A research group led by Professor
Hannes Lohi at the University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Centre has
conducted a unique study on the health of Finnish cats. The most typical health
issues in cats have to do with the mouth, skin and kidneys. In addition, the
research group identified nearly 60 illnesses specific to particular breeds.
These results can be used to improve cat welfare and develop breeding
programmes, and they provide a solid foundation for future genetic research,
particularly on breed-specific diseases. The study was published in the journal Frontiers
in Veterinary Science, on 29 August 2016.
The
cat is the most popular domestic animal in Finland. Most Finnish cats are
mixed-breed housecats. Just over 4,000 purebred cats are registered every year.
Nevertheless, there is little literature on feline illnesses, and no systematic
population-level, country-specific health surveys had been conducted until now.
A comprehensive health survey was developed for this study, covering 227
diseases as well as information on the cats' living environment, diet and
behaviour. The goal was to gain information on how prevalent and breed-specific
certain diseases are and to generate a foundation for genetic research and the
establishment of a gene bank. The comprehensive survey charted the prevalence
of more than 220 illnesses among a population of more than 8,000 cats.
Social
media harnessed for comprehensive research data
"There
is much less information about feline illnesses than, for example, canine ones.
We used social media to gather our data, and the study benefitted greatly from
the active participation of cat enthusiasts. Most of the data was collected in
just over six months. Our research material is unique in its structure and
scope, and it highlights important breed-specific genetic illnesses which are
ripe for further study," explains researcher Katariina Vapalahti, the
first author of the study.
The
research material is extensive and covers more than 8,000 cats, just over 1,500
of them housecats. The study analysed the prevalence of 227 illnesses in 29
breeds as well as mixed-breed housecats. The study determined the most common
diseases and disease classifications for specific breeds and breed
combinations.
"All
of the results by breed, including housecats, can be downloaded through our
publication so that people can promote the welfare and health of their cats and
researchers can decide on further lines of study. There are hundreds of images
and tables in our publications. Our data is very comprehensive," Vapalahti
states.
New
information and basis for future study
The
study provides a solid foundation for genetic research.
"We
discovered nearly 60 breed-specific, or hereditary, diseases, and so far we
have only identified the genetic mutation associated with six of them. Our
study will help researchers develop a strategy for genetic research and
prioritising sample collection. For example, our material revealed the
prevalence of asthma among Korats and a renal disease in Ragdolls. These
results can also help model corresponding human illnesses. Active cooperation
with cat enthusiasts must continue in the future so that we can compile all
relevant data. The cat genome has been mapped, just like the dog genome, and
there are research tools out there," explains Professor Lohi.
The
study also provides preliminary information on cat behaviour and differences
between breeds. For example, British Shorthairs are calmer than many other
breeds, while Turkish Vans and Bengals are more active and aggressive. The
material has already been used to make more detailed behavioural analyses, and
a separate publication is being prepared.
"The
study provides useful information for preventing disease and developing
breeding programmes. The results reflect the findings of previous research in
part, but they also provide a great deal of new information on the health of
purebred cats and housecats alike," Lohi concludes.
Credit: Eeva Karmitsa
No comments:
Post a Comment