Vitamin B6 may affect heart disease risk: Study

Low levels of vitamin B6 may increase the risk of inflammation and metabolic conditions, and subsequently cardiovascular disease risk, says a new study.

A cross-sectional study with 1,205 people found that higher levels of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, as well as lower levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker for oxidative stress, both of which are related to heart disease risk.

CRP is produced in the liver and is a known marker for inflammation. Increased levels of CRP are a good predictor for the onset of both type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. CVD causes almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe, and is reported to cost the EU economy an estimated €169 billion ($202 billion) per year.

Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University report their findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

“Our data suggest that vitamin B-6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through mechanisms other than [reduction of the amino acid] homocysteine and support the notion that nutritional status may influence the health disparities present in this population,” wrote the researchers, led by Jian Shen.

Study details

Shen and co-workers measured levels of PLP, CRP, and 8-OHdG in 1,205 Puerto Rican adults aged between 45 and 75 and living in Massachusetts.

Results showed a strong dose-dependent relationship between PLP levels and CRP levels, with the highest PLP levels associated with CRP levels almost 50 per cent lower than low PLP levels.

Furthermore, the highest average levels of PLP were associated with 8-OHdG concentrations of 108 nanograms per milligram, compared to 124 ng/mg for low PLP levels.

The associations were observed even after the researchers took into account homocysteine levels.

It is not the first time that PLP levels have been linked to CRP levels. A Harvard study reported last year that PLP levels were slightly inversely correlated with blood levels of CRP, and may also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 per cent (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, Vol. 18, pp. 1197-1202).

Low levels of vitamin B6 may increase the risk of inflammation and metabolic conditions, and subsequently cardiovascular disease risk, says a new study.

A cross-sectional study with 1,205 people found that higher levels of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, as well as lower levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker for oxidative stress, both of which are related to heart disease risk.

CRP is produced in the liver and is a known marker for inflammation. Increased levels of CRP are a good predictor for the onset of both type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. CVD causes almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe, and is reported to cost the EU economy an estimated €169 billion ($202 billion) per year.

Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University report their findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

“Our data suggest that vitamin B-6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through mechanisms other than [reduction of the amino acid] homocysteine and support the notion that nutritional status may influence the health disparities present in this population,” wrote the researchers, led by Jian Shen.

Study details

Shen and co-workers measured levels of PLP, CRP, and 8-OHdG in 1,205 Puerto Rican adults aged between 45 and 75 and living in Massachusetts.

Results showed a strong dose-dependent relationship between PLP levels and CRP levels, with the highest PLP levels associated with CRP levels almost 50 per cent lower than low PLP levels.

Furthermore, the highest average levels of PLP were associated with 8-OHdG concentrations of 108 nanograms per milligram, compared to 124 ng/mg for low PLP levels.

The associations were observed even after the researchers took into account homocysteine levels.

It is not the first time that PLP levels have been linked to CRP levels. A Harvard study reported last year that PLP levels were slightly inversely correlated with blood levels of CRP, and may also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 per cent (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, Vol. 18, pp. 1197-1202).

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How pastured organic cows produce a better glass of milk

Pour a tall, creamy glass of cold milk and picture a herd of peaceful cows, grazing happily in a grassy green pasture. Pour a second glass and imagine a long line of cows confined indoors, penned in a long line of cramped stalls with noisy fans blowing air in and out. Food—grain, mostly corn, laced with supplements and medication—is brought to a trough in front of them,; the remains of which they deposit into another trough behind them, where it runs into what's known as the manure pit.

If you're drinking milk from a family farm, your first picture is more likely to be true. But if your milk came from a large commercial dairy, it's almost certain the cows that gave your milk rarely see grass, much less the out-of-doors, and their living conditions look like the second image, or worse. More and more consumers are choosing the kind of farming represented by the first glass of milk. And that means more and more farmers can make the same choice.

Large-scale confinement farms dominate dairy production in the U.S. today. Only 10-15% of U.S. dairy farms are pasture-based, meaning cows are fed primarily outdoors on pasture, rather than indoors on grain. But a growing number of farmers—including Organic Valley farmers—are finding pasture-based farming can also mean healthier cows, more nutritious dairy products, profitable family farms and sustainable land stewardship. Like forward-thinking farmers in New Zealand, Ireland and elsewhere, they are turning to pasturing as the preferred way to farm.

