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Ferrari F, Carnevale L, Brioschi FA, Bassi J, Zani DD, Romussi S, Galimberti L, Stefanello D, Rioldi S, Auletta L. Potential Factors Influencing Complete Functional Recovery in Traumatized Unowned Cats with Orthopedic Lesions-A Cohort Study. Vet Sci 2024; 11:59. [PMID: 38393077 PMCID: PMC10892440 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The management of unowned cats is an emerging problem, with public institutions and citizens' concerns regarding their care and arrangement. Little is known regarding the outcome of traumatic orthopedic injuries in these patients. Indeed, complete functional recovery (CFR) should be the goal of treatment for return to their original location or adoption. The aim was to identify clinical factors influencing CFR in traumatized unowned cats with orthopedic lesions. This category of cats referred by the veterinary public service over three years was enrolled. Various clinical variables were retrospectively collected from the medical records and evaluated by nominal logistic analysis. Forty-eight unowned cats were enrolled, with a median estimated age of 24 (1-180) months and a body weight of 3 (0.7-5) kg. Thirty-four (71%) patients reached CFR. Estimated age, body weight, time from trauma to therapeutic intervention, spine involvement, presence of comorbidities, hospitalization time, and the radiographic score results were significantly associated with CFR. A longer time to therapeutic intervention seemed to be associated with a better outcome. Probably, cats severely traumatized did not live long enough to be evaluated and treated. Lighter cats experienced more severe consequences following blunt trauma. Younger and lighter cats bore a higher risk of panleukopenia-related death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Liliana Carnevale
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Federica Alessandra Brioschi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Jessica Bassi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Davide Danilo Zani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Stefano Romussi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Luigi Galimberti
- Agenzia di Tutela della Salute—ATS Città Metropolitana di Milano Distretto Veterinario Alto Lodigiano, Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
| | - Damiano Stefanello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Sara Rioldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
| | - Luigi Auletta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (F.F.); (L.C.); (F.A.B.); (J.B.); (D.D.Z.); (S.R.); (S.R.); (L.A.)
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McDonald J, Finka L, Foreman-Worsley R, Skillings E, Hodgson D. Cat: Empirical modelling of Felis catus population dynamics in the UK. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287841. [PMID: 37437091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Domestic cats are popular companion animals, however not all live in human homes and many cats live within shelters or as free-roaming, unowned- feral or stray cats. Cats can transition between these subpopulations, but the influence of this connectivity on overall population dynamics, and the effectiveness of management interventions, remain poorly understood. We developed a UK-focused multistate Matrix Population Model (MPM), combining multiple life history parameters into an integrated model of cat demography and population dynamics. The model characterises cats according to their age, subpopulation and reproductive status, resulting in a 28-state model. We account for density-dependence, seasonality and uncertainty in our modelled projections. Through simulations, we examine the model by testing the effect of different female owned-cat neutering scenarios over a 10-year projection timespan. We also use the model to identify the vital rates to which total population growth is most sensitive. The current model framework demonstrates that increased prevalence of neutering within the owned cat subpopulation influences the population dynamics of all subpopulations. Further simulations find that neutering owned cats younger is sufficient to reduce overall population growth rate, regardless of the overall neutering prevalence. Population growth rate is most influenced by owned cat survival and fecundity. Owned cats, which made up the majority of our modelled population, have the most influence on overall population dynamics, followed by stray, feral and then shelter cats. Due to the importance of owned-cat parameters within the current model framework, we find cat population dynamics are most sensitive to shifts in owned cat husbandry. Our results provide a first evaluation of the demography of the domestic cat population in the UK and provide the first structured population model of its kind, thus contributing to a wider understanding of the importance of modelling connectivity between subpopulations. Through example scenarios we highlight the importance of studying domestic cat populations in their entirety to better understand factors influencing their dynamics and to guide management planning. The model provides a theoretical framework for further development, tailoring to specific geographies and experimental investigation of management interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni McDonald
- Feline Welfare Directorate, Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren Finka
- Feline Welfare Directorate, Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
| | - Rae Foreman-Worsley
- Feline Welfare Directorate, Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Skillings
- Feline Welfare Directorate, Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
| | - Dave Hodgson
