Pre-mortem risk factors for mortality in kittens less than 8 weeks old at a dedicated kitten nursery

2020 ◽  
pp. 1098612X2097496
Author(s):  
Emily D Dolan ◽  
Erin Doyle ◽  
Huyanh Ralph Tran ◽  
Margaret R Slater
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Prognostic Indicators ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Group 13 ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Adult Cats ◽  
Physical Findings

Objectives Kittens have unique requirements for care in a shelter setting given their higher susceptibility to infectious disease and socialization needs. Significant time and resources are necessary to care for this vulnerable population and dedicated kitten nurseries are one way to meet the requirements of kittens too young for neutering and rehoming. However, young kittens remain at a higher risk of dying relative to adult cats, even in specialized settings. Efforts to investigate kitten mortality have focused on post-mortem findings and little is known about pre-mortem clinical signs that may be associated with death. The purpose of this study was to elucidate predictors of mortality in underage kittens. Methods The medical records of kittens aged <8 weeks reared in a kitten nursery in New York City during 2017 were examined. The data collected included signalment (estimated age and weight at intake, sex), physical findings (body condition score [BCS]), clinical signs (weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection [URI]), diagnoses (panleukopenia, trauma), how early in the feline breeding season the kitten entered (April–November), and whether the kitten had died or was euthanized. The data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard modeling with 1353 kittens to identify factors associated with any death or euthanasia. Results Elevated risk of dying was found for kittens in the lightest weight group (13 times greater), diagnosed with panleukopenia (13 times greater), exhibiting weight loss (>9 times greater), diagnosed with URI (almost four times greater), exhibiting anorexia (three times greater), identified with a low BCS at intake (two times greater) and experiencing diarrhea (almost two times greater). Conclusions and relevance These findings identify clinical signs and diagnoses that can serve as prognostic indicators for underage kitten survival in a shelter/rescue setting and can aid in enhancing protocols for monitoring, intervention and euthanasia decision-making.

scholarly journals Safety Study on Ketoprofen in Pigs: Evaluating the Effects of Different Dosing and Treatment Scheme on Hematological, Hepatic, and Renal Parameters

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Luis Emilio Fazzio ◽  
Santiago José Raggio ◽  
Juan Facundo Romero ◽  
Juver Membrebe ◽  
Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Safety Study ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Treatment Scheme ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Biochemical Evaluation ◽  
Different Doses

A safety study on ketoprofen 10% was carried out on pigs using a different dosing and treatment scheme. Forty healthy crossbreed pigs with similar age, weight, and body condition score were distributed into five treatment groups. The pigs were intramuscularly injected once with different doses of ketoprofen: 3 mg/kg (group 1X), 6 mg/kg (group 2X), 9 mg/kg (group 3X). In addition, the 3 mg/kg dosis was administered on three consecutive days (group 1X ext.). Intramuscular injections of saline solution were used in control group (CTL). The pigs were clinically examined throughout the trial and blood samples were taken for hematological and biochemical evaluation on days −4 (before treatment), +3, +7, and +14 (the end of the trial). Any unusual behaviour or clinical signs were reported as potential toxic effects of ketoprofen. Serum measurements showed that none of the ketoprofen doses produced changes in renal or hepatic biochemical parameters, liver enzymes, or total bilirubin. Likewise, hematological assessment indicated no altered parameters or hematocrit percentage in the study groups. These results demonstrate that ketoprofen has no adverse effects in pigs when the doses and scheme evaluated in this study are applied.

scholarly journals Physical activity level of adult cats with varied feeding frequency

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (S1) ◽  
pp. S166-S169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Deng ◽  
Ryan W. Grant ◽  
Kelly S. Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Feeding Frequency ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Adult Cats

The prevalence of feline obesity is influenced by numerous factors, including inactivity and overconsumption of food. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding frequency on physical activity in adult cats. A total of twelve healthy adult cats were used in a cross-over study consisting of 32 d. In each of the two periods, six cats were fed either two meals or four meals daily. Throughout the study, cats were fed the same diet at amounts to maintain body weight and body condition score. Cats were individually housed 4 h/d at each scheduled feeding time, while for the other 20 h, cats were group-housed to allow for voluntary physical activity in the room with a 16 h light–8 h dark cycle. Voluntary activity levels were evaluated using Actical activity collars for seven consecutive days in each period. Daily average activity level for two-meal-fed cats (20·04 (sem 2·19), activity counts/epoch (15 s)) was not different from four-meal-fed cats (20·14 (sem 2·15), activity counts/epoch (15 s); P>0·05). In conclusion, when group-housed cats are fed to maintain their body weight and body condition score, varied feeding frequency between twice and four times daily may not affect activity levels.