Pasturing methods are a good fit with organic farming, but organic does not always mean pastured. USDA Organic standards require "access to pasture" as part of an organic livestock system. This minimum standard does not specify how often or how long cows are outdoors, nor does it require they be fed live grasses. The standards permit confinement "as needed" for weather and "stage of production," leaving considerable leeway for cows to be kept indoors and fed grain most of the time.

Some organic farmers would like to see the USDA standards made more strict, to mandate a higher percentage of pasture feeding. There is also a process underway to set USDA labeling standards for 100% grass-fed products. Even if all that happens, it will be difficult for consumers to differentiate certified organic from grass-fed certified organic, with its added benefits. The family farmers of Organic Valley are committed to pasturing as they continue to lead the organic dairy industry, and many of their practices go beyond the minimum standards for organic certification.

Once, nearly all dairy cattle were pasture-raised. That usually meant turning cows out to graze freely, often resulting in overgrazing, trampling and waste. Such practices, along with a surplus of cheap subsidized corn, encouraged the rise of confinement feeding. But it turns out all pasture-based dairy farming is not the same. Methods known as Management Intensive Rotational Grazing (MIRG) or Holistic Resource Management (HRM) offer significant benefits over both confinement and old-style grazing methods and can make pasturing both economical and ecological.

Managed grazing involves dividing a pasture into pens or paddocks, and shifting the cows from paddock to paddock as they graze. Cows are moved based on the condition of the grass—allowing the farmer to avoid overgrazing, giving cows access to pasture at the peak of nutrition and the right height for grazing, and letting the animals spread manure evenly over the entire pasture. Rotation also extends the grazing season, and often produces enough surplus grass during the summer months to provide silage for feed in winter.

After Organic Valley farmer Ernest Martin converted his Ohio farm to pasture, the shift to organic methods required few additional changes. He had already stopped growing corn for feed so he wasn't using synthetic chemicals anyway. He now buys some organic grain to supplement his cows' feed, and has found alternatives to antibiotics. He believes grazing methods are especially important in the organic world. "It's as close to nature as you will find," he says.

Pour a tall, creamy glass of cold milk and picture a herd of peaceful cows, grazing happily in a grassy green pasture. Pour a second glass and imagine a long line of cows confined indoors, penned in a long line of cramped stalls with noisy fans blowing air in and out. Food—grain, mostly corn, laced with supplements and medication—is brought to a trough in front of them,; the remains of which they deposit into another trough behind them, where it runs into what's known as the manure pit.

If you're drinking milk from a family farm, your first picture is more likely to be true. But if your milk came from a large commercial dairy, it's almost certain the cows that gave your milk rarely see grass, much less the out-of-doors, and their living conditions look like the second image, or worse. More and more consumers are choosing the kind of farming represented by the first glass of milk. And that means more and more farmers can make the same choice.

Large-scale confinement farms dominate dairy production in the U.S. today. Only 10-15% of U.S. dairy farms are pasture-based, meaning cows are fed primarily outdoors on pasture, rather than indoors on grain. But a growing number of farmers—including Organic Valley farmers—are finding pasture-based farming can also mean healthier cows, more nutritious dairy products, profitable family farms and sustainable land stewardship. Like forward-thinking farmers in New Zealand, Ireland and elsewhere, they are turning to pasturing as the preferred way to farm.

Pasturing methods are a good fit with organic farming, but organic does not always mean pastured. USDA Organic standards require "access to pasture" as part of an organic livestock system. This minimum standard does not specify how often or how long cows are outdoors, nor does it require they be fed live grasses. The standards permit confinement "as needed" for weather and "stage of production," leaving considerable leeway for cows to be kept indoors and fed grain most of the time.

Some organic farmers would like to see the USDA standards made more strict, to mandate a higher percentage of pasture feeding. There is also a process underway to set USDA labeling standards for 100% grass-fed products. Even if all that happens, it will be difficult for consumers to differentiate certified organic from grass-fed certified organic, with its added benefits. The family farmers of Organic Valley are committed to pasturing as they continue to lead the organic dairy industry, and many of their practices go beyond the minimum standards for organic certification.

