Cat ownership in Australia is declining compared to an increasing trend of cat ownership in the United Kingdom, United States and Europe. The decline in Australia may be linked to concerns over perceived impacts of cat predation and an associated dislike of cats. However, while there are numerous studies on feral cats and their impacts on declining native fauna, the impact of pet cats on suburban wildlife or fauna in remnant bushland is relatively unknown although there is a wide perception of risk. The primary aim of this thesis was to apply the precautionary principle to the question of the putative impact of pet cats on the abundance and diversity of small mammals in urban bushland adjacent to low-density suburbia in the City of Armadale, a municipality on the south-east fringe of Perth, Western Australia. At the time of writing, Western Australia is yet to introduce state legislation governing cat control although many local councils within the state have either implemented or are in the process of implementing cat regulations. The precautionary principle was deemed an ideal approach to this question, because it provides a rationale for deciding on possible actions where both the potential risk to environmental values and the uncertainty about possible impacts are high. In such cases the precautionary principle requires two broad lines of action: firstly, detailed consultation with stakeholders to determine their perceptions of risk and the actions they are prepared to take to reduce it and, secondly, research to reduce uncertainty. With regard to stakeholder consultation, local residents were surveyed in regard to their attitudes and current cat husbandry practices. A substantial proportion of respondents within this municipality believed cat regulations were necessary (75% of owners and 95% of non-owners). At least 70% of both owners and non-owners agreed with the propositions that cats not owned by licensed breeders should be desexed, local councils should restrict the maximum number of cats that can be owned on one property and that pet cats entering nature reserves are harmful to wildlife. Most (c.85%) cat owners agreed that they would license their cats if that became compulsory. Although fewer owners (c.60%) were prepared to keep their cats on their property at all times to protect wildlife, over 80% were willing to confine their cats at night if it was required. Owners seemed to be substantially motivated by the value of these measures in reducing injury to cats and facilitating the return of lost animals rather than concern over wildlife protection. Attempts to reduce uncertainty involved (i) assessing roaming patterns of pet cats to determine the sizes of appropriate buffer zones around nature reserves, and (ii) determining species diversity, species richness and abundance of small mammals in remnant bushland adjacent to sub-divisions with varying regulations governing cat husbandry. Radio tracking results to assess cat roaming patterns showed substantial variation in home range size between cats in high density suburbia (ranged between 0.01 ha – 0.64 ha) and those in low density suburbia (ranged from 0.07 ha – 2.86ha). Larger home range sizes of cats in the rural areas (up to 2.9 ha) suggest buffer zones of up to 500 metres around nature reserves are needed to exclude almost all roaming cats. The abundance and species richness of small mammals were investigated in four areas of remnant bushland. Two were adjacent to subdivisions where cat ownership was unrestricted, one next to a subdivision where cat ownership was prohibited and the remaining one next to a subdivision where compulsory night curfew and bells on pet cats were enforced. No definitive evidence of predatory impact by pet cats on the small mammals was found. Mammal species diversity was not significantly different between sites and species richness and absolute abundance were not higher in sites where cats were restricted. Vegetation comparisons showed significant differences in the structure and species composition of the vegetation between most sites and the mammal species richness and abundance appeared linked to ground cover density in the various sites. This factor, not cat restrictions, appeared to be the primary determinant of species richness, species diversity and absolute numbers of small mammals in these sites. This study in the City of Armadale has shown that the implementation of proposed cat legislation must have a “whole of ecosystem” approach, i.e. protecting identified remnant bushland containing biodiversity from threatening processes such as plant disease and inappropriate fire, especially arson, as well as possible predations from pet cats. Habitat restoration and protection may be more important conservation activities than regulation of cats. Regulation of cats can be done at differing levels of intensity and cost, bearing in mind that this community is receptive to regulation of some aspects of cat ownership. Community education on the values of cat confinement in regards to cat welfare might increase chances of compliance.

