Fran, is A. Kallfelz, D.V.M., PhD.

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1 O n C a t s A Newsletter for Cat Fanciers F r o m T h e Cornell Feline Health Center Spring 1985 R e a d t h e L a b e l W h e n S e l e c t i n g C a t F o o d s When you select your cat's food which do you read first, the price or the nutrition label? If you are the Morris of consumerism you should be carefully reading the label to be sure your cat is getting the best nutrition for the dollar. Nutrition information on cat food labels may appear to be in a foreign language if you are a novice; but with practice and armed with the following information you will be able to decipher this information and make an informed choice the next time you purchase cat food. Special Nutritional Needs The cat has a higher protein requirement than most animals. The adult cat needs a daily diet containing 25% protein; whereas a kitten needs about 35% protein. Protein supplies essential amino acids and the amount will vary depending on the quality of the protein sources in the diet. Good quality protein sources include meat, fish and eggs. Fran, is A. Kallfelz, D.V.M., PhD. While most animals can produce the B vitamin, niacin, from the amino acid tryptophan, the cat cannot make this transformation and has a direct need for niacin. Niacin is abundant in meat and meat byproducts. Vitamin A, too, is a basic nutrient for the cat which other animals produce from the precursor B-carotene. Finally, the cat has special requirements for fat. High levels of fat enhance the acceptability or palatability of rations. In addition, the cat must have certain essential fatty acids substances found in fats that assist in metabolic functions but which cannot be synthesized in the body. Most animals use fatty acids of plant origin and convert them to active forms, but the cat apparently cannot and therefore needs some animal fat in its diet as a source of pretransformed fatty acids. Almost all cat food manufacturers formulate rations based on the peculiar metabolic requirements of cats. Therefore, almost all cat foods available in the grocery store today contain the necessary nutrients required by this species. However, you should be aware of what to look for when buying commercial cat foods. Types of Cat Foods The cat also has a specific requirement for an amino acid-like substance called "taurine" which is found in high levels in seafood and meat products. It is essential for normal vision and a deficiency will result in eventual blindness. There are three types of commercial cat foods available: dry, semi-moist and canned. These products differ in water content, protein level and caloric density. Dry foods are about 90% dry matter and contain only about 10% water. They contain about 30% protein "as is" and about 8 % fat. Caloric content is about 1600 Calories per pound. Soft-moist products contain more moisture (25-36%); slightly less protein (27%); and have a caloric density of about 1300 Calories per pound with a similar fat content to that

2 P e r s p e c t iv e s O n C a t s of dry foods. Canned foods have a high water content, generally 74-78%, and thus are much lower in protein ( %), fat (5-6%) and Calories ( per pound) on an as is basis than are dry or soft-moist products. Tips on Reading Labels Protein, water and fat contents are listed on the label of any package or can of cat food under the title of "guaranteed analysis". By law the label must list the minimum amounts of protein and fat and the maximum amounts of fiber and water. The actual percentages may vary 1-2 percent. This section also frequently lists the ash content of the product. Ash is the mineral portion of the diet. A certain level of minerals is necessary for the cat's normal metabolism. Unfortunately, the caloric content is missing from the guaranteed analysis. Since animals eat to satisfy their energy requirement, you need to know the approximate caloric content to determine how much to feed. One method is to subtract the percentage of water in the cat food from add to this answer the percentage of P e r s p e c t i v e s O n C a t s A N e w s le t t e r f o r C a t F a n c ie r s F r o m T h e C o r n e ll F e l in e H e a lt h C e n t e r The ultimate purpose of the Cornell Feline Health Center is to improve the health of cats everyw here, by developing methods to prevent or cure feline diseases, and by providing continuing education to veterinarians and cat ow ners. All contributions are taxdeductible. D irecto r: Fredric W. Scott, D.V.M., Ph.D. E ditor: June E. T uttle Secretary: Sheryl A. Bronger Special Consultant: Leo A. Wuori, D.V.M by Cornell University on behalf of the Cornell Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY All rights reserved. Permission to reprint selected portions m ust be obtained in writing. Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer. Table I Percent Composition of Cat Foods DRY SOFT-MOIST CANNED As Is DM* As Is DM* As Is DM Protein Fat Ash Water Dry Matter bans " " * 74 fat and multiply by The answer is a rough estimate of metabolic energy per ounce of the product. A second method is to add together the following: percentage protein times 4; percentage fat times 9; and minus the sum of percentage protein, fat, fiber, water and ash times 4. This sum multiplied by 4.5 provides an approximate caloric content per pound of the product. The approximate nutrient content of various types of cat food are shown in Table 1 on both an "as is and "dry matter basis. Note that there is considerable difference between the two forms of canned cat food. Since all the nutrients are in the dry matter, a cat must eat enough dry matter to meet its nutrient requirements. A cat eating canned food will be consuming, for example, far more protein than is needed since these foods are very high in protein on a dry matter basis. The average adult cat needs about 45 calories per pound per day. You can calculate roughly the amount of food required by using the information in Table 1. Individual needs may differ from this average according to age, environment and activity level. An average 10-pound cat requires about 3 1/2 ounces of dry, 4 ounces of soft-moist, or 9 ounces of canned food to satisfy its daily caloric needs. Pet foods are formulated so that when caloric

3 3 needs are satisfied, requirements for other essential nutrients are also met. By law the ingredients list must contain all items used in the product in decreasing order by weight. When evaluating cat foods, be sure to check the ingredients list. Heat, meat by-products or seafood should be listed among the first few items. This indicates that the product probably contains sufficient animal source ingredients to supply taurine and essential fatty acids. Also look toward the Table 2 List of Pet Food Ingredients Ingredient Meat by-products, meat and dried whey protein,, DL methionine, egg, meat and bone meal, beef digest, chicken, beef, cheese, liver Whole wheat, whole ground corn, soybean meal, soya flour, soybean g rits, vegetable textured soy protein Soybean hull6, rice hulls, wheat middlings, wheat shorts, bran Sucrose, propylene glycol, corn syrup and sodium carboxymethylcellose, guar gum Animal fat, vegetable oil Monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, copper s u l fate and ethylenediamine dihydrlodlde, calcium pantothenate, copper oxide Potassium sorbate Kthoxyquin, BHA Thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, calcium B-complex, pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin supplements of A, E, D, B l2 Onion & garlic powders, white Pepper, artificial flavor Kunction Sources of animal protein, animal fat and energy Sources of vegetable protein, fiber, and fat Used as sources of fiber and for and for product texture Sources of carbohydrate for energy and protein conservation, and to develop texture Sources of essential fatty acids and palatability of food Supplemental sources of essential mineral elements: calcium, sodium, choline, copper, iodide, phosphorous, zinc, iron Prevents mold formation Compounds to prevent destruction of vitamin E and prevent oxidation of fat Supplemental sources of vitamin E, A, *12» and D For flavor and aroma (Reprioted from the July 1984 issue of DVM with permission fro. DVM magazine) bottom of the list to be sure that niacin and vitamin A have been added. The third important item to look for on a cat food label is the "statement and validation of nutitional claim". Be sure that the label has a statement that the product is complete and balanced for the stage of your cat's life cycle (e.g., growth, or maintenance of adults). The validation should state that this claim is based on results of animal feeding trials or that the product has been shown to meet or exceed the National Research Council (NRC) recommendations for minimum amounts of essential nutrients. You should definitely not buy a product that does not contain on its label a nutritional claim. Natural Cat Foods There is great concern about potentially harmful effects of additives in pet foods. The primary additive used today is a stabilizer for fat. It prevents the harmful oxidization of fat without causing any known side effects. Other additives include vitamin and mineral supplements necessary for balanced rations. Some of the so-called "natural pet foods" may be Inferior to standard products. They usually have a much shorter shelf life because they lack a fat stabilizer. ( Refer to Table 2 for a list of ingredients that are common in pet foods.) Summary There is more to buying cat food then just comparing prices. Next time you shop take the time to read the nutritional information on the label. It is there so that you can make the right decision for the health of your cat. Dr. Francis A. Kallfelz received his D.V.M. (1962) a n d Ph.D. (1968) degrees f r o m Cornell University. He specializes in animal nutrition. In the 1970 's he was selected to fulfill the endowed position, Mark L. Morris Professor of Clinical Nutrition, at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.

