IntroductionA total of 7.9% of kittens born, die during the neonatal or pediatric period [1]. Identification of the etiology of kitten mortality in catteries turned out to be very challenging.

Histology and necropsy are useful tools for diagnosis [2]. However, necropsic findings are poorly described in kittens [3]. Our objectives were to: i) determine the frequency of the observation of lesions per organ

ii) estimate the prevalence of infectious diseases and iii) describe the main causes of death according to breed and age.

Materials & MethodsReports on 142 client-owned kittens died from natural causes under 3 months of age between 2010 and 2016,

were collected from 9 French laboratories specialized in veterinary anatomo-histopathology.

Conclusions

Neonatal and pediatric kitten mortality: a retrospective study of 79 histological examinations post mortem following a natural death

A. Fourniera,b, J.Ogera,, C. Marianib, S. Chastant-Maillarda.aNeoCare, National Veterinary College of Toulouse, UMR INRA/ENVT 1225 IHAP, Toulouse, France

bCRECS, L’Isle Jourdain, France, c Royal Canin, Aimargues, France.

3 m

on

ths

Neonatal period Pediatric period

7%9%

(16 %) (84 %)

18% 66%

1 mo

nth

Birth

3 w

eeks

1 week

3/12

9/12

0/120

20

40

60

80

Viral Bacterial Parasitic

Pro

po

rtio

n o

f o

fd

eat

h(%

)

5/8

2/8

1/8

0

20

40

60

80

Viral Bacterial Parasitic

20/30

8/30

2/30

0

20

40

60

80

Viral Bacterial Parasitic

Pro

po

rtio

n o

f ty

pe

of

infe

ctio

n (

%)

Fig.3: Causes of death according to kitten breed

• In neonatal period: Infections were found responsible for 52% (12/23) of deaths with a preponderance of bacterialinfection (93% before the 1rst week)

• In pediatric period: Infections was implied in 32% (30/93) of deaths dominated by viral infection

• Parasites were detected only in pediatric period (Fig.2).

• Death was predominantly attributed to respiratory conditions in neonatal period, then decreasing with age. Digestive diseases increased in importance in the pediatric period becoming the first cause of death between 1 and 3 months.

• Others causes included congenital, traumatic, neurological, cardiac, urological pathologies…

• No conclusion for 20-30% of kittens (Fig.1)Fig.2: Distribution of the pathogens among infected kittens according to the age

Pro

po

rtio

n o

f ca

use

so

f d

eath

(%)

Fig.1: Causes of death according to kitten age

Take Home MessageRespiratory affections predominated in

purebred cats, digestive in European Shorthair (potentially due to European kitten being necropsied in pediatric period, after their

adoption by private owners)

Intestine LiverLung Kidneys Spleen

The 5 organs most frequently sent for analysis were:

European Maine Coon Persian

CAUSES OF KITTEN DEATH

Under 3 weeks of age Respiratory Bacterial

After 3 weeks of age Digestive Viral and parasitic

Take Home MessageApplication of a

systematic sampling protocol would probably increase

the frequency of reaching a conclusive diagnosis

thanks to histopathology

Promote prevention:• Hygiene of catteries• Desinfection of umbilical cord• Exclude systematic use of antibiotics for public health concerns

Post mortem examination should be associated with the identification of pathogens

by PCR

Organ

Proportion of interpretable

damaged organs

Proportion of damaged organs: (nb of damaged organs/ total nb organs)

Proportion of cadaveric alterations :(% of organs with a cadaveric alteration)

75% 38%57% 22% 21%

78%

24%

56%

24%

69%

19%31%

18%

34%

9%

PneumoniaBroncho-

pneumonia

Enteritis Hepatitis NephritisPyelo/glomerulo-

nephritis

Granulomatoussplenitis

Legend:

Most commonly found lesions :

Simon’s Cat

Results

SYSTEM INVOLVED IN DEATH

PATHOGEN INVOLVED IN DEATH

15/93

28/93

20/93

31/93

0

10

20

30

40

Respiratory Digestive Undetermined Others

11/26

4/26

8/26

3/26

0

10

20

30

40

50

Respiratory Digestive Undetermined Others

14/23

1/23

4/23 4/23

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Respiratory Digestive Undetermined Others

9/46

12/4613/46

11/46

0

10

20

30

Respiratory Digestive Undetermined Others

9/25

4/25

5/25

7/25

0

10

20

30

40

Respiratory Digestive Undetermined Others

5/12

2/12

4/12

1/12

0

10

20

30

40

50

Respiratory Digestive Undetermined Others

Distribution of the population :

(n=23) (n=26) (n=93)

(n=12) (n=8) (n=30)

(n=46) (n=25) (n=12)