Health articles
Les maladies
- P.K.D. 1 (Polycystic Kidney Disease)
- P.K.D. 2 (Polycystic Kidney Disease)
- Feline infectious peritonitis, in practice?
- La panleucopénie infectieuse
- Le coryza viral en élevage félin
Les parasites du chat
Articles de santé
- Early spay and neuter in the cat
- La stérilisation chez le chat
- Identification génétique Féline
- Besoins nutritionnels de la chatte reproductrice
Les maladies
Feline infectious peritonitis is a disease which has been, is, and will be much talked about as regards cat breeding. Half-way between a viral affection and an autoimmune disease, it shows a very specific functioning mode.
Reminders-Generalities
Actually, most often when talking of FIP, one should talk of feline coronoviruses.
Therefore, let’s talk of feline coronaviruses…
This family can be classified in many different ways. We have chosen to present it as follows:
• feline entiric coronaviruses (FECV)
• coronaviruses responsible for FIP (FIPV)
FIPV’s are responsible for FIP, the disease. While feline enteric coronaviruses cause affections that are most of the time asymptomatic. What is special about FIPV’s is that they come from a mutation of FECV’s. A mutation is an « error » happening during the viral multiplication, here, it makes the virus more pathogenous.The FPIV’s then become able to enter some types of white blood cells ( called macrophages ) and to turn the latter against the organism (autoimmune component of the disease).
A few figures
It is estimated that 80% of the cats entering a show are seropositive for the coronavirus. ( UK data). This shows how common coronaviruses are among feline communities and how difficult it is to get rid of them.
Of course and fortunately, all those cats won’t develop FIP. The disease will occur if the mutation takes place. We now know that only 5 to 12% of the individuals will develop a disease.
« The FIP serology has killed more cats than FIP. » F.Scott’s famous sentence illustrates how limited FIP serology is ( in fact it is a coronavirus serology…) A positive result to that test only means that the cat has been in contact with a coronavirus more or less recently and, that ‘s all ! ! ! The test can neither be considered as a prognosis nor help assess the risk factors of the disease to appear.
How can I minimize the occurance of clinical FIP within my cattery?
As it is very difficult to become free of coronaviruses, most of the time one has to « live with them ». It is not the presence of the virus which is harmful but its circulation. The more the virus circulates, the greater the risks for it to mute, so the more harmful it is. Consequently, the circulation of the virus must be limited by general and common sense hygiene practices.
* limiting overpopulation:
In case of an important number of cats, it is preferable to separate the individuals in several groups of 4-5 individuals. Limiting overpopulation also implies to manage the reproduction planning. Actually, having four females or four females and sixteen kittens is absolutely different as regards risks factors management.
*separating sensitive individuals:
Even with family breeding, a room for the queen and kittens must be arranged ( a bedroom can be used for the purpose)
* isolating sick individuals
Theoretically, FIP affected individuals excrete little or not any coronavirus.
Anyhow, « field » observations of FIP epidemics within various catteries leave the phenomenon unclear.
Therefore, it is preferable to isolate the affected individuals ( we remind you that a room for infimary is legally compulsory with cat breeding).
* The move forward principle:
This universal hygiene principle should be implemented, even with family size catteries.It is admitted that the right thing to do when going from one place to the other is to move from sensitive sectors (maternity, nursery) to potentially more hazardous sectors (adults, infirmary, quarantine). The principle must be adapted to the cattery structures and respected as much as possible.
Early weaning : what does it mean?
This breeding technique has been described by Addie, it tends to limit kitten contamination before they leave the cattery. It takes place in two steps:
* isolating the mother 15 days before the expected due date
* weaning and withdrawal from the mother around 5 weeks of age
Theoretically, kittens born from coronavirus infected females are protected by colostrum antibodies for the first 4-5 weeks of their life.
This technique, therefore, shows great interest for kittens born from mothers seropositive for the coronavirus.
This method has been adopted by numerous breeders across the Channel and the Atlantic, but it isn’t very much in use in France.
