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The mystery of gingers, torties and calicos solved!

Have you ever wondered why there are far more male ginger cats than females or the genetic story behind tortoiseshells and calicos?

After more than a century of curiosity, scientists in the USA and Japan have finally uncovered the genetic secrets behind these classic feline coat colors.

They have confirmed that the vibrant orange coat in cats,  ginger, is linked to a gene on the X chromosome, called the Orange gene.

This discovery supports a theory proposed in 1912 by American geneticist Clarence Cook Little. He suggested that coat colour is tied to the X chromosome which means that male cats (with the X and Y gene) can only be either completely orange or non-orange. Females (with two X genes) can inherit both forms of the gene, resulting in the unique mixed patterns seen in tortoiseshells and calicos.

So, why are most gingers male?

Since males only need one copy of the orange gene to express the color, they are more likely to be ginger. Females, on the other hand, require two orange gene copies, which is far less common. This explains why only about 4% of female cats are ginger.

Recent studies have pinpointed the Orange gene’s function. A large DNA deletion in the gene alters when and where it activates, producing orange fur. This gene is also involved in hair follicle development, revealing a new biological pathway for pigment production.

In tortoiseshells and calicos, the gene is activated in some areas and not in others, creating their patchwork coats.

Although a very few male tortoiseshells and calicos occur, they typically have an extra X chromosome, which is very rare. This research highlights the complicated genetics behind these much-loved cat colour variations.

For ginger cat fans and tortie admirers, this discovery answers some age-old questions – and opens doors to exciting new scientific exploration.

Watch this space!

The mystery of gingers, torties and calicos solved! Read More »

Are cat curfews the way of the future?

The Mannigham Council, northeast of Melbourne, will be the latest to apply a 24 hour curfew to domestic cats when new rules come into force in April 2024.

The trend in recent years to restrict cat freedom is mainly driven by :

  • a desire to protect native birds and small animals from cat predation
  • neighbour complaints such as noise, damage to property and fouling of gardens and play areas
  • concerns for the health of free-roaming cats which have a shorter lifespan and greater exposure to disease.

The 2022 report, Australian Government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy report: Tackling the feral cat pandemic also provided a new impetus to the control of domestic cats. It reported that they were a significant contributor to wildlife loss and recommended curfew and containment programs.(1)

Action from local governments have been mixed. While micro-chipping is almost universal and registration is common, regulations to contain cats within household boundaries apply in only about one-quarter of councils.

State governments have also failed to pass legislation that supports the adoption of curfews. While some States are keen to get on, others, notably Queensland, are badly lagging.

When it applies its 24 hour curfew, Manningham will join, for example, the ACT, Adelaide Hills Council (SA), Knox City Council (VIC), Bruny Island (TAS) and Kangaroo Island (SA).

About one-third of owners already contain their cats full time but resistance by other cats owners can be strong.  Cats have traditionally been an easy option for pet ownership, sometimes just feed and forget. The extra thought and expense required to contain cats and then provide the necessary stimulation and exercise to keep them healthy can be a major change.

The Manningham Council will be attempting to bring the community along with it.

“We will be focused on community awareness and education on the benefits of cat confinement prior to and during the amnesty period before moving towards compliance and enforcement” said Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange.

As well as an extended amnesty and review period, the Council is engaging in an extensive information campaign and providing web resources for cat owners facing the transition.

Hopefully we can look to to a future where care for our cats can live alongside our care for native animals.

If you’d like to read more, check out The management of cats by local governments in Australia: summary of national survey results

(1) CSIRO research reports that, on average, each roaming, hunting pet cat in Australia kills 40 native reptiles, 38 native birds and 32 native mammals per year.

Are cat curfews the way of the future? Read More »

Could you feed your cat on a vegan diet?

Increasing numbers of people are making the shift to vegetarian or vegan diets for health, cost or animal kindness reasons or to decrease the burden on our planet.

But is it safe, healthy and practical to take your domestic cat down the vegan path?

The short answer is maybe, but go carefully.

Cats are carnivores. Their bodies have evolved to thrive on a diet primarily composed of animal-based proteins and the other nutrients associated with meat. While humans can adapt to various diets, cats have specific nutritional requirements that make a vegetarian or vegan diet potentially risky.

