2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines

The guidelines are a consensus report on current recommendations for vaccination of cats of any origin, authored by a Task Force of experts. The guidelines are published simultaneously in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (volume 22, issue 9, pages 813-830, DOI: 10.1177/1098612X20941784) and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (volume 56, issue 4, pages 249-265, DOI: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7123). The guidelines assign approved feline vaccines to core (recommended for all cats) and non-core (recommended based on an individualized risk-benefit assessment) categories. Practitioners can develop individualized vaccination protocols consisting of core vaccines and non-core vaccines based on exposure and susceptibility risk as defined by the patient's life stage, lifestyle, and place of origin and by environmental and epidemiologic factors. An update on feline injection-site sarcomas indicates that occurrence of this sequela remains infrequent and idiosyncratic. Staff education initiatives should enable the veterinary practice team to be proficient in advising clients on proper vaccination practices and compliance. Vaccination is a component of a preventive healthcare plan. The vaccination visit should always include a thorough physical exam and client education dialog that gives the pet owner an understanding of how clinical staff assess disease risk and propose recommendations that help ensure an enduring owner-pet relationship.

'We should classify pet obesity as a disease'

Alexander German, Ian Ramsey and Philip Lhermette address some of the concerns raised over calling pet obesity a disease and argue that this classification can bring many management opportunities.

The behavioural perspective

Human and animal behaviour often combine into a perfect storm of obesity-causing actions.

Prevention is better than cure

Suzanne Jarvis discusses new thinking on obesity in cats and dogs.

Where and when to vaccinate? Interdisciplinary design and evaluation of the 2018 Tanzanian anti-rabies campaign

OBJECTIVES

Hoping to improve health-related effectiveness, a two-phase vaccination against rabies was designed and executed in northern Tanzania in 2018, which included geo-epidemiological and economic perspectives.

METHODS

Considering the local bio-geography and attempting to rapidly establish a protective ring around a city at risk, the first phase intervened on sites surrounding that city, where the population density was lower than in the city at risk. The second phase vaccinated a rural area.

RESULTS

No rabies-related case has been reported in the vaccinated areas for over a year post-immunisation; hence, the campaign is viewed as highly cost-effective. Other metrics included: rapid implementation (concluded in half the time spent on other campaigns) and the estimated cost per protected life, which was 3.28 times lower than in similar vaccinations.

CONCLUSIONS

The adopted design emphasised local bio-geographical dynamics: it prevented the occurrence of an epidemic in a city with a higher demographic density than its surrounding area and it also achieved greater effectiveness than average interventions. These interdisciplinary, policy-oriented experiences have broad and immediate applications in settings of limited and/or time-sensitive (expertise, personnel, and time available to intervene) resources and conditions.

Consensus: children and pets

The relationship of a child with a pet, under duly controlled circumstances, is beneficial for both. Pets establish emotional attachments to children, and the relationship turns out positive in terms of affective aspects, in reinforcement of the child´s personality and promoting self-esteem, and in cognitive development, among many other advantages. Nevertheless, there are real risks in the coexistence of kids and pets: trauma, bites, several injuries and also disease transmission. Risk factors of injuries can be inherent in children (age, improper behavior, lack of supervision), in the environment (small houses, inadequate spaces), or in dogs (big or not recommended breeds, aggressive behaviors). This consensus insists on some guidelines for a responsible tenure and safe coexistence. Dogs and cats are recommended as pets, discouraging exotic species and non-traditional animals. Guidelines for bites treatment are provided and the main zoonoses of which pets can be carriers and transmitters are outlined.

The American Heartworm Society and Association of Shelter Veterinarians' 2019 Shelter Heartworm Management Practices Survey

