The present study demonstrates that feral cats may represent a source of risk for the spread of different Salmonella zoonotic serovars. It has been reported that there is a certain correlation between Salmonella isolates from pets and wild animals. Further studies are needed from other animal species and environmental sources to make this correlation.

Comparative Genomics of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) of Felids.

This review summarizes the current knowledge on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the family Felidae. This family comprises an important domestic species, the cat, as well as a variety of free-living felids, including several endangered species. As such, the Felidae have the potential to be an informative model for studying different aspects of the biological functions of MHC genes, such as their role in disease mechanisms and adaptation to different environments, as well as the importance of genetic diversity for conservation issues in free-ranging or captive populations. Despite this potential, the current knowledge on the MHC in the family as a whole is fragmentary and based mostly on studies of the domestic cat and selected species of big cats. The overall structure of the domestic cat MHC is similar to other mammalian MHCs following the general scheme “centromere-MHC class I-MHC class III-MHC class II” with some differences in the gene contents. An unambiguously defined orthologue of the non-classical class I HLA-E gene has not been identified so far and the class II DQ and DP genes are missing or pseudogenized, respectively. A comparison with available genomes of other felids showed a generally high level of structural and sequence conservation of the MHC region. Very little and fragmentary information on in vitro and/or in vivo biological functions of felid MHC genes is available. So far, no association studies have indicated effects of MHC genetic diversity on a particular disease. No information is available on the role of MHC class I molecules in interactions with Natural Killer (NK) cell receptors or on the putative evolutionary interactions (co-evolution) of the underlying genes. A comparison of complex genomic regions encoding NK cell receptors (the Leukocyte Receptor Complex, LRC and the Natural Killer Cell Complex, NKC) in the available felid genomes showed a higher variability in the NKC compared to the LRC and the MHC regions. Studies of the genetic diversity of domestic cat populations and/or specific breeds have focused mainly on DRB genes. Not surprisingly, higher levels of MHC diversity were observed in stray cats compared to pure breeds, as evaluated by DRB sequencing as well as by MHC-linked microsatellite typing. Immunogenetic analysis in wild felids has only been performed on MHC class I and II loci in tigers, Namibian leopards and cheetahs. This information is important as part of current conservation tasks to assess the adaptive potential of endangered wild species at the human-wildlife interface, which will be essential for preserving biodiversity in a functional ecosystem.

Prevalence of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) in Healthy and Sick Cat and Dog Populations in Poland

Prevalence of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) in Healthy and Sick Cat and Dog Populations in Poland

Photographic Identification of Individual Domestic Cats: Comparing the Accuracy of Life Science University Students Versus Cat Advocate Citizen Science Volunteers

There have been no long-term field studies of the potential effect of spay/neuter programs on free-roaming domestic cat population sizes. To address that gap via citizen science, we are developing a novel approach to photographic mark-recapture population research that engages volunteers as both smartphone-wielding data collectors and as online data processors in building capture histories from submitted photos. Here, we present a validation study testing the accuracy of cat advocate volunteers at matching smartphone photos of cats, and we compare their success to a reference group of life science university students. We also examine feline photographic identification from two additional perspectives: what makes a volunteer better at cat identification, and what makes a cat photo more identifiable? 151 cat advocates and 17 students completed 37,800 pairwise photo comparisons using our online platform. Cat advocates’ matching attempts (n = 34,080) were correct 98.1% of the time compared with students’ 97.5% (n = 3,720). Volunteers who reported a pet cat increased their accuracy. Volunteers who held less than a bachelor’s degree, or those who volunteered with cats previously, had reduced accuracy. If a cat was a color other than black, its ability to be identified increased. We demonstrated that our citizen science volunteer sample was not only adequate at identifying individual cats in smartphone photos, but performed better than our sample of life science students—a labor pool commonly trusted to organize data from camera trap research. While photographs are the data foundation of many studies of free-roaming cats, we are the first to analyze by-eye visual identification in this species.