Once, nearly all dairy cattle were pasture-raised. That usually meant turning cows out to graze freely, often resulting in overgrazing, trampling and waste. Such practices, along with a surplus of cheap subsidized corn, encouraged the rise of confinement feeding. But it turns out all pasture-based dairy farming is not the same. Methods known as Management Intensive Rotational Grazing (MIRG) or Holistic Resource Management (HRM) offer significant benefits over both confinement and old-style grazing methods and can make pasturing both economical and ecological.

Managed grazing involves dividing a pasture into pens or paddocks, and shifting the cows from paddock to paddock as they graze. Cows are moved based on the condition of the grass—allowing the farmer to avoid overgrazing, giving cows access to pasture at the peak of nutrition and the right height for grazing, and letting the animals spread manure evenly over the entire pasture. Rotation also extends the grazing season, and often produces enough surplus grass during the summer months to provide silage for feed in winter.

After Organic Valley farmer Ernest Martin converted his Ohio farm to pasture, the shift to organic methods required few additional changes. He had already stopped growing corn for feed so he wasn't using synthetic chemicals anyway. He now buys some organic grain to supplement his cows' feed, and has found alternatives to antibiotics. He believes grazing methods are especially important in the organic world. "It's as close to nature as you will find," he says.

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Tramadol for Treatment of Pain in Cats

Pypendop BH, Siao KT, Ilkiw JE. Effects of tramadol hydrochloride on the thermal threshold in cats. Am J Vet Res. Dec 2009;70(12):1465-1470.

Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic agent that is increasingly being used to treat pain in cats, though limited data are available on analgesic efficacy. Six healthy adult cats were used in this study to determine the thermal antinociceptive effect of the oral administration of tramadol at doses between 0.5 and 4 mg/kg in cats. An antinociceptive effect refers to reduction of sensitivity to painful stimuli. Results showed that doses of 2 mg/kg and higher were necessary to yield a significant and sustained effect. All six cats exhibited mydriasis (dilated pupils) after administration of 3 and 4 mg/kg. Three of the six cats appeared to have a facial itch at different doses of 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg, respectively. No clinically important adverse effect was observed in the cats though this study was not designed to assess the safety of tramadol in cats. This study suggests that a dose of 4 mg/kg given every 6 hours will maintain analgesia close to the maximum effect of tramadol. [VT]

Related articles:
Brondani JT, Loureiro Luna SP, Beier SL, Minto BW, Padovani CR. Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(6):420-429.

Pypendop BH, Ilkiw JE. Pharmacokinetics of tramadol, and its metabolite O-desmethyl-tramadol, in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. Feb 2008;31(1):52-59.

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Pypendop BH, Siao KT, Ilkiw JE. Effects of tramadol hydrochloride on the thermal threshold in cats. Am J Vet Res. Dec 2009;70(12):1465-1470.

Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic agent that is increasingly being used to treat pain in cats, though limited data are available on analgesic efficacy. Six healthy adult cats were used in this study to determine the thermal antinociceptive effect of the oral administration of tramadol at doses between 0.5 and 4 mg/kg in cats. An antinociceptive effect refers to reduction of sensitivity to painful stimuli. Results showed that doses of 2 mg/kg and higher were necessary to yield a significant and sustained effect. All six cats exhibited mydriasis (dilated pupils) after administration of 3 and 4 mg/kg. Three of the six cats appeared to have a facial itch at different doses of 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg, respectively. No clinically important adverse effect was observed in the cats though this study was not designed to assess the safety of tramadol in cats. This study suggests that a dose of 4 mg/kg given every 6 hours will maintain analgesia close to the maximum effect of tramadol. [VT]

Related articles:
Brondani JT, Loureiro Luna SP, Beier SL, Minto BW, Padovani CR. Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(6):420-429.

Pypendop BH, Ilkiw JE. Pharmacokinetics of tramadol, and its metabolite O-desmethyl-tramadol, in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. Feb 2008;31(1):52-59.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Cats

Hayes G. Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 208 cases. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2009;50(11):576-583.

