SANITARY CONDITIONS OF FERAL COLONY CATS IN THE CITY OF MILAN

The feral colony cats living in the city of Milan was studied in order to develop a health and population control program. 266 urban feral cats were captured as part of trap-neutered-release (TNR) programme between November 2008 and April 2011. Cats were classified according to gender, age, coat marking, weight, BCS, health status. They were examined for the presence of clinical alteration ,presence of ectoparasites . From each cat, blood samples were drawn , from 61 cats urine samples for urinanalysis were obtained by bladder puncture cystocentesis , from 100 cats swab specimens for cytological examination were obtained by the external ear canal ,from 149 cats hairs were collected, for 139 cats faecal samples produced during hospitalization were collected for parasitological investigations. Based on the sample 7 original works are developed with the following titles: 1-Seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus, felin leukaemia virus and Toxoplasma gondii in stray cat colonies in northern Italy and correlation with clinical and laboratory data. 2- Survey of dermatophytes and saprophytic fungi in stray cats with and without skin lesions in northern Italy. 3- Prevalence of otitis externa evaluated with otic cytology in a population of feral cats. 4- Population characteristics of feral colony cats admitted to TRN program in the city of Milan . 5- Hematologic values of feral colony cats in the city of Milan. 6- Renal and urinary parameters of feral colony cats in the city of Milan. 7- Gastrointestinal helminths parasites in feral colony cats in the city of Milan .