The primary objective of the 2019 Shelter Heartworm Management Practices Survey was to identify the current practices employed for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of heartworm disease in animal shelters. Survey questions were developed to collect the information of interest for dogs, cats, and ferrets under the care of sheltering organizations along with demographic information about these organizations. An electronic survey was distributed to the American Heartworm Society and Association of Shelter Veterinarians' mailing lists in February-March 2019. Cross-posting of the survey on relevant lists was encouraged. The survey invitation was directed toward veterinarians delivering care in an animal shelter and excluded practitioners providing services for shelters, shelter animals, or recently adopted animals within a private practice setting. A total of 242 survey responses were received representing private humane societies/societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (39.7%), municipal animal control facilities (24.9%), traditional (public-private partnership) shelters (21.7%), foster-based organizations (7.9%), sanctuaries (2.6%), and breed/species-specific rescues (2.1%). The largest proportion of respondent shelters were from the southeastern United States (36.9%) and over two-thirds of the shelters had full-time shelter veterinarians (69.0%). Most respondents provided monthly heartworm preventives for dogs (81.1%) and used oral ivermectin products per product labels (67.2%) to do so. Extralabel use of preventives was reported by 21.3% of respondents. Most respondents tested all dogs >6 months of age for heartworm infection (81.9%) and did so during the intake examination (56.6%) with antigen tests (92.2%). At least some heartworm positive dogs were treated by most respondents (93.1%) using a 3-dose (42.5%) or 2-dose (37.9%) melarsomine protocol. Non-arsenical treatment protocols were utilized by 16.8% of respondents. Protocols typically included adjunctive treatment with doxycycline or minocycline (92.3%), prednisone (71.3%), and macrocyclic lactones (58.6%). Nearly two-thirds of respondents housed dogs within foster homes after treatment (65.1%). Heartworm prevention was provided by 29.9% of respondents that admitted cats and 9.9% of those that admitted ferrets. These results can be used to identify challenges to meeting recommended practices regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heartworm disease in the animal shelter setting and to target operational and educational resources toward the areas of greatest need.

Dirofilarioses in cats: European guidelines from the ABCD on prevention and management

OVERVIEW

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the most important filarial worms, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. D repens is currently considered an emerging zoonotic agent in Europe.

LIFE CYCLE AND INFECTION

Filarial worms infect mainly dogs, but also cats, ferrets, wild carnivores and humans. The life cycle involves an intermediate mosquito host. Compared with dogs, cats are imperfect hosts for dirofilarial worms. After inoculation, only a low number of L3 larvae develop to the adult stage in a small percentage of cats. Heartworm disease in cats may be associated with severe pulmonary thromboembolism and an eosinophilic inflammatory response in the lungs, potentially leading to sudden death. Otherwise self-cure occurs in most cases after 18-48 months. Subcutaneous dirofilariosis may present as subcutaneous nodules or dermatitis.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Diagnosis in cats is more difficult compared with dogs and needs a multistep approach (antigen and antibody tests, as well as diagnostic imaging). Cats with acute heartworm disease require stabilisation within an intensive care unit. Cats with respiratory signs or suggestive radiographic changes should receive prednisolone and follow-up with a similar multistep approach. Adulticidal therapy is not safe in cats.

PREVENTION

In endemic areas cats should receive year-round chemoprophylaxis from 2 months of age.

Antibody response to feline herpesvirus-1 vaccination in healthy adult cats

OBJECTIVES

Vaccination against feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is recommended for all cats. However, it is unknown how adult healthy cats with different pre-vaccination antibodies respond to FHV-1 vaccination in the field. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of neutralising antibodies against FHV-1 in healthy adult cats and the response to FHV-1 vaccination within 28 days of vaccination.

METHODS

One hundred and ten cats (⩾1 year of age) that had not received a vaccination within the past 12 months were vaccinated with a combined FHV-1 vaccine. Antibodies against FHV-1 were determined before vaccination (day 0), on day 7 and day 28 by serum neutralisation test. Uni- and multivariate statistical analyses were used to determine factors associated with the presence of pre-vaccination antibodies and response to vaccination.

RESULTS

Pre-vaccination neutralising antibody titres (⩾10) were present in 40.9% of cats (45/110; 95% confidence interval [CI] 32.2-50.3); titres were generally low (range 10-640). Antibody response to vaccination (⩾four-fold titre increase) was observed in 8.3% (9/109; 95% CI 4.2-15.1). Cats ⩾2 years of age were more likely to have pre-vaccination neutralising antibodies than cats aged between 1 and 2 years (odds ratio [OR] 24.619; P = 0.005). Cats from breeders were more likely to have pre-vaccination neutralising antibodies than privately owned cats (OR 7.070; P = 0.007). Domestic shorthair cats were more likely to have an at least four-fold titre increase vs purebred cats (OR 11.22; P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Many cats have no detectable neutralising antibodies against FHV-1 despite previous vaccinations and fail to develop a ⩾four-fold titre increase after vaccination. This is likely because older cats and cats with a higher FHV-1 exposure risk are more likely to get infected with FHV-1 and thus to have FHV-1 neutralizing antibodies. Purebred cats more often fail to develop a ⩾four-fold titre increase after vaccination.