When one has some knowledge of feline behaviour, one can think this method is really dangerous for the kittens ( scratching supervision, bitings, hyperactivity…) For sure thisn’t a method to be used by anybody. A real surrogate mother is necessary not only for feeding but
also for the various behavioural phases (games stops, « submissiveness » tests…)
In practice, I have discussed this method with a few French breeders who have applied it they have told me that it requires :
* a litter of 3 kittens at the minimum
* a breeder with a strong feline ethologic knowledge,
* and mainly time ! ! !
Some authorities suggest that it might be dangerous to introduce early weaned kittens in coronavirus affected communities, the risks to develop FIP being increased. Nevertheless, the breeders who have adopted this method are satisfied with it.
G. CASSELEUX
Veterinarian
Breeding and Sport Medicine Unit (UMES)
Dog and Cat Breeding Department
gcasseleux@vet-alfort.fr
To get further :
www.catvirus.com ( english, french…)
http://www.vetscite.org/issue1/reviews/txt_index_0800.htm (english)
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=19 (english)
Recommendations from workhops of the second international feline coronavirus/feline infectious peritonitis symposium ; Addie, D.D ; Paltrienia, S. ; Pedersen, N.; Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2003, 6, 125 – 130
The cornea is the thin, clear membrane that covers the front of the eye. As it is situated in a vulnerable position, it gets scratched easily which can cause an ulcer. Claw scratches and foreign bodies or even a violent blunt on the head which damage the cornea are most commonly the origin of the ulcerations. The epithelium, the outer layer of the cornea is then damaged. Viral infections can also start corneal ulcers.
Introduction
When the cornea of a cat is damaged during a fight, it can heal normally if the wound is superfical. Nevertheless such a lesion must be taken seriously because of the risks of long term complications which can affect the cat’s eyesight.
The diagnosis of ulcers
It is quite simple for a veterinarian to diagnose a corneal ulcer and to see how serious it is. The only thing to do is to apply some fluoresceine stains, an orange dye on the cat’s eye. If no lesion is present, the dye is eliminated leaving no traces (but the cat can show a nasal discharge as fluoresceine is drained off by the lacrimo-nasal duct). When the epithelium is affected and the stroma exposed, a yellow- green stain appears. This stain reveals how serious the problem is.
Most of the time, the prescription consists in antibiotic ophtalmic ointments to treat the lesion ( and to avoid that a secondary bacterial infection develops, which would jeopardize pussy’s eyesight). If everything goes fine, most cats recover in a few days. Then another anlysis is performed to check that the epithelium has healed.
In case of wound or infection to the eye, do consult your veterinarian most rapidly.
The cornea can break
When an ulcer is left unattended, the cornea can break and let the aqueous humor (the fluid that fills the eye) escape.The iris then suffers prolapsus. There is also an inflammation. This is very serious and necessitates surgical intervention.
Les parasites du chat
Actually and unfortunately, Persians with their dense and long coat are most likely to develop the disease.
There are numerous asymptomatic carriers : it means the cats do not show any clinical signs. These cats can develop the disease quite late due to some state of weakness or they can simply spread the spores to contaminate their environment and other felines, canines or humans. Your doctor won’t mention « ringworm » to you, it is a frightening term, so, he will talk of herpes circiné. The herpes virus has nothing to do with your skin problems.The lesions you can get on your wrists or your neck in the shape of a 5ct coin with a prominent red ring and that itches while your cat as for her does not scratch herself, are caused by the same agent (Microsporum canis, Trichophyton….)
Pussy ? She has some hair missing near her ears or in a more diffuse way. Puss ? No, there’s nothing wrong with him. You have caught a zoonosis, Aoutch !
The Wood lamp ( the fluorescent purple light in discos is an instrument showing out only 50% of the various ringworm types. So, false diagnoses and false positives are found ( some iodized substances but also crusts and squama different from ringworm also present a slight fluorescence).