Safety

Unlike dogs, cats cannot efficiently synthesise essential nutrients like taurine and vitamin A from plant sources alone. Taurine deficiency, for instance, can lead to severe health issues, including heart problems and vision impairments. To address this, commercial vegetarian and vegan cat foods are often supplemented with synthetic nutrients.

Health

Cats require high-quality protein, and the amino acids in animal proteins are essential for their overall well-being. Protein deficiency can lead to muscle wasting and other health complications. Additionally, cats need certain fats found in animal tissues for energy and the maintenance of a healthy coat.

Practicality

Transitioning a cat to a vegetarian or vegan diet can be difficult. Their preferences are strongly inclined towards meat. Some cats may outright reject plant-based foods, leading to potential malnutrition. Owners may also face difficulties in sourcing and preparing balanced vegetarian or vegan meals for their pets. There might also be laws in your area that have something to say about feeding a suitable and adequate diet to animals in your care.

What does the science say?

A recent review showed there was not much high quality research and the conclusions were sometimes contradictory. They concluded

…there is little evidence of adverse effects arising in dogs and cats on vegan diets…some of the evidence on adverse health impacts is contradicted in other studies…there is some evidence of benefits, particularly arising from guardians’ perceptions of the diets…a cautious approach is recommended. If guardians wish to implement a vegan diet, it is recommended that commercial foods are used.1

Four takeouts

  1. Talk to your vet before making major dietary changes

  2. Use commercially prepared vegan foods formulated to meet cats’s dietary needs

  3. Monitor your own cat for signs of food rejection or dietary deficiencies

  4. Accept that, for some cats, it may be possible to incorporate only limited plant-based ingredients without risking the cat’s health.

1The Impact of Vegan Diets on Indicators of Health in Dogs and Cats: A Systematic Review Adriana Domínguez-Oliva, Daniel Mota-Rojas, Ines Semendric and Alexandra L. Whittaker

Could you feed your cat on a vegan diet? Read More »

Feline health grants for 2023 are now open

This is our Secretary’s cat Lily to let you know that applications for this year’s Feline Health Research Fund grants are now open.

The Feline Health Research Fund each year calls for relevant research proposals from scientists, veterinarians and post-graduate students from Australian universities and research institutes.

Thanks to the work of these scientists, vets and post-graduate students our domestic cats, like Lily, will live longer and healthier lives.

Find out more about the grants by visiting the FHRF Grants Page.

This round closes on Friday 1 September 2023.

Grants are solely funded by donations and bequests from individual cat lovers and organisations devoted to cat welfare. Find out how you can support this work by visiting the Support Feline Health Page.

Please feel free to forward this information to colleagues and associates with an interest in feline health research.

Happy International Cat Day!

 

Feline health grants for 2023 are now open Read More »

2023 Grant Round

I

If you are looking for a partner to fund your research into cat health, we may be what you need.

The Feline Health Research Fund makes grants of up to $10,000 from it’s pool of  donations from cat lovers, professionals and the industry to fund quality Australian research into issues affecting the health, wellbeing and longevity of domestic cats.

We are encouraging applications from a range of disciplines into a wide range of health issues for domestic cats.

For more information please go to the Applying for a Grant page on our website.  There you can download the Small Grants Application Form, read the Grant FAQs and check out details of previously funded projects.

The window for this grant round opens on the Monday 7 August and closes at 5pm on Friday 1 September 2023.

If you have questions after reading the website information, please email the Secretary, Feline Health Research Fund.

2023 Grant Round Read More »

Can my cat get asthma?

You bet! Cats have thousands of tiny airways in their lungs that extract oxygen from the air.  Like us, those airways can become obstructed causing shortness of breath, distress and even death.

Symptoms

The most obvious and immediate of symptom of asthma is difficulty in breathing. You may notice a wheezing or a high-pitched whistling sound that is caused by a narrowing of the airways. You may notice short, shallow breathing or a hacking cough, especially after exercise.  In the longer term, you may also notice a general decline in energy and a loss of appetite.  In severe cases you may observe a bluish tint to their gums and tongue due to a lack of oxygen. In this situation it is essential to get your cat to the vet immediately.

Causes

One of the most common causes of asthma in is exposure to environmental allergens such as dust, pollen, and mould. These can trigger an allergic reaction, causing inflammation and closing of the airways.

