Owner-Reported Pica in Domestic Cats Enrolled onto a Birth Cohort Study.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Kinsman R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8070519 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundCats, being obligate carnivores, have unique dietary requirements for nutrients most commonly found in dietary ingredients of animal origin. As such, feeding a diet devoid of animal-derived ingredients has been postulated as a possible cause of nutrient imbalances and adverse health outcomes. A small proportion of cat owners feed strictly plant-based diets to the cats in their care, yet the health and wellness of cats fed these diets has not been well documented.ResultsA total of 1325 questionnaires were complete enough for inclusion. The only exclusion criterion was failure to answer all questions. Most cats, 65% (667/1026), represented in the survey were fed a meat-based diet and 18.2% (187/1026) were fed a plant-based diet, with the rest fed either a combination of plant-based with meat-based (69/1026, 6.7%) or indeterminable (103/1026, 10%). Cat age ranged from 4 months to 23 years, with a median of 7 years, and was not associated with diet type. No differences in reported lifespan were detected between diet types. Fewer cats fed plant-based diets reported to have gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders. Cats fed plant-based diets were reported to have more ideal body condition scores than cats fed a meat-based diet. More owners of cats fed plant-based diets reported their cat to be in very good health.ConclusionsCat owner perception of the health and wellness of cats does not appear to be adversely affected by being fed a plant-based diet. Contrary to expectations, owners perceived no body system or disorder to be at particular risk when feeding a plant-based diet to cats. This study collected information from cat owners and is subject to bias, as well as methodological limitations. Further research is warranted to determine if these results are replicable in a prospective investigation.
| S-EPMC7842014 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Climate change is a threat to global health and can affect both veterinary and human health. Intense weather events, including sudden and violent thunderstorms or periods of extreme heat, are predicted to rise in frequency and severity and this could lead owners to significantly change their habits and schedules based on the weather, could modify human management and could aggravate pre-existing behavioral problems in pets. The aims of the present study were to identify and quantify possible weather events impact on management, behavior, and behavioral problems of Italian dogs and cats, based on previous owners' experiences with their animals. Two questionnaires were prepared, one for dogs and one for cats, investigating owners' perceptions of the impact of weather events on their pets' behavior. A number of 392 dogs and 426 cats' owners answered the questionnaire. Our study showed that many behaviors in both species were equally modified by environmental temperature. Play and activity increased with cold weather and decreased with heat, and sleep increased with drops in temperature and with hot weather. In particular, the increase in activity in correspondence with the thermic drop was more significant in males, while the increase in playing behavior was statistically greater in the Sheepdogs and Cattle dogs -group1. Weather events did not affect aggressive and house soiling behaviors in both dogs and cats, but weather events, including wild thunderstorms, torrential rains influenced the pets' behavior. Understanding how pets modify their behaviors based on a different owners' schedule and to weather events can help to refine prevention strategies through societal changes and owner education.
| S-EPMC9480616 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesThe aim of this blinded, nested case-control study was to compare cats with and without early owner-reported mobility changes using subjective and objective outcome measures (owner-completed questionnaires, orthopaedic examination).MethodsA total of 57 cats with and without early owner-reported signs of impaired mobility were allocated to the case (n = 30) and control (n = 27) groups, respectively. Participating owners completed one inclusion and two pre-visit questionnaires (Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index, VetMetrica). Cats were then visited in their own homes, where they underwent an orthopaedic examination, an assessment of their body condition score and temperament, and the placement of an accelerometer on their collar for 2 weeks.ResultsThere was no significant difference between groups for age category, breed, sex, temperament and body condition score. Case cats scored significantly lower for the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (P = 0.003) and the VetMetrica domain of Comfort (P = 0.002), but not Vitality (P = 0.009) or Emotional Wellbeing (P = 0.018). Total pain (P <0.0001), crepitus (P = 0.002) and thickening (P = 0.003) scores were higher in case cats, as was the presence of bilateral disease (P = 0.005, odds ratio 14) and the number of bilaterally affected joints (P = 0.001).Conclusions and relevanceBoth the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index and orthopaedic examination were able to differentiate cats with early owner-reported signs of impaired mobility from healthy cats. VetMetrica Comfort domain scores indicated a compromised quality of life for cats with early owner-reported signs of impaired mobility compared with healthy cats. Being able to recognise signs of mobility impairment earlier would allow interventions aimed at slowing disease progression, thereby improving feline health and welfare.
