Follow-up of the health conditions of an urban colony of free-roaming cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Similar to other urban areas where food and shelter are abundant, the zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro has dealt for years with a colony of feral or semi-feral domestic cats. A survey was conducted during 2002-2004 as a follow-up to a previous study in 2001 of the cat colony to identify pathogens circulating among the population and to annually follow the status of the cats to analyze morbidity coefficients and associations among infections and infestations identified in the colony. During the 3 years of the present study, 75 cats were sampled at least once, including 44 that were caught and examined only once, 14 that were examined twice, and 17 that were examined three times. For each cat that was caught, records were kept regarding sex, age, general health, and the presence of ectoparasites. Each year, a blood sample was taken for hematologic testing, platelet count, hemoparasite detection, antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, and retrovirus detection. Blood counts were within normal range for the majority of cats tested. Feline immunodeficiency virus, fleas, and lice were detected in all years; however, incidence rates for each of these varied significantly throughout the years. Prevalence of Cytauxzoon spp., Mycoplasma spp., T. gondii infections were variable among the 3 years, although differences were not significant. Prevalence of feline leukemia virus increased significantly over the 3 years. Mycoplasma spp. and flea infestations were significantly associated, but no other associations among the pathogens were detected. Over the 3 years, the rate of new cat introductions decreased, and the pathogens showed a tendency to disseminate throughout the colony; however, there was virtually no evidence of clinically detectable disease. Therefore, it seems that stabilizing the population by a judicious control program facilitated the distribution of the pathogens throughout the colony, while the general well-being of the cats was not seriously affected.

Hematological changes associated with hemoplasma infection in cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…On the other hand, another author found higher prevalence in the summer than in the fall in Italy (GENTILINI et al, 2009), what is in accordance to the hypothesis that hemoplasmas can be transmitted to cats by arthropod vectors. The flea Ctenocephalides felis is the main ectoparasite incriminated in transmission of hemotropic hemoplasmas among cats worldwide, especially because it is the ectoparasite most commonly found parasitizing these animals (SHAW et al, 2004;LAPPIN et al, 2006;MENDES-DE-ALMEIDA et al, 2007). DNA samples of 'Candidatus M. haemominutum', M. haemofelis and 'Candidatus M. turicensis' have been found in fleas and their feces (SHAW et al, 2004;WOODS et al, 2005;LAPPIN et al, 2006;HORNOK et al, 2010;ASSARASAKORN et al, 2012).…”

Molecular detection of feline arthropod-borne pathogens in cats in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, central-western region of Brazil

“…Although piroplasms similar to Cytauxzoon sp. have been found in cat blood smears in the state of Rio de Janeiro (MENDES-DE-ALMEIDA et al, 2007), molecular confirmation of occurrences of this parasite in Brazil has only been done in wild felids ( ANDRÉ et al, 2009;FILONI et al, 2012). On the other hand, Hepatozoon sp.…”

Cytauxzoon felis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' coinfection in a Brazilian domestic cat (Felis catus)

“…infections have been confirmed by molecular techniques in wild/exotic felids (PEIXOTO et al, 2007;ANDRÉ et al, 2009;FILONI et al, 2012), but few studies regarding natural cytauxzoonosis in domestic cats were solely based on the identification of parasites on blood smears (MENDES-DE-ALMEIDA et al, 2007).…”