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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Calver MC, Crawford HM, Scarff FR, Bradley JS, Dormon P, Boston S, Fleming PA. Intensive Adoption as a Management Strategy for Unowned, Urban Cats: A Case Study of 25 Years of Trap-Assess-Resolve (TAR) in Auckland, New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172301. [PMID: 36078020 PMCID: PMC9454951 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, unowned urban cats are a major concern because they may suffer from poor welfare and cause problems, including public health risks, nuisances, and urban wildlife predation. While management options are often presented as a choice between culling or trap−neuter−return (TNR), for 25 years, the Lonely Miaow (Inc.) charity in Auckland, New Zealand (hereafter LM), has used a third strategy—intensive adoption or trap−assess−resolve (TAR). As of 2019, of 14,611 unowned cats trapped, 64.2% were adopted, 22.2% were euthanized if unsocialised or in grave ill-health, 5.7% were neutered and returned to the site, and 7.9% had other outcomes, such as being transferred to other shelters. Adoption rates increased over this time, exceeding 80.0% in 2018 and 2019. The cost of processing each cat from capture to adoption rose from NZD 58 in 1999 to NZD 234 by 2017. Approximately 80% of colonies (sites where cats were trapped) were around residential areas. Approximately 22% of cats required veterinary treatment after capture; common ailments included respiratory infections, ringworm, dental problems, and trauma. Consistently, 52% of cats were young kittens (<10 weeks old), c. 80% of cats were <1 year old, and only c. 2% were estimated to be >5 years old. TAR avoids euthanasia where possible. Its effectiveness would be enhanced by fewer abandonments of owned cats and kittens, fitting within integrated strategies for the control of unowned cats involving community education. Cat adoptions improve the welfare of cats and, with appropriate husbandry, should alleviate concerns about nuisances, public health, and attacks on wildlife or the cats themselves, essentially benefitting the community and the cats. This case study is relevant to other cities around the world that are seeking to manage unowned cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Calver
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Heather M. Crawford
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Fiona R. Scarff
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - J. Stuart Bradley
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Peter Dormon
- Lonely Miaow Association, Lonely Miaow Association, 35a, Riddell Road, Glendowie, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
| | - Samantha Boston
- Lonely Miaow Association, Lonely Miaow Association, 35a, Riddell Road, Glendowie, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
| | - Patricia A. Fleming
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
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Borkin KM, Easton L, Bridgman L. Bats attacked by companion and feral cats: evidence from indigenous forest and rural landscapes in New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2022.2098782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Luke Easton
- Department of Conservation, Whakapapa, New Zealand. Previously Department of Conservation, Te Kuiti, New Zealand
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Vojtkovská V, Voslářová E, Večerek V. Changes in Health Indicators of Welfare in Group-Housed Shelter Cats. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:701346. [PMID: 34631847 PMCID: PMC8497757 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.701346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect changes in health-oriented welfare indicators of shelter cats housed in a shelter by means of long-term monitoring of health indicators of welfare in a population of group-housed cats in a private, no-kill shelter in the Czech Republic. The cat population housed in a large group was monitored for 1 year. The data recording took place at 2-week intervals. A total of 220 cats were evaluated using a protocol containing eight health-oriented welfare indicators: body condition, third eye visibility, eye discharge, eye irritation, nose discharge, the presence of pathologically induced respiratory sounds, coat condition, and lameness and abnormal posture. The assessment was performed based on the observation by two trained evaluators. The cats' condition was rated on a 5-point scale for each indicator, where the optimal condition was represented by the score of 1 and a severe deterioration by the score of 5 for the given indicator, except for the body condition indicator, where the optimal condition was represented by the score of 3. A deterioration in the score in at least one of the indicators during the stay in the shelter was recorded in 52 (41.6%) of 125 cats that were assessed at least twice. The effect of the LOS, sex and age on the scores for each health indicator was examined via a linear mixed model analysis, as this method allows for handling of dependencies in the data of repeated measurements. The effect of predictors on the third eye visibility scores was not found. The age of cats predicted the coat condition and body condition scores. The LOS predicted scores of the abnormal posture and lameness indicator and scores of a composite index composed of indicators related to upper respiratory tract disease. The results suggest that despite the fact that some improvement of health was documented during the cats' stay in the shelter, there were a non-negligible number of animals experiencing a permanent or long-term deterioration in health. Efforts to minimize the undesirable factors contributing to the deterioration of well-being of cats during their stay in a shelter should be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Vojtkovská
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Eva Voslářová
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Vladimír Večerek
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czechia