It is difficult to combat the forms of resistance of the spores ,they can resist numerous months waiting for the optima conditions of hypogrometry, temperature and a convenient substrate to develop and attack the hair keratine. To fight them : vacuum cleaner and aerosols available at your veterinarian’s (eniconazole ). Anyway, to master the situation, one must eliminate all textile material (carpets…) from the cat’s environment during all the treatment.
Sometimes the hair substract has to be eliminated as much as possible : shaving your cat completely may be the only solution. You’ve lost one show season ! The worst : shaving an asymptomatic carrier ! ! But he may be the origin of recurring problems in your cattery…..it’s your choice.
Treatments are simple and efficient for us. Don’t panic, some cream and a few fongicide soaps (with chlorexidine or iodized povidone ) after handling the cats will be enough to bring you relief in 15 to 20 days.
For your cats, the usual efficient treatments taken orally, with griseofulvine -very interesting for the castrated cat-and long lasting (5 to 6 weeks) in association with local treatment are to banned..
BEWARE ! ATTENTION DANGER ! – VERBOTEN- PERICOLOSO !
GRISEOFULVINE has side effects : it causes SERIOUS STERILITY PROBLEMS ! ! ! ! !
The other medecines to be taken orally ( Ketoconazole) ) also favour these hormonal dysfunctions which can be very seious for your cat’s future as a breeder. Truth lies somewhere else….
It is necessary to combat locally with or without shaving your cat according to :
• The resistance of the fungus in question
• Your tenacity and steadiness
• Your desire to get away with it more or less rapidly
The affected cats must be treated, the positive asymptomatics but also, all the cats which have been in contact with those positive to the cultures. The best thing to do is to control regularly by means of analyses the various affected individuals in the cattery and to separate the groups of cats .
Cheer up ! ! be confident, success lies ahead.
Dr.Bach
Just like puppies, kittens are very frequently infected with internal parasites : worms or protozoans . The most important are Roundworms (ascarids), Coccidia, Giardia. These parasites will cause digestive troubles of various intensity but also general troubles : thinness, rachitis dull coat. Some of these pathogenous organisms such as Giardia, Toxoplasma or Roundworms can also infect man. It is therefore necessary to prevent the infestation of cats by worming them regularly.
Feline parasites/worms
Cats can be infected either by single celled parasites, the protozoans or by « worms ».
1-Infection by protozoans
Cats can be infected at an early age by protozoans which are pathogenous single celled organisms.
Two categories are identified : Giardia and Coccidia. They are as common as worms and will infect 30 to 60% of cattery kittens and 5 to 20% of private owners’ cats
a - GIARDIA
Giardia are microcopic flagellate protozoans present on the lining of the small intestine , as they proliferate they cause enteritis with maldigestion and malabsorption leading to loss of weight and chronic diahrroea.
Both kittens and adults are affected. Cats become infected by ingesting microscopic cysts present in the environment (water, food). The cysts are eliminated in the faeces of
infected animals.
b - COCCIDIA
Feline Coccidia parasites are numerous. The most frequent , Isospora cause acute enteritis on young kittens aged between 1 and 6 months. These Coccidia are ingested through the consumption of cysts ( oocysts ) present in the soil. Other species of Coccidia are ingested by the cat with its preys (mice particularly). One of these Coccidia is Toxoplasma gondii. It is a well known species as it infects all the mammals, including man. The cat is the only species which harbours the intestinal forms and eliminates cysts. The other mammals like man get infected by ingesting those cysts or by consuming other infected animals (undercooked mutton meat for instance) they then harbour the parasite tissular forms (located in the muscles, in the nervous cells). The cat is a source of Toxoplasma for the humans. Pregnant women who haven’t been immunised must avoid contact with cats’litter boxes, consume cooked meat and carefully washed vegetables so as not to ingest Toxoplasma cysts.
It can be advisable during this period to keep away from cats though the main source of contamination is food.
Most Coccidia do not seem to be a problem for the cats and infections remain asymptomatic. Only Isospora are likely to cause severe diahrroea on kittens.
