Effects of single caging and cage size on behavior and stress level of domestic neutered cats housed in an animal shelter

Cats need a minimum amount of space even in animal shelters. In this study the effects of single caging and cage size on the behavior and stress level of domestic cats were investigated. Six neutered cats (2–15 years old) that had been housed in a group for at least 7 months were moved to three kinds of single cages (small, medium and large) by rotation on a Latin square design. They experienced each cage size for 6 days. Cats could use vertical dimensions when housed in a group room and the large cage. Behavioral observation was conducted for 3 h in the evening, and stress levels were assessed by urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios. The amounts (estimated proportions) of time spent in locomotion and social/solitary play were lower even in large cages than in group housing (both P < 0.05). Conversely, the amount of time spent resting tended to increase when housed singly (P = 0.104). The urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios of singly housed cats tended to be higher than that of group‐housed cats (P = 0.086). The results indicate that cats become less active when they are housed singly in cages regardless of the cage size. Cats seem to feel no undue stress even in small cages if the stay is short.     

An occurrence of Salmonella typhimurium infection in sika deer (Cervus nippon)

Seven sika deer (Cervus nippon) in a herd of 30 deer in a park died. Upon examination of three dead deer, Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated from the organs and intestinal contents. Histopathological examination revealed catarrhal enteritis and focal necroses in the liver. Immunohistochemically, Salmonella antigen of O4 was detected in the enteric lesions. The case was diagnosed as S. Typhimurium infection in the sika deer. Because of the importance of Salmonella in public health, fecal and soil samples were continuously collected from the paddock. However, no Salmonella was isolated from any samples collected after medication of the deer and thorough disinfection of the immediate environment.     

Comparison of seven nucleic acid amplification tests for detection of Taylorella equigenitalis

Taylorella equigenitalis causes contagious equine metritis. Here we compared seven nucleic acid amplification tests for T. equigenitalis to select a rapid and reliable diagnostic method. The 95% detection limits of each assay varied greatly: real-time PCR had the lowest detection limit (0.77 fg/reaction); those of some of the conventional PCRs (cPCRs) were >100 fg/reaction. In experimentally infected samples, real-time PCR and semi-nested PCR showed the highest positive numbers (33 out of 42 samples), but two of the cPCRs detected only 2 and 7 positive results. Our results indicate that the use of sensitive molecular assays is important for the efficient detection of T. equigenitalis in clinical samples.     

Evaluation of serum amyloid A and surfactant protein D in sera for identification of the clinical condition of horses with bacterial pneumonia

In the present study, the concentrations of serum amyloid A and surfactant protein D in sera were measured to evaluate them for identification of the clinical condition of horses with bacterial pneumonia. The study utilized 185 clinically healthy control thoroughbreds and 9 thoroughbreds for experimental infectious study with S. zooepidemicus. Blood samples were collected from the 185 healthy control thoroughbreds. The 9 thoroughbreds were experimentally infected S. zooepidemicus using an endoscopic injection to a lung lobe and were then observed of clinical conditions. Blood samples were collected before inoculation and on the 1-15th, 22nd, and 29th days after inoculation (follow-up group). The levels of SAA and SP-D in the healthy control thoroughbreds were very low. In the follow-up group, the levels of SAA and SP-D changed in parallel with the horses' clinical condition. The pyrexia observed after bacterial inoculation faded by the 11th day, and the changes in SAA and SP-D occurred simultaneous to disappearance of the clinical signs. Measurement of SAA and SP-D proved useful for monitoring the clinical condition of the horses with bacterial pneumonia. Changes in the SP-D value were preceded by changes in the SAA value. Since the changes in SP-D occurred approximately simultaneous to the changes in the horses' clinical signs, we believe that they reflect the condition of the alveolar membranes. We conclude that measurement of SAA and SP-D in sera is useful for identification of the clinical condition of horses with bacterial pneumonia.     

Antibody reactivity in mice and cats to feline enteroepithelial stages of Toxoplasma gondii.

The reactivity of antibodies in mice and cats to feline enteroepithelial stages of Toxoplasma gondii was examined by means of an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. Mice immunized with feline enteroepithelial stage (FES) parasites produced antibodies not only against FES, but also against tachyzoites, sporozoites/oocysts, tissue cysts and one part of the infected feline enterocytes. After absorption with tachyzoites, the titer of antibodies reactive to enterocytes was significantly reduced. In contrast, the titer of antibodies reactive to FES remained unchanged. The antibodies from cats immunized with FES, reacted specifically to FES, but not to tachyzoites, tissue cysts or enterocytes. These results suggest that FES parasites may have stage-specific antigen(s).     

Antigenic analysis of feline coronaviruses with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): preparation of MAbs which discriminate between FIPV strain 79-1146 and FECV strain 79-1683.

We prepared 31 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against either FIPV strain 79-1146 or FECV strain 79-1683, and tested them for reactivity with various coronaviruses by indirect fluorescent antibody assay (IFA). Sixteen MAbs which reacted with all of the 11 strains of feline coronaviruses, also reacted with canine coronavirus (CCV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). In many of them, the polypeptide specificity was the recognition of transmembrane (E1) protein of the virus. We succeeded in obtaining MAbs which did not react with eight strains of FIPV Type I viruses (showing cell-associated growth) but reacted with FIPV Type II (79-1146, KU-1) and/or FECV Type II (79-1683) (showing non-cell associated growth). These MAbs also reacted with CCV or TGEV. These MAbs recognized peplomer (E2) glycoprotein, and many antigenic differences were found in this E2 protein. These results suggest that FIPV Type II and FECV Type II viruses are antigenically closer to TGEV or CCV than to FIPV Type I viruses. Furthermore, the MAb prepared in this study has enabled discrimination between FIPV strain 79-1146 and FECV strain 79-1683, which was thought to be impossible by the previous serological method.     

Properties of nine continuous B-cell lines established from enzootic bovine leukosis tumors.

We established 9 cell lines from 63 tumor cases of enzootic bovine leukosis and studied their properties. Cells of all lines formed small clumps and floated in culture medium, indicating growth. Four of the 9 cell lines were surface immunoglobulin (SIg)-positive, but the remaining 5 line cells were negative for SIg or, if SIg was detected, the percentage of SIg-positive cells was very low. Tests for the properties of the cells with monoclonal antibodies to lymphocytes revealed that the established line cells are B-lymphocytes. Morphological observation also revealed that they had the morphology of B-lymphoblastic cell. The results of E and EAC rosette assay were negative, but 6 of 8 cell lines were positive for EA rosetting. All the 9 cell lines reacted with MoAb C-143, which recognizes the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) of the EBL tumor cell. All 9 cell lines produced bovine leukosis virus (BLV). These results suggest that the 9 cell lines are tumor cells derived from B-lymphocytes of EBL.