Genetics may also have a role. Some breeds of cats, such as Siamese and Himalayans, may be more predisposed to developing asthma and cats that have a family history of asthma may be more at risk too.

If you cat has become stressed by moving to a new home, by the addition of a new pet or family member, or changes in their routine, this can trigger asthma symptoms.

If your cat is overweight, this can put added stress on the respiratory system, making it more difficult for them to breathe and potentially contributing to the development of asthma.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of asthma in cats will, typically, involve a physical exam by a vet, blood tests, and x-rays or ultrasound. Treatments may include medications that open the airways (bronchodilators) and corticosteroids that reduce the inflammation.

Other solutions

The best long-term solution may be identifying and removing the causes in the cat’s environment. The list of likely candidates will be familiar to human asthma sufferers.  They include cigarette and wood smoke, cleaning products, scented aerosols, perfume, pollen, mould, grass and dust mites.

A trip to your vet to check out your cat’s breathing problems might also eliminate other potential causes of lung issues such as food allergies, parasitic infections, heartworm and bacterial infections.

As always, watching out for any obvious changes in your cat’s usual behaviour is your best alert that something might be amiss. Take a careful note of what you are seeing and report it to your vet.

If you’d like to find out more about feline asthma, have a look at this page from Cat Health.com

If you found this post useful, you might like to encourage your friends to sign up for this free cat health bulletin by the link on our front page.  No spam, no advertising – ever.

Can my cat get asthma? Read More »

FIP is no longer a death sentence

Feline coronavirus is common in cats and shares that scary name with COVID-19.  Fortunately it doesn’t affect humans and causes negligible, if any, symptoms in cats aside from mild diarrhoea.

But when the feline coronavirus changes to a specific strain of the coronavirus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) can develop. In about 10 percent of cats infected, the virus will multiply and mutate, resulting in an FIP virus infection that spreads throughout the cat’s body. It can cause an extreme inflammatory reaction in the tissues surrounding the abdomen, chest, kidney, eyes or brain.

Until recently, a diagnosis of FIP was a death sentence for a feline patient. But that notion has been turned on its head over the last few years as new methods of diagnosis and treatment have been developed.

Now veterinarians are in a position to successfully treat 80 percent or more of cats with FIP. But the treatment can be expensive.

Over the last year, successful treatments have made use of injections of the COVID-19 treatment drug remdesivir (GS 5734) and an antiviral drug GS 441524.

The manufacturer that developed GS-441524, has not developed the drug for use in cats so various laboratories in China and eastern Europe started manufacturing GS-441524 and selling it on the black-market.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, Vet Boards and Border Force have made it difficult to import GS-441524. Vets who made use of the black-market drugs to treat FIP were warned off.

Fortunately it is legal for the drug to be compounded for cats by a compounding pharmacy. The company BOVA Australia is compounding GS441524 in tuna-flavoured tablets.

A less expensive option, mefloquine (commercial name Lariam) is a human antimalarial drug that has antiviral affects and has been used to treat FIP. In several cats where owners were unable to afford a full course of remdesivir, mefloquine has achieved a clinical cure.

The search for cheaper and easier remedies for FIP goes on. Sydney University PhD student, Sally Coggins, is studying these drugs for the treatment of FIP, making use of data from Australian vets who are treating FIP cases in their practices.

For more detailed information read this article on a current treatment protocol. 

Although treatments can be expensive, the situation continues to evolve.  As we usually recommend, early detection and following the advice of your vet is the best course.

FIP is no longer a death sentence Read More »

Toxoplasmosis – be alert but not alarmed

T. gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, is spread widely through the human and animal population but domestic cats have a unique role in it’s life-cycle. While other animals can carry T. gondii, it is only in the gut of domestic cats that it can reproduce. The parasite is excreted into the environment in the faeces of the cat.

Fortunately, the immune systems of most humans and animals are robust enough to suppress the infection so that it causes no harm.

It is in people and animals with weakened immune systems and pregnant women that it become a danger.

Toxoplasmosis in cats

Most cats infected with T. gondii show no signs of disease. However, when the cat’s immune system is suppressed, including young kittens and cats with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus, full-blown toxoplasmosis may occur.

