Feeding Practices of Cat Owners

Laflamme, D. P., S. K. Abood, et al. (2008). "Pet feeding practices of dog and cat owners in the United States and Australia." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(5): 687-94.

The objective of this large telephone survey was to determine what and how dog and cat owners feed their pets. A random selection of pet owners were surveyed in multiple U.S. locations and 1 location in Australia. Over 1100 respondents provided data on feeding practices for 635 dogs and 469 cats. Over 98% of cat owners fed commercial food for at least one-half of the nutritional intake. In addition, 29% of cats received at least one-half of their diet from commercial canned foods, and 13% of cats were fed non-commercial foods as part of their main diet. Veterinarians were cited as the most common source of information on pet care and nutrition, but 16% of cat owners cited the internet and other media sources as their primary source of information.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Michel, K. E. (2006). "Unconventional diets for dogs and cats." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 36(6): 1269-81, vi-vii.
>> PubMed abstract

Wakefield, L., F. Shofer, et al. (2006). "Evaluation of cats fed vegetarian diets and attitudes of their caregivers." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 229(1): 70-73.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Laflamme, D. P., S. K. Abood, et al. (2008). "Pet feeding practices of dog and cat owners in the United States and Australia." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(5): 687-94.

The objective of this large telephone survey was to determine what and how dog and cat owners feed their pets. A random selection of pet owners were surveyed in multiple U.S. locations and 1 location in Australia. Over 1100 respondents provided data on feeding practices for 635 dogs and 469 cats. Over 98% of cat owners fed commercial food for at least one-half of the nutritional intake. In addition, 29% of cats received at least one-half of their diet from commercial canned foods, and 13% of cats were fed non-commercial foods as part of their main diet. Veterinarians were cited as the most common source of information on pet care and nutrition, but 16% of cat owners cited the internet and other media sources as their primary source of information.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Michel, K. E. (2006). "Unconventional diets for dogs and cats." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 36(6): 1269-81, vi-vii.
>> PubMed abstract

Wakefield, L., F. Shofer, et al. (2006). "Evaluation of cats fed vegetarian diets and attitudes of their caregivers." J Amer Vet Med Assoc 229(1): 70-73.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Prognosis for Cats with Urethral Obstruction

Gerber, B., S. Eichenberger, et al. (2008). "Guarded long-term prognosis in male cats with urethral obstruction." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 16-23.


This study, from the University of Zurich, evaluated 45 male cats with urethral obstruction or lower urinary tract signs due to urethral obstruction. Follow-up information from telephone interviews was available for 39 cats. Of the 22 cats with idiopathic urethral obstruction, 36% re-obstructed after a range of 3-728 days (median 17 days). Of the 10 cats with urolithiasis, 30% re-obstructed and of the 7 cats with urethral plugs, 43% re-obstructed. Most cats (51%) experienced recurrent signs of lower urinary tract disease, including obstruction. The most common reason for euthanasia was recurrent obstruction and was the end result for 21% of the cases.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Gerber, B., F. S. Boretti, et al. (2005). "Evaluation of clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease in European cats." J Small Anim Pract 46(12): 571-7.
>> PubMed abstract


Houston, D., A. Moore, et al. (2003). "Feline urethral plugs and bladder uroliths: a review of 5484 submissions 1998-2003." Can Vet J 44: 974-977.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Gerber, B., S. Eichenberger, et al. (2008). "Guarded long-term prognosis in male cats with urethral obstruction." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 16-23.


This study, from the University of Zurich, evaluated 45 male cats with urethral obstruction or lower urinary tract signs due to urethral obstruction. Follow-up information from telephone interviews was available for 39 cats. Of the 22 cats with idiopathic urethral obstruction, 36% re-obstructed after a range of 3-728 days (median 17 days). Of the 10 cats with urolithiasis, 30% re-obstructed and of the 7 cats with urethral plugs, 43% re-obstructed. Most cats (51%) experienced recurrent signs of lower urinary tract disease, including obstruction. The most common reason for euthanasia was recurrent obstruction and was the end result for 21% of the cases.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Gerber, B., F. S. Boretti, et al. (2005). "Evaluation of clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease in European cats." J Small Anim Pract 46(12): 571-7.
>> PubMed abstract


Houston, D., A. Moore, et al. (2003). "Feline urethral plugs and bladder uroliths: a review of 5484 submissions 1998-2003." Can Vet J 44: 974-977.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Pericardial Effusion in Cats

Davidson, B. J., A. C. Paling, et al. (2008). "Disease association and clinical assessment of feline pericardial effusion." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 44(1): 5-9.

