O carbamato aldicarb (Temik 150®) é um praguicida de uso freqüente na agricultura e tem como característica alta toxicidade. No Brasil o aldicarb é comercializado de forma ilegal como rodenticida, o que acarreta inúmeros casos de intoxicações em animais domésticos. O presente trabalho desenvolveu uma metodologia comatográfica para detectar o aldicarb em sangue de cães e gatos. As amostras foram analisadas após separação em colunas de aminopropil, por cromatografia líquida de alta resolução, acoplado a detector de UV. As concentrações de aldicarb, utilizadas para o estudo da linearidade variaram entre 150 a 10.000 ng/mL sendo que o valor de r2 foi de 0,995. O limite de detecção (LD) foi definido como 75 ng/mL para o padrão técnico e de 150 ng/mL para a amostra fortificada e o limite de quantificação (LQ) como 150 ng/mL tanto para o padrão técnico como para a amostra fortificada. A recuperação para a concentração média de 2.500 ng/mL, adicionada às amostras de sangue, foi de 2.248 ± 316 ng/mL eqüivalendo a 89,9% do valor adicionado. A recuperação para a concentração baixa de 150 ng/mL, adicionada às amostras de sangue, foi de 101 ± 18 ng/mL eqüivalendo a 68 % do valor adicionado. Os presentes resultados permitem concluir que a metodologia de identificação do aldicarb em sangue mostrou-se adequada, podendo ser empregada no diagnóstico de intoxicação exógena por aldicarb em cães e gatos / The carbamate aldicarb is an insecticide of frequent usage in agriculture and it has hight toxicity as a caracteristic. In Brasil aldicarb is comercialized ilegaly as a rodenticide, this lead to inumerous causes of intoxication in domestic animals. The present record developed a methodology in cromatographic detection of aldicarb in blood of dogs and cats. The samples were analized after aminopropil column separation by hight performance liquid cromatography, acoplished to an UV detector. The concentration of aldicarb used for linearity variated between 150 a 10.000 ng/mL, and the r2 value was 0,995. The detection limit was defined as 75 ng/mL for aldicarb technical standard and 150 ng/mL for the fortificated sample and the quantification limit as 150 ng/mL for both samples. The recovery for medium concentration of 2500 ng/mL, added to the blood samples, was 2.248 ± 316 ng/mL, being equivalence to 89% of added value. The recovery for low concentration of 150 ng/mL, added to the blood samples, was 101 ± 18 ng/mL, being equivalence to 68% of added value. The present results allowed to conclude that the methodology of identification of aldicarb in blood was adequated, and could be employed in the diagnosis of exogenous intoxication by aldicarb for dogs and cats

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-02-17T18:21:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Renato Le?o S? de Oliveira.pdf: 1042208 bytes, checksum: 36444539adfac13a4589cce19eb24182 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T18:21:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Renato Le?o S? de Oliveira.pdf: 1042208 bytes, checksum: 36444539adfac13a4589cce19eb24182 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-20 / This study was developed in the Veterinary Hospital from UFRRJ. Forty cats, from the neutering program of our institution, were enrolled in this study. Cats were classified as ASA I or II to be accepted. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of the induction rate on the propofol requirement. We also aimed to quantify the propofol sparing effect of methadone and the incidence of side effects in these situations. Animals were randomly assigned to one of two premedication groups, receiving acepromazine (0,05 mg.kg-1) associated with saline (0,03 mL.kg-1) or methadone (0,3 mg.kg-1). Sedation scores were assessed 15 and 30 minutes after premedication using two scales (SDS and VAS). After the sedation assessment, animals were divided randomly in two more groups: fast (5 mg.kg-1.min-) or