Kittens born to queens infected with T. gondii in the womb can become infected via the placenta or via suckling. Illness is common and the severity varies with the stage of gestation at the time of infection.

The most common symptoms of toxoplasmosis in cats include fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Treatment is by a course of antibiotics and the outcome depends on how soon treatment was started and which organs in the cats are affected.

Toxoplasmosis in people

Most people carrying T. gondii will experience no symptoms but there are two serious exceptions. People undergoing treatment for cancer or HIV or other treatments that suppress their immune systems are at risk of serious infection. This is most usually detected by a blood test.

Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is particularly dangerous. Getting toxoplasmosis shortly before or during pregnancy can pass the parasite through the placenta to the baby. This increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or serious health problems including vision problems, blindness, developmental delays and learning difficulties.

Precautions

Cat owners, or people whose garden is frequented by cats, can safeguard themselves and their families by:

  • wearing gloves and washing hands after gardening
  • emptying and washing litter trays frequently
  • washing hands after handling litter trays and utensils
  • not allowing cats on food preparation surfaces
  • covering children’s sandboxes

People without cats can ingest T, gondii by eating raw meat, eating unwashed fruit or vegetables or by drinking unpasteurised milk.

It is estimated that one in three people in the world have been, or are carrying, T. gondii but with a few precautions, you and your family will likely be unaffected.

You can find more about Toxoplasmosis in this comprehensive article.

Toxoplasmosis – be alert but not alarmed Read More »

Treat your cat – plant catnip

Spring is here and the warming weather is the ideal time to give your cat a treat by planting catnip.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is cheap, readily available and easy to grow from seeds or seedlings. It is sometimes found under different names including cats wort, cat wort, or cat mint. You can grow it indoors or in the garden and it can be dried and stored over winter and still retain it’s attractive properties.

Kittens show no reaction to catnip and about one third of cats never develop an interest. But even if that is the case with your cat you will still have a pleasant, robust plant that is effective in repelling insects including cockroaches and mosquitoes.

However, cats that like it, generally love it. They will rub themselves happily in the plant, or chew on the leaves. After ten or fifteen minutes they will then wander off, relaxed and satisfied.

Benefits

As well as being a pleasant addition to their environment, you can make creative use of catnip in managing your cat.

By controlling access you can extract some extra benefits such as:

  • providing enrichment for an indoor cat by periodically hiding it around the house or in a toy
  • introducing them to a new toy (like that expensive cat wheel you just bought) by placing catnip on or around it
  • de-stressing them in advance of some potentially stressful event like being in a vehicle, going to the vet or being bathed
  • re-igniting their interest in the old cat scratch pole and away from your new leather sofa
  • gently introducing them to a new person or location.

If this sounds good but you lack the space or the green thumb, then you can buy preparations like sprays or the dried herb that have the same effect from pet stores and online.

Downsides

There are few downsides to catnip. It has been used in traditional herbal remedies for humans for centuries and its effects are well studied. The active ingredient, nepetalactone, is not addictive and causes no harm or long-term behaviour changes. There are rare reports of cats getting tummy upsets from over-eating the plant and of males becoming aggressive, possibly because the active ingredient mimics the pheromones involved in mating. In either case, just discontinue the use and chat to your vet.

Finally, be thoughtful where you put your plant. An over-enthusiastic cat may cause cat or plant a harmful fall if placed in a high location such as a window sill or balcony.

Get planting!

If you want to get more deeply into the catnip story go to the all about catnip page on the Cat World website.

Treat your cat – plant catnip Read More »

Osteoarthritis – is your cat suffering in silence?

Osteoarthritis is among the diseases of ageing that we share with our cats.

It occurs when the cartilage padding in our joints wears away causing the bones to rub against each other. For us, the resulting pain is enough to cause us to get attention but it is in the nature of cats to try to avoid displays of discomfort.

The disease should be looked for in any cat of seven years or older. It is estimated that over three-quarters of cats over 10 years will experience it.

It appears most commonly in the elbows and hips, and less commonly in shoulders and ankles and in the backbone and sternum.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing osteoarthritis can be difficult in a single visit even for experienced vets aided by x-rays.

