A real-time reporting system of causes of death or reasons for euthanasia: A model for monitoring mortality in domesticated cats in Taiwan

Retrospective evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in cats with blunt trauma (2018-2021): 177 cases

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the utility of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker in cats with blunt trauma.

DESIGN

Retrospective study from January 2018 to December 2021.

SETTING

University teaching hospital.

ANIMALS

Medical records of 177 cats admitted with blunt trauma were evaluated. History, clinical findings, blood cell count-based ratios, thoracic radiographs on presentation, and outcome were reviewed. The Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) score was assessed in each cat and classified as mild (1-3), moderate (4-7), and severe trauma (≥8). Forty-eight healthy blood donor cats served as the control population. NLR, neutrophil counts, and lymphocyte counts were compared between cats with blunt trauma and controls, and among trauma patients.

INTERVENTIONS

None MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: NLR, neutrophil counts, and lymphocyte counts significantly differ in cats with blunt trauma compared to controls (p < 0.001), and NLR was higher in patients with thoracic trauma (p = 0.044). Nonsurvivors had lower lymphocyte counts (p = 0.041), although those values do not appear to be clinically relevant. A significant increase in NLR was observed with increasing severity of trauma (p < 0.001). The NLR was not associated with the length of hospitalization, intensive care assistance, or mortality.

CONCLUSION

NLR is a widely available diagnostic tool, which can be used in addition to ATT to assess trauma severity, although in our study it was not predictive of the outcome.

Life tables of annual life expectancy and risk factors for mortality in cats in the UK

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the present study were to generate the first life tables for the UK companion cat population overall as well as broken down by sex and breed status, and to quantify associations between mortality and traits such as sex, neuter status, breed status and body weight in relation to mortality.

METHODS

Life table construction and modelling included data on 7936 confirmed deaths in cats under primary veterinary care at clinics participating in the VetCompass Programme in 2019. The life tables were built for cats overall, female and male cats, and crossbred and purebred cats. Multivariable generalised linear regression models were generated to explore the risk factors for a shortened lifespan.

RESULTS

Life expectancy at age 0 for UK companion cats overall was 11.74 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.61-11.87). The probability of death at each year interval increased with age from year interval 3-4, with the probability value not exceeding 0.05 before year 9. Female cats (12.51 years; 95% CI 12.32-12.69) had a 1.33-year longer life expectancy than male cats (11.18 years; 95% CI 11.01-11.38) at age 0. Among the 12 breeds (including crossbred) analysed, Burmese and Birman had the longest life expectancy at year 0, showing 14.42 years (95% CI 12.91-15.93) and 14.39 years (95% CI 12.87-15.91), respectively. Sphynx had the shortest life expectancy at year 0 among the analysed breeds at 6.68 years (95% CI 4.53-8.83). Being entire, purebred and with a non-ideal body weight were significantly linked to a decreased lifespan.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The life tables presented here for companion cats in the UK overall, by sex, and by crossbred and purebred cats can contribute to a better understanding of the life trajectory of cats, helping with evidence-based decision-making for cat owners and the veterinary profession. We have also provided an updated life expectancy at age 0 for various cat breeds for 2019 and showed evidence of the association between non-ideal weight and a decreased lifespan.

Performance evaluation and validation of the Animal Trauma Triage score and modified Glasgow Coma Scale in injured cats: A Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) and modified Glasgow Coma Scale (mGCS) scores as predictors of mortality in injured cats.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study conducted September 2013 to March 2015.

SETTING

Nine Level I and II veterinary trauma centers.

