A real-time reporting system of causes of death or reasons for euthanasia: A model for monitoring mortality in domesticated cats in Taiwan

Abstract

A novel, real-time mortality recording system was designed to collect mortality data in companion animals from veterinary hospitals in Taiwan. This retrospective study aims to introduce the system, and to utilize the data collected for further investigation of the lifespan and mortality of the domesticated cat population stratified by demographic variables. Our data revealed that 1325 domesticated cats were acquired between 2012 and 2014. The median age of the study population was 8.0 years (IQR 3.0-13.0; range 0.0-22.7). Neutered and purebred cats lived longer. The most common causes of death were renal and urologic disorders, followed by neoplasia, infection, cardiovascular disorders, and trauma. Independent factors for common causes were surveyed. Advanced age and neutering was found to be associated with death due to renal and urologic disorders as well as with neoplasia. In contrast, younger age was found to be associated with death due to trauma and infection; being unneutered and living in the capital city were found to be associated with death due to trauma. Being male or purebred was found to be associated with death due to cardiovascular disorders.

Application of a Protocol Based on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to Manage Unowned Urban Cats on an Australian University Campus

“…Studies in several countries have reported the most common diseases leading to death or euthanasia in pet cats. Cause of death/euthanasia in cats younger than five years are predominantly due to trauma or viral and respiratory disease, whereas death/euthanasia in older cats, such as our cohort, are mainly related to renal disease, neoplasia, cardiovascular disorders, or non-specific illness [ 37 , 38 ]. Thus, our findings of rate and causes of cat mortality in our unowned urban cat population managed with TNR differ little from those commonly cited in relation to owned cat populations.…”

A Preliminary Description of Companion Cat, Managed Stray Cat, and Unmanaged Stray Cat Welfare in Auckland, New Zealand Using a 5-Component Assessment Scale

“…Disappearance or death, most often due to motor vehicle trauma, have been reported as common outcomes for stray cats (14, 23, 28). Accidental death is also generally the most common cause of mortality reported for companion cats with outdoor access, particularly younger cats (70–72). Cats who suffer significant injury or death, may simply disappear and so, cat welfare assessments are not necessarily a good way of evaluating environmental risks to welfare, particularly for stray cats (as their whereabouts may be less likely to be closely monitored compared to companion cats).…”

Performance evaluation and validation of the Animal Trauma Triage score and modified Glasgow Coma Scale in injured cats: A Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry study

“…Trauma was the third most common reason for ICU admission in a Canadian feline population, with an associated mortality rate of 19.2% . In a survey of 1325 cats in Taiwan, trauma was the fifth most common cause of death or reason for euthanasia . Trauma scores assist in the characterization of patient populations for clinical research and may have application in patient triage and hospital or clinician performance benchmarking .…”