The clues to whether your older cats is affected by osteoarthritis are often in their general condition and behaviour:

  • They may lose their appetite and lose weight.
  • You may notice mood changes – formerly happy cats may become depressed and withdrawn and show poor grooming habits.
  • You may notice stiffness in their legs, especially after sleeping or resting.
  • They may start to appear lame or, more likely, you will notice that they will be be reluctant to jump or will make much shorter jumps.
  • They start missing the litter tray.
  • Their claws may become longer due to lack of use.

Taking careful note of these symptoms will help you help your vet reach a diagnosis.

Treatment

Osteoarthritis in cats cannot be cured and the treatment options are limited.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Metacam) can be used to manage the pain. Weight loss for overweight cats may reduce the stress on joints. Some dietary supplements and other treatments have been claimed to provide relief in some cases and your vet will advise you.

Beyond that, most responses involve making the cat’s environment more convenient and comfortable. You can help them live with osteoarthritis by:

  • making sure they don’t have to go up or down stairs to access food, water, sleeping quarters or litter trays
  • providing litter trays with one lower side to make entry and leaving easier
  • raising food and water bowls
  • providing softer bedding
  • providing ramps to their resting places such as a favourite couch or bed.

Sadly, this disease is a progressive, lifelong process. However, working with your vet you can improve your cat’s quality of life greatly in her golden years.

Also see our article on recognising pain in cats.

Osteoarthritis – is your cat suffering in silence? Read More »

Tooth resorption in cats

Tooth resorption is a very common and painful condition that affects an estimated 20-60 percent of cats – but can easily go unnoticed.

The cause is unknown, but seems to be that cells called osteoclasts that naturally eat up and remove baby teeth, persist long after they are needed in some cats.

There may be various levels of resorption in affected teeth, and the destruction can occur at varying speeds until it progresses to a point at which it must be addressed. The dentin in a single tooth (or several simultaneously) erodes and eventually becomes irreparably destroyed. Over time, all areas of an affected tooth, from root to crown, may become involved.

Within each of a cat’s teeth is a chamber (root canal) that contains tissue made up of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves. This tissue, which communicates with the rest of the animal’s body, is surrounded by a bony substance called dentin, which accounts for the bulk of the tooth’s structure.

In this condition, the dentin in a tooth, or several teeth, erodes and eventually becomes irreparably destroyed. Over time, all areas of an affected tooth, from root to crown, may become involved.

Detecting resorption

Dental pain in all animals is almost always hidden from view, so that they don’t appear vulnerable or weak. Sudden loss of appetite might occur if the crown were to break off from a single tooth. In that case, the cat could be off its food for a significant amount of time, 24 to 72 hours, say, but in general, the condition has to get to an extreme level before the cat stops eating.

One of the first signs would be that the cat starts swallowing its food without chewing it or that it suddenly develops a preference for soft food.

A cat may clearly indicate that it is experiencing excruciating pain when it bites down on an affected tooth or if the tooth is touched by a veterinarian’s probing fingers or examining tool. However, chronic toothaches are not among the condition’s most usual clinical signs.

A more reliable indicator is a cat’s behaviour while eating. The owner may notice that it’s appetite appears to be normal but that it tilts its head and tries to chew on just one side of its mouth. If it is eating kibble, it may try to swallow it without chewing, or the food may fall out of its mouth.

Diagnosis and treatment

The best way of confirming the suspected presence of the condition is with a trip to the vet who can usually diagnose the condition with a visual examination or sometimes an x-ray. A good precaution is to have your cat’s teeth examined annually.

Unfortunately complete extraction of all affected teeth is the only treatment. Drastic as this sounds, it should not cause major concern for the patient. Cats can cope very well with no teeth at all!

Tooth resorption in cats Read More »

Is there a wheel in your cat’s future?

Could be!

As more cat owners are choosing, or being compelled to by local government by-laws, to keep their cats contained, an exercise wheel could be in your cat’s life.

Models that allow the cat to enter and exit from either side seem to suit most cats best.  Energetic breeds such as Bengals, Russian Blues, Abyssinians and Siamese seem to take to them well.

With some cats you may need to be patient and encourage their interest with treats or other toys.  Once accepted, exercise wheels are a safe and effective way to keep them fit, active and entertained – and often yourself amused.

On the negative side, exercise wheels can be expensive, from several hundred dollars up to $500 or more in Australia.  Our team at Feline Health Research have found that, while many cats learn to love them, in some instances, cats may choose to ignore them altogether.  Forever!