Records of 83 cats with pericardial effusion diagnosed at Washington State University and the University of California (Davis) were reviewed to determine the main causes and clinical significance. The most common causes were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with congestive heart failure, cancer, and systemic infection. Most affected cats also had pleural effusion or pulmonary edema and signs of respiratory disease. Pericardial effusion is infrequent in cats, but is associated with serious cardiac and non-cardiac disease when it occurs and so warrants careful investigation.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Hall, D. J., F. Shofer, et al. (2007). "Pericardial effusion in cats: a retrospective study of clinical findings and outcome in 146 cats." J Vet Intern Med 21(5): 1002-7.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Davidson, B. J., A. C. Paling, et al. (2008). "Disease association and clinical assessment of feline pericardial effusion." J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 44(1): 5-9.

Records of 83 cats with pericardial effusion diagnosed at Washington State University and the University of California (Davis) were reviewed to determine the main causes and clinical significance. The most common causes were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with congestive heart failure, cancer, and systemic infection. Most affected cats also had pleural effusion or pulmonary edema and signs of respiratory disease. Pericardial effusion is infrequent in cats, but is associated with serious cardiac and non-cardiac disease when it occurs and so warrants careful investigation.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Hall, D. J., F. Shofer, et al. (2007). "Pericardial effusion in cats: a retrospective study of clinical findings and outcome in 146 cats." J Vet Intern Med 21(5): 1002-7.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Hemoplasma in Cats (formerly Hemobartonella)

Sykes, J. E., J. C. Terry, et al. (2008). "Prevalences of various hemoplasma species among cats in the United States with possible hemoplasmosis." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(3): 372-9.

Three species of hemoplasmas are known to infect cats, the most well known of which is Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly Hemobartonella felis). M. haemofelis is associated with hemolytic anemia in some infected cats. Two other hemoplasmas, M. haemominutum and M. turicensis, are less commonly associated with clinical disease. In this study, 310 blood samples that had been submitted to a commercial laboratory because the cats had anemia and/or they were suspected of having hemoplasmosis were evaluated with species-specific PCR assays. The prevalences were 23.2% for M. haemominutum, 4.8% for M. haemofelis, and 6.5% for M. turicensis. Male cats were more likely to be infected with hemoplasmas, and FeLV and FIV were strongly associated with M. haemofelis infection. The results of this study show that these hemoplasmas occur commonly in cats in the United States.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Willi, B., F. S. Boretti, et al. (2007). "From Haemobartonella to hemoplasma: Molecular methods provide new insights." Vet Microbiol 125(3-4): 197-209.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Sykes, J. E., J. C. Terry, et al. (2008). "Prevalences of various hemoplasma species among cats in the United States with possible hemoplasmosis." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(3): 372-9.

Three species of hemoplasmas are known to infect cats, the most well known of which is Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly Hemobartonella felis). M. haemofelis is associated with hemolytic anemia in some infected cats. Two other hemoplasmas, M. haemominutum and M. turicensis, are less commonly associated with clinical disease. In this study, 310 blood samples that had been submitted to a commercial laboratory because the cats had anemia and/or they were suspected of having hemoplasmosis were evaluated with species-specific PCR assays. The prevalences were 23.2% for M. haemominutum, 4.8% for M. haemofelis, and 6.5% for M. turicensis. Male cats were more likely to be infected with hemoplasmas, and FeLV and FIV were strongly associated with M. haemofelis infection. The results of this study show that these hemoplasmas occur commonly in cats in the United States.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Willi, B., F. S. Boretti, et al. (2007). "From Haemobartonella to hemoplasma: Molecular methods provide new insights." Vet Microbiol 125(3-4): 197-209.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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ProMeris(R) for Flea Control in Cats

Dryden, M., P. Payne, et al. (2008). "Efficacy of a topically applied spot-on formulation of a novel insecticide, metaflumizone, applied to cats against a flea strain (KS1) with documented reduced susceptibility to various insecticides." Vet Parasitol 151(1): 74-9.