slow (1,5 mg.kg-1.min-1) induction rate. Sedation scores did not differed between groups neither over time. Just a slight sedation could be observed in both groups. Cats that received induction slowly had significantly more excitement as side effect of propofol. We could not observe difference between methadone and saline on the incidence of side effects. In fast induction rate we could not observe incidence of any side effects. Cats premedicated with methadone that received fast induction rate needed 33% less propofol than those that received saline and fast induction rate. When compared with both groups in slow induction rate, the propofol sparing effect of methadone was 38% when compared with fast induction rate. There were no differences between treatments in slow induction rate. Our results show the benefit of using methadone associated with acepromazine when an adequate induction rate is used. In addition we demonstrate that overly slow induction rates can increase the incidence of side effects as well as increase the amount of anesthetics used do achieve induction. / O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido no setor de pequenos animais do Hospital Veterin?rio da UFRRJ. Foram utilizados 40 gatos provenientes do programa de controle de natalidade de c?es e gatos da institui??o. Os animais se enquadraram como ASA I ou II para serem inclu?dos no estudo. Seu objetivo foi mensurar o potencial da metadona em reduzir o requerimento de propofol para indu??o anest?sica em gatos. Al?m disso objetivou avaliar a incid?ncia de efeitos adversos durante esta indu??o e comparar o efeito de diferentes velocidades de administra??o do anest?sico sobre estas vari?veis. Os animais foram distribu?dos em dois grupos para administra??o da medica??o pr?-anest?sica, um grupo recebeu acepromazina (0,05 mg.kg-1) associada a metadona (0,3 mg.kg-1) e outro grupo recebeu a acepromazina associada a solu??o salina est?ril (0,03 mL.kg-1). Os animais tiveram seus escores de seda??o avaliados nos tempos 15 e 30 minutos ap?s a administra??o dos protocolos, atrav?s de duas escalas: uma escala descritiva simples e uma escala anal?gica visual. Posteriormente a avalia??o dos escores de seda??o os animais foram novamente divididos em dois grupos: com indu??o com propofol na velocidade de 5 mg.kg-1.min-1 ou na velocidade de 1,5 mg.kg-1.min-1. Os escores de seda??o n?o variaram significativamente entre os grupos nem ao longo do tempo em ambas as escalas, sendo poss?vel observar apenas uma leve tranquiliza??o nos animais em ambos os grupos. Os animais que receberam metadona apresentaram sinais de euforia. Os animais que receberam a indu??o na velocidade mais lenta apresentaram maior incid?ncia de efeitos adversos al?m de apresentarem maior requerimento anest?sico para indu??o, sem diferen?a entre os grupos pr?-tratados ou n?o com metadona. Nos grupos com indu??o mais r?pida n?o foram evidenciados efeitos colaterais. A indu??o com a velocidade mais r?pida se apresentou mais segura por ser quase isenta de efeitos adversos. Os animais pr?-tratados com metadona e induzidos com velocidade maior, apresentaram significativa redu??o no requerimento de propofol, sendo esta redu??o de 33% frente aos animais n?o tratados com metadona e induzidos na mesma velocidade e de 38% frente aos animais induzidos com velocidade mais lenta, sem diferen?a entre os tratamentos. Estes resultados demonstram o benef?cio da utiliza??o de analg?sicos opi?ides na medica??o pr?-anest?sica, al?m do efeito analg?sico, mas tamb?m reduzindo o requerimento de agentes indutores e consequentemente seus efeitos delet?rios. Da mesma maneira demonstrou-se que indu??es em velocidades excessivamente lentas se apresentam como formas delet?rias de utiliza??o do propofol como agente indutor, aumentando seu requerimento e a incid?ncia de efeitos adversos.