Ingestion of foreign bodies, including string-like objects (linear foreign body), is a common presenting problem seen in feline medicine. Foreign bodies may cause partial or complete gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, resulting in disturbances of fluid and electrolyte balance as well as dehydration. Damage to the intestinal tract may also occur. This study reviewed the records of 208 cases of GI foreign bodies in dogs and cats that presented to the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital in the UK from June 2003 to May 2007. Twenty-one cats were included in the study, with 3 cats presenting on 2 separate occasions. Twenty-five percent of the cases in cats involved a linear foreign body. The types of foreign objects included plastic or rubber objects, string, rope or fishing line, and needle and thread. Survival rates were higher with discrete foreign bodies (100%) than linear foreign bodies (63%). Increased mortality was also associated with a longer duration of clinical signs and multiple surgical procedures. The degree of obstruction and the locatn of the foreign body had no influence on survival. The authors conclude that prompt presentation, diagnosis and surgical intervention improve the outcome of animals with GI foreign bodies. [SL]

Related articles:
Tyrrell D, Beck C. Survey of the use of radiography vs. ultrasonography in the investigation of gastrointestinal foreign bodies in small animals. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. Jul-Aug 2006;47(4):404-408.

Bebchuk TN. Feline gastrointestinal foreign bodies. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. Jul 2002;32(4):861-880, vi.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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New for 2010: Subscribe to our e-newsletter

Hayes G. Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 208 cases. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2009;50(11):576-583.

Ingestion of foreign bodies, including string-like objects (linear foreign body), is a common presenting problem seen in feline medicine. Foreign bodies may cause partial or complete gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, resulting in disturbances of fluid and electrolyte balance as well as dehydration. Damage to the intestinal tract may also occur. This study reviewed the records of 208 cases of GI foreign bodies in dogs and cats that presented to the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital in the UK from June 2003 to May 2007. Twenty-one cats were included in the study, with 3 cats presenting on 2 separate occasions. Twenty-five percent of the cases in cats involved a linear foreign body. The types of foreign objects included plastic or rubber objects, string, rope or fishing line, and needle and thread. Survival rates were higher with discrete foreign bodies (100%) than linear foreign bodies (63%). Increased mortality was also associated with a longer duration of clinical signs and multiple surgical procedures. The degree of obstruction and the locatn of the foreign body had no influence on survival. The authors conclude that prompt presentation, diagnosis and surgical intervention improve the outcome of animals with GI foreign bodies. [SL]

Related articles:
Tyrrell D, Beck C. Survey of the use of radiography vs. ultrasonography in the investigation of gastrointestinal foreign bodies in small animals. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. Jul-Aug 2006;47(4):404-408.

Bebchuk TN. Feline gastrointestinal foreign bodies. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. Jul 2002;32(4):861-880, vi.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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New for 2010: Subscribe to our e-newsletter

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Feline Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Thompson K, Parnell N, Hohenhaus A, Moore G, Rondeau M. Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: 16 cases (1992-2007). J Feline Med Surg. 2009;11(12):935-940.

This study reviewed the medical records of 16 cats diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The exocrine pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the upper small intestine (duodenum) and when there is an insufficiency of pancreatic digestive enzymes, macronutrients (amino acids, triglycerides, and carbohydrates) are not broken down into smaller units and absorbed by the small intestine. Weight loss was the most common clinical sign noted in 15 cats (94%) followed by diarrhea, polyphagia and vomiting. Concurrent disease was found in 10 of 16 cats (63%). Some of the concurrent diseases were lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and gastritis, urinary tract disease and hepatic disease. Diagnosis was confirmed with either a serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration less than 12 mcg/l or a fecal proteolytic activity (FPA) less than 6 mm for three consecutive days. The most common laboratory abnormalities were normocytic normochromic anemia, lymphopenia, neutrophilia, increased alanine transferase activity, hyperglycemia, and increased bilirubin concentrations. All 10 cats tested for serum cobalamin levels were found to be deficient. All 10 cats tested for serum folate concentrations had normal to increased levels. Ten of the 11 cats undergoing treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement had a partial response. Feline EPI appears to be an uncommon disease in cats in that the prevalence at four institutions was less than 0.1% of all cats seen. EPI should still be considered as a differential diagnosis in any cat with weight loss or poor growth and when other more common diseases have been ruled out. Concurrent disease is common in feline EPI. Since cobalamin deficiency is common in cats with EPI, cats should also receive cobalamin supplementation to improve response to treatment. [VT]

Related articles:
Steiner J, Williams D. Serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity in cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. J Vet Intern Med. 2000;14(6):627.

