Adult Feline

Raw food diets

The AVMA and AAHA discourage the feeding of raw animal-source protein due to the high risk of illness to both pets and humans. Pathogens found in raw protein diets can be transmitted to the human population by contact with the food, pet, or environmental surfaces.

• https://www.aaha.org/about-aaha/aaha-position-statements/raw-protein-diet/
• https://www.avma.org/raw-pet-foods-and-avmas-policy-faq

Indoor versus outdoor cat?

While many cats enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, we recommend trying to keep cats indoors to reduce risk of disease and harm to native flora and fauna. It has been suggested that indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats and have reduced risk of infectious disease [1].

Feline Sterilization

The AVMA recommends sterilization of cats not being used for breeding and supports recommendations made by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (catvets.com) regarding feline sterilization. [Literature references within linked document] Additional resources, including client handouts on pet sterilization, can be found at [Elective spaying and neutering of pets | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org)].

Breed Associated Health Risks

Health risks by breed can be searched at (icatcare.org) under the Cat Health A-Z query. Limited large scale publications on cat breed survival risks are available [1].

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Osteochondrodystrophic (Scottish fold) and achondroplasia (Munchkin) cat breeds

Cats with heritable bone and cartilage disorders may benefit from joint supplements (no supporting literature) and many will ultimately require multimodal treatment for pain. Intervertebral disk disease has been reported.

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Congenital cardiovascular disease

In young cats with murmurs, ~0.14% have congenital heart disease [2]. In mixed breed cats, ventricular septal defects are the most common congenital heart disease followed by aortic stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Some breeds, including the Maine Coon, are predisposed to congenital heart disease [3]. A genetic screening test for Maine Coon hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is available (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Maine Coons| Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (ucdavis.edu) but does not rule out the development of HCM.If a murmur or arrhythmia is detected on an annual physical exam, a thoracic radiograph or EKG should be pursued. If these are abnormal, a cardiology referral is recommended [4, open access with helpful diagnostic flow chart].

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Congenital kidney disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease: (Cats) Persian and related cat breeds.

• Diagnosis: cortical kidney cysts present on ultrasound in juveniles, a genetic test is available at UC Davis but is usually unnecessary for diagnosis [5].

Congenital hepatobiliary disease including vascular anomalies

• Ductal plate malformations (polycystic liver disease, choledochal cysts): Rare in cats, usually identified in adult cats
  —Diagnosis: cystic malformations of the liver and/or biliary tract on abdominal ultrasound.

• Portosystemic vascular malformations (Extravascular portosystemic shunts): Uncommonly diagnosed in cats.
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  —Clinical signs and physical exam findings include drooling, lethargy, poor appetite, polyuria/polydipsia, small size, copper colored eyes, and rarely seizures. Lower urinary tract signs may develop secondary to ammonium biurate urolithiasis. Many cats with vascular anomalies have no physical abnormalities or overt clinical signs.
  
  —Diagnosis: Paired serum bile acids. If a paired serum bile acids test is abnormal, CT angiogram will be needed for definitive diagnosis. Protein C cannot be used to diagnose portosystemic shunts in cats.
  
  —Treatment: Cats with a portosystemic shunt should be started on medical management (lactulose and gut flora modulation).

Sources

1. O'Neill DG, Church DB, McGreevy PD, Thomson PC, Brodbelt DC. Longevity and mortality of cats attending primary care veterinary practices in England. J Feline Med Surg. 2015 Feb;17(2):125-33. doi: 10.1177/1098612X14536176. Epub 2014 Jun 12. PMID: 24925771.
2. Schrope DP. Prevalence of congenital heart disease in 76,301 mixed-breed dogs and 57,025
   mixed-breed cats. J Vet Cardiol. 2015 Sep;17(3):192-202. doi: 10.1016/j.jvc.2015.06.001. Epub 2015 Sep
3. Saunders AB. Key considerations in the approach to congenital heart disease in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract. 2021 Aug;62(8):613-623. doi: 10.1111/jsap.13360. Epub 2021 Jun 27. PMID: 34180062.
4. Meurs KM. Genetics of cardiac disease in the small animal patient. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2010 Jul;40(4):701-15. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2010.03.006. PMID: 20610020.
5. Beck C, Lavelle RB. Feline polycystic kidney disease in Persian and other cats: a prospective study using ultrasonography. Aust Vet J. 2001 Mar;79(3):181-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb14573.x. PMID: 11301745.

Additional Reading

‍PureVax Feline 3 RCP Vaccine Details
Nobivac Feline 1-HCP Vaccine Compendium
Merck's Nobivac Feline 2-FeLv vaccine compendium
Heartgard Compendium
Revolution for Cats Info Page
Revolution Plus for Cats Information Page
Advantage Multi for Cats Information Page
Vectra for Cats and Kittens Info Page
Nexgard COMBO Information Page
Bravecto Topical for Cats Information Page
Bravecto Plus for Cats Information Page
Flat Feline Faces: Is Brachycephaly Associated with Respiratory Abnormalities in the Domestic Cat (Felis catus)?
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Cornell)
Inherited Kidney Diseases in Dogs and Cats