Impact of time-limited feeding and dietary carbohydrate content on weight loss in group-housed cats

2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 349-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Michel ◽  
Amy Bader ◽  
Frances S. Shofer ◽  
Claudia Barbera ◽  
Donna A. Oakley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Dietary Carbohydrate ◽  
Carbohydrate Diet ◽  
Low Carbohydrate Diet ◽  
Low Carbohydrate ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Adult Cats ◽  
High Calorie

Twenty-four adult cats were transitioned to time-limited feeding and randomized to either a dry low carbohydrate diet (LC) or a dry reduced energy diet (HC). In Trial 1 the LC and HC groups received equal amounts of food (by weight) for 13 weeks. Both groups consumed all food offered, hence the LC group received more energy/day than the HC group. In Trial 2 all cats were fed the LC diet for 12 weeks, but each group received the energy that the opposite group had received in Trial 1. In Trial 1 only the overweight HC cats (body condition score>6/9) experienced a significant change in body weight (−0.52±0.08 kg). In Trial 2, LC/Low Calorie overweight cats lost 0.62±0.10 kg, whereas, the LC/High Calorie normal weight cats gained 0.68±0.05 kg. In conclusion, body condition and energy intake but not type of diet influenced weight in this cohort of group-housed cats.

29 SHORT-TERM v. LONG-TERM PROGESTERONE PROTOCOL USING CERVICAL OR INTRAUTERINE FIXED-TIME INSEMINATION IN SHEEP

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
A. Menchaca ◽  
M. Vilariño ◽  
E. Rubianes
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Skim Milk ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
N 93

The short-term protocol with progesterone, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), and eCG is used to control follicular dynamics and luteal activity synchronizing the ovulation for fixed-time AI in sheep. The objective of this experiment was to compare the pregnancy rate obtained with short-term protocol (6 d) and long-term protocol (14 d) using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI in sheep. Three hundred fifty-two Merino ewes with a body condition score of 2.9 ± 0.3 (mean ± SD; scale 0 to 5) were used during the breeding season (April, 33S, Uruguay). All the females received a CIDR-G (0.3 g of progesterone, InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand) for 6 d (short-term protocol; n = 178) or 14 d (long-term protocol, n = 174). One imdose of eCG (300 IU, Novormon, Syntex, BA, Argentina) was given at the moment of device withdrawal for the both protocols, and one imdose of PGF2α (10 mg of dinoprost, Lutalyse, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) was given at the end of the short-term protocol to ensure luteolysis. Cervical AI (short-term protocol, n = 85; long-term protocol, n = 104) or intrauterine AI (short-term protocol, n = 93; long-term protocol, n = 70) was performed 48 or 54 h after device withdrawal, using 200 × 106 or 100 × 106 spermatozoa per ewe, respectively. Fresh semen was extended in UHT skim milk (1000 × 106 spermatozoa mL-1) and used within 1 h of collection. Estrus was recorded twice a day for 4 days after device withdrawal using vasectomized males. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by transrectal ultrasonography 40 d after AI (5.0 MHz, Aloka, Tokyo, Japan). Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of the treatment (P < 0.05), the AI technique (P < 0.05), and their interaction (P = NS). Pregnancy rate was higher for the short-term than for the long-term protocol, and for intrauterine than for cervical AI (Table 1). The highest pregnancy rate was achieved with short-term protocol using intrauterine AI (54.8%, 51/93), and the lowest response was obtained with long-term protocol using cervical AI (33.7%, 35/104; P < 0.05). These data were not different from data of short-term protocol using cervical AI or long-term protocol using intrauterine AI (42.4%, 36/85; and 44.3% 31/70, respectively). Ewes in estrus/treated ewes was not different among short-term and long-term protocols (83.7%, 149/178; and 82.8%, 144/174, respectively; P = NS). In summary, regardless of insemination technique, short-term protocol of 6 d enhances pregnancy rate in fixed-time AI programs in sheep. Table 1.Main effects of short-term (6 d) v. long-term (14 d) protocol using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI on pregnancy rate in sheep Financially supported by Pfizer, SP, Brazil.