Decreased incidence of perioperative inadvertent hypothermia and faster anesthesia recovery with increased environmental temperature: A nonrandomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To determine perioperative inadvertent hypothermia (PIH) incidence, risk factors, prevention methods, and effect of PIH prevention on anesthesia recovery times.

STUDY DESIGN

Nonrandomized controlled before-and-after trial.

ANIMALS

Dogs (n = 277) and cats (n = 20) undergoing open surgery.

METHODS

Incidence and risk factors for PIH (core temperature <96.8°F), existing thermal care practices, and recovery times were documented at baseline. For group 1, a thermal care bundle consisting of protocol-driven active warming combined with raised environmental temperatures (75°F) in induction rooms (IR) and operating rooms (OR) was implemented. Perioperative inadvertent hypothermia incidence and recovery times were recorded. For group 2, baseline active warming practices were resumed while environmental temperatures remained elevated.

RESULTS

Perioperative inadvertent hypothermia was associated with preoperative imaging (P = .039) and percentage clip area (P = .037). Perioperative inadvertent hypothermia decreased in group 1 (13.5%, n = 96, P < .001) and group 2 (13.0%, n = 100, P < .001) compared with baseline (35.6%, n = 101). Median time from anesthesia withdrawal to extubation decreased in group 1 (5 minutes, P = .028) and group 2 (5 minutes, P = .018) compared with baseline (7 minutes). Median time from anesthesia recovery to spontaneous food intake decreased in group 1 (6 hours, n = 92, P = .016) but not in group 2 (6.0 hours, n = 88, P = .060) compared with baseline (n = 94, 6.7 hours). No group differences in PIH risk factors were identified.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative inadvertent hypothermia incidence was high but reducible by raising environmental temperatures alone or in combination with increased focus on active warming. Reductions in PIH shortened recovery times.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Maintaining IR and OR temperatures at the standard-of-care for human pediatric surgery reduces PIH and may improve outcomes.

Role of vector-borne pathogens in the development of fever in cats: 2. Tick- and sandfly-associated diseases

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

There has been increasing identification of vector-borne pathogens in cats presented to veterinary clinics around the world for evaluation of fever and the associated secondary effects, such as signs of depression and loss of appetite.

AIM

The aim of this article is to summarize the clinically relevant information concerning fever in cats that is associated with pathogens vectored by ticks or sandflies, with an emphasis on presenting clinical abnormalities and optimal diagnostic, treatment and prevention strategies. Fever in cats associated with pathogens known or suspected to be vectored by fleas was discussed within Part 1 of this two-part article series.

Nipah virus: epidemiology, pathology, immunobiology and advances in diagnosis, vaccine designing and control strategies - a comprehensive review

Nipah (Nee-pa) viral disease is a zoonotic infection caused by Nipah virus (NiV), a paramyxovirus belonging to the genus Henipavirus of the family Paramyxoviridae. It is a biosafety level-4 pathogen, which is transmitted by specific types of fruit bats, mainly Pteropus spp. which are natural reservoir host. The disease was reported for the first time from the Kampung Sungai Nipah village of Malaysia in 1998. Human-to-human transmission also occurs. Outbreaks have been reported also from other countries in South and Southeast Asia. Phylogenetic analysis affirmed the circulation of two major clades of NiV as based on currently available complete N and G gene sequences. NiV isolates from Malaysia and Cambodia clustered together in NiV-MY clade, whereas isolates from Bangladesh and India clusterered within NiV-BD clade. NiV isolates from Thailand harboured mixed population of sequences. In humans, the virus is responsible for causing rapidly progressing severe illness which might be characterized by severe respiratory illness and/or deadly encephalitis. In pigs below six months of age, respiratory illness along with nervous symptoms may develop. Different types of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays along with molecular methods based on polymerase chain reaction have been developed for diagnostic purposes. Due to the expensive nature of the antibody drugs, identification of broad-spectrum antivirals is essential along with focusing on small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). High pathogenicity of NiV in humans, and lack of vaccines or therapeutics to counter this disease have attracted attention of researchers worldwide for developing effective NiV vaccine and treatment regimens.

