Summary: Colony cats were anaesthetised, and the blood vessels under their tongue were measured with a special hand-held camera.

Procedure: Colony cats were health-checked before being sedated to place a catheter (108 cats). They were anaesthetised to access their tongue (3 to 4 medications per cat). The tongue was positioned to reach the blood vessels on the underside. Three video recordings were taken at slightly different places, which took between 2 and 14 minutes per cat. Though not explicitly stated, recovery likely included blood samples and heart checks. Data from several cats were excluded due to a heart murmur, lethargy, and elevated white blood cells.

Purpose: To test a hand-held sidestream dark field videomicroscopy camera and proprietary software (GlycoCheck®) for estimating the thickness of the inner blood vessel walls in cats. This parameter influences inflammation, coagulation and blood flow. A simple measuring option would be advantageous for veterinary practices.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2022

Summary: Colony cats were fed different diets for three weeks before their faeces was collected for analyses.

Procedure: Colony cats aged 2 to 8 years were fed either a high-protein or high-carbohydrate diet for at least 21 days. Then they were kept in individual cages (80x80x110cm) to collect faeces samples for laboratory analyses.

Purpose: To evaluate how well a cat's digestion can handle animal-derived fermentable substrates (ADFS, namely: hydrolysed collagen, cartilage, and cat hair). This knowledge can inform pet food manufacturing.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2022

Summary: New Zealand cat caregivers filled in an online survey about their household demographics and what/how they feed their cats.

Procedure: There was no approval required for this study, as only the caregivers were surveyed.
From January to March 2019, an online survey was conducted in NZ households, covering the human demographics along with their cats' body condition, breed and diet. A total of 1,537 participants owned at least one cat. 30% of respondents disagreed with the correct body condition statement, revealing a need for caregiver education.

Purpose: To explore what and how pet cats are being fed in New Zealand and to identify owner-related risk factors for cat obesity. Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the highest rates of pet ownership. Every fourth cat is overweight or obese, conditions associated with poor health outcomes.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.

Procedure: The 287 bait stations were established in 500 m grid spacings across the treatment area. A grid of 40 cameras was set up across the area, triggered by movement. Two applications of non-toxic pre-feed minced meat baits were followed by two applications of toxic PAPP baits.

Purpose: To test a toxins efficiency to reduce numbers in a localised wild cat population in a 9,123 ha area of the Poutiri Ao ō Tāne project in Northern Hawke’s Bay.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Cats were put through several anaesthetic infusions with 6-day breaks in between. Regular saliva samples were taken 24 hours before and after, and urine was collected through a wire mesh tray.

Procedure: Castrated male colony cats were transferred from their group housing to individual cages and acclimated for one week. The cats were fasted overnight and sedated before a catheter was placed in a leg vein for infusions. They were infused with three treatments in random order: saline solution and two different anaesthetics (Alfaxalone, Propofol) with 6-day breaks in between. The infusion took 30min per treatment. Saliva samples were taken with a swab rolled through the cat’s mouth, 7 times before the infusion and 7 times after. Urine was collected over the same 48-hour period by replacing the litter with a wire mesh.

Purpose: To measure if anaesthetics cause a stress response in cats that is measurable in their saliva or urine. This response is known for several species, including humans, but differs with the compound and individual. Stress can affect treatment outcomes and should therefore be kept to a minimum.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Toxic bait stations are set up in a regular pattern in an area and left for two weeks. Trial cameras and tracking tunnels monitor the effect on the population.

Procedure: Bait stations in a given area are set up in a regular pattern with factory-made toxic bait and left for two weeks. The impact on wild cat (and ferret) populations is monitored with cameras and tracking tunnels.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of a new ready-made formulation of toxic bait for use in bait stations on wild cats and ferrets. Para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) can effectively kill wild cats, but fresh bait is messy to make. The ready-made baits are also assumed to be accepted better.

Source: AEC application we received via Official Information Act request (description of purpose and procedure taken from the application that was made to the relevant Animal Ethics Committee before the actual study)

Year approved: 2020

Summary: Medical data from cats and dogs were gathered, and animals that had been euthanised for other reasons were examined.

Procedure: There was no approval required for this study, as it used medical histories, cadavers or tests done within regular veterinary care.
Initially, medical records and imaging studies of 50 cats and 52 dogs who underwent computed tomography (CT) examinations between 2011 and 2019 were reviewed. Abnormalities of the eyes were noted. In the next stage, three dead animals (2 cats and 1 dog) and four live patients (3 cats and 1 dog) were examined. The dead animals had been euthanised for unrelated reasons. Their lenses were examined immediately after death before the eyes were dissected. The four live patients underwent head CT for purposes independent of this study and were examined with caregiver consent.

Purpose: To gather data on the occurrence of hypoattenuating ocular lenses in computer tomography imaging dogs and cats and the potential health implications. Hypoattenuation of ocular lenses (when they appear brighter than they should be on the CT scan) is connected to cataracts in humans.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2020

Summary: Research cats were placed in individual cages four times (one week each time) and injected with either a diabetes drug or a control solution. Several blood and urine samples were taken.

Procedure: Eight short-haired cats (male, castrated, aged 5 to 10 years) were housed in individual cages (0.8x1x0.8m) for four trial periods. Following 3 days of acclimation, they were dosed with either a diabetes medication or a control solution daily for 5 days. Blood and urine samples were taken on the first and fifth day. After being fasted overnight, a catheter was placed in a leg vein. A contrasting agent (Iohexol, commonly used for X-rays) was injected at the end of each trial period. Blood samples were taken from a neck vein before and three times after the iohexol injection. There was a break of one week between the trial periods.

Purpose: To test the effect of a human diabetes drug on the blood sugar of healthy cats. Dapagliflozin was approved for Type 2 diabetes in humans by the FDA in 2014. It causes an increase in glucose excretion, leading to weight loss in addition to lowered blood sugar, blood pressure and insulin requirement in human patients.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2020

Summary: Colony cats were anaesthetised, and all plaque was removed from their teeth. Four weeks later, new plaque build-up was measured.

Procedure: Thirty male healthy short-haired cats between 2.5 and 5 years old were housed in colony cages. The cats were adjusted to only kibble and water for two weeks. They were anaesthetised (ketamine and domitor) before removing all plaque from their teeth with a sonic scaler and polishing with a fine-grade paste. Each cat could recover alone before returning to group housing. One week later, they were anaesthetised again, and plaque build-up was measured using a disclosing agent (2% erythrosine). All plaque was removed again before the cats were divided into groups. They were fed either regular kibble or kibble sprayed with ovine Ig (antibodies extracted from lamb's blood) for 4 weeks. Plaque build-up was measured again. Saliva and blood samples were taken while the cats were anaesthetised.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of supplementing ovine Ig (a sheep-derived antibody) on dental health in cats. By two years old, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some tooth problems, and Ig can provide antibacterial function.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2020

Summary: Buccal swabs (inside the cheek) were collected from almost 200 cats at 15 veterinary clinics.

Procedure: At 15 veterinary clinics, cats that had never been vaccinated against FIV or been vaccinated within the last year were sampled. A sterile swab was rubbed against the cat’s inner cheek for 30 seconds and sent for analysis. A total of 191 samples were taken between March and July 2015.

Purpose: To determine the frequency of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in NZ cats and the impact of vaccination. The virus is relatively common, and while the commercial vaccine contains subtypes A and D, a high proportion of FIV in NZ cats is subtype C.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2020