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2018-10-19T18:19:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Andresa Guimar?es.pdf: 1221110 bytes, checksum: 80ca8363650edbb042caea761cb85083 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-19T18:19:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Andresa Guimar?es.pdf: 1221110 bytes, checksum: 80ca8363650edbb042caea761cb85083 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-21 / CAPES / CNPq / Studies of domestic cats are little discussed in Brazil, especially regarding hemoparasita research where cats can be carriers of the agent and contribute to infection of man. Anaplasmataceae agents are gram-negative bacteria found in leukocytes and platelets, in which morulae characteristic of the infection is observed. The transmission of these agents to humans and animals occurs by arthropod vectors. Sorologic diagnostic methods are emphasized, but recent studies using molecular techniques demonstrate greater sensitivity and specificity, with better characterization of the agent. The present study aims to diagnose domestic cats in Rio de Janeiro naturally infected by agents Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia sp., and Anaplasma sp.) by serological and molecular methods, as well as evaluate hematological changes associated with these infections to guide veterinarians in the diagnosis of these diseases. Samples of 216 animals from clinics located in cities in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro were used. The research of antibodies IgG anti-E. canis was performed by Immunofluorescence Assay (IFAT) and molecular detection of Ehrlichia sp. by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based on 16S rRNA gene. The results demostrate that 18 (8.3%) animals were positive in the direct detection by blood smear, 57 (26.4%) seropositive and 37 (17.1%) positive by nested-PCR for Ehrlichia sp., being 91 (42.1%) positive in at least one technique. The diagnosis of A. platys was performed by real-time PCR (qPCR) and nested-PCR based on 16S rRNA and gltA genes, respectively. Seventeen animals (7.9%) showed inclusions in platelet, eight (3.7%) were positive in qPCR, two (0,9%) in nested-PCR and 23 (10.6%) cats were considered positive for A. platys in at least one technique. The detection of A. phagocytophilum was performed by qPCR based on gene msp2, however, positive animals were not observed. The most common hematologic findings in animals positive for agents Anaplasmataceae were thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, regenerative left shift, anemia and hyperproteinemia. Only one animal showed co-positivity for both agents. Regarding the associated factor, only age interfered with positivity for Ehrlichia sp., in wich younger IFAT positive animals were less prone to infection, unlike that observed in the nested-PCR in which the younger had higher positivity. Only two positive samples in the nested-PCR for E. canis were subjected to sequencing. One sequence demonstrated 100% similarity with isolates of Ehrlichia sp. and E. canis and another showed 99% similarity with isolates of Ehrlichia sp. ocelot and Ehrlichia sp. little-spotted-cat. The two positive samples in the nested-PCR for A. platys demonstrated 100% similarity with isolates of A. platys reported in advanced. The present work demonstrates the circulation of agents Anaplasmataceae in domestic cats in Rio de Janeiro. / Estudos com felinos dom?sticos s?o pouco abordados no Brasil, principalmente em rela??o ? pesquisa de hemoparasitoses, em que os gatos podem ser portadores do agente e contribuir para infec??o do homem. Os agentes Anaplasmataceae s?o bact?rias gram-negativas que s?o encontradas em leuc?citos, plaquetas ou eritr?citos, formando m?rulas, caracter?sticas de sua infec??o. A transmiss?o desses agentes para o homem e animais ocorre principalmente por vetores artr?podes. Como m?todo diagn?stico ressalta-se a sorologia, por?m estudos recentes utilizando diagn?stico molecular demonstram maior