Characteristics of Cats Admitted to Czech Shelters
The aim of this study was to describe the numbers and characteristics of cats entering Czech shelters. Records of sheltered cats were collected from three cat shelters situated in different regions of the Czech Republic from 2011 to 2015. A total of 2170 cat admissions were analyzed in this study. Significantly (p < .001) greater numbers of […]
Evaluation of a trap-neuter-return management program for feral cat colonies: Population dynamics, home ranges, and potentially zoonotic diseases
With this research project I evaluated the effectiveness of trap-neuter-return management for feral cat colonies, and specifically examined the prevalence of selected infectious diseases, population dynamics, and home ranges for feral cats under different management strategies. I used an effective trapping method and captured 98% of the target cats with 8.9 trap nights per cat. […]
Efficacy of levonorgestrel when administered as an irradiated, slow-release injectable matrix for feline contraception
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1039.abs Reliable and safe methods of reversible contraception are needed for use in zoo felids. The efficacy of levonorgestrel (LNG) as a contraceptive, when delivered as a cesium-irradiated, slow-release, injectable matrix, was tested in domestic cats as a model for exotic cats. An increase (P = 0.0017) in body weight was observed in treated […]
Assessment of animal welfare in a veterinary context–A call for ethologists
With the increasingly advanced treatments offered in veterinary medicine, the need to evaluate not only the treatment itself but also the implications of the treatment for the welfare of the animal has become more apparent. Follow-up studies are important sources of information for veterinarians concerning the potential outcome of a treatment and some of these […]
Non-invasive monitoring of ovarian function in several felid species by measurement of fecal estradiol-17β and progestins
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430140304.abs An extraction and assay procedure to measure fecal estradiol-17β and progestin concentrations in several cat species was developed and validated for use for noninvasive monitoring of ovarian function. Fecal samples were collected over a range of 3–20 months from female tigers (three), lions (three), snow leopards (three), cheetahs (two), caracals (two), and domestic […]
Ontogeny of individuality in the domestic cat in the home environment
The behaviour of house cats Felis silvestris catus from nine litters was recorded at 4 months, 1 year and 2 years of age, in their home environment immediately after meals fed by their owners. We extracted by principal components analysis four elements of [`]behavioural style’ that were consistent from one age to another: based upon […]
Assessing reproductive cycles and pregnancy in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) by vaginal cytology
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430110303.abs Vaginal cytology was used to monitor ovarian cycles, two pregnancies, and three pseudopregnancies. Vaginal smears were collected two or three times per week from three adult females; smears plus blood samples were collected once per week from a fourth, adolescent female. Mean cycle lengths, based on intervals between onset of leukocyte infusions, were […]
Relationships between scores of the feline temperament profile and behavioural and adrenocortical responses to a mild stressor in cats
There is a growing need for an easy assessment of stress levels in cats in order to more effectively diagnose, distinguish and treat stress-related disorders or behavioural problems. Therefore, we investigated which behavioural changes might be associated with an adrenocortical response to an acute stress or (spray bath) and in which magnitude this response depends […]
Home range size, habitat utilisation and movement patterns of suburban and farm cats
The movements of 10 house cats (4 desexed females, 5 desexed males and 1 intact male) living on the edge of a suburb adjoining grassland and forest/woodland habitat, and a neighbouring colony of seven farm cats, were examined using radio-telemetry over nine months. Nocturnal home range areas of the suburban cats varied between 0.02 and […]
The absolute threshold for vision in the cat
In recent investigations of vision in animals the methods of electrophysiology have proved an invaluable tool for the elucidation of functions of the visual apparatus. Action potentials in optic nerve fibres, as well as electro-retinograms, have been employed to this end; so that we now have a body of accurate and objective information regarding the […]