ANIMALS

Consecutive sample of 711 cats reported on the Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) case registry.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We compared the predictive power (area under receiver operating characteristic curve; AUROC) and calibration of the ATT and mGCS scores to their components. Overall mortality risk was 16.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.9-19.4). Head trauma prevalence was 11.8% (n = 84). The ATT score showed a linear relationship with mortality risk. Discriminatory performance of the ATT score was excellent (AUROC = 0.87 [95% CI, 0.84-0.90]). Each ATT score increase of 1 point was associated with an increase in mortality odds of 1.78 (95% CI, 1.61-1.97, P < 0.001). The eye/muscle/integument category of the ATT showed the lowest discrimination (AUROC = 0.60). When this component, skeletal, and cardiac components were omitted from score calculation, there was no loss in discriminatory capacity compared with the full score (AUROC = 0.86 vs 0.87, respectively, P = 0.66). The mGCS showed fair performance overall for prediction of mortality, but the point estimate of performance improved when restricted to head trauma patients (AUROC = 0.75, 95% CI, 0.70-0.80 vs AUROC = 0.80, 95% CI, 0.70-0.90). The motor component of the mGCS showed the best predictive performance (AUROC = 0.71); however, the full score performed better than the motor component alone (P = 0.004). When assessment was restricted to patients with head injury (n = 84), there was no difference in performance between the ATT and mGCS scores (AUROC = 0.82 vs 0.80, P = 0.67).

CONCLUSION

On a large, multicenter dataset of feline trauma patients, the ATT score showed excellent discrimination and calibration for predicting mortality; however, an abbreviated score calculated from the perfusion, respiratory, and neurologic categories showed equivalent performance.

Predation and Risk Behaviors of Free-Roaming Owned Cats in Auckland, New Zealand via the Use of Animal-Borne Cameras

Free-roaming cats are at increased risk of injuring themselves as well as other domestic and fauna species, yet relatively little is known about the frequency at which risk and predation behaviors occur in a typical day. In this study, cat risk, and predation behavioral information was collected using animal-borne video cameras and global positioning system (GPS) units that were attached to break-free cat collars. The observation period was one to three consecutive days for 37 convenience sampled free-roaming owned cats in Auckland, New Zealand. Video footage was manually reviewed and all predation and risk behavior events were recorded. These included stalking, pursuing, and seizing prey as well as altercations with other cats, ingesting harmful substances, and venturing into hazardous locations such as roads and storm drains. During the observation period, 23 of the 37 cats (62.2%) engaged in a total of 121 predation events. Of these, 40 resulted in successful prey capture with 18 of the 40 captures involving New Zealand native fauna species. Invertebrates were the most common taxa preyed upon (n = 55; 46%), followed by skinks (n = 8; 7%). No mammalian, avian or amphibian prey were captured and no cat took prey back to their residence. A total of 326 risk behaviors were observed for 32 out of the 37 cats (86.5%) with the most common being cats venturing onto the road (n = 132; 41%). Younger cats (aged 1-6 six years) engaged in significantly more predation and risk behaviors than older cats (aged 7 years and above). Sex, breed, number of cats in a household, and geographic location were not found to be predictors of cats' participation in predation or risk behaviors. Given the high frequency of predation and risk behaviors in free-roaming owned cats, it may be beneficial to educate owners about strategies to minimize risk such as housing them indoors, containing them to their properties or monitoring their time spent outdoors.

A Preliminary Description of Companion Cat, Managed Stray Cat, and Unmanaged Stray Cat Welfare in Auckland, New Zealand Using a 5-Component Assessment Scale

Free-roaming cats are a polarizing issue in New Zealand and there is strong need for a comprehensive evaluation of their welfare to better inform population management decisions. In this study, a 5-component visual health-related welfare assessment scale was developed and piloted on a convenience sample of 213 free-roaming companion cats (CC), 210 managed stray cats (MS), and 253 unmanaged stray cats (UMS) from various locations in Auckland, New Zealand. The welfare assessment was performed through distance observation and consisted of body condition score (BCS); coat condition score; nose and eye discharge score; ear crusting score; and injury score. The majority of cats in all groups appeared generally healthy with no nose or eye discharge, ear crusting, or injuries. Although there were no appreciable differences in the apparent welfare of CC and MS cats, future studies with more robust sampling designs are needed to draw accurate inferences. The scale also requires further validation by comparing the visual observations against more detailed physical examination and biochemical data. Nonetheless, the results from this study provide preliminary information about assessing the health and welfare of stray cats as well as considerations for developing and implementing robust assessment scales.