Diseases can have a range of impacts on hosts and host populations. These impacts can be minimal, to the point of being considered nearly a commensal relationship. The other end of the spectrum is when a disease regulates a population or even drives it to extinction. Diseases that are directly transmitted in a density-dependent manner typically do not cause population extinction because as the population decreases so does transmission. However, there are several factors that can lead to extinction caused by diseases. These diseases can be frequency-dependent transmission (including vector-borne diseases) or diseases that infect multiple sympatric hosts. The parasite Cytauxzoon felis is a tick-borne apicomplexan that infects bobcats and domestic cats and is enzootic in the Midwest and Southeast US. Bobcats are considered the reservoir host of C. felis and typically do not show signs of disease associated with infection. This parasite is the etiological agent of cytauxzoonosis, a highly-fatal disease impacting domestic cats and occasionally other felid species. Domestic cats also can be subclinically infected. This parasite has increased its range and density within previously described enzootic areas. There are several aspects of the biology of C. felis that have not been explored and impact the epizootiology of this important veterinary parasite. The prevalence of the parasite has been studied in some locations, yet areas where the parasite has recently invaded need to be studied as populations of naïve bobcats and domestic cats may be at risk of epizootics. My research expands the knowledge of C. felis, adding information about a relatively recently-described enzootic area. The present dissertation is divided into 6 chapters. In the first chapter I provide a thorough literature review of C. felis and general information on pathogens. In my second chapter I describe the prevalence of C. felis in bobcats and ticks in southern Illinois from 2006-2017. This is the first documentation of C. felis in bobcats in Illinois. The prevalence in ticks is also the highest prevalence in ticks reported to date. These results have been published in the Journal of Parasitology. In the third chapter I provide evidence of chronic C. felis infections in bobcats. Some bobcats maintained C. felis infection for at least 2 years. I determined individual bobcats were infected with the same strain of the parasite at each capture event. This finding indicates that bobcats may carry the same strain over time. These infected bobcats could be spreading strains that are more pathogenic to domestic cats and possibly to other bobcats. Vector-borne pathogens (specifically microparasites) can show varying levels of intensity of infection in vertebrate hosts. The intensity of infection may correlate with activity of the vectors to facilitate transmission from the vertebrate to the vector. In the fourth chapter I tested if C. felis parasitemia (percent of red blood cells infected with the parasites) increased with environmental factors associated with tick activity. Cytauxzoon felis infections are increasing in domestic cats in the US in many areas. The fifth chapter describes the first study of clinical and subclinical C. felis infections in domestic cats in southern Illinois. I collaborated with veterinary clinics to obtain 642 domestic cat blood samples for this project. I also tested whether land cover types and host characteristics were related to risk of infection, and found only that feral cats were more likely to have subclinical C. felis infection. Cytauxzoon felis is transmitted through a tick vector; so direct contact between domestic cats and bobcats is not necessary for transmission to occur. For the sixth chapter I tested if the genetic populations of C. felis in domestic cats and bobcats were different (suggesting barriers to transmission). I found that there was high genetic diversity of C. felis in my samples. The within population variance accounted for nearly all variance detected. Therefore I conclude that the population of C. felis in bobcats and domestic cats in my study area is panmictic suggesting there are no barriers to transmission between these two host species.