Perioperative blood glucose concentrations in kittens following overnight fasting and gonadectomy

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 344-348
Author(s):  
Danielle N Semick ◽  
Stephanie L Shaver ◽  
Heather N Cornell ◽  
Nancy C Bradley ◽  
Rachael E Kreisler
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Prolonged Fast ◽  
Overnight Fasting ◽  
Blood Glucose Concentrations

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine if hypoglycemia is an effect of overnight fasting and gonadectomy in kittens, as well as to determine predictors of baseline and postoperative blood glucose. Methods This was a prospective observational study. Seventy-five kittens between the age of 8 and 16 weeks undergoing routine castration or ovariohysterectomy at an animal shelter were included. Two blood glucose measurements were analyzed per kitten after an overnight fast: a baseline reading prior to preoperative examination, and a reading immediately postoperatively. Predictors of the baseline and postoperative blood glucose levels were determined using multi-level mixed-effects linear regression. Results Kittens, when fasted overnight, were not hypoglycemic (<60 mg/dl). No kittens exhibited clinical signs consistent with hypoglycemia. No kittens had a blood glucose <70 mg/dl postoperatively. Postoperative hyperglycemia (>150 mg/dl) was observed in 44% of kittens. The only predictor of fasted blood glucose levels was body condition score. The only predictor of postoperative blood glucose levels was the fasting blood glucose value. Conclusions and relevance Overnight fasting prior to elective sterilization in 8- to 16-week-old kittens did not result in hypoglycemia. Concern regarding hypoglycemia after a prolonged fast in kittens may be unwarranted for short procedures in healthy animals.

scholarly journals Thymomodulin in association with antifungal drugs in the therapy of cats with disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis: a prospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Soares Forlani ◽  
Risciela Salardi Alves de Brito ◽  
Jéssica Paola Salame ◽  
Angelita Reis Gomes ◽  
Fábio Raphael Pascoti Bruhn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
A Prospective Study

ABSTRACT: Feline sporotrichosis is a relevant mycose in veterinary medicine due to its severity and zoonotic potential and the fact that it can be difficult to treat. The immune status of the animal exerts influence on the prognosis of the disease and determines its clinical outcome. This study evaluated the efficacy of the immunomodulatory thymomodulin as an adjunct to antifungal therapy in cats with disseminated sporotrichosis; thymomodulin was used in association with itraconazole (ITL) and potassium iodide (KI) to treat this fungal disease in the feline patient. Thirty-one cats (n=31) diagnosed with disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis were divided into two groups as follows: Group 1 (G1) (n=16), which included those animals that were treated with thymomodulin in association with ITL and KI, and Group 2 (G2) (n=15) which had pacientsthat received ITL and KI only. The response to different treatment modalities was assessed, considering the survival rate, time frame for the lesions to respond to therapy, and clinical improvement or deterioration according to a body condition score system. Animals from G1 had a survival rate of nearly 100% (93.6%) that was approximately twice higher than the survival rate of those animals from G2 (53%). Moreover, patients from G1 had a significantly better prognosis, improved body condition, and shorter time for remission of the extra cutaneous clinical signs (p<0.02). Our findings showed that the association of thymomodulin with ITL and KI improves the prognosis of cats with disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF SUBCLINICAL MASTITIS EFFECTS ON LIVE WEIGHT, BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) AND EXTERNAL UDDER MEASUREMENTS OF DORPER SHEEP

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Amirah Wan-Azemin ◽  
Asmad Kari ◽  
Nadiawati Alias
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Subclinical Mastitis ◽  
Clinical Mastitis ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Dorper Sheep ◽  
Quality Of Milk

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland that can be classified as clinical and subclinical mastitis. The clinical mastitis can be diagnosed based on clinical signs, whilst subclinical mastitis mostly through somatic cell count (SCC). This study was carried out to determine the subclinical mastitis effects on live weight, body condition score (BCS) and external udder traits of Dorper sheep. A total 16 Dorper ewes were selected and screened for mastitis using the Californian mastitis test (CMT). The live weight, BCS and external udder traits (i.e. udder length (UL), udder width (UW), rear udder depth (RUD), cistern depth (CD) and teat length (TL) of the ewes were measured. The subclinical mastitis did not affect the live weight and BCS of Dorper ewes. Whilst for external udder measurements; the highest average of udder length, udder width, rear udder depth and cistern depth were indicated in CMT score as strong positive which shows that the measurement values of external ewes’ udder are increased when the strength detection of CMT scores increased and vice versa. However, all of the external udder parameters measured were not statistically (P>0.05) affected by the mastitis infection scores. The present results indicate that live weight, BCS and all external udder parameters did not influence the subclinical mastitis detected in the milk’s samples of the ewes. This study suggests that subclinical mastitis does not directly affected by morphology alteration of external udder traits, live weight or BCS, however it is likely affect the quality of milk produced.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Fermented Oat and Black Soldier Fly Larva as Food Ingredients in Senior Dog Diets

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3509
Author(s):  
Kangmin Seo ◽  
Hyun-Woo Cho ◽  
Julan Chun ◽  
Junghwan Jeon ◽  
Chanho Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Skin Condition ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Black Soldier Fly ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Group A