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French SK, Pearl DL, Lem M, Kilborn S, Donnelly B, Slater M. Understanding the associations between owner and pet demographics on pet body condition among those experiencing homelessness and housing vulnerability in Canada. Prev Vet Med 2021; 195:105454. [PMID: 34391080 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 35 000 people experience homelessness in some form each night in Canada, with similar rates (approximately 1/200 individuals) among developed countries. Ten to twenty percent of those individuals are pet owners. Animal companionship provides a variety of mental and physical benefits to people who are living homeless or vulnerably housed, but many in the non-vulnerable sector, including veterinary professionals and animal welfare advocates, express concern for the health and welfare of these animals. We describe the demographics of a population of animals owned by individuals experiencing homelessness and housing vulnerability, and investigate animal and owner factors influencing body condition score and over-conditioning using data collected from Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO). Community Veterinary Outreach is a registered charity focused on improving the health and welfare of people and their pets who are experiencing homelessness and housing vulnerability. The organization provides free services to clients in ten Canadian communities. Data associated with 636 owners and 946 animals were collected during clinics held between April 2018 and March 2020, representing a total of 1124 visits. The population of dogs and cats seen by CVO was demographically similar to populations seen in general companion animal veterinary practice and were in similar health. For both species, the mean body condition score was 5.4/9, where an ideal score is five for cats and four to five for dogs, and 38 % of animals were considered over-conditioned (overweight/obese). Risk factor analysis demonstrated significant associations between being over-conditioned and pet age and the reason for the veterinary visit for cats, and pet age, the number of abnormal findings on physical exam, and a previous CVO visit for dogs. Pet age, sex-neuter status, disease of the oral cavity, and a previous CVO visit were significantly associated with body condition score in cats. Body condition score in dogs was associated with owner age, and with interactions between pet age and breed size group, and between sex-neuter status and owner-reported housing security. These findings suggest that animals owned by those experiencing homeless and housing vulnerability are generally in good health and similar factors influence body condition score and over-conditioning as animals seen in general companion animal veterinary practice. Further efforts to provide support to pet owners within these communities by veterinarians will help support the good health of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon K French
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - David L Pearl
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Michelle Lem
- Community Veterinary Outreach, PO Box 75, Carp, ON, K2T1E3, Canada.
| | - Susan Kilborn
- Community Veterinary Outreach, PO Box 75, Carp, ON, K2T1E3, Canada.
| | - Blánaid Donnelly
- Community Veterinary Outreach, PO Box 75, Carp, ON, K2T1E3, Canada.
| | - Margaret Slater
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, NY, 10028, United States.
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Vojtkovská V, Voslářová E, Večerek V. Methods of Assessment of the Welfare of Shelter Cats: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091527. [PMID: 32872242 PMCID: PMC7552334 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
At any moment, there are millions of cats housed in foster care facilities for abandoned and stray animals for various reasons worldwide. Care, management and regulation among these facilities differ. Moreover, shelters can never substitute the full comfort of a good home for the animal, and the welfare of cats in shelters is a subject of discussion in many respects. Cats are animals sensitive to changes; for most of them, placement in a shelter is a stressful experience because of changes in routine, environment and the presence of other animals. Stress is reflected in changes in behaviour, causes fluctuations in physiological values and disrupts the immune system, which is a predisposition to the development or reactivation of disease. Evaluation of the presence and intensity of negative impacts is possible through the use of evaluation tools based on indicators that help set the environment and management of keeping so as to disrupt the quality of life as little as possible. Although a comprehensive and valid welfare tool that would evaluate animal-based and at the same time resource-based (or management-based) indicators of cats in shelters is not currently available, it is possible to use partial evaluation of individual welfare indicators to assess welfare. This review aims to provide the readers with an insight into current options of assessment of the welfare of cats in shelters with an emphasis on behavioural, physiological and health indicators with an application in both practical and scientific contexts.
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A Case of Letting the Cat out of The Bag-Why Trap-Neuter-Return Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat ( Felis catus) Management. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9040171. [PMID: 30995809 PMCID: PMC6523511 DOI: 10.3390/ani9040171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, in which stray cats are captured, neutered and returned to the environment are advocated as a humane, ethical alternative to euthanasia. We review the TNR literature in light of current debate over whether or not there should be further TNR trials in Australia. We revisit the problems arising from stray cats living in association with human habitation and estimate how many stray cats would have to be processed through a scientifically-guided TNR program to avoid high euthanasia rates. We also identify 10 ethical and welfare challenges that have to be addressed: we consider the quality of life for stray cats, where they would live, whether the TNR process itself is stressful, whether TNR cats are vulnerable to injury, parasites and disease, can be medically treated, stray cats' body condition and diet, and their impacts on people, pet cats, and urban wildlife, especially endemic fauna. We conclude that TNR is unsuitable for Australia in almost all situations because it is unlikely to resolve problems caused by stray cats or meet ethical and welfare challenges. Targeted adoption, early-age desexing, community education initiatives and responsible pet ownership have greater promise to minimize euthanasia, reduce numbers rapidly, and address the identified issues.
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