Steiner J, Williams D. Feline exocrine pancreatic disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999;29(2):551-575.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Thompson K, Parnell N, Hohenhaus A, Moore G, Rondeau M. Feline exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: 16 cases (1992-2007). J Feline Med Surg. 2009;11(12):935-940.

This study reviewed the medical records of 16 cats diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The exocrine pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the upper small intestine (duodenum) and when there is an insufficiency of pancreatic digestive enzymes, macronutrients (amino acids, triglycerides, and carbohydrates) are not broken down into smaller units and absorbed by the small intestine. Weight loss was the most common clinical sign noted in 15 cats (94%) followed by diarrhea, polyphagia and vomiting. Concurrent disease was found in 10 of 16 cats (63%). Some of the concurrent diseases were lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and gastritis, urinary tract disease and hepatic disease. Diagnosis was confirmed with either a serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentration less than 12 mcg/l or a fecal proteolytic activity (FPA) less than 6 mm for three consecutive days. The most common laboratory abnormalities were normocytic normochromic anemia, lymphopenia, neutrophilia, increased alanine transferase activity, hyperglycemia, and increased bilirubin concentrations. All 10 cats tested for serum cobalamin levels were found to be deficient. All 10 cats tested for serum folate concentrations had normal to increased levels. Ten of the 11 cats undergoing treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement had a partial response. Feline EPI appears to be an uncommon disease in cats in that the prevalence at four institutions was less than 0.1% of all cats seen. EPI should still be considered as a differential diagnosis in any cat with weight loss or poor growth and when other more common diseases have been ruled out. Concurrent disease is common in feline EPI. Since cobalamin deficiency is common in cats with EPI, cats should also receive cobalamin supplementation to improve response to treatment. [VT]

Related articles:
Steiner J, Williams D. Serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity in cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. J Vet Intern Med. 2000;14(6):627.

Steiner J, Williams D. Feline exocrine pancreatic disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999;29(2):551-575.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Weight Loss Diets for Cats

Linder D, Freeman L. Evaluation of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight loss in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;236(1):74-77.

Obesity is a very common health problem in dogs and cats, with between 22 and 44% of the dog and cat populations in the United States currently overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to determine the range of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight management in dogs and cats. Forty-nine feline diets had a weight management claim with feeding directions for weight loss or implied weight management claims. The feeding directions for weight loss were compared with resting energy requirements (RER) for current body weight by use of a standard body weight of 5.5 kg (12 lb) for feline diets. More than half of all foods in the study had a caloric density greater than the AAFCO maximum caloric density for light diets. This would make successfully attaining weight loss without carefully controlling caloric intake difficult. Another problem noted in the study was a wide range in feeding directions and high variability in estimates of calorie requirements for weight loss. Therefore, successful weight loss is unlikely with most diets. Most pets require caloric restriction to less than the RER for current body weight and some must have substantially less than the RER to achieve weight loss. It is always necessary to adjust feeding recommendations for each animal. Weight loss requires lifestyle changes such as an increase in physical activity. The authors recommended pet food companies could assist in improving pet health by developing foods with lower caloric density on a volume basis, making accurate feeding directions based on optimal weight rather than current weight, and providing caloric information on all labels of pet foods and treats. [VT]

Related articles:
Roudebush P, Schoenherr WD, Delaney SJ. An evidence-based review of the use of nutraceuticals and dietary supplementation for the management of obese and overweight pets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Jun 1 2008;232(11):1646-1655.

German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. Jul 2006;136(7 Suppl):1940S-1946S.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Linder D, Freeman L. Evaluation of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight loss in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;236(1):74-77.