How to get rid of them?
-Treatment for coccidiosis calls for antibiotics given for ten days.
-Treatment for giardiosis calls for other active principles available at your veterinarian
-Prevention is possible by means of sanitary measures : cleaning of the cattery soils so as to limit the quantity of infectant cysts.
2 - Infection by helminths
It is difficult to give an estimation of the frequency of digestive helminths ( worms ) and the invesgations show great variations with the cats in the survey : animals in catteries or private owners’, urban or rural origin, geographic location, season, age.
In 1996 , a survey based on the analysis of faeces showed that 17% (0 to 32% according to types) of the cats were infected by helminths. Kittens under a year of age were infested more often than older animals : 31,7% were infested.
Ascarids ( toxocara cati ) are the most common helminths observed with young cats, while ankylostomes and Dipylidium tenia are observed with cats of all ages. Toxocara cati is a round worm or nematode 4 to 8 cm long. Ascaris settle in the small intestine. They form balls causing irritation and obstruction. Cats become infected by consuming eggs present in the environment, or when sucking their mother’s milk in the 10 days after birth. Queens harbour larvae in their tissues all through their life. The larvae « wake up » at the end of gestation to give intestinal adults and larvae in the milk. Eggs are eliminated in large quantities. They stand the cold, dessication and common disinfectants. They survive over 3 years on a soil. They become infestant in about 3 weeks. After ingestion the larvae migrate in the organism, liver, lungs before coming back to the intestine to become adults. The cycle lasts about 6 weeks.
Kittens with toxocarosis show a swollen belly, diahrroea with poor growth, a dry and dull coat. Ascarids deprive the youth of calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, trace-elements and glucose which slows their growth . Vomitings of worms can be observed. Dramatic deaths from peritonitis are possible too.
Dipylidium caninum is a segmented flat worm (cestode or tenia). The larvae are harboured by fleas. Ingesting fleas leads to having adult tenias appear in the small intestine after three weeks. The segments called oviger segments are eliminated with the faeces and can be observed near the anus or on the coat.
They are 5-6 mm long, mobile and whitish when fresh, they then dry up and look like small rice grains. Teniasis is generally well tolerated. It can slow growth, cause a dull coat with anal prurit when the segments are passed.
Worming: when?
1°) Pregnant females : it advisable to worm them once during the fortnight prior to their due date and during the month afterwards.
2°) Kittens : they will be wormed at 1 month, then at 3 and 6 months.
3°) Adults : it advised to worm them twice a year. In case of toxocarosis, worming every month till 6 months is necessary.
Prophylaxy rests on the hygiene of the premises (« elimination of eggs »),supervising and worming the cats. The risk of Diplydium teniasis is limited when a proper prophylaxy is conducted as regards fleas
4°) We must note that Toxocara cati, like Toxocara canis, can infest man and cause severe affections in connection with the migration of larvae ( ascarid larva migrans). The risk arises from the ingestion of eggs containing larvae, present in the environment or in public gardens for instance.
Articles de santé
Cats blood groups
An interview of Dr. J .Leidinger by P.M.von Granbush
Dr. Judith Leidinger has devoted most of her research work (at the laboratory of veterinarian medecine IN VITRO of Vienna) to the determination of blood groups in cats.
What are the various blood groups in the cat population and what do they consist of?
Dr.LEIDINGER : Blood groups are characterized by structures (antigens*) at the surface of the red blood cells.Those structures are genetically located and are heritable. We know three different blood types with the cat, as with humans, they are called A,B, and AB. To date, no O group has been found with the cats. The meaning of the word « blood group » is mainly linked to a natural protein (antibody*) contained in the plasma. Those antibodies come against those of the other groups. B group cats have very efficient antibodies against A group cats’ red cells while A group cats have, for most of them , « weak » antibodies against B group red cells .For instance, if a B group cat’s antibodies are placed in contact with an A group cat’s red cells, the latter will be destroyed. Contrary to dogs, cats, between 6 and 10 weeks spontaneously release antibodies even if they haven’t been in contact with blood of another group.