Review of oncological emergencies in small animal patients

Oncological emergencies can occur at any time during the course of a malignancy and need to be recognized promptly to maximize successful outcomes. Emergencies are characterized as chemotherapy-induced, paraneoplastic syndromes, or directly related to the neoplasm. Prompt identification with treatment of these emergencies can prolong survival and improve quality of life, even in the setting of terminal illness. This review aims to educate the reader on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and treatment of some of these emergencies, and to review the current veterinary literature to help educate veterinarians in primary and tertiary facilities to know how to diagnose and treat these serious conditions.

Cytauxzoon felis Infection in Domestic Cats, Yunnan Province, China, 2016

We performed a molecular survey for Cytauxzoon felis infection in 311 domestic cats in Yunnan Province, China, in 2016 and found a prevalence of 21.5%. C. felis infection in domestic and wild cats in other provinces should be investigated to determine parasite prevalence and genetic diversity among cats throughout China.

Feline non-regenerative anemia: Diagnostic and treatment recommendations

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

Non-regenerative anemia, or anemia with reticulocytopenia, is a daily diagnosis in feline practice.

CLINICAL CHALLENGES

The disease processes underlying non-regenerative anemia are many and diverse. A major diagnostic evaluation may be required to correctly diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

AUDIENCE

All veterinarians caring for cats will face the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge of non-regenerative anemia. Readers will benefit from the review of diagnostic testing and therapeutic options for non-regenerative anemia.

EVIDENCE BASE

This review summarizes the currently available literature informing diagnostic and treatment recommendations related to non-regenerative anemia. The evidence available to support the recommendations in this review is graded as low and includes predominantly expert opinion, case reports and cases series, on which the authors' interpretation/consensus is based.

Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of twice-daily famciclovir administration on infectious upper respiratory disease in shelter-housed cats

OBJECTIVES

In humans with herpetic disease, early or pre-emptive famciclovir therapy reduces disease duration and severity. This prospective, masked, placebo-controlled study tested therapeutic and prophylactic effects of two famciclovir doses given to cats for 7 days following shelter entry.

METHODS

Cats were assigned to prophylactic or therapeutic study arms based on clinical evidence of herpetic disease at study entry. Cats in the therapeutic arm received no treatment (n = 19), placebo (lactose; n = 18) or famciclovir at ~30 (n = 21) or ~90 mg/kg (n = 20) PO q12h for 7 days. Cats in the prophylactic arm received no treatment (n = 25) or famciclovir at ~30 (n = 28) or ~90 mg/kg (n = 27) PO q12h for 7 days. Disease scores, body weight, conjunctival feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) shedding, and adoption rates were recorded on days 1 (admission), 8 (end of therapy) and 15 (1 week after cessation of therapy).

RESULTS

No significant differences in clinical scores were observed among groups in the prophylactic or therapeutic arms at any of the three time points. However, within the therapeutic arm, viral shedding on day 8 was significantly higher in cats receiving no treatment than in those receiving ~30 or ~90 mg/kg famciclovir, and this effect persisted 1 week after famciclovir was stopped (day 15) only in cats receiving ~30 mg/kg, although this approached significance in cats receiving ~90 mg/kg. No significant differences in adoption rates were detected among groups in either arm throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although we did not demonstrate a statistically or clinically significant effect of famciclovir administration upon clinical signs of infectious upper respiratory disease or adoption, when it was administered at ~30 or ~90 mg/kg q12h for 1 week famciclovir reduced conjunctival FHV-1 shedding. This suggests a potential role in interrupting the infectious cycle within a shelter population; however, cost in time and resources, and stress and pathogen transmission induced by oral administration should be considered.

A survey of vaccine history in German cats and owners' attitudes to vaccination

OBJECTIVES

Vaccination is the most important measure for prevention of feline infectious diseases. Cat owner compliance with vaccination recommendations has been investigated in the UK but not in other European countries. The aim of the present study was to determine cat owners' attitudes towards vaccination in cats in Germany, to identify factors that are associated with the vaccination status of their cats and to compare the results with those of the UK survey.

