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.

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.

Use of cyanoacrylate in skin closure for ovariohysterectomy in a population control programme.

N-butyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive was evaluated as a skin closure material in a population control programme. Fifty-two female cats underwent ovariohysterectomy: skin closure of 25 of those cats was undertaken with nylon (3-0) and in 27 with the adhesive. Twenty-three cats spent the postoperative period confined in cages and 29 were free within a 50-square-metre fenced area. The parameters used for evaluation were: dehiscence or secretion and presence and extension of erythema at the surgical site. It was observed that the time required for closure of the surgical site with the adhesive was shorter than with nylon, saving approximately 1 min per animal. The adhesive or conventional suture allowed similar healing, and independent of material used for skin closure or the postoperative exercise, there was no statistical difference in wound cicatrization. As the adhesive eliminates the need for suture removal and decreases surgery time, without additional risk to the cat, it may be indicated for surgical population control programmes.

Sanitary conditions of a colony of urban feral cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in a zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The colony of urban stray cats living in the Rio de Janeiro zoological garden was studied in order to develop a population and health control program. As many cats as possible were captured during two months (47 animals) and were classified according to gender, age, weight and coat markings. They were submitted to a general health evaluation, examined for the presence of ectoparasites and sent to a surgical neutering program. All animals had a blood sample drawn for CBC, platelet count, heartworm and retroviruses detection. Capillary blood smears were made for hemoparasites detection. Coat marking and colors were tabby (59.7%), followed by solid black (17%); torbie (10.6%); bicolor (10.6%) and harlequin (2.1%). The only ectoparasites found were fleas, which infested 28% of the animals. The hemoparasites found were Haemobartonella felis (38%) and piroplasmas that could not be differentiated between Cytauxzoon spp. and Babesia spp. (47%). No cat was found infected by Dirofilaria immitis or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), although FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) antibodies could be detected (21%). There was no correlation between hemoparasites and FIV infections. The estimated total cat population (mark-recapture method) was 59; 68% female and 32% male, suggesting that a neutering program is in fact needed.

[Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) in the neighborhood of a feline case: a study about the transmission]. / Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) no entorno de um caso felino: um estudo sobre sua transmissão.

Dirofilaria immitis preferably infects canids and can, in lower frequency, be found in cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758). The parasite may be transmitted by various Culicidae species. Motivated by an autochtone feline heartworm case diagnosed in the region of Engenho Novo - RJ (S 22 degrees 90' e WO 43 degrees 27'), the following issues were surveyed: 1) the local Culicidae fauna and; 2) the ocurrence of microfilaremic dogs. The mosquito study was conducted from April 2003 through May 2004, by peri-domiciliary and intra-domiciliary captures. A total of 672 mosquitoes (female) of the following species were caught: Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (561/672-83.5%); Culex quinquefasciatus Say (96/672-14.3%); Aedes (Oc.) scapularis (Rondani) (12/672-1.8%) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (3/672-0.4%). Only A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus specimens were captured year-round. A total of 235 canine blood samples were collected during the Campanha de Vacinação "Rio Sem Raiva" in October 2003. No microfilaria could be found in any of the examined samples (Knott s and NAN techniques), even though only 3.4% of the dogs received chemoprophylaxis and the majority of them frequently traveled to endemic areas. The presence of vectors associated to a possible dog mobility, may have provided the right scenario for the feline D. immitis infection to happen in the studied area.

Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) no entorno de um caso felino: um estudo sobre sua transmissão / Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) in the neighborhood of a feline case: a study about the transmission

A espécie Dirofilaria immitis parasita principalmente canídeos, podendo infectar também gatos embora raramente (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758). Seus hospedeiros intermediários podem ser diferentes espécies de culicídeos. Motivados por um caso autóctone de dirofilariose felina, encontrado na região do Engenho Novo - RJ (S 22º 90' e WO 43º 27'), estudou-se: 1) a fauna culicídica local e; 2) a ocorrência de cães portadores de microfilárias. Os estudos sobre a fauna culicídica foram conduzidos, de abril de 2003 a maio de 2004, realizando-se capturas peridomiciliares e intradomiciliares. Foram capturados 672 indivíduos (fêmeas) das espécies Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (561/672 - 83,5%), Culex quinquefasciatus Say (96/672 - 14,3%), Aedes (Oc.) scapularis (Rondani) (12/672 - 1,8%) e Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (3/672 - 0,4%). Apenas as espécies A. aegypti e C. quinquefasciatus foram capturadas em todos os meses do ano. Foram coletadas 235 amostras de sangue canino, durante a Campanha de Vacinação "Rio Sem Raiva", em outubro de 2003. Nenhuma amostra examinada continha microfilárias (técnicas de Knott e NAN), apesar de apenas 3,4% dos cães receberem quimioprofilaxia. A presença de culicídeos vetores, associada à possibilidade de mobilidade dos cães, pode ter favorecido o aparecimento da infecção felina na região.

Dirofilaria immitis preferably infects canids and can, in lower frequency, be found in cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758). The parasite may be transmitted by various Culicidae species. Motivated by an autochtone feline heartworm case diagnosed in the region of Engenho Novo - RJ (S 22º 90' e WO 43º 27'), the following issues were surveyed: 1) the local Culicidae fauna and; 2) the ocurrence of microfilaremic dogs. The mosquito study was conducted from April 2003 through May 2004, by peri-domiciliary and intra-domiciliary captures. A total of 672 mosquitoes (female) of the following species were caught: Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (561/672 - 83.5%); Culex quinquefasciatus Say (96/672 - 14.3%); Aedes (Oc.) scapularis (Rondani) (12/672 - 1.8%) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (3/672 - 0.4%). Only A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus specimens were captured year-round. A total of 235 canine blood samples were collected during the Campanha de Vacinação "Rio Sem Raiva" in October 2003. No microfilaria could be found in any of the examined samples (Knott´s and NAN techniques), even though only 3.4% of the dogs received chemoprophylaxis and the majority of them frequently traveled to endemic areas. The presence of vectors associated to a possible dog mobility, may have provided the right scenario for the feline D. immitis infection to happen in the studied area.

Sanitary conditions of a colony of urban feral cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in a zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

As condições sanitárias e composição populacional de uma colônia de gatos urbanos, errantes, habitantes do zoológico do Rio de Janeiro foram estudadas, objetivando-se um programa de controle populacional e sanitário. Capturou-se o maior número de indivíduos possível durante dois meses (47 animais). Os animais capturados foram examinados quanto ao gênero, idade, peso, pelagem, inspeção geral e presença de ectoparasitas e eram encaminhados a um programa de esterilização cirúrgica. Cada animal teve uma amostra de sangue colhida para realização de hemograma completo, plaquetometria, pesquisa de hemoparasitas e de retrovírus. As marcações e cores de pelagem encontradas foram "tabby" (70%), preta (17%); bicolor (11%) e arlequim (2%). A presença de pulgas foi observada em 28% dos animais. Os hemoparasitas encontrados foram Haemobartonella felis (38%) e piroplasmas indistinguíveis entre Cytauxzoon spp. e Babesia spp. (47%). Nenhum dos gatos foi encontrado com antigenemia de Dirofilaria immitis ou do vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV), embora anticorpos contra o vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) tenham sido detectados (21%). Não houve correlação entre infecção por FIV e hemoparasitas. A população total estimada (método de captura-recaptura) foi de 59 gatos, sendo 68% fêmeas e 32% machos. Os resultados sugerem que um programa de esterilização cirúrgica é de fato necessário.