Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats

Maggi, Ricardo G.; Halls, Vicky; Krämer, Friederike; Lappin, Michael R.; Pennisi, Maria Grazia; Peregrine, Andrew S.; Roura, Xavier; Schunack, Bettina; Scorza, Valeria; Tasker, Séverine; Baneth, Gad; Bourdeau, P.; Bowman, Dwight D.; Breitschwerdt, Edward B.; Capelli, Gioia; Cardoso, Luı́s; Dantas‐Torres, Filipe; Dobler, Gerhard; Ferrer, Lluís; Gradoni, Luigi; Irwin, Peter; Jongejan, Frans; Kempf, Volkhard A. J.; Kohn, Barbara; Little, Susan E.; Madder, Maxime; Maia, Carla; Marcondes, Mary; Mirò, Guadalupe; Naucke, Torsten J.; Oliva, Gætano; Otranto, Domenico; Penzhorn, Barend Louis; Pfeffer, Martin; Sainz, Á.; Shin, Sung-Shik; Solano‐Gallego, Laia; Straubinger, Reinhard K.; Traub, Rebecca; Wright, I. P.

doi:10.1186/s13071-022-05553-8

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…Owned cats form the lion's share of the UK F. catus population, but the total population also comprises cats in shelters, and free-roaming, unowned cats that are either feral (largely defined as unsocialised) or stray (largely defined as previously owned and socialised). The overpopulation of unowned cats is often cited as a cause for concern for a range of reasons such as their compromised welfare [4,5], nuisance and public health concerns [5,6] and their potential negative effect on the owned cat population [7] and local wildlife [8,9]. An estimated 250,000 unowned cats live in UK towns and cities [10], approximately 300,000 cats that are not considered pets live on farms [11] and in excess of 150,000 cats enter UK shelters every year [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cat: Empirical modelling of Felis catus population dynamics in the UK

McDonald,

Finka,

Foreman-Worsley

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Domestic cats are popular companion animals, however not all live in human homes and many cats live within shelters or as free-roaming, unowned- feral or stray cats. Cats can transition between these subpopulations, but the influence of this connectivity on overall population dynamics, and the effectiveness of management interventions, remain poorly understood. We developed a UK-focused multistate Matrix Population Model (MPM), combining multiple life history parameters into an integrated model of cat demography and population dynamics. The model characterises cats according to their age, subpopulation and reproductive status, resulting in a 28-state model. We account for density-dependence, seasonality and uncertainty in our modelled projections. Through simulations, we examine the model by testing the effect of different female owned-cat neutering scenarios over a 10-year projection timespan. We also use the model to identify the vital rates to which total population growth is most sensitive. The current model framework demonstrates that increased prevalence of neutering within the owned cat subpopulation influences the population dynamics of all subpopulations. Further simulations find that neutering owned cats younger is sufficient to reduce overall population growth rate, regardless of the overall neutering prevalence. Population growth rate is most influenced by owned cat survival and fecundity. Owned cats, which made up the majority of our modelled population, have the most influence on overall population dynamics, followed by stray, feral and then shelter cats. Due to the importance of owned-cat parameters within the current model framework, we find cat population dynamics are most sensitive to shifts in owned cat husbandry. Our results provide a first evaluation of the demography of the domestic cat population in the UK and provide the first structured population model of its kind, thus contributing to a wider understanding of the importance of modelling connectivity between subpopulations. Through example scenarios we highlight the importance of studying domestic cat populations in their entirety to better understand factors influencing their dynamics and to guide management planning. The model provides a theoretical framework for further development, tailoring to specific geographies and experimental investigation of management interventions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cat: Empirical modelling of Felis catus population dynamics in the UK

McDonald,

Finka,

Foreman-Worsley

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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“…Concerningly, Cyprus has a high population of unowned cats that are frequently relocated to other parts of Europe, and the wider world. The risk of spreading this outbreak is significant as evidenced by the first confirmed UK case 40 . This is exemplified by the recent confirmation of a first UK-imported case with further investigations into other cases ongoing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergence and spread of feline infectious peritonitis due to a highly pathogenic canine/feline recombinant coronavirus

Attipa,

Warr,

Epaminondas

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Cross-species transmission of coronaviruses (CoVs) poses a serious threat to both animal and human health1-3. Whilst the large RNA genome of CoVs shows relatively low mutation rates, recombination within genera is frequently observed and demonstrated4-7. Companion animals are often overlooked in the transmission cycle of viral diseases; however, the close relationship of feline (FCoV) and canine CoV (CCoV) to human hCoV-229E5,8, as well as their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-29highlight their importance in potential transmission cycles. Whilst recombination between CCoV and FCoV of a large fragment spanning orf1b to M has been previously described5,10, here we report the emergence of a novel, highly pathogenic FCoV-CCoV recombinant responsible for a rapidly spreading outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), originating in Cyprus11. The recombination, spanning spike, shows 97% sequence identity to the pantropic canine coronavirus CB/05. Infection is spreading fast and infecting cats of all ages. Development of FIP appears rapid and likely non-reliant on biotype switch12. High sequence identity of isolates from cats in different districts of the island is strongly supportive of direct transmission. A deletion and several amino acid changes in spike, particularly the receptor binding domain, compared to other FCoV-2s, indicate changes to receptor binding and likely cell tropism.

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“…or Rickettsia spp. [ 57 ]. Therefore, higher surveillance, stricter legislation as well as informed awareness of veterinarians, animal welfare organisations and animal owners importing pets from abroad along with the periodic administration of effective parasiticide treatments and adherence to basic hygiene principles are key to prevent parasites to establishing in previously unaffected areas.…”

Section: Changing Environment Affecting Cap Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Control of companion animal parasites and impact on One Health

Giannelli,

Schnyder,

Wright

et al. 2024

One Health

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Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats

Cited by 5 publications

References 93 publications

Cat: Empirical modelling of Felis catus population dynamics in the UK

Cat: Empirical modelling of Felis catus population dynamics in the UK

Emergence and spread of feline infectious peritonitis due to a highly pathogenic canine/feline recombinant coronavirus

Control of companion animal parasites and impact on One Health

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