sensibilidade e especificidade, com melhor caracteriza??o do agente. O presente estudo tem como objetivo diagnosticar felinos dom?sticos do Rio de Janeiro infectados naturalmente por agentes Anaplasmataceae (Ehrlichia sp. e Anaplasma sp.) por meio de m?todos sorol?gico e molecular, bem como avaliar as altera??es hematol?gicas associadas a estas infec??es. Foram utilizadas amostras de 216 animais, provenientes de cl?nicas localizadas em cidades da Regi?o Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. A pesquisa de anticorpos IgG anti-E. canis foi realizada pela Rea??o de Imunofluoresc?ncia Indireta (RIFI) e a detec??o molecular de Ehrlichia sp., pela nested Rea??o em Cadeia da Polimerase (nested-PCR) baseada no gene 16s rRNA. Os resultados demonstraram que 18 (8,3%) animais foram positivos na detec??o direta pelo esfrega?o sangu?neo, 57 (26,4%) soropositivos e 37 (17,1%) positivos na nested-PCR para Ehrlichia sp., sendo 91 (42,1%) considerados positivos para Ehrlichia sp. em pelo menos uma t?cnica. O diagn?stico de A. platys foi efetuado pela PCR em tempo real (qPCR) e nested-PCR baseada nos genes gltA e 16S rRNA, respectivamente. Dezessete animais (7,9%) apresentaram inclus?es em plaquetas, oito (3,7%) foram positivos na qPCR, dois (0,9%) na nested-PCR e 23 (10,6%) animais foram considerados positivos para A. platys em pelo menos uma t?cnica. A pesquisa de A. phagocytophilum foi realizada por meio da qPCR baseada no gene msp2; no entanto, n?o foram observados animais positivos. Os achados hematol?gicos mais frequentes nos animais positivos para agentes Anaplasmataceae foram trombocitopenia, leucocitose, neutrofilia, desvio ? esquerda regenerativo, anemia e hiperproteinemia. Apenas um animal apresentou co-positividade para ambos os agentes. Em rela??o aos dados associados, somente a idade interferiu na positividade para Ehrlichia sp., sendo na RIFI os animais mais jovens menos predispostos ? infec??o, ao contr?rio do observado na nested-PCR em que os mais jovens apresentaram maior ?ndice de positividade. Apenas duas amostras positivas na nested-PCR para E. canis foram submetidas ao sequenciamento, sendo que uma sequ?ncia apresentou 100% de similaridade com isolados de Ehrlichia sp. e E. canis e a outra demonstrou 99% de similaridade com isolados de Ehrlichia sp. ocelot e Ehrlichia sp. little-spotted-cat. As duas amostras positivas na nested-PCR para A. platys apresentaram 100% de similaridade com isolados de A. platys previamente descritos. O presente trabalho demonstra, portanto, a ocorr?ncia de agentes Anaplasmataceae na popula??o de felinos dom?sticos do Rio de Janeiro.

O linfoma alimentar é a forma anatômica mais frequente nos felinos e é o tipo de neoplasia que mais acomete o intestino delgado nessa espécie. É caracterizado pela infiltração de células linfóides neoplásicas em órgãos do trato gastrointestinal, com ou sem comprometimento de linfonodos mesentéricos. Seu diagnóstico pode ser considerado desafiador em muitos casos, devido às manifestações clínicas muitas vezes inespecíficas e às limitações da citologia e histopatologia. A imunoistoquímica, embora ainda pouco difundida, pode ser utilizada para confirmar o diagnóstico de linfoma alimentar, bem como determinar o tipo celular predominante. Objetivando-se caracterizar o linfoma alimentar felino, foi realizado estudo utilizando-se 40 casos de gatos com diagnóstico de linfoma alimentar (grupo 1), confirmados por meio da imunoistoquímica, no qual se avaliou os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, citológicos, histológicos e imunoistoquímicos. Também foram avaliados 20 casos de felinos com doença inflamatória intestinal (grupo 2), confirmados segundo exame imunoistoquímico, quanto aos aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos. E com o intuito de verificar a acurácia diagnóstica relativa dos exames de citologia, histologia e imunoistoquímica, foram utilizados os resultados dessas análises de ambos