How do cats inherit a blood group?
Dr.LEIDINGER: From the various analysises carried over a large number of pedigrees we know that blood group is transmitted through a simple heritable process. According to present research, A group is dominant over B group. It means that, if a cat is acknowledged as being B group, it is necessarily homozygous for that gene (BB) . Conversely, if a cat is A group, it can be either homozygous (AA) or heterozygous (AB). In that case the A group cat is said to « carry » the B recessive gene. Presently, it is impossible to determine through a blood test if an A group cat is homozygous or heterozygous, it can only be found by studying the pedigrees. According to present knowledge, A and B groups are alleles* on the same locus*. Therefore, from the mating of two B group cats only B group kittens will be obtained, and if two A group monozygous cats are mated, they will invariably procuce A group kittens ( homozygous too)
-Exemples of the hereditary quality of blood groups:
a) -A homozygous cat x B group cat
We get : 100% phenotypycal A group kittens but they all carry the B recessive gene . (hence AB).
b) –A heterozygous cat x B group cat
We get 50% AB kittens and 50% B group kittens.
c)-Two heterozygous A cats
We get : 50% AB kittens, 25% AA kittens and 25% B kittens.
How are the various blood groups distributed and why is there a noticeable increase of B group cats in some breeds?
Dr. LEIDINGER: The A blood group is dominant, then comes B group, and last AB group appears in a more isolated way, one should favour this latter group. From research carried on several thousand cats in the US. and in Europe, the distribution of blood groups seems to be dependent of both reproductions and local variations. Most domestic cats are A group. No B group cat has been observed among the Siamese and the related breeds (Burmese, Ocicat, Oriental) B group cats among the Maine Coons and Norwegians are under 5% . The Abyssinians, Somalis and Persians represent 5-25% of B group cats while 25-50% of the British, Exotics and Devon Rexes are B group. The appearance of B group is uneasy to explain. It may have appeared in some places owing to genetic mutation . A sure thing is, if a breed carrying a high percentage of B groups is mated to another breed, with time, the proportion of B groups will be significantly increased . Domestic european cats present a low proportion of B group individuals compared to the Persians and other semi-long hairs descending from them. (P.M. GRANDBUSH remarks : in order to obtain new colours such as chocolate, lilac and colour point with the British shorthair, these were mated to Persians, which probably contributed involuntarily to the increase of the percentage of B group cats).
Why is it important to know one’s cats’ group?
Dr.LEIDINGER: Knowing the blood groups of one’s cats is useful on the clinical point of view for two reasons, 1st in case of blood transfusion and 2nd to avoid the birth of kittens belonging to a group that is incompatible with their mother’s blood group. If a B group cat is transfused with A group blood, it will cause serious incompatibility problems. The second case of complications related to a group incompatibility is very often responsible for sick kittens within a litter. This complication appears in the form of anemia (destruction of red blood cells) and can lead to death.
Which kittens are in danger?
Dr. LEIDINGER: A group kittens born of a B group female and an A group male.
’t be undersetimated.
Why are red blood cells destroyed and what does that imply?
Dr.LEIDINGER: The kittens in question were born in good health but they receive their mother’s antibodies when having the first milk (colostrum), this causes the destruction of their red blood cells. As mentioned earlier, B group cats possess very agressive antibodies against A group red blood cells ( theoretically, the opposite should be right too, but in actual fact, we can see that kittens born of an A group mother offer better resistance as their mother’s antibodies seem less efficient.)
What can be done to avoid the death of kittens due to group incompatibility?
Dr LEIDINGER: The loss of kittens can be reduced by determining the blood group of all the breeders and mating only those with the same group. Concerning the breeds with less than 5% of B group individuals, it is recommended not to use the latter in a breeding program so as to avoid genetic problems in the future.
