FACTORS INFLUENCING CLINICAL CASES OF CATS AT CENTRAL VETERINARY HOSPITAL (CVH), BANGLADESH

Abstract

Cats are becoming more common as pets in Bangladesh, yet they may get infected with various pathogens and can harbour zoonotic infections. This study aimed to look into the prevalence of clinical cases and management practice of pet cats at the Central Veterinary Hospital (CVH) in Bangladesh. From July to December of 2022, a six-month cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 153 pet cats that were brought to the CVH. Clinical ailments were identified by the patient owners' complaints, disease histories, and clinical examinations. According to the survey, feline panleukopenia (FP) was the most prevalent clinical case in cats (30.06%), followed by accidental injuries (17.64%), dermatitis (15.03%), laminitis (11.76%), parasitic (8.49%), feline calicivirus infection (6.53%), myiasis (5.88%), and urolithiasis (4.57%). Cross-breed cats had the lowest incidence of clinical cases (7.84%), whereas local cats had the highest prevalence (38.56%). The age group of ">24 months" had the highest prevalence of clinical cases compared to others. Male and female cats had comparable rates of clinical cases (43.79% vs. 56.20%). Furthermore, the prevalence of FP was significantly higher in local cats, in cats of “6-24 months” of age, and female cats compared to others. About half of the pets did not receive an anthelmintic or vaccination. Local breeds had a significantly larger percentage of unvaccinated cats; however, parsian and exotic breeds had the opposite scenarios. The study's findings provide significant new information regarding the most prevalent clinical cases in cats and their vaccination and deworming status needed to keep cats from becoming sick.