FELINE FAMILY
A Case Study
In Fulfillment of
the Requirements in
Biology 4
Hundreds of millions of cats are kept as pets around the world. Cats have either a
mutualistic or commensal relationship with humans. Because of their small size, domesticated
house cats pose little physical danger to adult humans. However, in the USA cats inflict about
400,000 bites per year. This number represents about one in ten of all animal bites (Kravetz &
Federman, 2002). Many cat bites will become infected, sometimes with serious consequences such
as cat-scratch disease, or, more rarely, rabies (Talan, 1999). Cats may also pose a danger to
pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals, since their feces can transmit toxoplasmosis.
A large percentage of cats are infected with this parasite, with infection rates ranging from around
40 to 60% in both domestic and stray cats worldwide (Svobodová, Knotek, & Svoboda, 2008).
Allergic reactions to cat dander and/or cat saliva are common. Some humans who are
themselves to a particular animal and live comfortably in the same house with it, while retaining
an allergy to cats in general. Whether the risk of developing allergic diseases such as asthma is
increased or decreased by cat ownership is uncertain. Some owners cope with this problem by
taking allergy medicine, along with bathing their cats frequently, since weekly bathing will reduce
the amount of dander shed by a cat. There have also been attempts to breed hypoallergenic cats,
Cat ownership may also improve psychological health by providing emotional support and
dispelling feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness. Their ability to provide companionship
and friendship are common reasons given for owning a cat. From another point of view, cats are
thought to be able to improve the general mood of their owners by alleviating negative attitudes.
According to a Swiss study carried out in 2003, cats may change the overall psychological state of
their owner as their company's effect appears to be comparable to that of a human partner. The
researchers concluded that, while cats were not shown to promote positive moods, they do alleviate
negative ones. Several studies have shown that cats develop affection towards their owners.
However, the effect of these pets on human health is closely related to the time and effort the cat
owner is able to invest in it, in terms of bonding and playing (Patronek, 2003).
This paper aims to discuss the following selected diseases of cat: Feline Lower Urinary
Tract Disease (FLUTD), Upper Respiratory Infection and Feline Gingivitis. Specifically, this
1. Search relevant literature and studies on the said Feline diseases; and
2. Compile the following literature and studies to produce a comprehensive paper on the
This paper is significant because it may serve as an educational material for those who are
studying about Feline diseases. It may provide relevant facts such as the causes, prevention and
treatment of those selected diseases of cats. Moreover, this paper may also help those who are
looking for ways on how to prevent or control the spread of those selected Feline diseases.
family only. In addition, this paper is also limited to discussing only three selected Feline diseases
namely: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), Upper Respiratory Infection and Feline
Gingivitis.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a disease that results in inflammation of
the bladder (cystitis) and/or the urethra (urethritis). The condition may result in partial or complete
obstruction of the urinary tract. Urinary obstructions are life threatening and require immediate
veterinary treatment. The exact cause of FLUTD is unknown - there may be more than one single
cause. It is a complex condition where a number of factors contribute to the development of the
disease, including age, sex, obesity, diet, stress, urine pH, and urine concentration. Viruses may
also play a role in causing FLUTD (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, 2001). Since the
exact causes of FLUTD remain unknown, treatment is not always straightforward or standardized.
For example, the crystals that form in the urine and eventually lead to stone formation in the
bladder may in fact be the result rather than the cause of this disease. In some cats, treatment with
antibiotics may help or minimize the problem. In others, changing the diet to a magnesium-
restricted diet and/or a diet that promotes urinary acidification may be necessary. Still other cases
may require surgical intervention. While FLUTD can occur at any age, it is usually seen in middle-
aged, overweight cats that get little exercise, use an indoor litter box, have little or no outdoor
access, or eat a dry diet. Factors such as emotional or environment stress, multi-cat households,
and abrupt changes in daily routine may also increase the risk that a cat will develop FLUTD.
Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is the common term for a respiratory infection
caused by one or more viral or bacterial agents. Synonyms for this condition include feline
infectious respiratory disease and feline upper respiratory disease complex (URD). The infection
may be caused by one or more viral and bacterial agents that are capable of causing disease in cats.
