Epidemiological study of the feline urological syndrome in Japan

We conducted a case-control study to clarify the factors affecting the occurrence of feline urological syndrome (FUS) in Japan. From 1st September 1989 to 31st October 1990, the data from 73 FUS cats and 713 control cats were obtained from in 5 animal hospitals in Yokohama city. The results show are as follows. 1. The proportion of age 2 to 5 years in FUS cat (58.9%) was significantly higher than that in control cats (40.4%) . The proportion of male in FUS cats (65.8%) was significantly higher then that in control cats (49.1%) . No significant difference in the proportion of breeds divided into 3 groups was observed between FUS and control cats. 2. Five factors had statistically significant odds ratios (ORs) adjusted to age, breed and sex. “Consumptiom of only dry cat food” (OR=4.56) and “Corpulent” (OR=3.00) increased the risk. On the other hand., “Consumption of canned food” (OR=0.23) . “Consumption of the same cooked food as the pet owner” (OR=0.34), “Consumption of cocked food prepared for cat” (OR=0.24) and “Consumption of raw fish” (OR=0.21) decreased the risk. 3. The data were analyzed with the method quantification model No.2 to evaluate the factors discriminating between FUS and control cats. “Consumption of raw fish” and “Corpulent” were relatively effective factors to discriminate between two groups. However, the correlation ratio (0.431) was relatively low level. Using this method, 71.2% of both groups was accurately discrminated.