Cat reproductive pathologies and contraception

Question 1

Metritis → pyometra in cats.

Answer 1

Low grade metritis: give antibiotics

Pyometra:
Surgical: ovariohysterectomy

Conservative: evacuation of uterine content and luteolysis.

❖ Use Aglepristone 15 mg/kg SC on days 1,2,7 and 14 was shown effective with overall recovery rate on 90%.

❖ In combination with prostaglandin (PGF 2-alfa) 0,1mg/kg SC day 3,4,5.

❖ Antibiotics, (if open pyometra do bacteriology), or choose amoxicillin/ clavuanate or enrofloxacin.

❖ Do ultrasound of the uterus day 7 and 14 after start treating to ensure the uterus has
been empty.

Question 2

Feline leukemia virus (feLV) during feline pregnancy. (5)

Answer 2

 Can affect pregnancy at any stage (infertility/abortions).

 The queen usually has no clinical signs.

 The virus is unstable and can only survive in the environment for at short while.

 Transmission requires direct contact, usually through mating/biting.

Prevention: never introduce new animals to the cattery before that have tested negative for the disease.

Question 3

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) during feline pregnancy. (5)

Answer 3

 Major route of transmission are bite wounds.

 Incubation time can be several years.

 The virus crosses the placenta and can cause:
❖ Arrested fetal development
❖ Mummification of the fetuses
❖ Abortion
❖ Stillbirth
❖ Low birth weight of congenitally infected kittens.

 The virus is not often a common cause of reproductive failure in pedigree cats, more often seen in free-roaming tomcats.

 If introduced in cattery, seorological test and elimination of seropositive animals
are advisable.

Question 4

Salmonella typhimurium during feline pregnancy. (2)

Answer 4

❖ Is reported as a cause of fetal death in queens fed with raw chicken.

❖ Pregnant animals should NOT be fed with raw food!

Question 5

Toxoplasmosis during feline pregnancy. (6)

Answer 5

❖ Caused by zoonotic protozoan toxoplasma gondii.

❖ Cats are both definitive and intermediate hosts.

❖ Mainly infected by ingesting tissue cysts from raw meat, but can be infected by
sporulated T.Gondii oocyst in feces from infected cats.

❖ Passes the placenta and can cause abortion, mummification, premature birth.

❖ Serology only useful if seronegative, because antibodies remain high several years after infection.

Prevent pregnant queens from hunting and do not feed them raw food.

Question 6

Diagnostic plan for the infertile queen with a normal cycle and mating behavior. (first 5 steps)

Answer 6

1. Check the medical history of the queen, including possible medications given
   during pregnancy.
2. Check the feeding regimen, including possible supplements, and determine
   whether the queen has been given raw food (a risk factor for toxoplasmosis and
   some bacterial infections).
3. Check the vaccination history and correct the vaccination routines if indicated.
4. Confirm that the female has ovulated after mating. A short inter estrus-interval
   indicates that there has been no ovulation.

If anovulation is the likely cause for
infertility no further testing is warranted but the owner should instead be advised to
change the mating regimen and/or to use a different tom cat.

5. Confirm that the queen is negative for FeLV and possibly also FIV.

Question 7

Diagnostic plan for the infertile queen with a normal cycle and mating behavior. (steps 6-10)

Answer 7

6. Perform a thorough clinical investigation with particular emphasis on palpation of the uterus and examination for the presence of a vulval discharge.
7. Perform an ultrasound examination of the uterus and ovaries.
8. In the presence of signs of metritis (vaginal discharge) and in the absence of
   severe cystic endometrial hyperplasia or other severe diseases, collect a bacterial culture from the vagina during estrus for selective antibiotic treatment.
9. If there are signs of general disease in the cattery, further testing based on clinical signs may be warranted.
10. Correction of the routine in the cattery may be warranted (e.g. keeping cats
    in smaller groups to minimize stress and the spread of infectious agents)

Question 8

Feline herpes virus and pregnancy in cats. (4)

Answer 8

not as big a deal in cats as canine herpes is in dogs

No clear association with pregnancy loss.

Doesn’t pass the placenta.

Vaccinate!

Question 9

Feline calici virus and pregnancy in cats. (3)

Answer 9

Can cross placenta

Can cause fetal death. Is a rare thing though.

Vaccinate!