Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders
Lower urinary tract signs (LUTS) in cats encompass a range of clinical symptoms, that may have been altered by the unique circumstances of confinement and increased human interaction during the lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress of confinement could exacerbate underlying beh...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1546288/full |
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| author | Carolina C. L. Paulino André Meneses André Meneses André Meneses Pedro Almeida Pedro Almeida Pedro Almeida Paulo Dinis Joana Tavares de Oliveira Joana Tavares de Oliveira |
| author_facet | Carolina C. L. Paulino André Meneses André Meneses André Meneses Pedro Almeida Pedro Almeida Pedro Almeida Paulo Dinis Joana Tavares de Oliveira Joana Tavares de Oliveira |
| author_sort | Carolina C. L. Paulino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lower urinary tract signs (LUTS) in cats encompass a range of clinical symptoms, that may have been altered by the unique circumstances of confinement and increased human interaction during the lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress of confinement could exacerbate underlying behavioral issues, while increased caregiver presence might influence the expression of LUTS, potentially leading to either improved monitoring and early detection or increased stress-related symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and outcomes of LUTS in cats by examining the potential influence of increased caregiver presence and confinement-related stress on clinical manifestations and disease progression. This retrospective study reviewed 298 cats with LUTS seen at a veterinary hospital from 2019 to 2021. Inclusion criteria required a complete set of examinations, including urinalysis, imaging, and urine culture. Cats were divided into a before-pandemic (BP) group and a during-pandemic (DP) group. Key variables, such as urethral obstruction, recurrence rates, and mortality, were statistically analyzed. The DP group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in relapses (p < 0.001) and mortality (p < 0.05) compared to the BP group. Despite a rise in urethral obstructions in the DP group (p = 0.036), there was an overall reduction in adverse outcomes. BP cats were more likely to experience multiple episodes of LUTS than DP cats (p < 0.01). The findings suggest a positive impact of caregiver presence during the pandemic on LUTS outcomes, possibly due to improved monitoring and timely intervention. These insights underscore the potential benefits of increased caregiver engagement in managing feline LUTS. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eea32e40d2c045e5b56571255759605d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-eea32e40d2c045e5b56571255759605d2025-08-20T03:45:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-06-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15462881546288Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disordersCarolina C. L. Paulino0André Meneses1André Meneses2André Meneses3Pedro Almeida4Pedro Almeida5Pedro Almeida6Paulo Dinis7Joana Tavares de Oliveira8Joana Tavares de Oliveira9Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Lusófona University, Lisboa University Center, Lisbon, PortugalFaculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Lusófona University, Lisboa University Center, Lisbon, PortugalI-MVET – Investigação em Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, PortugalCECAV-Centro de Ciência Animal e Veterinária-Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária de Lisboa, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, PortugalFaculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Lusófona University, Lisboa University Center, Lisbon, PortugalI-MVET – Investigação em Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, PortugalCECAV-Centro de Ciência Animal e Veterinária-Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária de Lisboa, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, PortugalFaculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, PortugalFaculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Lusófona University, Lisboa University Center, Lisbon, PortugalI-MVET – Investigação em Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário de Lisboa, Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon, PortugalLower urinary tract signs (LUTS) in cats encompass a range of clinical symptoms, that may have been altered by the unique circumstances of confinement and increased human interaction during the lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress of confinement could exacerbate underlying behavioral issues, while increased caregiver presence might influence the expression of LUTS, potentially leading to either improved monitoring and early detection or increased stress-related symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and outcomes of LUTS in cats by examining the potential influence of increased caregiver presence and confinement-related stress on clinical manifestations and disease progression. This retrospective study reviewed 298 cats with LUTS seen at a veterinary hospital from 2019 to 2021. Inclusion criteria required a complete set of examinations, including urinalysis, imaging, and urine culture. Cats were divided into a before-pandemic (BP) group and a during-pandemic (DP) group. Key variables, such as urethral obstruction, recurrence rates, and mortality, were statistically analyzed. The DP group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in relapses (p < 0.001) and mortality (p < 0.05) compared to the BP group. Despite a rise in urethral obstructions in the DP group (p = 0.036), there was an overall reduction in adverse outcomes. BP cats were more likely to experience multiple episodes of LUTS than DP cats (p < 0.01). The findings suggest a positive impact of caregiver presence during the pandemic on LUTS outcomes, possibly due to improved monitoring and timely intervention. These insights underscore the potential benefits of increased caregiver engagement in managing feline LUTS.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1546288/fullCOVID-19feline urinary disordershome confinementowner engagementpandemic pet healthstress-related urinary conditions |
| spellingShingle | Carolina C. L. Paulino André Meneses André Meneses André Meneses Pedro Almeida Pedro Almeida Pedro Almeida Paulo Dinis Joana Tavares de Oliveira Joana Tavares de Oliveira Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders Frontiers in Veterinary Science COVID-19 feline urinary disorders home confinement owner engagement pandemic pet health stress-related urinary conditions |
| title | Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders |
| title_full | Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders |
| title_fullStr | Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders |
| title_short | Pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders |
| title_sort | pandemic predisposing influence for feline lower urinary disorders |
| topic | COVID-19 feline urinary disorders home confinement owner engagement pandemic pet health stress-related urinary conditions |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1546288/full |
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