os grupos. Foi observado entre os felinos com linfoma alimentar estudados uma média de idade de 10,8 anos e as manifestações clínicas de maior ocorrência foram emagrecimento (55%), êmese (40%) e alterações nas fezes (40%). Entre as alterações ultrassonográficas observadas, as mais prevalentes foram linfonodomegalia mesentérica (86,11%) e espessamento de alças intestinais (80,55%). A maioria dos felinos estudados apresentou sorologia negativa tanto para FIV quanto para FeLV e apenas 14,28% e 8,57% foram positivos para FIV e FeLV, respectivamente. A correlação entre citologia e imunoistoquímica apontou sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo e razão de verossimilhança positiva e negativa de 93,3%, 65%, 66,6%, 92,85%, 2,65 e 0,10, respectivamente. O coeficiente de concordância Kappa de Cohen e a acurácia diagnóstica relativa foram de 0,55 e 77,14%, respectivamente. A correlação entre histopatologia e imunoistoquímica revelou sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo e razão de verossimilhança positiva e negativa de 89,74%, 60%, 81,39%, 75%, 2,22 e 0,18, respectivamente. O coeficiente de concordância Kappa de Cohen e a acurácia diagnóstica relativa foram de 0,52 e 79,66%, respectivamente. A associação entre sorologia para FIV e FeLV e tipo celular do linfoma alimentar não pode ser observada. O presente estudo permitiu concluir que a combinação de citologia, histopatologia e imunoistoquímica é necessária para o correto diagnóstico de linfoma alimentar, e o tipo celular de maior ocorrência foi o de células T. / Alimentary lymphoma is the most common anatomical form of feline lymphoma and is the neoplasm which more affects small intestine of this specie. It is characterized by infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract with neoplastic lymphocytes, with or without mesenteric lymph nodes involvement. The diagnosis of this illness can be challenger in several cases because of unspecific clinical signs and cytological and histopathological limitations. Immunohistochemistry is required where these evaluations were not definitive in addition to establish the cell phenotype T or B lymphocyte. The aim of this study was to characterize feline alimentary lymphoma. For these purpose, 40 cats with a diagnosis of alimentary lymphoma (Group 1) by immunohistochemistry were evaluated clinical, epidemiological, cytological and histologically, in addition to immunophenotype of the neoplasm tissues. Relative accuracy was performed using the results of cytology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry evaluation of 20 cats with inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis. The average age of the cats with alimentary lymphoma was 10.8 years and weight loss (55%), vomiting (40%) and fecal alteration (40%) were the most common clinical signs. The most prevalent ultrasonography abnormalities were mesenteric lymph nodes enlargement (86.11%) and intestinal wall thickening (80.55%). The majority of alimentary lymphoma cats were FIV and FeLV negative and 14.28% and 8.57% were FIV and FeLV positives, respectively. The cytology and immunohistochemistry correlation presents sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratio tests of 93.3%, 65%, 66.6%, 92.85%, 2.65 and 0.10, respectively. The Cohen´s kappa test and the relative accuracy were 0.55 and 77.14%, respectively. The histopathology and immunohistochemistry correlation presents sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratio tests of 89.74%, 60%, 81.39%, 75%, 2.22 and 0.18, respectively. The Cohen´s kappa test and the relative accuracy were 0.52 and 79.66%, respectively. Association of FIV and FeLV result tests and alimentary lymphoma phenotype was not observed. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that cytology, histology and immunohistochemistry combination is necessary for a correct diagnosis, and T cell alimentary lymphoma is the most common phenotype.

