Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds
In many species, low birth weight is identified as a major determinant for neonatal survival. The objectives of the present study were (i) to assess, in a large feline purebred population, the impact of birth weight on 0–2 months mortality in kittens, and (ii) if such mortality occurs, to define cut...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/11/1822 |
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| author | Amélie Mugnier Virginie Gaillard Sylvie Chastant |
| author_facet | Amélie Mugnier Virginie Gaillard Sylvie Chastant |
| author_sort | Amélie Mugnier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In many species, low birth weight is identified as a major determinant for neonatal survival. The objectives of the present study were (i) to assess, in a large feline purebred population, the impact of birth weight on 0–2 months mortality in kittens, and (ii) if such mortality occurs, to define cut-off values for birth weight to identify at-risk kittens. Data from 5596 kittens from 15 breeds and provided by 194 French breeders were analysed. A logistic mixed model was used to identify low birth weight, being a male, and being born in a large litter as significant risk factors for kitten mortality during the first two months after birth. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to define the thresholds, first at the species level and, when possible, at the breed level. Two thresholds were defined to group kittens into three categories: low, moderate, or high risk of 0–2 months mortality (normal, low, and very low birth weight, respectively). In our population, 19.7% of the kittens were classified as low birth weight and 1.9% as very low birth weight. Critical thresholds may differ between breeds with similar birth weight distributions and equivalent mortality rates (e.g., Russian Blue/Nebelung vs. Egyptian Mau). These critical birth weight thresholds, established in 15 breeds, could be used to identify kittens requiring more intensive nursing to improve survival. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:12:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d5542ef2a5874df19971448cc3f95bf0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:12:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-d5542ef2a5874df19971448cc3f95bf02023-11-18T07:30:10ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-05-011311182210.3390/ani13111822Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific ThresholdsAmélie Mugnier0Virginie Gaillard1Sylvie Chastant2NeoCare, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 31300 Toulouse, FranceRoyal Canin Research Center, 30470 Aimargues, FranceNeoCare, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 31300 Toulouse, FranceIn many species, low birth weight is identified as a major determinant for neonatal survival. The objectives of the present study were (i) to assess, in a large feline purebred population, the impact of birth weight on 0–2 months mortality in kittens, and (ii) if such mortality occurs, to define cut-off values for birth weight to identify at-risk kittens. Data from 5596 kittens from 15 breeds and provided by 194 French breeders were analysed. A logistic mixed model was used to identify low birth weight, being a male, and being born in a large litter as significant risk factors for kitten mortality during the first two months after birth. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to define the thresholds, first at the species level and, when possible, at the breed level. Two thresholds were defined to group kittens into three categories: low, moderate, or high risk of 0–2 months mortality (normal, low, and very low birth weight, respectively). In our population, 19.7% of the kittens were classified as low birth weight and 1.9% as very low birth weight. Critical thresholds may differ between breeds with similar birth weight distributions and equivalent mortality rates (e.g., Russian Blue/Nebelung vs. Egyptian Mau). These critical birth weight thresholds, established in 15 breeds, could be used to identify kittens requiring more intensive nursing to improve survival.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/11/1822birth weightkittenrisk factorthresholdneonatal mortalityfeline |
| spellingShingle | Amélie Mugnier Virginie Gaillard Sylvie Chastant Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds Animals birth weight kitten risk factor threshold neonatal mortality feline |
| title | Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds |
| title_full | Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds |
| title_fullStr | Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds |
| title_short | Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds |
| title_sort | association between birth weight and mortality over the two first months after birth in feline species definition of breed specific thresholds |
| topic | birth weight kitten risk factor threshold neonatal mortality feline |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/11/1822 |
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