Application of a Protocol Based on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to Manage Unowned Urban Cats on an Australian University Campus

Simple Summary

In Australia, management of the unowned urban cat population is a continuing challenge. This is because the numbers of cats culled in trap-and-kill programs are inadequate to balance the breeding rate of the remaining cats, and also because of immigration of sexually active cats from surrounding areas in a “vacuum” effect into areas where culling has been applied. In contrast, programs based on management of cat reproduction, such as trap-neuter-return (TNR), supplemented by rehoming of socializable cats and kittens, have been shown to produce significant reductions in free-living cat populations. However, evidence is lacking that these approaches are effective in an Australian context. In this paper, we document a nine-year TNR program on an Australian university campus, supplemented by rehoming, that reduced a free-living cat population from 69 to 15 cats, while also rehoming 19 campus-born kittens and managing a further 34 immigrant cats that either joined the resident colony (n = 16), were rehomed (n = 15), or died/disappeared (n = 3). Subsequent institutional support for the program was strong because of a reduction in complaints from campus staff and students, the minimal institutional costs, and the improved health status of the remaining cats, all of which are desexed, microchipped, registered and fed on a daily basis.

Abstract

In August 2008, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, commenced a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program to manage the population of approximately 69 free-roaming unowned urban cats on its Kensington campus. The goals of the program included an ongoing audit of cats on campus, stabilization of cat numbers through TNR, and a subsequent reduction in cat numbers over time while maintaining the health of remaining campus cats. Continuation of the TNR program over nine years resulted in a current population, as of September 2017, of 15 cats, all desexed (78% reduction). Regular monitoring of the cats through a daily feeding program identified a further 34 cats that immigrated on to campus since initiation of the program; these comprised 28 adult cats (16 unsocialized, 12 socialized) and six solitary kittens. In addition, 19 kittens were born on campus, 14 of which were born to immigrant pregnant females. Unsocialized adult immigrants were absorbed into the resident campus population. Where possible, socialized adult immigrants, solitary kittens, and campus-born kittens were removed from campus through rehoming. Overall, reasons for reductions in the cat population (original residents, immigrants, campus-born kittens; n = 122) included rehoming or return to owner (30%), death/euthanasia (30%) and disappearance (29%). This successful animal management program received some initial funding from the university to support desexing, but was subsequently funded through donations, and continues with the university’s approval and support.

A 3-year surveillance on causes of death or reasons for euthanasia of domesticated dogs in Taiwan

Over the last 2 decades, there has been growing interest in research on the mortality of domesticated pets. These studies relied on an effective data-collecting system. During 2012-2014, a real-time reporting system was designed for mortality data in owned dogs and cats. The present retrospective study aimed to report on the causes of death (CODs) or reasons for euthanasia (RFEs) in domesticated dogs in Taiwan, and to investigate CODs/RFEs segregated by demographic variables. Data from 2306 domesticated dogs were acquired during the 3-year period in the present study. The median age at death of the study population was 10.2 years (median interquartile range 7.0-14.0; range 0.0-25.0). Crossbred, female, and neutered dogs showed greater ages at death than other groups. The most common COD/RFE was neoplasia, followed by multiple organ involvement (MOI) and cardiovascular diseases. Segregated by cut-off ages, the most common COD/RFE was infection among dogs younger than 3 years or 1year, and neoplasia among dogs at or older than 3 years or 1year of age; the most common COD/RFE was neoplasia among dogs younger than median age, and MOI among dogs at or older than median age. Segregated by geographic variables, the ranking and frequency of CODs/RFEs displayed different patterns between the capital city/non-capital areas, and among areas stratified by human population densities. The study provides various insights into age at death and CODs/RFEs in owned-dog population in Taiwan, and provides new directions for future research.