The most common viruses that cause upper respiratory infections in cats are Feline Herpesvirus
Type-1 (also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis or FVR) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV), while
the most common bacteria that cause upper respiratory infections in cats are Bordetella
bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) and Chlamydophila felis (C. felis) (IDEXX Laboratories ,
2016).
Herpesvirus and calicivirus are responsible for approximately 90% of all feline upper
respiratory tract infections. More information about the most common infectious agents that cause
an upper respiratory infection in cats can be found in separate handouts in this series of client
education materials. Other, less common, agents that may be involved in an upper respiratory
infection in cats include mycoplasma or feline retrovirus. Bacteria and viruses are very contagious
and are present in the saliva and discharge produced by the eyes and nose. Healthy cats can get
infected when they come into direct contact with a sick cat. Cats with retroviruses are especially
vulnerable to the contagions, both through direct contact or indirect contact with contaminated
Feline Gingivitis
In periodontal disease, the structure supporting the teeth under the gumline is diseased by
bacteria that has entered the gingiva, or gum pockets, and causes inflammation and bleeding. The
inflammation can spread to other parts of the mouth causing discomfort and difficulty eating.
which lesions form on the gingiva and surrounding areas of the mouth. In addition, sometimes
during treatment for gingivitis an underlying systemic viral condition may be discovered (petMD,
inflammation of the gingiva, or gums. In the early phases of gingivitis, some plaque is present and
there is a mild redness of the gums, but the gingival surfaces are smooth. Animals like cats do not
brush their teeth. If they do, Gingivitis wouldn’t be such a problem for feline family. To be exact,
Gingivitis is usually caused when food particles collect in the small spaces between the teeth and
gums. As the food decays, bacteria begin to grow, causing pockets of infections. The infection and
debris irritate the gums, and may eventually cause them to become red, swollen or even bleed. It
is primarily caused by the the accumulation of plaque and its accompanying bacteria. Other
circumstances that may make a cat sensitive to the development of gingivitis are the following:
Mouth chemistry
Bartonella bacteria
Low-fiber diet
Feline leukemia virus
Diabetes
METHODOLOGY
The researchers first selected three diseases of the animal they chose. The animal chosen
was cat, which is a member of the family Feline. The three identified diseases are the following:
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), Upper Respiratory Infection and Feline Gingivitis.
After identifying the three diseases of the animals they chose, the researchers then gathered
references and previous studies done for the compilation of these selected animal diseases.
In the reference materials gathered by the researchers, majority showed and identified the
established underlying symptoms of the diseased animal specifically cat, which might lead them
to diagnose the exact disease the animal is suffering from. It was stated in a study that one disease,
the Gingivitis, affects four out of five cats over three years old. Accordingly, the viruses
Herpesvirus and calicivirus are responsible for approximately 90% of all feline upper respiratory
tract infections. From these data collected, it can be analysed that the following diseases are
considered important since they affect significant numbers of feline family; thus, future researchers
After discussing each of these diseases, the researchers provided applicable information on
how to control and manage the spread of such diseases. It was done to possibly eliminate or if not,
at least minimize the death and suffering caused by the diseases to the family of feline specifically
the cats. These three diseases may be prevented and controlled if proper care is administered to
those animals, which are susceptible to the said diseases. The mentioned diseases may also be
According to the references gathered from different studies, most signs result from urinary
tract irritation. A cat suffering from this disease may be doing one or more of the following things:
may continuously dig holes in the garden or get into the litter tray and strain to urinate
It may be difficult for you to tell whether your cat is trying to urinate or it is constipated. If
you are unsure, you may discuss this with your veterinarian. If the urinary tract is completely
When FLUTD is suspected, tests are required to confirm the diagnosis. This usually requires
analysis of the urine. In some cases, x-rays and blood tests may be required to assess if your cat is
in a critical or life-threatening situation. If the bladder is blocked, a general anesthetic is required
to relieve the obstruction, flush out the urethra and place a tube (catheter) into the bladder to allow
a patent pathway for urine flow. Intravenous fluids are usually required to help dilute the urine and
assist the kidneys in removing waste products. This is usually accompanied by a period of
hospitalization to ensure the bladder is working properly and the urethra remains patent after a
blockage has been relieved (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2018). Depending on the
underlying cause for FLUTD, the clinical signs may never, or only occasionally, reoccur.