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of fermented oat (FO) and black soldier fly larva (BSFL) as food ingredients for dogs. A total of 20 spayed female dogs were divided into four treatment groups, with 5 dogs per group. The four treatment groups consisted of a control group, a diet with 10% FO, one with 5% BSFL, and one with 10% FO and 5% BSFL, and each experimental food was fed for 12 weeks. The feeding of FO and/or BSFL did not affect the daily food intake, body weight, body condition score, fecal score, or skin condition of the dogs. In all the experimental groups, no significant differences in serum IgG, IL-10, or TNF-α levels were observed upon the feeding of FO and/or BSFL. Some hematological (white blood cell and basophils) and serum biochemical parameters (phosphorous, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase) showed significant differences with FO and/or BSFL feeding compared to the control group, but they were within the normal reference range. No adverse clinical signs related to these parameters being affected by FO and BSFL were observed. The feeding of BSFL for 12 weeks reduced the serum cholesterol level (p < 0.05) at the end of the experiment. Our findings suggest the suitability of FO and BSFL as food materials for dogs.

scholarly journals Black Quarter (BQ) Disease in Cattle and Diagnosis of BQ Septicaemia Based on Gross Lesions and Microscopic Examination

1970 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmuda Sultana ◽  
Abdul Ahad ◽  
Paritosh Kumar Biswas ◽  
M Ashiqur Rahman ◽  
Himel Barua
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Demographic Variable ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Acute Infectious Disease ◽  
Clinical Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Clostridium Chauvoei

Black quarter (BQ) is an acute, infectious disease caused by Clostridium chauvoei - a Gram-positive, anaerobic organism. This disease is characterized by inflammation with gaseous oedema of skeletal muscle and severe toxaemia. This study was done in Upazilla Veterinary Hospital at Raozan in Chittagong from June to August 2006. During the study period, 25 cases of BQ in cattle were found in eight Unions. Among them the highest (32%) proportion of BQ was found in Raozan Union. Frequency of BQ according to demographic variable was: age incidence of >12 month (60%), male (60%), breed of Red Chittagong (44%), body condition score (BCS) of BCS-2 (88%), and affected body part involving hind quarter muscle (35%). Death was observed with 73% cases. In case of animals that were suffered from BQ, septicaemia developed after 12 h of onset of clinical signs and symptoms. Treatment was ineffective in advanced septicaemic stage. Antibiotic therapy was found to be effective when administered within 12 h of the clinical symptoms. Keywords: Black quarter; Clostridium chauvoei; Demographic variable; Septicaemia; Antibiotic therapyDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4848 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 13-16

8 RESPONSE OF COMMUNAL COWS TO OESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND TIMED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Z. C. Raphalalani ◽  
K. A. Nephawe ◽  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
F. V. Ramukhithi ◽  
M. M. Seshoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Bull Semen ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate ◽  
Condition Score

Reproductive technologies such as oestrus synchronization and AI have been tested in controlled environments in the commercial farms in South Africa but not in an uncontrolled communal setup. The aims of the study were to evaluate the response of communal cows to oestrus synchronization and timed AI. The effects of age and body condition score (BCS) on oestrus response and conception rate were also studied. A total of 96 cows were selected from the communal villages. Cows with the BCS of 2.5 to 4.5 (on a scale of 1–5) and age between 3 and 10 years were used. Cows were grouped into 2 BCS groups (<3 and = 3) and 2 age groups (<6 and = 6). All groups were subjected to a 9-day Ovsynch + CIDR (CIDR®; Pfizer Laboratories, New York, NY, USA) protocol. A CIDR® was inserted into the vagina on Day 0 (random days of the cycle), and 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate (Ciderol®; Pfizer Laboratories) was administered. On Day 8, the CIDR® was removed, and the cows were administered with 500 μg of cloprostenol (PGF; Estrumate®, Schering-Plough Animal Health). In addition, on Day 9, cows were given 1 mg of oestradiol benzoate, and a heat mount detector (Karma®; Four Lakes) was placed on the tail head of the cows to detect oestrus response (standing heat). All the synchronized cows were then inseminated at 36 and 42 h with frozen-thawed Nguni bull semen following oestradiol benzoate injection. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 90 days following timed AI using ultrasound scanner and transrectal palpation. Data were analysed using ANOVA. An overall 73% oestrus response and 45% conception rate were achieved in this study. There was no significant difference in oestrus response in cows with a BCS <3 (67%) and = 3 (83%) or age <6 (77%) and = 6 (72%). There was no significant difference in conception rate between those <6 (41%) and = 6 (47%) years of age. However, cows with a BCS of = 3 had greater (P < 0.05) conception rate (55%) compared with those with a BCS <3 (35%). In conclusion, communal cows responded to an oestrus synchronization program involving timed AI. The BCS and age did not alter the oestrus response, but conception rate was higher in communal cows with BCS of = 3.

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