Metaflumizone (ProMeris, Fort Dodge Animal Health) is a new spot-on flea control product available for both dogs and cats. In this study, metaflumizone was evaluated for its efficacy against a strain of fleas known to have some resistance to other insecticides. Three groups of cats were utilized: eight adult domestic shorthair cats were treated with metaflumizone, eight cats were treated with fipronil/methoprene (Frontline Plus, Merial), and eight cats served as untreated controls. Each cat was infested with fleas on a pre-determined schedule and flea-combed at intervals. Treatment with metaflumizone provided at least 99.3% efficacy for 3 weeks post-treatment; then 97.4% at 4 weeks, 91.4% at 5 weeks, and 86.2% at 6 weeks. Fipronil/methoprene provided 99.6% efficacy at 1 week post-treatment; then 97.6% at 2 weeks, declining to 13.1% efficacy at 6 weeks. The reduction in flea numbers was significantly greater for metaflumizone than for fipronil from 3 to 6 weeks post-treatment.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Heaney, K. and R. G. Lindahl (2007). "Safety of a topically applied metaflumizone spot-on formulation for flea control in cats and kittens." Vet Parasitol 150(3): 233-8.
>> PubMed abstract


Holzmer, S., J. A. Hair, et al. (2007). "Efficacy of a novel formulation of metaflumizone for the control of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) on cats." Vet Parasitol 150(3): 219-24.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Dryden, M., P. Payne, et al. (2008). "Efficacy of a topically applied spot-on formulation of a novel insecticide, metaflumizone, applied to cats against a flea strain (KS1) with documented reduced susceptibility to various insecticides." Vet Parasitol 151(1): 74-9.


Metaflumizone (ProMeris, Fort Dodge Animal Health) is a new spot-on flea control product available for both dogs and cats. In this study, metaflumizone was evaluated for its efficacy against a strain of fleas known to have some resistance to other insecticides. Three groups of cats were utilized: eight adult domestic shorthair cats were treated with metaflumizone, eight cats were treated with fipronil/methoprene (Frontline Plus, Merial), and eight cats served as untreated controls. Each cat was infested with fleas on a pre-determined schedule and flea-combed at intervals. Treatment with metaflumizone provided at least 99.3% efficacy for 3 weeks post-treatment; then 97.4% at 4 weeks, 91.4% at 5 weeks, and 86.2% at 6 weeks. Fipronil/methoprene provided 99.6% efficacy at 1 week post-treatment; then 97.6% at 2 weeks, declining to 13.1% efficacy at 6 weeks. The reduction in flea numbers was significantly greater for metaflumizone than for fipronil from 3 to 6 weeks post-treatment.
>> PubMed abstract


Related articles:
Heaney, K. and R. G. Lindahl (2007). "Safety of a topically applied metaflumizone spot-on formulation for flea control in cats and kittens." Vet Parasitol 150(3): 233-8.
>> PubMed abstract


Holzmer, S., J. A. Hair, et al. (2007). "Efficacy of a novel formulation of metaflumizone for the control of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) on cats." Vet Parasitol 150(3): 219-24.
>> PubMed abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Treatment of Feline Herpesvirus with Cidofovir

Fontenelle, J. P., C. C. Powell, et al. (2008). "Effect of topical ophthalmic application of cidofovir on experimentally induced primary ocular feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats." Am J Vet Res 69(2): 289-93.

