Infectious diseases in large-scale cat hoarding investigations

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Animal Welfare

Background:

• Animal hoarding involves severe neglect, leading to widespread health issues in rescued animals.
• Cats from hoarding cases often present with complex medical conditions requiring extensive treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize infectious diseases in clinically affected cats from large-scale hoarding investigations.
• To determine the prevalence of retroviral infections (FeLV, FIV) in these populations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of records from four large-scale cat seizures (387-697 cats each).
• Screening for feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and dermatophytosis.
• PCR and fecal flotation for specific respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of Mycoplasma felis (78%), calicivirus (78%), and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (55%) in respiratory cases.
• Common enteric infections included feline enteric coronavirus (88%), Giardia (56%), Clostridium perfringens (49%), and Tritrichomonas foetus (39%).
• Seroprevalence of FeLV and FIV was 8% each; 69/76 cats with suspicious lesions were positive for Microsporum canis.

Conclusions:

• Cats from large-scale hoarding cases face significant risks for enteric, respiratory, retroviral, and fungal infections.
• Emergency responders must anticipate and manage mass infectious disease treatment.
• Protocols are needed to prevent disease transmission during rescue and rehoming.