Barış Atalay Uslu

Postpartum uterus involution observed by real-time ultrasound scanning and vaginal cytology in Van cats

Objectives The objective was to investigate postpartum uterus involution by real-time ultrasonography and vaginal cytology in Van cats. Methods This study included 15 healthy Van cats belonging to the Van Cat Research Centre (Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey). Starting 24 h postpartum, ultrasonographic measurements were performed on the placental and interplacental uterine horn regions every day. Decreases in the diameters and uterine content were considered as criteria for uterine involution. Vaginal discharge samples were collected every day for 4 weeks postpartum. The smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain. Results The average diameters of placental and interplacental regions (IPRs) in the uterine horns were 3.12 ± 0.29 cm and 2.36 ± 0.43 cm, respectively, at 24 h postpartum. Placental regions (PRs) shrank faster than IPRs. At 48 h postpartum, it became difficult to distinguish PRs from IPRs in the uterine horns. The uterine horns could be seen in the abdominal cavity up to 5.60 ± 0.99 days postpartum. The mean of the last assessable diameter of the uterine horns from days 4 to 7 in all cats was 0.49 ± 0.07 cm. The vaginal epithelial cells appeared to be under the effect of oestrogen for 4 weeks postpartum. Conclusions and relevance The morphological involution of the uterus completes, to a large extent, within the first 48 h postpartum in Van cats. A more detailed hormonal analysis would contribute greatly to the understanding of the physiological processes involved in this period. Although postpartum involution appeared complete by 5.60 ± 0.99 days after parturition in Van cats, histological verification of this finding is needed.

A retrospective examination of reproduction and survival rates of van cats

Van cats are animals that often become the centre of attention due to their white hair, colourful eyes, and affectionate attitudes. However, it is nearly impossible to find research studies on the reproductive behaviours of Van cats. We conducted this study with the purpose of revealing the breeding efficiency properties and survival rates of Van cats. The study materials consisted of Van cats in the Van Cat Home of Yuzuncu Yil University’s Van Cats Research Center. We determined the breeding efficiency properties using records obtained from 56 female cats over the course of four years. As a result of the study, we determined that the durations of oestrus, pregnancy, and lactation in Van cats were, respectively, 2.41±0.09, 63.75±0.27, and 98.45±1.18 days. We also determined the average number of kittens per delivery and the mating per pregnancy as, respectively, 3.30±0.19 and 13.71±0.74. In this study, we recorded the presence of 56 delivering cats, with a total of 185 kittens, 22 of which were dead (11.89%), and an 88.11% survival rate (%). The most common delivery type was twin deliveries (30%), and the highest rate of stillbirths was 4.86% in quadruplet deliveries.