Attitudes of small animal practitioners toward participation in veterinary clinical trials

To determine attitudes of small animal practitioners toward veterinary clinical trials and variables influencing their likelihood of participating in such trials

Flat feline faces: is brachycephaly associated with respiratory abnormalities in the domestic cat (Felis catus)?

There has been little research into brachycephalism and associated disorders in cats. A questionnaire aimed at cat owners was used to determine the relationship between feline facial conformation and owner-reported cat management requirements and respiratory abnormalities. Owner-submitted photographs of cats were used to develop novel measures of skull conformation. One thousand valid questionnaires were received. Within these there were 373 valid photographs that allowed measurement of muzzle ratio (M%) and 494 that allowed nose position ratio (NP%). The data included 239 cats for which both measurements were available. Owners reported lifestyle factors (e.g. feeding type, grooming routine, activity level), physical characteristics (e.g. hair length) and other health characteristics of their cat (e.g. tear staining, body condition score). A composite respiratory score (RS) was calculated for each cat using their owner’s assessment of respiratory noise whilst their cat was asleep and then breathing difficulty following activity. Multivariate analyses were carried out using linear models to explore the relationship between RS and facial conformation, and lifestyle risk factors. The results showed that reductions in NP% and M% were significantly associated with RS (P < 0.001 and P = 0.026, respectively) and that the relationship was significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.56, P < 0.001 for both). Respiratory score was also significantly associated with increased presence of tear staining (P < 0.001) and a sedentary lifestyle (P = 0.01). This study improves current knowledge concerning cats with breeding-related alterations in skull confirmation and indicates that brachycephalism may have negative respiratory implications for cat health and welfare, as has been previously shown in dogs

Correlation between proportional nose position (NP%) and respiratory score (RS) calculated from owner-reported respiratory noise for companion cats (r = -0.56, p<0.001, n = 494).

<p>Correlation between proportional nose position (NP%) and respiratory score (RS) calculated from owner-reported respiratory noise for companion cats (r = -0.56, p<0.001, n = 494).</p

Calculation of Proportional muzzle length ratio (M%).

<p>Cranial length is defined as the horizon-line distance (mm) from the dorsal tip of the nose to the occipital protuberance (b’-c). Muzzle length is the horizon-line distance (mm) from the dorsal tip of nose to the nasal stop (b’-b). In the event that the dorsal tip of the nose is in line with the nasal stop a zero value is assigned. For this picture M% = 7.89% ([muzzle length 6mm / cranial length 76mm] *100). Note for readers: measurements will differ based on the size of viewed image.</p

Correlation between proportional muzzle ratio (PML) and respiratory score (RS) calculated from owner-reported respiratory noise for companion cats (r = -0.56, p<0.001, n = 373).

<p>Correlation between proportional muzzle ratio (PML) and respiratory score (RS) calculated from owner-reported respiratory noise for companion cats (r = -0.56, p<0.001, n = 373).</p

Descriptive statistics of categorical variables significantly associated with respiratory score as calculated for 1000 cats from owner-reported responses concerning breathing noise whilst asleep and breathing difficulty following activity.

<p>Descriptive statistics of categorical variables significantly associated with respiratory score as calculated for 1000 cats from owner-reported responses concerning breathing noise whilst asleep and breathing difficulty following activity.</p