Obesity is a very common health problem in dogs and cats, with between 22 and 44% of the dog and cat populations in the United States currently overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to determine the range of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight management in dogs and cats. Forty-nine feline diets had a weight management claim with feeding directions for weight loss or implied weight management claims. The feeding directions for weight loss were compared with resting energy requirements (RER) for current body weight by use of a standard body weight of 5.5 kg (12 lb) for feline diets. More than half of all foods in the study had a caloric density greater than the AAFCO maximum caloric density for light diets. This would make successfully attaining weight loss without carefully controlling caloric intake difficult. Another problem noted in the study was a wide range in feeding directions and high variability in estimates of calorie requirements for weight loss. Therefore, successful weight loss is unlikely with most diets. Most pets require caloric restriction to less than the RER for current body weight and some must have substantially less than the RER to achieve weight loss. It is always necessary to adjust feeding recommendations for each animal. Weight loss requires lifestyle changes such as an increase in physical activity. The authors recommended pet food companies could assist in improving pet health by developing foods with lower caloric density on a volume basis, making accurate feeding directions based on optimal weight rather than current weight, and providing caloric information on all labels of pet foods and treats. [VT]

Related articles:
Roudebush P, Schoenherr WD, Delaney SJ. An evidence-based review of the use of nutraceuticals and dietary supplementation for the management of obese and overweight pets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Jun 1 2008;232(11):1646-1655.

German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. Jul 2006;136(7 Suppl):1940S-1946S.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Follow us on Twitter

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Causes of Mortality in Swedish Pedigreed Cats

Egenvall A, Nodtvedt A, Haggstrom J, Strom Holst B, Moller L, Bonnett BN. Mortality of life-insured Swedish cats during 1999-2006: age, breed, sex, and diagnosis. J Vet Intern Med. Sep 22 2009;23(6):1175-1183.

In this project, a pet life insurance database in Sweden was used to study common causes of death in cats under 13 years of age. The total number of insured cats from 1999-2006 was 49,450. Most cats in the database belonged to a pedigreed breed. During the period studied, 6,491 cats died and of these, 71% had a diagnosis in the database. Overall mortality varied with age and breed, but was not affected by gender. The five most common categories of causes of death were: urinary problems, trauma, neoplasia, infections and cardiovascular problems. The mortality rates for Persians and Siamese were higher than most other breeds and the mortality rate for Bengals was low. The median age of death for cats in this population is over 12 years of age. [SL]

Related articles:
New J, Kelch W, Hutchison J, et al. Birth and death rate estimates of cats and dogs in U.S. households and related factors. J Appl Anim Welfare Sci. 2004;7(4):229-241.

Murray JK, Skillings E, Gruffydd-Jones TJ. A study of risk factors for cat mortality in adoption centres of a UK cat charity. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2008;10(4):338-345.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Egenvall A, Nodtvedt A, Haggstrom J, Strom Holst B, Moller L, Bonnett BN. Mortality of life-insured Swedish cats during 1999-2006: age, breed, sex, and diagnosis. J Vet Intern Med. Sep 22 2009;23(6):1175-1183.

In this project, a pet life insurance database in Sweden was used to study common causes of death in cats under 13 years of age. The total number of insured cats from 1999-2006 was 49,450. Most cats in the database belonged to a pedigreed breed. During the period studied, 6,491 cats died and of these, 71% had a diagnosis in the database. Overall mortality varied with age and breed, but was not affected by gender. The five most common categories of causes of death were: urinary problems, trauma, neoplasia, infections and cardiovascular problems. The mortality rates for Persians and Siamese were higher than most other breeds and the mortality rate for Bengals was low. The median age of death for cats in this population is over 12 years of age. [SL]

Related articles:
New J, Kelch W, Hutchison J, et al. Birth and death rate estimates of cats and dogs in U.S. households and related factors. J Appl Anim Welfare Sci. 2004;7(4):229-241.

Murray JK, Skillings E, Gruffydd-Jones TJ. A study of risk factors for cat mortality in adoption centres of a UK cat charity. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2008;10(4):338-345.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Follow us on Twitter

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