If you have DIY skills and basic tools, there are many videos demonstrating how you are able to make an execise wheel from common materials for a fraction of the cost of a ready-made model.

A no-cost option if you already have a treadmill, is to encourage your cat to use that, like these pretty Burmese.

Whether you prefer the calm, meditative action of our two Silver Bengals or something a bit more frantic and hilarious, searching ‘cat exercise wheel‘ on Youtube will provide some great enterainment and a better idea whether it is a solution for you and your cat.

And you can put all of that wasted time down to research!

Is there a wheel in your cat’s future? Read More »

Heartworm in cats

Dog owners are rightly concerned about heartworm infections. Heartworm is common throughout Australia and especially in hot and humid areas. Infection can cause serious illness and death in dogs.

But what about cats?

The same worm (Dirofilaria immitis) that infects dogs can also be transmitted to cats and other animals including foxes and ferrets. Transmission is by mosquito bite so your cat does not need to come into direct contact with an infected animal to catch it.

Fortunately, heartworm infection is much less serious in cats.

Cats’ immune systems seem to be better adapted to defeating heartworm. In most cases the infection will disappear without the cat showing symptoms.

In the rare occurrence that an infection takes hold, the symptoms can include vomiting of blood or food, diarrhoea, coughing and breathing difficulties. It is easy to confuse these symptoms with other serious conditions such as asthma so trip to the vet is called for if they appear.

Unlike dogs, there is no widely accepted treatment for heartworm in infected cats.

So what should you do?

Studies have shown that heartworm In cats is most common in areas that have high rates of infection in dogs. Also global warming is leading to the appearance of increasing numbers of mosquitoes that were previously uncommon in southern states. If you live in such an area it may be worth seeking out a preventative that includes heartworm protection along with that for fleas and intestinal worms.

You can read Feline Heartworm in Clinical Settings in a High Canine Prevalence Area .

A number of veterinary practices can also be found via your search engine that will provide facts and advice – and you can always raise the issue with your own vet on your next visit.

Heartworm in cats Read More »

Feline health grants for 2022

The August 2022 round of Feline Health Research Fund Grant applications is now closed.

There was a record number of applications including studies of toxoplasmosis, kidney disease and cat behaviour from a variety of Australian Universities.

‘It is pleasing to see such a lot of quality feline health research being undertaken in Australia,’ said Fund Secretary Helen Radoslovich.

‘Of course it means lots of extra work for the Fund’s Trustees and our evaluators but it is work we are happy to undertake.

‘A final decision will take several months but we anticipate being able to advise applicants of the outcome by early 2023.

‘Grants are made possible by donations from cat lovers across Australia. If you are able to support us, even in a small way, please visit our donations page’, she said.

The Fund supports relevant research from scientists, veterinarians and post-graduate students from Australian universities and research institutes.

Here is a list of a list of previously funded projects but applicants were asked to consider research projects relating to improved or preventative health care for cats such as:

arthritis
asthma
behavioural problems
breast cancer
diabetes
eye problems
feline infectious peritonitis
fertility

HCM
hyperthyroidism
immunisation protocols.
kidney, heart and liver failure
lymphosarcoma
pyometra
tooth and gum disease
skin conditions

Cross-species genome research

Recent advances in genome science has demonstrated significant genetic similarity between species. Funds may be allocated to researchers who are engaged in investigating diseases of humans or other animal species that are relevant to cats.

Feline health grants for 2022 Read More »

An end to cat allergies?

If you are one of the one in seven who suffer sneezing, itchy eyes and other symptoms from even the slightest contact with cats, take heart!  Recent genetic research promises a way to block the genes that cause one of the major cat allergens.

The allergic responses are caused by a protein that cats secrete through their salivary and skin glands. When they clean themselves, the allergen is spread over their fur. It can become airborne when their coat dries and be around in the cat’s dander, or dried skin flakes. This explains why sensitive people can get symptoms just by being in the same room.

CRISPR is a gene-editing technology that enables scientists to add or remove bits of an organism’s DNA. It’s been at the forefront of developments that have revolutionised agriculture and human medicine.