O propofol é o fármaco mais freqüentemente empregado na indução da anestesia de pequenos animais apesar de seu efeito depressor cardiovascular e respiratório. Sabe-se que a associação com outros fármacos pode determinar a redução de suas doses e essa possibilidade é pouco conhecida nos felinos. No presente estudo, foram avaliados os efeitos do emprego do midazolam associado ao propofol na indução da anestesia em gatas submetidas a ovariossalpingo-histerectomia. Foram utilizadas 30 gatas, jovens adultas, submetidas a ovariossalpingo-histerectomia. Após serem pré-tratadas com acepromazina e morfina, foram distribuídas em três grupos: o grupo GP recebeu indução somente com propofol; o grupo GMP recebeu midazolam imediatamente antes da indução com propofol; e o grupo GPM recebeu uma subdose de propofol, seguido por midazolam e novamente propofol até ser possível a intubação. Foi avaliada a redução da dose do propofol quando em associação com midazolam; a qualidade de intubação endotraqueal e grau de relaxamento muscular; a qualidade de indução da anestesia após a administração de propofol ou propofol em associação com midazolam, analisando qual a melhor seqüência de administração e a qualidade e o tempo de recuperação nas gatas submetidas à indução da anestesia com propofol ou propofol-midazolam. Foram também observados as freqüências cardíaca e respiratória, pressão arterial, oximetria, capnometria e hemogasometria. A partir dos resultados obtidos verificou-se que a dose de propofol para indução da anestesia em gatas é reduzida em 34% e 23% quando precedido ou antecedido pelo midazolam, respectivamente; a associação com midazolam não intensificou o relaxamento muscular promovido pelo propofol, não interferindo assim na qualidade de intubação endotraqueal das gatas; o uso prévio de midazolam em relação ao propofol na indução da anestesia não determinou agitação, tampouco excitação nas gatas; ambas as seqüências de administração da associação propofol-midazolam são factíveis, porém a seqüência propofol-midazolam se mostrou superior devido a menor dose empregada de propofol; do ponto de vista clínico, a associação com midazolam determinou prolongamento do tempo de recuperação das gatas, mas não determinou efeitos adversos no momento de despertar. / Propofol is the most frequent drug used for induction of anesthesia in small animals. Its cardiovascular and respiratory depressor effects are well known. The association with other drugs may determine a reduction of its dose, and this possibility is not well known in cats. The present study evaluated the effects of midazolam associated to propofol during induction of anesthesia in cats submitted to ovariohysterectomy. Thirty cats were enrolled in this study. After premedicated with acepromazine and morphine, they were distributed in three groups: GP group that received only propofol for induction; GMP group that received midazolam immediately before propofol induction; and GPM group that received a sub dose of propofol, followed by midazolam and propofol until intubation was possible. The dose reduction of propofol when associated to midazolam; the quality of endotracheal intubation and the muscle relaxation degree were evaluated; the quality of anesthetic induction after administration of propofol or propofol associated with midazolam was compared, in order to identify the best administration sequence. The quality and time of recovery were evaluated as well. Heart and respiratory rates, arterial blood pressure, oximetry, capnometry and hemogasometry were also accessed. The results showed that propofol dose for anesthesia induction was reduced in 34% and 23% when preceded or succeeded by midazolam, respectively; The association with midazolam did not increase muscle relaxation promoted by propofol, therefore not interfering in the quality of endotracheal intubation in cats; the use of midazolam previously to propofol on anesthetic induction did not cause agitation or excitement; both sequence of administration of the association of propofol-midazolam were effective, although the sequence propofol-midazolam was been shown to be better, since the propofol dose was lower; from the clinic point of view, the association with midazolam determined a prolongation of the recovery, however no side effects were noted.

No description available.

Abstract not available

Abstract not available

House cat movements in Canberra suburbs adjacent to grassland and forest/woodland areas were examined using radio-telemetry over 9 months. Information on the composition of vertebrate prey caught by house cats in Canberra was also collected by recording prey items deposited at cat owners' residences over 12 months. Home range areas of 10 suburban house cats, and a colony of seven farm cats, were examined using 95% convex polygons. Nocturnal home range areas of the suburban cats varied between 0.02 and 27.93 ha (mean 7.89 ha), and were larger than diurnal home range areas (range 0.02 to 17.19 ha - mean 2.73 ha). Nocturnal home range areas of cats from the farm cat colony varied between 1.38 and 4.46 ha (mean 2.54 ha), and were also larger than diurnal home range areas (range 0.77 to 3.70 ha - mean 1.70 ha). Activity levels were greater at night than during the day, though diel activity patterns varied seasonally in response to ambient temperature. Four suburban house cats moved between 390 m and 900 m into habitat adjoining the suburb. Movements