Feline herpesviruses are endemic in free-ranging lions in South Africa. Serological surveillance among free-living felids revealed high levels of exposure to the virus. However, clinical disease in wild felids following FHV-1 infection has been only described in captive populations and reported to be similar to that in the domestic cat. To expand the epidemiological understanding of feline herpesviruses in felids and for disease control, three strains of FHV-1 isolated from a domestic cat (Felis catus) a cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and an African wild cat (Felis silvestris) have been compared to determine their relatedness. A region of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene was amplified in a nested PCR with consensus degenerate primers to confirm the identity of the isolates. The genetic relatedness were investigated by comparing patterns of genomic DNA cleaved with restriction enzymes SalI and KpnI and the DNA fingerprints generated by different RAPD primers. For antigenic relationships, a panel of nine monoclonal antibodies prepared against a vaccine strain used against domestic cats were tested in a microneutralization assay. In addition, the phenotypic characteristics of the isolates were also compared by their ability to produce plaques in CrFK monolayer cell cultures. With restriction enzyme analysis, it was not possible to make a comparison due to lack of digestion of the genomic DNA of the domestic cat isolate. However, the RAPD-PCR revealed that isolates were closely related but distinct from each other. Only two monoclonal antibodies reacted with the wild isolates; an effect similar to a toxic effect on cell was observed with the domestic isolate. No significant differences of plaque production were observed among the trains. This study provides evidence of a closer evolutionary relationship between the three isolates. The results of the relationships based on the genetic and phenotypic characterization agreed well and both indicated that the viruses from the domestic and wild felids are different but have a high degree of similarity. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Tropical Diseases))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Feline babesiosis, first described in domestic cats in South Africa in 1937, is regarded to be of great importance in the coastal regions although isolated cases also occur on the eastern highlands of Mpumalanga Province. Babesia felis (described from domestic cats) and B. leo (described from lions) are the two best characterised Babesia species in felids. These two parasites are morphologically similar when examined under a light microscope, but are serologically and genetically distinct. In this study the prevalence of these two Babesia species in various wild and domestic felid species was determined. A total of 358 samples were tested using the reverse line blot hybridization (RLB) assay. This assay makes it possible to simultaneously detect and differentiate between blood parasites using DNA probes. The RLB consists of three basic steps, the first being amplification of the variable region (V4) in the 18S rRNA gene using genus-specific primers where one is labelled with biotin. This is followed by a blotting step, where the amplicons are hybridized to oligonucleotides bound to a nitrocellulose membrane. The third and last step is the detection of the hybridized amplicons by using chemiluminescence reagents. This assay is a screening tool utilizing the variable (V4) region in the 18S rRNA gene to detect and differentiate between blood parasites. A new B. felis-specific DNA probe was developed to use in the RLB assay. Results demonstrated that these two parasites not only occur in the felid species from which they have been described, but also in other felid species. Babesia microti was also detected in various felid species, while B. rossi was detected in 1 of the lion samples. Two hundred and twelve samples tested positive for Babesia spp., of which only 54.24% of the samples reacted with the genus-specific probe. This indicates the presence of a novel Babesia or Theileria species or variant of a species. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

No description available.

O estudo da ocupação do espaço, bem como o modo de utilização dos itens de enriquecimento ambiental são ferramentas fundamentais para medir a adequação do ambiente e dos níveis de bem-estar de gatos domésticos (Felis silvestris catus) mantidos em cativeiro. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o padrão de ocupação dos animais no recinto, antes do enriquecimento, na condição Controle e após a introdução de itens de enriquecimento ambientais físicos: Permanente de uso Coletivo, Temporário de uso Coletivo e Temporário de uso Restrito, que atuaram subdividindo as áreas do ambiente e renovando os locais já conhecidos pelos animais. Foram utilizados 31 gatos domésticos, que passaram pelos testes comportamentais, registrando-se, por meio de filmagens, ao longo dos 10 dias de observações/por teste: o local de ocupaçaao (área de piso ou elevada) e os comportamentos realizados pelos animais. Os resultados mostraram que o padrão de ocupaçãao dos animais no recinto se deu com uma maior utilização das áreas elevadas em relação às áreas de piso, tanto na condiçãao Controle, como após a introdução dos itens de enriquecimento ambiental. Dentre os itens utilizados, e suas diferentes formas de aplicação, houve uma maior frequência de interação por parte dos indivíduos com o item temporário de uso coletivo, que atuou como barreira visual, promovendo a subdivisão das áreas do recinto e uma ocupação mais homogênea dos animais no espaço disponível. O tempo de permanência dos animais na área interna ao item temporário de uso restrito, foi significativamente maior em relação à permanência dos mesmos na área externa ao item, que além de enriquecer o ambiente, foi utilizado como refúgio pelos indivíduos. Os dados também revelaram que a colônia estudada possui uma organização social para a interação, bem como para a realização de compartilhamentos dos itens de enriquecimento com os outros animais. Concluímos que por meio de observações da ocupação do espaço, assim como, através do modo de utilização dos itens de enriquecimento ambiental pelos indivíduos, podemos acessar informações sobre as preferências e as necessidades biológicas dos animais, adequando o seu habitat e aumentando os níveis de bem-estar da espécie em questão. / The study of space occupation, as well as how to use the items of environmental enrichment are fundamental tools to measure the suitability of the environment and the level of welfare of domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) kept in captivity. This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of occupation of the animals in the enclosure, before enrichment, in control condition and after the introduction of physical environmental enrichment items: Permanent Collective use, Temporary Collective use and Temporary Restricted use who acted subdividing areas environment and renewing the places already known by the animals. We used 31 domestic cats, which passed by behavioral tests, registering through filming, over the 10 days of observations / per test: the place of occupation (floor or elevated areas) and behaviors performed by animals. The results showed that the pattern of occupation of the animals in the enclosure occurred with greater use of elevated areas in relation to floor areas, both in the control condition, and after the introduction of environmental enrichment items. Among the items used, and different forms of application, there was a higher frequency of interaction by individuals with temporary collective use item, which acted as a visual barrier, promoting the breakdown of the areas of the enclosure and a more homogeneous occupation of animals the available space. The time spent in the inner area of the animals to temporary restricted use item, was significantly higher in relation to the permanence in the outdoor area of the same item, which besides enriching the environment, was used as a refuge by individuals. The data also show that colony has a social interaction, as well as to perform the enrichment items shares with the other animals. We conclude that through observations of space occupation, as well as, through the mode of use of environmental enrichment items by individuals can access information about the preferences and biological needs of the animals, adapting their habitat and increasing levels of welfare the species in question.

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar as doenças dos gatos domésticos pertencentes à casuística do Serviço de Patologia Animal do Departamento de Patologia da FMVZ/USP entre janeiro de 1998 e dezembro de 2008. Foram identificados e analisados os dados de 634 exames necroscópicos e 585 exames histopatológicos. Os dados escolhidos para o presente estudo foram: número de registro (exame histopatológico/exame necroscópico), data de entrada, idade, sexo, raça, coloração da pelagem, local da lesão, diagnóstico e no caso do exame necroscópico, causa mortis e moléstia principal. Foram elaborados dois bancos de dados, sendo um para exame histopatológico e outro para exame necroscópico, utilizando-se o programa Excel®. Salienta-se que não foi realizada a revisão de lâminas. As doenças foram classificadas em infecciosas, inflamatórias, neoplásicas e outros processos (hipertrofias, hiperplasias, displasias). Além disso, as doenças foram relacionadas a faixa etária, sexo, raça e coloração de pelagem, nos casos em que havia dados suficientes, foi abordada a relação entre causa mortis e moléstia principal. O presente estudo revelou que a maior causa de mortalidade em gatos domésticos são as complicações cardio-respiratórias, provenientes principalmente de intoxicações exógenas por carbamatos e por peritonite infecciosa felina, afetando principalmente animais até 24 meses em ambos os casos. Os processos inflamatórios no presente