METHODS

The survey was conducted using an online questionnaire and was aimed at respondents throughout Germany. Respondents under 16 years of age, cats that were less than 9 weeks old and veterinarians were excluded. A total of 920 questionnaires were evaluated, and information about cats and respondents was assessed with respect to the current vaccination status of the cats using a linear logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The majority of cats (77.9%; n = 717) were vaccinated according to current guidelines; only 5.4% (n = 50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.00-9.00) of cats had never received a vaccine. Having visited a cattery, a cat show or travelled abroad in the past 12 months (n = 96/773; odds ratio [OR] 6.95; 95% CI 1.65-52.19) had the highest positive impact on the vaccination status of cats. In addition, detailed veterinary advice about vaccination had a positive impact (n = 275/773; OR 2.09; 95% CI 0.67-6.25) on the attitude of owners towards vaccinating their cats.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

A history of travelling abroad or visiting cat shows or a cattery, and thus regulatory requirements, had the greatest positive impact on the current vaccination status of the cats. Veterinary consultation on preventive measures, including vaccination, is crucial for protecting the cat population against infectious diseases.

Safety of topical administration of fluralaner plus moxidectin concurrently with praziquantel in cats

BACKGROUND

Fluralaner provides efficacy against feline ectoparasites following topical administration. Moxidectin is routinely used to treat gastrointestinal nematode infections and prevent heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. Praziquantel is routinely used to treat feline tapeworm infections. The safety of a fluralaner plus moxidectin combination topical solution (Bravecto™ Plus, MSD Animal Health) was assessed when administered concurrently with a commercially available praziquantel topical solution (Droncit™ Spot-on, Bayer Animal Health GmbH). The highest dose rates in clinical use were tested.

RESULTS

Concurrent topical administration of a fluralaner plus moxidectin and a praziquantel product did not result in adverse findings. One out of ten cats receiving praziquantel only (control group), and two out of ten cats receiving fluralaner plus moxidectin and praziquantel (treatment group) had dandruff-like flakes in their coat at the application site. Two out of the ten control cats and three cats out of the ten treatment group cats had very small amounts of unidentified material (minute crusts or crumbs) at the application site which was only visible during close inspection.

CONCLUSIONS

The concurrent treatment of cats with fluralaner plus moxidectin and praziquantel at the maximum dose in clinical use was well tolerated.

ACVIM consensus update on Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats

An update of the 2006 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Small Animal Consensus Statement on Lyme Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention was presented at the 2016 ACVIM Forum in Denver, CO, followed by panel and audience discussion and a drafted consensus statement distributed online to diplomates for comment. The updated consensus statement is presented below. The consensus statement aims to provide guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats.

Motivators and barriers for dog and cat owners and veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom to using preventative medicines

Routine use of preventative medicines is advocated as part of responsible dog and cat ownership. However, it has been suggested that the number of owners in the United Kingdom (UK) using preventative medicines to protect their pets is in decline. The aim of this novel study was to use a qualitative methodology to explore the attitudes of pet owners and veterinary surgeons in the UK to using preventative medicine products in dogs and cats. Preventative medicine was defined as "a drug or any other preparation used to prevent disease, illness or injury." Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone with owners and veterinary surgeons who had recently participated in a preventative healthcare consultation. Thematic analysis of transcribed recordings of these interviews identified four themes. This paper reports the theme related to motivators and barriers to using preventative medicines. Owners' understanding varied widely about the importance of preventative medicines for pets, as did their confidence in the safety of prescription products. A good relationship with their veterinary surgeon or practice, seeing adverts on the television about specific diseases, advice from a breeder and having personally seen infected animals appeared to be motivators for owners to use preventative medicines. Concern about adverse events and uncertainty about the necessity of using preventative medicines were barriers. Owners who trusted their veterinary surgeons to advise them on preventative medicine products described little use of alternative information sources when making preventative medicine choices. However, owners who preferred to do their own research described reading online opinions, particular in relation to the safety of preventative medicines, which they found confusing. In contrast, veterinary surgeons described broad confidence in the safety and efficacy of prescription preventative medicines and described protection of pet health as a strong motivator for their use. Several expressed some concern about being seen to "sell" products, which may present a barrier to their advocacy. Veterinary surgeons were unsure about owners' level of understanding of the necessity of preventative medicines, particularly in relation to vaccinations, and few recalled instigating conversations with owners about product safety. Owner uncertainties about preventative medicine products may not be adequately addressed in the consulting room. This first qualitative study to investigate dog and cat preventative medicines suggests strategies are needed to increase discussion between pet owners and veterinary surgeons in the UK about the necessity, safety, efficacy and cost of preventative medicines.