4 P e r s p e c t iv e s O n C a t s 4 T h o u g h t s C o n c e r n i n g C a t s, F a m i l i e s a n d F r i e n d s Sheryl Bronger Do you have a friend or relative that is crazy about cats? Perhaps their feelings are similar to mine. I love cats and can't resist picking them up and hugging and cuddling them. I am devastated whenever one of these delightful creatures dies prematurely or suffers from a painful and disabling disease. I begin to wonder what could I have done to help brighten his or her future. Since I joined the Cornell Feline Health Center staff in 1982 as office secretary, I have learned a great deal about cats and have discovered that there is something that can be done to help them live healthier lives. The Cornell Feline Health Center promotes feline health by studying the various aspects of feline diseases for effective treatments or cures. It is supported primarily through private contributions from catlovers, veterinarians, and some industries. Our progress depends upon the amount of support we receive from these sources. During 1984, the workload of the Center increased tremendously and we desperately need funds to keep pace with the extensive demands of our work. For example, we all know what it feels like when our favorite (continued on page 7) FeLV* Vaccine Is Now Available After several years of research, Norden Laboratories has developed a vaccine, Leukocell, to aid in the prevention of feline leukemia and diseases associated with the virus. The vaccine has been made available to veterinarians since January. Experimental studies by Norden have been promising. Eighty percent of the vaccinated cats remained healthy after exposure to the feline leukemia virus compared to 30% of the nonvaccinated controls. The safety of the vaccine has also been evaluated in a field trial of 667 cats. While the vaccine was safe in most cats, it did produce a reaction in 13% of the cats. These reactions included local pain or discomfort at the site of vaccination. About 3-4% of vaccinated cats developed transient fever and malaise. * Feline Leukemia Virus It appears that Leukocell is reasonably safe and effective, providing a useful aid in reducing the incidence of feline leukmia virus infection in cats. The vaccine is only effective in healthy, FeLV negative cats. Immunization requires a series of 3 vaccinations, followed by a yearly booster.

5 5 A n s w e r s t o Y o u r Q u e s t i o n s o n F e l i n e I n f e c t i o u s P e r i t o n i t i s Joel D. Baines, B.S., V.M.D.; Charles A. Baldwin, B.S., D.V.M., M.S.; an d C heryl Stoddart, B.S., M.S. This is the second part of the article series on feline infectious peritonitis. If you recently began receiving "Perspectives on Cats" and would like the first part of the series please write us, requesting the winter 1984 issue. 11. Why did I get two different test results from two different laboratories? Unfortunately, many labs use different antigens prepared in different ways and their interpretation of the assay can differ. False results can occur from nonspecific reactions unless the tests are meticulously controlled. The tests can be difficult to interpret since they usually depend on a subjective decision made by the person reading the test. 12. My veterinarian says my cat has enteric coronavirus. Does that mean he will get FIP? As of this writing, a diagnosis of enteric coronavirus infection is not the same as a diagnosis of FIP infection. The two viruses are from the same virus family, but they produce different disease spectrums. Enteric coronavirus infection usually will lead to diarrheal disease. Symptoms seen with the FIP virus may include the accumulation of tremendous a- mounts of fluid in the chest or abdomen. In other cases, there may be a severe inflammatory reaction affecting the kidneys, liver, central nervous system, or eyes. However, very recent research reports have demonstrated infection of the intestinal tract with FIP virus in cats. Such research indicates the need for more studies to identify the role of the two viral infections FIP virus and enteric coronavirus and how they compare both immunologically and clinically. 13. Has any cat ever recovered from FIP? There have been very few documented cases of cats surviving clinical cases of FIP. Currently, it is considered a fatal disease once a positive diagnosis has been made. The major problem with reported cures has been in the method of diagnosis. In many cases a FlP-antibody test is insufficient. (Refer to question 8 in the winter 1984 issue of "Perspectives".) 14. How can you tell If a cat is a carrier? Unfortunately, there are no tests presently available which can positively identify FIP virus carrier cats. A serologic test for detecting carrier animals that are shedding FIP virus, similar to tests for detecting feline leukemia virus infection, is urgently needed. 15. My cat has FIP. How long can he/she be expected to live? How can I make my cat's last days most comfortable? Once clinical signs appear, few cats with the effusive (wet) form of FIP will