estudo apresentam mais características de caráter crônico. A análise das neoplasias revelou que os gatos tendem a apresentar neoplasias de comportamento maligno e de origem epitelial. Além disso, verificou-se que as fêmeas são as mais acometidas por neoplasias, com exceção do linfoma e do fibrossarcoma. A análise das faixas etárias mostrou que estes animais são mais velhos, embora haja animais jovens apresentando processos neoplásicos, o que também ocorreu na análise de dados nos quais havia mais de um tecido do mesmo animal para avaliação histopatológica. Tanto nas neoplasias, nos processos inflamatórios e outros processos houve maior frequência de afecções cutâneas, explicado sobretudo pela facilidade de acesso e de visualização. / The aim of this study was to characterize the diseases of domestic cats of the casuistry of the Veterinary Pathology Service from the Department of Pathology - FMVZ/USP between January of 1998 and December of 2008. It was analyzed data from 634 necroscopic examinations and 585 histopathological submissions. The analysis of the following data was performed: register number (histopathological submissions/necroscopic examination), date of entry, age, gender, breed, color of hair, localization of lesion, diagnosis, and for necropsies, data about causa mortis and necropsy findings. Two databases were organized by utilizing the software Excel®. The glass slides were not reviewed. The diseases were classified as infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic and other diagnosis (hypertrophy, hyperplasia, dysplasia). Moreover, diseases were related to age group, gender, breed, color of hair, and it was established the relationship between causa mortis and necropsy findings. The major cause of death of domestic cats was cardiorrespiratory arrest due to poisoning by carbamate and feline infectious peritonitis, both affecting animals until 24 months in both cases. The most frequent inflammatory processes in this study presented chronic features. The analysis of neoplastic diseases revealed that cats are prone to present neoplasms with epithelial origin and malign features, affecting mainly females, by the exception of lymphoma and fibrosarcoma. The analysis of age group has shown that those animals were older, although there was a low frequency of younger animals presenting neoplastic diseases. Both in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases, lesions in the skin were more frequent, which was explained by the easier visualization and access of this organ.

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar as doenças dos gatos domésticos pertencentes à casuística do Serviço de Patologia Animal do Departamento de Patologia da FMVZ/USP entre janeiro de 1998 e dezembro de 2008. Foram identificados e analisados os dados de 634 exames necroscópicos e 585 exames histopatológicos. Os dados escolhidos para o presente estudo foram: número de registro (exame histopatológico/exame necroscópico), data de entrada, idade, sexo, raça, coloração da pelagem, local da lesão, diagnóstico e no caso do exame necroscópico, causa mortis e moléstia principal. Foram elaborados dois bancos de dados, sendo um para exame histopatológico e outro para exame necroscópico, utilizando-se o programa Excel®. Salienta-se que não foi realizada a revisão de lâminas. As doenças foram classificadas em infecciosas, inflamatórias, neoplásicas e outros processos (hipertrofias, hiperplasias, displasias). Além disso, as doenças foram relacionadas a faixa etária, sexo, raça e coloração de pelagem, nos casos em que havia dados suficientes, foi abordada a relação entre causa mortis e moléstia principal. O presente estudo revelou que a maior causa de mortalidade em gatos domésticos são as complicações cardio-respiratórias, provenientes principalmente de intoxicações exógenas por carbamatos e por peritonite infecciosa felina, afetando principalmente animais até 24 meses em ambos os casos. Os processos inflamatórios no presente estudo apresentam mais características de caráter crônico. A análise das neoplasias revelou que os gatos tendem a apresentar neoplasias de comportamento maligno e de origem epitelial. Além disso, verificou-se que as fêmeas são as mais acometidas por neoplasias, com exceção do linfoma e do fibrossarcoma. A análise das faixas etárias mostrou que estes animais são mais velhos, embora haja animais jovens apresentando processos neoplásicos, o que também ocorreu na análise de dados nos quais havia mais de um tecido do mesmo animal para avaliação histopatológica. Tanto nas neoplasias, nos processos inflamatórios e outros processos houve maior frequência de afecções cutâneas, explicado sobretudo pela facilidade de acesso e de visualização. / The aim of this study was to characterize the diseases of domestic cats of the casuistry of the Veterinary Pathology Service from the Department of Pathology - FMVZ/USP between January of 1998 and December of 2008. It was analyzed data from 634 necroscopic examinations and 585 histopathological submissions. The