Fifty client-owned senior cats (32 normotensive and 18 hypertensive) with renal function ranging from normal to moderately reduced were recruited into a prospective cross-sectional study exploring the association of urinary cadmium excretion and hypertension in cats. Heparinised plasma samples were collected and analysed for routine biochemical parameters. Urine samples were […]
A cat’s game of hide and seek
Hiding may play an important role in relaxing cats according to University of Queensland honours student Mark Owens. Working in the Centre of Animal Welfare and Ethics , Owens’ project focuses on the behaviour and welfare of domestic cats in shelters. “Welfare is a major issue in many countries for […]
Ultrasonography of intestinal mast cell tumors in the cat
The sonographic features of intestinal mast cell tumors (MCT) were reviewed in 14 cats at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA. The mean age was 13.4 ± 2.5 years. There were 16 focal intestinal tumors and one diffuse submucosal infiltrate. The most common pattern was […]
Hypercarnivory and the brain: protein requirements of cats reconsidered
The domestic hypercarnivores cat and mink have a higher protein requirement than other domestic mammals. This has been attributed to adaptation to a hypercarnivorous diet and subsequent loss of the ability to down regulate amino acid catabolism. A quantitative analysis of brain glucose requirements reveals that in cats on their […]
Specialist team save victim of high rise syndrome
A four-year-old female neutered Burmese cat with a taste for adventure made headlines this month after sustaining massive injuries secondary to “high rise syndrome”. The apartment-dwelling cat, named Akira, fell off a window ledge, plunging eight floors onto a driveway late on a Saturday night. “She was just lying there […]