Background and Aim: Bacterial contamination of drinking water is a leading cause of gastrointestinal infections. Cats may be at risk of water contamination from feces due to poor sanitation and hygiene. The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate the prevalence of coliform bacteria in cat drinking water and (2) identify possible risk factors leading to contamination. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five drinking water samples were collected from water containers used by cats (median age [range]: 5 years [8 months-15 years]) at their home. Using a sterile syringe, 50 mL water was collected directly from water containers. The water samples were stored in coliform enhancement media for 24 h and then submitted for bacterial culture. Results: The prevalence of fecal coliform contamination of cat drinking water was 67.27% (37/55; 95% confidence interval: 53.29-79.32%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of coliform bacterial contamination of drinking water by age or gender of the cat or by water container type. However, bacterial contamination differed significantly between shorthaired cats and longhaired cats when comparing Escherichia coli (9/44 [20.45%] vs. 8/11 [72.72%], p<0.001) and Enterobacter spp. (16/44 [36.36%] vs. 9/11 [81.82%], p=0.007). For water that had been in a container longer than 12 h, there were significantly more contaminated tap water samples (16/19 [84.21%]) than contaminated processed water samples (9/17 [52.94%], p=0.047). Conclusion: Coliform contamination in cat drinking water is common and occurs more often in households with longhaired cats. Drinking water for cats should be changed every 12 h, especially for households using tap water.

Background and Aim: Intranasal (IN) sedatives provide a non-invasive route for premedication drug administration. This study compared the cardiorespiratory and sparing effects of IN dexmedetomidine combined with morphine (DM) or tramadol (DT) on alfaxalone requirements for anesthesia induction in cats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four cats were randomly assigned to three groups: Dexmedetomidine combined morphine (IN dexmedetomidine 20 µg/kg plus 0.2 mg/kg morphine), DT (IN dexmedetomidine 20 µg/kg plus 1 mg/kg tramadol), or control (no premedication). The intravenous dose of 1% alfaxalone for endotracheal intubation was recorded with sedation scores, cardiorespiratory parameters (heart rate and respiration rate), and side effects. Results: Both DM and DT were associated with significantly higher sedation scores than baseline, and sedation scores were found to be highest 20 min after premedication. Sedation scores were comparable between DM and DT groups. Side effects, including hypersalivation, vomiting, and pupillary dilation, were observed in the DM and DT groups. The dosage of alfaxalone required in the DM group (1.5 ± 0.3 mg/kg) was comparable to that of the DT group (2.0 ± 0.6 mg/kg, p = 0.0861), and both groups required significantly less alfaxalone than the control group (3.0 ± 0.6 mg/kg; p < 0.01). Heart and respiratory rates were comparable between the DM and DT groups. Duration of anesthesia in the control group (11 ± 4 min) was significantly shorter than in the DM (29 ± 5 min, p = 0.0016) and DT (38 ± 14 min, p < 0.001) groups. Conclusion: Intranasal administration of DM or DT produces good sedation and offers an alternative, non-invasive route for cats undergoing general anesthesia. Keywords: alfaxalone, dexmedetomidine, intranasal, morphine, tramadol.