6 P e r s p e c t iv e s O n C a t s 6 live more than a few weeks, although some adult cats may linger for 6-8 months. In those animals with the dry form of the disease, deaths usually occur in a few weeks, but survival for up to a year or more Is possible. To make your cat more comfortable in its terminal stages, good nursing care should be continued; a balanced, highly nutritious diet should be followed; and plenty of liquids should be available. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to reduce the discomfort associated with the disease or provide more specific supportive therapy as indicated. 16. Is FIP dangerous to people or any animals other than cats? FIP has not been documented in any species other than those of the cat family. There is no known human health risk. 17. Should all cats with a positive titer be routinely eliminated from my cattery? In light of current scientific information, a test-and-removal program for coronavirus antibody-positive cats, similar to that used for feline leukemia virus infected cats, cannot be recommended. There are no available diagnostic tests that can specifically identify antibody-positive cats with FIP, cats that are shedding FIP virus into the environment, or even the exact coronavirus(es) to which the cat may have been exposed. Therefore, there is no known medical reason for destroying healthy, coronavirus-antibody positive cats. 18. Why is it taking so long for scientists to find a vaccine for FIP? Because this disease is produced by the cat's immune response to the virus, traditional vaccination methods are not likely to be effective. Indeed, most attempts to vaccinate cats have either not protected them or have actually predisposed them to lethal FIP. 19. What is the Cornell Feline Health Center doing to fight FIP? We are working diligently to develop an effective FIP virus vaccine as well as diagnostic tests which will be more useful in diagnosing FIP in sick cats and identifying the FIP virus carrier state in healthy cats. We are also studying the disease process itself (i.e., how the virus replicates in the cat and why the cells normally responsible for protection against infection do not destroy the virus). This work may lead to more effective treatments for FIP. Charles A. (Sandy) Baldwin received his D.V.M. (1978) and M.S. (1982) degrees f r o m Cornell University. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in veterinary virology, specializing in intestinal diseases of cats. Cheryl A. Stoddart obtained her M.S. degree f r o m Cornell University in She is doing research on feline infectious peritonitis for h e r Ph.D. in veterinary virology. Joel D. Baines received his V.M.D. f r o m University of Pennsylvania in He is currently studying the relationship of monoclonal antibodies to feline infectious peritonitis f o r his Ph.D. NOTE ON MEDICATING CATS In the winter issue, the photograph on administering eye medications shows the tube towards the eye. The tube of ointment should be held parallel to the eyeball. This will prevent possible eye damage if the cat lunges forward. (Tip from Dr. Richard Stein of Warners, NY)

7 7 Thoughts (continued, f r o m page 4) pairs of slacks or jeans that once fit comfortably now feel like they are going to split their seams. Normally that makes us want to cut back on our food intake to lose those extra pounds; however, that is just the opposite of what the Center wants to do. We want to grow and expand our research on feline diseases. I would like to suggest a few ways in which you can become involved with our efforts. If you have friends or relatives that absolutely adore and love cats, a contribution to the Center in that person's name would be a most appropriate birthday present. I know I would be thrilled to receive such a gift, because I would know that I was helping cats live longer lives. It would also signify to me that the giver was aware of my personal