analysis of the following data was performed: register number (histopathological submissions/necroscopic examination), date of entry, age, gender, breed, color of hair, localization of lesion, diagnosis, and for necropsies, data about causa mortis and necropsy findings. Two databases were organized by utilizing the software Excel®. The glass slides were not reviewed. The diseases were classified as infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic and other diagnosis (hypertrophy, hyperplasia, dysplasia). Moreover, diseases were related to age group, gender, breed, color of hair, and it was established the relationship between causa mortis and necropsy findings. The major cause of death of domestic cats was cardiorrespiratory arrest due to poisoning by carbamate and feline infectious peritonitis, both affecting animals until 24 months in both cases. The most frequent inflammatory processes in this study presented chronic features. The analysis of neoplastic diseases revealed that cats are prone to present neoplasms with epithelial origin and malign features, affecting mainly females, by the exception of lymphoma and fibrosarcoma. The analysis of age group has shown that those animals were older, although there was a low frequency of younger animals presenting neoplastic diseases. Both in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases, lesions in the skin were more frequent, which was explained by the easier visualization and access of this organ.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:46:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 485435 bytes, checksum: 73f639a241d5c647acd467e1a60c77b2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-10-31 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / In this study a total of 48 embryos were used in the compacts morulae, initial blastocysts and blastocysts stages in the degrees I and II, obtained from 14 adult domestic cats. Two animals presented natural manifestation of the oestrus and 12 animals were artificially induced to ovarian activity and ovulation. They received one only application of 150 IU of gonadotropins equine corionic (eCG) and 84h after, one application of 100 IU of gonadotropins human corionic (hCG), and all the animals were coupled naturally. Six days after the first mating, all cats were submitted to laparotomy, and through an adapted transcornual technique the embryos were collected and classified in agreement with IETS (1998). 27 of these were cultivated in a TCM 199 modified with a controlled CO2 atmosphere for 24 hours. The embryos were classified by development stage, quality and blastomeres number, observing a development index until expanded blastocysts in degree I of 77.7% with an average of 161±15,8 blastomeres was reached. In 21 embryos the freezing technique was tested in a commercial medium with 10% of glycerol associated with 0,1molL-1 of sucrose. After the unfreezing, in 37oC water with the same cultivation conditions, a developmental index of 38.1%, was observed until the stage of expanded blastocysts in degree I, with average number of 139.1±11,8 blastomeres. Although the freezing and unfreezing protocols, had reduced the developmental index of feline embryos by 51% and reduce the blastomeres number (P<0.01), it was considerate a viable technique in domestic and wild felines. / Foram utilizados um total de 48 embriões nos estágios de mórula compacta, blastocisto inicial e blastocisto, nos graus I e II, obtidos de 14 gatas domésticas adultas. Dois animais apresentaram manifestação natural do cio e 12 animais foram induzidos artificialmente à atividade ovariana e ovulação. Para tal receberam uma única aplicação de 150 UI de gonadotrofina coriônica eqüina (eCG) e 84h após, uma única aplicação de 100 UI de gonadotrofina coriônica humana (hCG). Todos os animais foram acasalados naturalmente e seis dias após a primeira cópula, todas as gatas foram submetidas a laparotomia, e por meio da técnica de lavagem transcornual adaptada, foram coletados os embriões, os quais foram classificados de acordo com IETS (1998). Vinte e sete foram cultivados em meio TCM 199 modificado, em estufa de CO2, por 24 horas, sendo então avaliados quanto ao seu estágio de desenvolvimento, qualidade e número de blastômeros, observando-se uma taxa de desenvolvimento até o estágio de blastocisto expandido grau I de 77,7%, com um número médio de 161±15,8 blastômeros. Em 21 embriões foi testada a congelabilidade em meio comercial a base de 10% glicerol associado a 0,1molL-1 de sacarose. Após o descongelamento, em banho maria a 37oC, nas mesmas condições de cultivo, observou-se uma taxa de desenvolvimento, até o estágio de blastocisto expandido grau I, de 38,1% com um número médio de 139,1±11,8 blastômeros. Desta forma, embora o protocolo de congelamento e descongelamento tenha reduzido em 51% a taxa de desenvolvimento de embriões felinos, com uma queda (P< 0,01) do número de blastômeros, mostrou-se viável, com promissor uso in vivo em felinos domésticos e silvestres.