However, recurrence is more common with FIC. To help reduce the chances of recurrence:
Consult with your veterinarian about the best diet for your cat. Many commercial diets are
acceptable, but some urinary conditions respond better to specialized diets. Canned food
may be preferred.
Provide an adequate number of litter boxes (usually one more than the number of cats in
the household) with the type of litter that the cat(s) prefer
Keep litter boxes clean – they should be scooped twice a day and the litter changed weekly
Reduce stress.
Upper Respiratory Infection
Based on further readings done by the researchers, they found out that the signs and
symptoms of this disease include the following: sniffling, sneezing, clear to pus-like discharge
from the eyes and/or nose, coughing and lethargy are common symptoms of an upper respiratory
infection in cats. On examination, your veterinarian may also check for oral ulcers, sometimes
caused by FVR and FCV. Generally, a fever, poor appetite, and lethargy accompany the more
specific symptoms of a URI. In most cases, diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection is based on
the characteristic clinical signs. Specific identification of the causative agent is not always
necessary, but will be recommended for breeding animals or if an individual cat has an infection
Accordingly, if the disease is caused by a virus, the specific causative virus can usually be
identified by collecting samples of cells and discharges from the nose, eyes or back of the throat.
C. felis organisms may be identified via conjunctival scrapings. If the infection has spread to the
lungs, samples may be collected for examination by a procedure called a Trans tracheal wash. If a
cat has chronic symptoms of respiratory disease, additional diagnostic testing is warranted. This
additional testing will usually include chest or skull x-rays, blood tests, and culture and sensitivity
Treatment:
Your veterinarian will determine the best treatment course for your cat, which may include
specific prescriptions and possible hospitalization, depending on the severity of clinical signs. For
milder infections, your veterinarian may suggest that you try the following:
Increase humidity within your home—this can be done with a humidifier or by taking your
cat into a steamy bathroom several times a day for short periods of time (15–20 minutes).
Offer yummy, appetizing cat food—canned food usually smells better to cats and
encourages eating.
Clear the eyes and nose of discharge—wipe the eyes and nose with a moistened washcloth
Prevention:
Parents of children will tell you how difficult it is to keep their kids free from colds; it can
sometimes be the same with our feline kids. But, as is the case with children, vaccination
can protect your cat from the most common causes of and upper respiratory infection: FVR
and FVC.
Preventing direct contact between cats is ultimately the best way to avoid infection. If you
are bringing home a new cat that has come from a breeder or shelter, it is important to have
her visit the veterinarian before introducing her to any cats you currently have. Keep in
mind that your new kitty may not yet be showing symptoms, so limited exposure and
diligence in cleaning and sanitizing is very important in the first 1–2 weeks after adoption.
Feline Gingivitis
Based on the readings done by the researchers, it was found that the first symptom a person
may see in a cat suffering from gingivitis is occasional bleeding or perhaps blood when a cat eats.
Bad breath
Decreased appetite
Irritability
Discomfort
When these symptoms are observed, it is time to call a professional particularly a veterinarian
and schedule a thorough dental cleaning before the condition becomes more serious and severe.
Treatment:
Treatment for gingivitis is fairly simple. These are the four steps to a thorough dental
cleaning:
Removing Build-up: A cat’s teeth will be scaled to remove the plaque and tartar build up
Polishing: The teeth will be polished to remove any remaining plaque and to create a
Rinsing: An oral rinsing with a special solution will flush any remaining build up between
issues.
If the veterinarian finds any additional oral issues or underlying conditions in a cat, the next
steps for treatment will be discussed with the owner. The treatments may or may not be surgical.
Often, extractions are necessary, due to bone loss, fractures that are exposing the pulp canal, root
abscesses, and resorption. If stomatitis is found, often all of the teeth must be removed (full mouth
extraction) to relieve pain and aid in general recovery from the underlying condition. And for any
remaining teeth, a sealant may be applied to prevent future buildup of plaque and tartar.
REFERENCES
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