What do I have to do if I have a risky litter? ( B group mother an A group father )
The best thing would be to determine each kitten’s blood group from the ombilical cord and prevent A group kittens to have their mother’s milk for the first two days. During this period of time, A group kittens can be fed a substitue milk or given to the care of an A group mother. After this period, the kittens normally do not run any risk as their intestine lining has become impermeable to their mother’s antibodies. If there is no veterinarian close by when the kittens are born ( and consequently no possibility to determine the kittens’ blood group), the breeder can perform the so called « cotton wool test ».
’stomach so that they pass urine. With a cotton wool ball you wipe the kitten’s anal area, this permits to observe the colour of the urine ( normally colourless). If a brownish colour is observed there is a blod group problem. In this case, it is best to separate the kitten in question from its mother and proceed as said before. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to have the kitten examined by a veterinarien as it may need specific treatment.
Why is the colostrum so dangerous in case of blood group incompatibility?
Dr. LEIDINGER: Because, as in the case we have here, it contains a very high percentage of anti-A antibodies which can destroy the red blood cells of an A group kitten.
Why can the end of the tail of the surviving kittens die after 1-2 weeks?
Dr. LEIDINGER: The death of the kitten’s tail end is the consequence of an immunologic reaction (antigens antibodies reaction). The tail end is full of very thin blood vessels. If an antigens- antibodies reaction takes place there, the end of the tail will no longer be supplied with fresh blood, it will gradually « die » which will sometimes cause a necrosis* of the tissues.
Can a breeder use B group cats for breeding?
Dr. LEIDINGER: Group B is not a taint it is just a character of the individual ( just as having brown eyes or blue eyes), anyway, concerning cats, this character has implications on the reproducing and clinic points of view. That’s why, as a rule, a B group female should be mated only to B group males.
How is a cat’s blood group determined?
Dr. LEIDINGER: To determine the blood group, the veterinarian takes a sample of 1-2ml blood (0,4ml with a newborn kitten), which will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The blood group is determined by using a test based on the arrangement ( way of gathering) of the red blood cells.
What percentage of A and B groups have you found during your research on pedigreed cats?
Dr . LEIDINGER: In Austria, 18% of the Persians are B group and 30% of the British belong to that group too. Speaking in terms of genetic population, we can say that 1 British out of 5 and 1 Persian out of 7 can beget a risky litter.
How did you happen to do research on blood groups?
Dr. LEIDINGER: I have always been a true cat fancier. In 1991, I met Professor URS GIGER at a congress, later, I became his assistant. Up to this time there hadn’t been any research on the subject in Austria. I just wanted to know whether the blood group distribution was the same as the one observed in the United Staes while studying their consequences on reproduction . At the end of my research, it was quite clear that the data collected in Austria were similar to those in the United States.
Dr. LEIDINGER, thank you for this interview.
As a conclusion:
-B group males can be mated to A and B females with no exception
-A group males must be mated only with A females
-B group females must be mated only with B males
-A group females can be mated with A and B males with no exception.
Glossary* :
-Alleles: Two genes located on the same place of two analogous chromosomes are called alleles.
-Antibody:A substance synthetised by cells and that can bind specifically on an antigen.
-Antigen: A chemical substance it can be isolated or carried by a cell, if introduced in an organism it can cause a specific reaction of the immune system aiming at destroying or neutralising it.
-Chromose: An element of the cell nucleus, made of a long DNA molecula associated to proteins.
-Locus: Position of a gene on its chromosome.
-Gene: Heritable segment of DNA, it participates in the synthesis of a protein corresponding to a given character.
-Necrosis: Death of a cell or tissues inside a living organism.
Calcium
From the web page of the Amicale Belge du Chat asbl
Calcium is a mineral element very often mentionned when growth, gestation and lactation are in question. We suggest to recall its main properties ,its biologic and physiological specific properties then to draw useful applications.
