ATOPY AND VCN SKIN

Q: Do you have a diet that helps with improved coat condition in cats that get matted easily, esp. Persians?

For long-haired cats that are prone to matting, we would always advise regular grooming, as very often this will be the most effective way of keeping the matting under control. It is also important to consider obesity, arthritis and other causes of joint pain in a cat that used to be able to keep its coat in good condition but now fails to do so, as very often a problem resulting in painful and or reduced mobility for the cat can also result in reduced grooming, particularly if it becomes too painful for the cat to groom itself as it did before. However, if the matting is purely linked to the fact the cat has a long coat, we would advise regular grooming coupled with a diet targeted at optimising the health of the skin and coat. Diets from Royal Canin developed for long-haired cats include the Feline Neutered Skin Diets as discussed in the webinar but in this case (a Persian cat) you could also consider using the Persian diet from our Feline Breed Nutrition range (also available to order through your Royal Canin Veterinary Business Manager).

Q: what sort of dose do you recommend of essential fatty acids in cats ?

Even published studies quote wide (and often very different) doses, ratios and combinations of fatty acids for use in cats and dogs with skin disease. Therefore, we believe that running studies on our diets, which we carry out before we launch a diet, to ensure we see changes in the skin condition of that animal on the dose/combination of fatty acid(s) used in that diet, is the most reliable way of ensuring the dog or cat is receiving the appropriate nutrition, rather than relying on a specific dose when the available science cannot yet reliably inform us of what is optimal.

FOOD ALLERGY AND HYPOALLERGENIC

Q: Advice please for feeding these in multicat households. Not feasible to seperate long term

Unfortunately, in multicat households, the only options for feeding include: a) feeding all cats the same diet; b) feeding all cats separately under supervision at set times or; c) separating the cats long-term so they cannot access each other’s feeding stations. However, Hypoallergenic is a very versatile diet and it may be that the owner chooses to feed this diets to all the cats in question(depending on their individual needs), which, although may not be the most cost effective option, is obviously a very convenient one. A less ideal option is to try and separate the cats as best as possible, accept that some cross-feeding may occur, and choose to deal with the symptoms of the affected cat when this does occur. However, this is never something we would recommend and the owner would have to be warned of the consequences of potential re-flares in their cat’s condition if they chose to follow this sub-optimal route.

Q: How can you be sure of the effect of your food trial in a cat that goes outside?

You can never be 100% sure of the effect of any food elimination trial in a cat that goes outside. That is why we would always recommend keeping a cat inside for the period of the food elimination trial if it is at all possible, as was detailed in the webinar. However, if an owner is adamant that they cannot keep their cat inside, we would advise taking the measures as recommended in Catherine’s presentation in the webinar e.g. bells on quick release collars to prevent hunting and advising owners to visit neighbours and dispense flyers advising local residents not to feed the cat in question (with photos of the cat). Tags can also be made to put on the cat’s collar asking local residents not to feed it.

Q: How good is serology to detect food hypersensitivity in cats?

Serology is a poor method of detecting food allergy in cats and dogs. Key opinion leader recommendation remains that the Gold Standard method for detecting food allergy in dogs and cats is only through the use of a food elimination trial, with re-challenge one protein source at a time following stabilisation, to identify the offending dietary allergen. Serology should not be relied upon.

Q: is it likely that cats will be allergic to the rodents and birds that they normally hunt and catch

It is unlikely but not impossible. The most common dietary allergens in cats include protein sources such as: fish, milk, beef and lamb. To be sure a food elimination trial is being carried out in the most effective manner possible, we need to ensure the cat in question is only consuming the diet the vet has advised and water, with nothing else: can the hypoallergenic diet be fed to kittens and lactating queens Yes, Hypoallergenic can be fed to lactating queens and we would advise that they are allowed to adlib feed, as would be recommended with any diet used throughout lactation. Hypoallergenic can also be fed to growing kittens if they need a hydrolysed protein diet. The feeding guidelines for growth are available in the most recent versions of the Royal Canin product books, available from your Royal Canin Veterinary Business Manager.