Researchers in a US company are working towards using CRISPR to remove the bits of the DNA that give rise to the allergy-causing protein. This will pave the way to breed cats that produce little or none of the offending protein. Hypo-allergenic cats!

A lot of testing is still needed to be sure that removing the ability to produce this protein doesn’t deprive the cat of the ability to produce something that is important to its health. By comparing a range of domestic and wild cat breeds it was found that the amount of the protein in each cat varied very widely so this protein doesn’t seem essential for cat health.

The scientists involved are careful in saying that there is still some distance to go before the modified DNA is introduced into a live breeding program.

In the meantime, there is the prospect of relief from a different approach. One company is developing a vaccine to train a cat’s immune system to reduce the levels of the protein and another has a line of allergen-reducing cat food.

These are good news and might provide some releif in the short-term.  Hypo-allegenic cats may be some years away yet.

If you would like to read more, check out this article in Gizmodo.

An end to cat allergies? Read More »

Can my cat make me sick?

We love our cats! Around 4.9 million domestic cats share their lives with Australian families at last count. They are affectionate, entertaining and curious. Research has shown conclusively that their presence in our lives makes us happier and more emotionally healthy.
Unfortunately cats can carry germs that can affect humans, especially the pregnant, the very young and those with chronic disease. Thankfully, the illnesses are relatively minor and the risk of catching them from your cat can can be minimised with a few simple precautions.
Toxmoplasma gondi is a parasite that lives in the gut of cats and can be transmitted to other warm-blooded creatures, including people. The eggs are present in the poo from cats, in litter trays and in gardens where cats do their business. Symptoms can be like a mild flu but pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are at much greater risk and should take extra precautions. Recent studies are now suggesting the possiblity of a link with the development of schizophrenia-like symptoms and suicide later in life.
Bartonella henselae (commonly known as cat-scratch disease) lives in the blood cells of cats. If you are bitten or scratched the bacteria can get into your system and cause flu-like symptoms. Cat scratch disease typically subsides without any treatment, usually within 2 to 4 months and the symptoms can be treated with common fever reducing drugs and pain killers. More severe reactions may cause swelling in the lymph nodes and may require antibiotics and draining of the lymph nodes by a doctor.
Ringworm is a fungal infection that is transmitted by direct contact between pets and people via fungal spores on the cat’s fur.  Treatment is by a topical wash, ointment, tablets, or a combination of all three. It is highly contagious and precautions include vacuuming up loose fur and treating the cat’s bedding.  It is easily treated in people by applying an ointment avaialble from your pharmacy.
 

The good news is…

Protecting yourself and your family from these and other cat-borne infections is relatively straightforward and quite familiar to us in these Covid times.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or hand-sanitiser after handling cats food and water dishes, litterboxes, toys or cat saliva before you eat or drink.
  • Wear gloves or wash your hands after working in gardens that cats use.
  • Keep cats away from food preparation areas.
  • If you are bitten or scratched by a cat, no matter how minor the wound, wash it with warm soapy water immediately. If the wound is serious, if it becomes red or swollen or if it is more than five years since your last tetanus shot, seek medical attention.

These are three of the most common diseases that our cat friends can share with us but, with the precautions above, the chance of infection from any of these is very low.

If you would like to find out more, check out Toxoplasmosis on the Australian Government Department of Health website, Cat-scratch disease on the SA Health website and the Cat Protection Society of NSW Ringworm Factsheet.

Can my cat make me sick? Read More »

Cat Health Grants are now available

If you are looking for a partner to fund your research into cat health, we may be what you need.

The Feline Health Research Fund makes grants of up to $10,000 from it’s pool of  donations from cat lovers, professionals and the industry to fund quality Australian research into issues affecting the health, wellbeing and longevity of domestic cats.

We are encouraging applications from a range of disciplines into a wide range of health issues for domestic cats.

For more information please go to the Applying for a Grant page on our website.  There you can download the Small Grants Application Form, read the Grant FAQs and check out details of previously funded projects.

The window for this grant round opens on the 1st of August and closes at 5pm on the 31st of August, 2022.

If you have questions after reading the website information, please email the Secretary, Feline Health Research Fund.

The second part of our cat pregnancy series, on cat birthing and aftercare, will be published next week.

Please feel free to forward this email to associates and colleagues with an interest in feline health research.

Cat Health Grants are now available Read More »