Calcium is present in the bones , it gives them the rigidity necessary to build the skeleton which is the true frame of the individual. Calcium is also present in the blood which conveys it to reach the bone (and settle there), to reach the mammary gland at lactation period ( as it is the major mineral element in the milk) and to reach the uterus at gestation period (embryonic constitution) In addition it permits the proper functioning of the nervous system as with other elements, it is responsible here for the polarisation and depolarisation waves.
Calcium as a biologic constituent
Absorption takes place :
• At the intestinal level ( from calcium contained in the food or distributed as a complement) through a complex mechanism resulting in its passage into the blood circulation.
• Various tissues take what they need from the blood
• the osseous tissues
• the mammary gland
• the uterus
• the nervous system
Only the osseous tissues act as a reservoir because they can pour the calcium which the organism may need elsewhere back in the blood circulation. Moreover the living bone is the seat of constant destruction , at its level there are simultaneous deposit and withdrawal of calcium. Two organs, the uterus and the mamma, take it with nothing in return at the periods of gestation and lactation. The need in calcium of the two organs when at work, is so important that ,by the intermediary of the blood, they will take what is necessary for them from the skeleton. Elimination takes place through the kidney and calcium is found in the urines. Blood circulation plays an essential role in the distribution of calcium in the organism. Now, it is remarkable to note that the calcium level in the blood is a constant value in a healthy individual whatever his pathological state. Actually, the regulation phenomena tend to maintain it steady. Should a slight decrease occur, calcum will be taken from the reservoir tissue, the osseous tissue. Should a slight increase occur, there will possibly be a deposit on this osseous tissue, or simply, renal elimination. When calcium is insufficient in the food or because of exaggerated elimination, maintaining calcemia can cause serious demineralization of the skeleton.
Regulation
Absorption, elimination, maintenance of calcemia, sufficient supply to the skeleton bones and a good working of the nervous system are operated by three main factors, two hormones and one vitamin :
• parathomone, resulting from the parathyroid glands increases intestinal absorption, causes bone demineralisation, and reduces renal excretion.
• calcitonin is a thyroid hormone, it reduces absorption, favours bone mineralisation and renal elmination.
• D vitamin favours absorption and bone mineralisation when taken in small quantities ( in large quantities, it causes demineralisation) and reduces renal excretion.
Of course, any anomaly detected in the elaboration, activation and action of these major factors can result in disorders concerning calcium absorption, regulation and elimination in the organism.
We are not going to describe pathological anomalies…lets us see what practical lessons these simple physiological considerations suggest.
Needs of the kitten
Growth is, among other things, the building of a strong osseous frame in an individual becoming gradually an adult. During this period, two main points have to be taken care of :
• A proper absorption encouraged by the supply of the necessary and just sufficient amount ( not too much not too little) of D vitamin, prevention of any intestinal trouble ( diarrhoea,)
• A calcium supply close to the following value : 550mg/kg/day (with the calcium from food included) and taking into consideration a phosphorus contribution so that the calcium-phosphorus ratio is close to 1,2 (phosporus-440mg/kg/day).
Needs of the nursing mother
It is estimated that for the maintenance of an adult cat, the amount of calcium to supply is half what is needed for a kitten. Therefore, the needs at the period of gestation are slightly increased so a calcium supplement will be necessary. It can be done as we know there is no risk in saturating the absorption abilities of the intestine, the superfluous amount will be passed into the faeces (anyway, an exaggerated quantity can cause diarrhoeas).
Needs at the period of lactation, puerperal tetany
Cat milk contains 2,3g of calcium per kilo on average. It gives an indication of what will be taken from the maternal organism ! Consequently, it will be necessary to saturate the absorption by supplying a sufficient quantity while being aware there will probably be calcium taken from the skeleton. The most remarkable well known mishap to breeders is lactation tetany or puerperal tetany. Following delivery, the establishment of lactation can be so brutal and the kittens’ needs so important that the mothers show specific nervous symptoms.This could be caused by an instantaneous rescue withdrawal of calcium at the expense of the nervous system, and in an individual suffering from insufficient secretion of the parathyroid glands (it is the parathormone which permits to draw from the osseous reservoir).