further than 100-200 m from the suburb edge were always made at night. Polygons describing the home ranges of these animals were strongly spatially biased away from the suburban environment, though the cats spent the majority of their time within the bounds of the suburb. In addition to nocturnal and diurnal effects, home range areas, and subsequently habitat utilisation, appeared primarily determined by the density and spatial distribution of cats utilising separate food resources, and the dominance of individual cats in local social hierarchies, rather than gender or neutering effects. Home ranges of cats in the farm cat colony overlapped extensively, as did those of cats living at the same suburban residence. There was little or no overlap between the home ranges of cats from different residences. Barriers, in the form of busy roads, appeared to also significantly influence home range size and shape. Within home range areas, house cat movements during the day appeared strongly influenced by available cover (drains, tall grass, fences and shrubs etc.), and the location of resting/sunning spots and hunting sites close to home. At night, movement patterns appeared influenced by the location of favoured hunting sites toward the outer edges of home range areas (in this study, tall grass and scrub/forest habitat, and farm buildings). Nineteen hundred and sixty one prey items representing 67 species were reported or collected. Sixty-four percent of the prey items were introduced mammals, with native birds comprising 14%, introduced birds 10%, unidentified birds 3%, reptiles 7%, amphibians 1% and native mammals 1%. Predation appeared to be largely opportunistic with respect to spatial and temporal (daily and seasonal) prey availability and accessibility. All amphibians and 62% of mammals taken by cats not confined at night, were caught at night. In contrast, 70% of birds caught, and 90% of reptiles, were taken during the day (45% of birds between 0600 h and 1200 h, and 61% of reptiles between 1200 h and 1800 h). There was some evidence that small mammals are preferred prey of house cats. The mean number of prey items reported per cat over 12 months - 10.2 � 2.66 (2SE, n=138) - was significantly lower than mean predation per cat per year - 23.3 � 6.16 (2SE, n=138) - estimated by cat owners before the prey survey began. Seventy percent of cats were observed to catch less than 10 prey items over 12 months, but for 6% of cats, more than 50 prey items were recorded. Because counts of the amount of prey caught per house cat per unit time were highly positively skewed, data assumptions and statistical parameters used to extrapolate results from the study sample of cats, to the house cat population of Canberra, had a significant effect on estimates of total predation in Canberra. The precision of the total predation estimate was low (± 25%), from a sample of 0.3% of the Canberra house cat population. The accuracy of such estimates are dependent on how representative the study cat sample is of the wider house cat population, and on the proportion of prey items not observed by cat owners. The total amount of prey taken was not significantly influenced by cat gender, age when desexed, or cat breed. Nor did belling or the number of meals provided per day have a significant influence on predatory efficiency. Cat age and the proportion of nights spent outside explained approximately 11 % of the variation in the amount of prey caught by individual cats. House cat density and distance to prey source areas (rural/grassland habitat) explained 43% of variation in predation on introduced mammals and birds. The impact of predation beyond suburb edges is likely to be most significant on populations of small to medium sized arboreal and ground-dwelling mammals, because of their nocturnal nature, and because they appear to be preferred prey types of house cats. Impacts on diurnally active prey, such as most birds and reptiles, are likely to be confined to within 200 m of residential housing (possibly further where good cover is available). Properly enforced nocturnal confinement should restrict the range sizes of cats that roam widely and utilisation of habitat beyond suburb edges, and also reduce predation on mammals and amphibians. Night-time curfews however, are unlikely to greatly reduce predation on diurnally active species, including most birds and reptiles. Curfews are currently neither widely adopted nor effectively practiced in Canberra. Estimates of predation by house cats, particularly extrapolated estimates, should be treated with caution. They do not necessarily reflect relative impacts on different prey types. Nor do high rates of predation prove prey populations are detrimentally effected, particularly in urban environments. Nonetheless, on a small (backyard) scale in suburban environments, and in habitat within 1 km of residential housing, including isolated private properties, predation by individual cats may threaten populations of native wildlife. Hunting by house cats is particularly undesirable in relatively undisturbed habitat because of fundamental differences in the ecological processes operating in these areas (especially isolated remnants) compared with contrived and modified suburban environments. Adverse impacts on native fauna will always be potentially greatest in undisturbed habitat adjacent to new residential developments

No description available.