The efficacy of twice-daily topical application of 0.5% cidofovir in cats with experimentally induced ocular feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infection was evaluated in this project. Twelve cats were infected with an FHV-1 field strain and divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received 1 drop of cidofovir solution in both eyes twice daily for 2 weeks, starting on day 4. The control group received 1 drop of the same solution but without cidofovir. The cats were evaluated with a standard scoring system for 24 days. Ocular viral shedding was assessed with PCR every 3 days. During the treatment period, the clinical scores and amount of viral shedding were significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. No systemic or local adverse effects were seen in the cats treated with cidofovir, and all cats were monitored for at least 1 year following the end of the project. Cidofovir may represent an effective new treatment for FHV-1 with the added benefits of causing less local irritation than currently available topical treatments, and requiring less frequent administration.
>> PubMed abstract

For further reading:
van der Meulen, K., B. Garre, et al. (2006). "In vitro comparison of antiviral drugs against feline herpesvirus 1." BMC Vet Res 2: 13.
>> Free full text article

Sandmeyer, L. S., C. B. Keller, et al. (2005). "Effects of cidofovir on cell death and replication of feline herpesvirus-1 in cultured feline corneal epithelial cells." Am J Vet Res 66(2): 217-22.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Fontenelle, J. P., C. C. Powell, et al. (2008). "Effect of topical ophthalmic application of cidofovir on experimentally induced primary ocular feline herpesvirus-1 infection in cats." Am J Vet Res 69(2): 289-93.

The efficacy of twice-daily topical application of 0.5% cidofovir in cats with experimentally induced ocular feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) infection was evaluated in this project. Twelve cats were infected with an FHV-1 field strain and divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received 1 drop of cidofovir solution in both eyes twice daily for 2 weeks, starting on day 4. The control group received 1 drop of the same solution but without cidofovir. The cats were evaluated with a standard scoring system for 24 days. Ocular viral shedding was assessed with PCR every 3 days. During the treatment period, the clinical scores and amount of viral shedding were significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. No systemic or local adverse effects were seen in the cats treated with cidofovir, and all cats were monitored for at least 1 year following the end of the project. Cidofovir may represent an effective new treatment for FHV-1 with the added benefits of causing less local irritation than currently available topical treatments, and requiring less frequent administration.
>> PubMed abstract

For further reading:
van der Meulen, K., B. Garre, et al. (2006). "In vitro comparison of antiviral drugs against feline herpesvirus 1." BMC Vet Res 2: 13.
>> Free full text article

Sandmeyer, L. S., C. B. Keller, et al. (2005). "Effects of cidofovir on cell death and replication of feline herpesvirus-1 in cultured feline corneal epithelial cells." Am J Vet Res 66(2): 217-22.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More

Quality of FeLV & FIV Tests

Hartmann, K., P. Griessmayr, et al. (2007). "Quality of different in-clinic test systems for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection." J Feline Med Surg 9(6): 439-45.


There are many commerical kits available for in-clinic diagnosis of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This study evaluated seven FIV and eight FeLV test kits. The researchers tested 536 serum samples from randomly selected cats. Positive FIV tests were confirmed with Western blot and positive FeLV tests were confirmed by virus isolation. Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of eact test were determined. All test kits performed well, with the exception of one kit that produced unacceptable numbers of invalid test results and results that are difficult to interpret. Positive test results should always be confirmed, especially in a healthy cat from a low-risk environment.
>> PubMed abstract


Current retroviral testing guidelines from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Hartmann, K., P. Griessmayr, et al. (2007). "Quality of different in-clinic test systems for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection." J Feline Med Surg 9(6): 439-45.


There are many commerical kits available for in-clinic diagnosis of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This study evaluated seven FIV and eight FeLV test kits. The researchers tested 536 serum samples from randomly selected cats. Positive FIV tests were confirmed with Western blot and positive FeLV tests were confirmed by virus isolation. Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of eact test were determined. All test kits performed well, with the exception of one kit that produced unacceptable numbers of invalid test results and results that are difficult to interpret. Positive test results should always be confirmed, especially in a healthy cat from a low-risk environment.
>> PubMed abstract


Current retroviral testing guidelines from the American Assoc. of Feline Practitioners


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More