| S-EPMC10811984 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThe present study examined prevalence and correlates of pica behaviors during childhood using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) study.MethodData on 10,109 caregivers from the ALSPAC study who reported pica behavior at 36, 54, 65, 77, and 115 months on their child were included. Autism was obtained through clinical and education records, while DD was derived from the Denver Developmental Screening Test.ResultsA total of 312 parents (3.08%) reported pica behaviors in their child. Of these, 19.55% reported pica at least at two waves (n = 61). Pica was most common at 36 months (N = 226; 2.29%) and decreased as children aged. A significant association was found between pica and autism at all five waves (p < .001). There was a significant relationship between pica and DD, with individuals with DD more likely to experience pica than those without DD at 36 (p = .01), and 54 (p < .001), 65 (p = .04), 77 (p < .001), and 115 months (p = .006). Exploratory analyses examined pica behaviors with broader eating difficulties and child body mass index.DiscussionThis study enhances understanding of childhood pica behaviors, addressing a significant gap in knowledge. Pica occurrence in the general population is poorly understood due to few epidemiological studies. Findings from the present study indicate pica is an uncommon behavior in childhood; however, children with DD or autism may benefit from pica screening and diagnosis between ages 36 and 115 months. Children who exhibit undereating, overeating, and food fussiness may also engage in pica behaviors.
| S-EPMC10922868 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundEquine laminitis is a complex disease that manifests as pain and lameness in the feet, often with debilitating consequences. There is a paucity of data that accounts for the multifactorial nature of laminitis and considers time-varying covariates that may be associated with disease development; particularly those that are modifiable and present potential interventions. A previous case-control study identified a number of novel, modifiable factors associated with laminitis which warranted further investigation and corroboration. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with equine laminitis in horses/ponies in Great Britain (GB) using a prospective, web-based cohort study design, with particular interest in evaluating modifiable factors previously identified in the case-control study.ResultsSelf-selected horse/pony owners in GB submitted initial baseline and follow-up health and management questionnaires for 1070 horses/ponies between August 2014 and December 2016. The enrolled horses/ponies contributed 1068 horse-years at risk with a median of 38?days between questionnaire submissions. Owners reported 123 owner-recognised and/or veterinary-diagnosed episodes of active laminitis using a previously-validated laminitis reporting form. Multivariable Cox regression modelling identified 16 risk/protective factors associated with laminitis development. In keeping with the previous case-control study, a prior history of laminitis (particularly non-veterinary-diagnosed episodes), soreness after shoeing/trimming and weight gain were associated with higher rates of laminitis. There is now strong evidence that these risk factors should be used to guide future recommendations in disease prevention. Factors with some prior evidence of association included breed, steroidal anti-inflammatory administration, transport and worming. The modifiable factors amongst these should be the focus of future laminitis studies. The remainder of the identified factors relating to health, turnout and grazing management and feeding are novel, and require further investigation to explore their relationship with laminitis and their applicability as potential interventions.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated a temporal relationship between a number of horse- and management-level factors and laminitis, identifying potential interventions and important risk groups for which these interventions would be of particular importance. These results serve as a sound evidence-base towards the development of strategic recommendations for the horse/pony-owning population to reduce the rate of laminitis in GB.
| S-EPMC6373032 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This paper describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings and outcome in four cats with confirmed joint-associated tuberculosis. The cats were 2-6 years of age, and immune competent. Three cases had tuberculosis affecting only one joint, whereas one case had at least three joints affected. Two cases were caused by Mycobacterium bovis, and the other two were caused by Mycobacterium microti. Radiological findings included osteolysis, periosteal reaction and associated soft tissue swelling. Two cases were euthanased and two cases responded well to amputation and follow-on antibiotic therapy.To our knowledge, this is the first publication of a series of cats with joint-associated tuberculosis. Although tuberculosis is not common, a high degree of suspicion is needed to avoid delayed diagnosis. This case series highlights the importance of considering mycobacterial disease as a differential for joint disease in cats.
| S-EPMC5533263 | biostudies-other
Project description:All subjects were recruited at Centennial Women?s Hospital and the Perinatal Research Center in Nashville, TN beginning in 2003. Pregnant women were enrolled during their first clinical visit after obtaining informed consent as described previously. Demographic and clinical data specific to the fetus was collected from clinical records. Gestational age of the neonate was determined by maternal reporting of the last menstrual period and corroboration by ultrasound dating. Accurate knowledge of gestational age (GA) is essential for proper monitoring and care of neonates. However, accurate GA measures are often not available. DNA methylation has previously been shown to associate with GA, and has been used to accurately predict chronological age in adults. In the current study, we examine whether DNA methylation in cord blood can be used to predict gestational age at birth. Results: We found that GA can be accurately predicted from DNA methylation of neonatal cord blood and blood spot samples (DNAm GA), using 148 CpG sites selected through elastic net regression in six training datasets (N=207). We evaluated predictive accuracy in six testing datasets (N=1,202), and found that the accuracy of DNAm GA meets or exceeds accuracy of gestational age estimates based on established methods. We also found an increased DNAm GA, relative to clinical GA, was associated with increased birthweight percentile (p=.00057), adjusting for GA, sex, and ancestry, suggesting that DNAm GA could represent developmental age more accurately than clinical estimates of GA. Conclusions: Further development of this predictor could provide a method of accurate neonatal estimation of GA for use in resource-limited populations, or in cases where GA cannot be estimated clinically. When clinical estimates are available, the predictor can be used to test hypotheses related to developmental age and other early life circumstances, and may provide increased accuracy beyond clinical estimates.