interests and that considerable thought had gone into my gift. Thank You Gifts I have several friends and am always finding myself in a situation where I want to express my appreciation for their kindness or their helpfulness. I sometimes will buy them a gift, but then I begin to have doubts as to the appropriateness or usefulness of the gift. I have discovered an alternative to this apprehension because I know that when I give a contribution to a worthy cause, such as the Cornell Feline Health Center, I am not only showing my appreciation but I am also investing my money in a useful way. Many people write to us looking for a Way to honor their veterinarian. A donation to the Center in his or her name is an effective method that is very wellreceived. Memorial Gifts People who have had the satisfaction of owning a cat know how easy it is to become attached. Cats and other pets have many things to offer and they don't ask for anything in return. Each one has a unique character of its own which can bring us much pleasure, companionship, and comfort. We look forward to waking up to a warm, furry friend; or to the times when they show their affection by rubbing against our legs; or to their playful mood when they scurry around, chasing after a ball or toy. For these reasons, it is not difficult to understand why there is so much pain involved when we lose our friend. Oftentimes, we may have difficulty expressing our feelings. Therefore, actions or demonstrations of our concern can be more comforting. Your gift to the Center will reassure the person that the memory of their pet has been upheld in a very meaningful way. Unfortunately, just as our cats die, our family and friends die. We feel devastated and begin thinking about that person and reflecting on what they were like. We wish there was something we could do to show how much we really cared. A memorial gift to the Center serves as an indelible tribute to that person. Making Contributions When you decide to make a contribution for any of these circumstances, please be sure to enclose a note with information about the situation and include the names and addresses of those special individuals so that we can send a personalized acknowledgement to them. We also appreciate any donations that are given freely. With your help, we will be able to make the best all-time effort to improve the health of all cats.

8 P e r s p e c t iv e s O n C a t s 8 W i s h e s C o m e T r u e We received a very heartwarming response to our 1984 wish list with many people sending in contributions either earmarked for an item or to be used where most needed. We are grateful and appreciative of your support of our work and the small an imal clinic. In appreciation we would like to acknowledge those who responded to our u r gent needs for equipment. The contribution from Mr. and Mrs. Dale Schulz of Indianapolis, Indiana purchased the HPLC Chromatography column and additional financial support for FIP research. Mr. and Mrs. Ellice McDonald of Greenville, Delaware also contributed to our FIP research fund. A contribution by Warwick Bonsai, Jr. of Charleston, South Carolina enabled us to purchase the Accumet ph/mv meter. The mobile stretcher pads were purchased through a donation made by Mr. and Mrs. Roger Ditman of Brooklyn, New York. Marguerite Hislop of Newtown, Pennsylvania provided the Glucocheck II in memory of her cat-loving friend, Beulah Scott. The Stip Splitter was given by Kristy Lynn Stubenrauch of Arlington, Virginia. The Tabby & Tortie Club of the West indicated their concern for the care of feline patients by purchasing the Aqua-matic heating pad. Mr. and Mrs. John Carter of Wexford, Pennsylvania provided funds for the purchase of the blow dryer for the clinic. Other individuals who contributed to the advancement of feline medicine were Dorothy Palmer of Santa Ana, California; William Hefler of Quincy, Massachusetts; and Larry Jelinek of Toronto, Ontario. During the last few months cat clubs who have shown their support include the Somali Cat Club; Anthony Wayne Cat Fanciers, Inc.; Downeast Cat Club; Fox River Valley Cat Club, Inc.; and Maine Coone Breeders Fanciers Association. Your continued support guarantees better health and a longer life for all cats. C o r n e ll F elin e H ea lth C e n te r C o r n e ll U n iv e r sity C o lle g e o f V e te r in a r y M ed icin e Ithaca, N e w Y ork Nonprofit Orgr U.S. Postagt- P A I D /'* CookW ym versity Flower Library Schurman Feline Health Center