The growing number of domestic cats (Felis catus) living in close relationship with humans, in the condition of animal companions, has led to a concomitantly increasing demand for new knowledge about the species, particularly about the hematological and serum biochemical parameters, which are important tools in the evaluation and monitoring of their health and their adaptation to the lifestyle imposed on them. In this context, the purpose of this study was to determine the physiological changes, and the influence of racial factors and of sex on the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of adult domestic Persian and half-breed cats. Analyses were made of the hematological parameters and 24 serum biochemical constituents of 106 adult domestic cats, over 24 months of age, males and females, 51 Persians and 55 half-breeds. With regard to the hematological parameters, it was found that the mean values of rod neutrophils of the half-breed cats and of eosinophils of both Persians and half-breeds were higher than the reference values for the species. The serum biochemical profile of the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in the Persian cats and the concentration of urea in both Persians and half-breeds showed mean values exceeding the reference values reported in the literature. A comparison of the hemograms of the Persians and half-breeds revealed statistically significant differences in the values of their globular volume, mean globular volume (MGV), and number of basophils. As for the serum biochemistry, of the 24 elements analyzed, statistically significant differences were found in the mean values of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, globulins, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, Ca:P ratio, uric acid, and amylase between the Persian and half-breed cats. No significant difference was found between males and females in the values of the hematological of serum biochemical parameters analyzed. It was concluded that the breed, but not sex, influences the hematological parameters and the serum biochemical profile of adult domestic cats. / O aumento do número de gatos domésticos (Felis catus) vivendo em estreita relação com o homem na condição de animal de companhia, gera, paralelamente, uma crescente demanda por novos conhecimentos sobre a espécie, em especial, sobre os parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos séricos, ferramentas importantes na avaliação e acompanhamento do estado de saúde e da adaptação ao estilo de vida a eles imposto. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as variações fisiológicas, influência dos fatores raciais e do sexo nos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos séricos de gatos domésticos adultos da raça Persa e mestiços. Foram analisados os parâmetros hematológicos e 24 constituintes bioquímicos séricos de 106 gatos domésticos adultos, com idade acima de 24 meses, machos e fêmeas, sendo 51 da raça Persa e 55 mestiços. Dos parâmetros hematológicos analisados observou-se que os valores médios dos neutrófilos em bastonetes dos gatos mestiços e de eosinófilos tanto dos da raça Persa como dos mestiços foram superiores aos valores de referência para a espécie. No perfil bioquímico sérico observou-se para a atividade da alanina aminotransferase (ALT) nos gatos da raça Persa e na concentração de uréia nos Persa e mestiços, valores médios superiores aos citados na literatura. Confrontado os valores dos parâmetros analisados entre gatos da raça Persa e mestiços, observou-se no hemograma diferença estatisticamente significativa nos valores do volume globular, volume globular médio (VGM) e para o número de basófilos entre gatos da raça Persa e mestiços. Com relação à bioquímica sérica, dos 24 elementos analisados observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa nos valores médios das lipoproteínas de muito baixa densidade (VLDL), triglicérides, proteínas totais, albumina, globulinas, ALT, fosfatase alcalina, fósforo, relação Ca:P, ácido úrico e amilase entre animais da raça Persa e mestiços. Não se observou diferença significativa entre machos e fêmeas nos valores dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos séricos analisados. Conclui-se não existir influência do sexo, e sim da raça em alguns parâmetros hematológicos e no perfil bioquímico sérico de gatos domésticos adultos. / Mestre em Ciências Veterinárias