2016-03-11 | GSE79056 | GEO
Project description:All subjects were recruited at Centennial Women?s Hospital and the Perinatal Research Center in Nashville, TN beginning in 2003. Pregnant women were enrolled during their first clinical visit after obtaining informed consent as described previously. Demographic and clinical data specific to the fetus was collected from clinical records. Gestational age of the neonate was determined by maternal reporting of the last menstrual period and corroboration by ultrasound dating. Accurate knowledge of gestational age (GA) is essential for proper monitoring and care of neonates. However, accurate GA measures are often not available. DNA methylation has previously been shown to associate with GA, and has been used to accurately predict chronological age in adults. In the current study, we examine whether DNA methylation in cord blood can be used to predict gestational age at birth. Results: We found that GA can be accurately predicted from DNA methylation of neonatal cord blood and blood spot samples (DNAm GA), using 148 CpG sites selected through elastic net regression in six training datasets (N=207). We evaluated predictive accuracy in six testing datasets (N=1,202), and found that the accuracy of DNAm GA meets or exceeds accuracy of gestational age estimates based on established methods. We also found an increased DNAm GA, relative to clinical GA, was associated with increased birthweight percentile (p=.00057), adjusting for GA, sex, and ancestry, suggesting that DNAm GA could represent developmental age more accurately than clinical estimates of GA. Conclusions: Further development of this predictor could provide a method of accurate neonatal estimation of GA for use in resource-limited populations, or in cases where GA cannot be estimated clinically. When clinical estimates are available, the predictor can be used to test hypotheses related to developmental age and other early life circumstances, and may provide increased accuracy beyond clinical estimates. 36 Umbilical cord blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes soon after placental delivery. Blood samples were centrifuged at 3,000 RPM to separate plasma, and buffy coats were aliquoted and stored at -80oC. DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Kit (Qiagen). DNA methylation was interrogated for each sample using the HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina).
2016-03-11 | E-GEOD-79056 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Background. Failure among pet owners to neuter their pets results in increased straying and overpopulation problems. Variations in neutering levels can be explained by cultural differences, differences in economic status in rural and urban locations, and owner perceptions about their pet. There are also differences between male and female pet owners. There is no research pertaining to Irish pet owner attitudes towards neutering their pets. This paper identified the perceptions of a sample of Irish cat and dog owners that influenced their decisions on pet neutering. Methods. This study was conducted using social science (qualitative) methods, including an interview-administered survey questionnaire and focus group discussions. Data was coded and managed using Nvivo 8 qualitative data analysis software. Results. Focus groups were conducted with 43 pet (cats and dogs) owners. Two major categories relating to the decision to neuter were identified: (1) enabling perceptions in the decision to neuter (subcategories were: controlling unwanted pet behaviour; positive perceptions regarding pet health and welfare outcomes; perceived owner responsibility; pet function; and the influence of veterinary advice), and (2) disabling perceptions in the decision to neuter (subcategories were: perceived financial cost of neutering; perceived adequacy of existing controls; and negative perceptions regarding pet health and welfare outcomes). Discussion. Pet owner sense of responsibility and control are two central issues to the decision to neuter their pets. Understanding how pet owners feel about topics such as pet neutering, can help improve initiatives aimed at emphasising the responsibility of population control of cats and dogs.
| S-EPMC4548501 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Gammaherpesviruses (GHVs) are members of an emerging subfamily of the family Herpesviridae. A recent study identified a novel GHV in domestic cats (Felis catus GHV1, FcaGHV1), and epidemiological surveys have found that FcaGHV1 is distributed worldwide. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of GHVs in domestic cats in Japan with a molecular epidemiological survey. Blood samples were collected from 1,738 domestic cats and GHV-derived DNA was detected with PCR in 1.3% (23/1,738) of the Japanese domestic cats. The FcaGHV1 detected in this study was very similar to FcaGHV1 detected in a domestic cat in North America. Older age (>5 years old) and Feline immunodeficiency virus infection were identified as risk factors for GHV infection.
| S-EPMC5658569 | biostudies-literature