Effect of a synthetic feline facial pheromone product on stress scores and incidence of upper respiratory tract infection in shelter cats

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a synthetic feline facial pheromone product would decrease stress scores and upper respiratory tract infection (URI) incidence in shelter-housed cats. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 336 stray, feral, owner-relinquished, or legally impounded cats at 2 animal shelters in northern California. PROCEDURES 5 cat holding rooms (3 at shelter A and 2 at shelter B) were used. A diffuser containing either synthetic pheromone or placebo was randomly assigned to each room, and cats were exposed for a 21-day period. Data collected on each cat included signalment, daily stress scores, and daily URI incidence. After 21 days, diffusers were removed for a 7-day washout period. The type of diffuser in each room was switched, and data were collected for another 21 days. Findings were statistically compared between exposure types and other groupings. RESULTS Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed no significant difference between exposure (pheromone or placebo) and URI incidence. Mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression revealed no significant relationship between exposure and daily stress scores. Three covariates had significant ORs: number of days in holding (OR, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76 to 0.84), owner-relinquished versus stray (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.18 to 8.94), and feral versus adult cat room at shelter A (OR, 11.10; 95% CI, 4.47 to 27.60). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE No evidence was found that the evaluated synthetic feline facial pheromone product had any effect on stress scores or URI incidence in shelter-housed cats. Therefore, other established methods for stress and URI reduction should be used in shelter settings.

Evaluation of surface antigen TF1.17 in feline Tritrichomonas foetus isolates

Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is a flagellated protozoa that infects the distal ileum and proximal colon of domestic cats, as well as the urogenital tract of cattle. Feline trichomonosis is recognized as a prevalent cause of chronic diarrhea in cats worldwide. The suspected route of transmission is fecal-oral, with cats in densely crowded environments at highest risk for infection. Thus, the recommended strategy for minimizing spread of infection is to identify and isolate T. foetus-positive cats from the general population. Rapid identification of infected cats can be challenging due to the inability to accurately and quickly detect the organism in samples at point of care facilities. Thus, identification of targets for use in development of a novel diagnostic test, as well as a vaccine or therapy for T. foetus infection is a significant area of research. Despite a difference in organ tropism between T. foetus genotypes, evidence exists for conserved virulence factors between feline and bovine T. foetus. The bovine T. foetus surface antigen, TF1.17, is an adhesin that is conserved across isolates. Vaccination with the purified antigen results in amelioration of cytopathogenicity and more rapid clearance of infection in cattle. We previously showed that three feline isolates of T. foetus were positive for TF1.17 antigen so we further hypothesized that TF1.17 is conserved across feline T. foetus isolates and that this antigen would represent an attractive target for development of a novel diagnostic test or therapy for feline trichomonosis. In these studies, we used monoclonal antibodies previously generated against 1.15 and 1.17 epitopes of the bovine T. foetus TF1.17 antigen, to evaluate for the presence and role of TF1.17 in the cytopathogenicity of feline T. foetus. A previously validated in vitro co-culture approach was used to model feline T. foetus infection. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescence assays, and flow cytometric analysis confirmed the presence and surface localization of antigen TF1.17 across all feline T. foetus isolates tested. Antigen TF1.17 was notably absent in the presumably nonpathogenic intestinal trichomonad, Pentatrichomonas hominis, a parasite that can be confused microscopically with T. foetus. Similar to bovine trichomoniasis, TF1.17 was found to promote T. foetus adhesion to the intestinal epithelium. These results support further characterization and development of the TF1.17 antigen as a possible target for the diagnosis and prevention of feline T. foetus infection.