To include
Supplies of calcium for the cat when in the course of growth or at gestation and lactation periods are far from inconsiderable. They represent the best prevention from osseous troubles during these three periods. Of couse this account dealing first and foremost with this major mineral element does not take much account of the numerous factors involved at the same time as it.
top
Dr Elise Malandain
Veterinary doctor.
From the ROYAL CANIN Felinotechtic Club Letter N° 14
It is primordial for the devoted breeders to refresh their breeding stock but it also desirable that individuals not meant to reproduce and sold as pets should not be mated. To face this problem, breeders in America have practised what’s called «early» altering for many years, in France, the surgical operations performed between 2 and 3 months are still higly controversial.
Early altering and preconceived ideas
Growth
Most often we hear that altering very young cats stunts growth and therefore causes smaller individuals. Now, sexual hormones (testosterone and oestradiol) play a role in the closure of the growth cartilages this could on the contrary be in favour of a more important growth. Statistic studies in the US show very little or no difference concerning the closure of the growth cartilages and the adult size whether the cat was altered when 7 weeks or 7 months. The kitten may be slightly bigger when growth is completed.
Urinary stones with the male
Early castration of the male has long been accused of favouring the development of urinary stones, as it reduces the urethra diameter ( tube that connects the bladder to the urinary meatus). Measures have been taken to compare the urethral diameters of castrated cats at 7 weeks and 7 months, no difference was observed. So, early castration is not one more risk for urinary stones.
Conversely, the growth of the penis is limited with animals castrated at a very early age and its exteriorisation is therefore more difficult than with animals castrated later.
Obesity
Though obesity may affect all cats (altered or whole) and though exercise and food play a major role, altered animals run a higher risk to become obese due to a reduction of energy expenditure in relation with the castration.
The risk is not increased by early altering compared to later altering. Whatever the age of the cat at the operation, it is necessary to adopt measures to prevent weight gain.
Advantages of early spay and neuter
Mammary tumors
The risk for spayed females to develop a mammary tumor is seven times lower than for whole females. With the cat, those tumors have a bad prognosis (90% are malignant). To minimize the risk at the most it is advisable to spay them before their first heat cycle which is not always the case with females operated at about 7 or 8 months.
Unwanted litters
Acording to the same principle, numerous owners of females think it a good thing to wait for the first heat cycle to be over in order to have the cat spayed. and they also believe that a cat « needs » to have a litter at least once in her life. This highly anthropomorphic point of view helps increase the stray cat population in France, as it isn’t always easy to find a home for those kittens.
Concerning purebred cats, this frequently leads to two situations : either a mismating with a friendly (but neverthless unadapted) alley cat, or a non sensible mating with a male of the same breed but with no real selection.
Anesthesia for the kitten : a major risk?
Anesthesing a kitten is of course a more delicate operation, it requires special expertise. Anyway, when performed in proper conditions, it is not more risky than one with an adult cat.
The cat’s condition is primordial : only animals in good health and properly wormed ( beware of the risk of anemia ) will be operated.s
With the kitten there is a higher risk of hypoglycemia compared to an adult : actually, it is more difficult for a kitten to maintain a normal glycemia without meals. Kittens must be fasted later. A length of 4 to 5 hours between the last meal and the surgery must be respected. When the kitten has completely woken up, he will be offered a meal during the folllowing hour. The meal offered at the surgery will be wet or rehydrated to compensate for the loss of water proportionally more important with small size animals. The range of veterinary products offers foods that are perfectly adapted to this situation. And also, operation after-effects are less difficult for the kitten than for the adult.
Early spay and neuter is an alternative to late altering , it must be progressively taken into consideration in France. Without making it systematic ( beware of not altering young kittens that will prove to be great elements for the breed ! ! !) the breeder must be aware of its advantages and drawbacks. For the purebred kitten as well as the alley cat it is certainly an unfailing means to avoid unwanted litters.
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