Kot: The average litter of kittens is between 2 - 6 kittens

Evidence: 59 • authority: 72

The serval (Leptailurus serval) is a wild small cat native to Africa. It is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, where it inhabits grasslands, wetlands, moorlands and bamboo thickets. Across its range, it occurs in protected areas, and hunting it is either prohibited or regulated in range countries. It is the sole member of the genus Leptailurus. Three subspecies are recognised. The serval is a slender, medium-sized cat that stands 54–62 cm (21–24 in) tall at the shoulder and has a weight range of approximately 9–18 kg (20–40 lb). It is characterised by a small head, large ears, a golden-yellow to buff coat spotted and striped with black, and a short, black-tipped tail. The serval has the l…

Evidence: 45 • authority: 88

Evidence: 45 • authority: 92

Faecal Steroid Metabolite Profiles and Reproductive Outcomes in Domestic Cat (<i>Felis catus</i>).. Research on endocrine patterns associated with reproduction and lactation in felids has focused mainly on rare or endangered species and remains limited in the domestic cat ( Felis catus ). Using a non-invasive longitudinal approach, we measured faecal glucocorticoid, progesterone, and testosterone metabolites (fGCm, fPm, and fTm) in nine females before mating and during three months of lactation, examining associations with litter characteristics and kitten survival. Lactational concentrations were expressed relative to each female's median baseline, while baseline concentrations…

Evidence: 41 • authority: 80

Evidence: 41 • authority: 80

Evidence: 41 • authority: 92

Feline dystocia and kitten mortality up to 12 weeks in pedigree cats.. Objectives The aim of the present study was to establish the incidence of dystocia in pedigree cat breeds and investigate mortality rates in kittens up to the age of 12 weeks. Methods A retrospective study was conducted that utilised convenience sampling. Registered cat breeders from 29 countries whose cats had given birth within a single year (2019) were asked to complete an online questionnaire. This study is the third in a series over 30 years that have assessed changes in birth-related statistics in cat breeds. Results Data were collected from 448 breeders on 853 litters, with 3560 live-born kittens from 45 pedigree…

Evidence: 41 • authority: 92

A Premature Rabbit Kitten Model for Evaluation of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Therapies Reproduces Myeloperoxidase-Associated Pathology and Therapeutic Responses.. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) plays a significant role in the development and progression of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The neonatal rat model has shown that the tripeptide N-acetyl-lysyltyrosylcysteine amide (KYC) attenuates hyperoxia-induced BPD-like injury, in part by reducing MPO-mediated toxic oxidants and additional cytoprotective mechanisms. However, the rat model does not fully replicate the key characteristics of surfactant deficiency and immature antioxidant capacity in premature human neonates. In contrast, premature rab…

Evidence: 41 • authority: 92

Rebreeding of Female Mountain Lions After Litter Mortality.. Despite litter size and kitten survival in mountain lions ( Puma concolor ) being well-documented, there is a critical gap in the literature regarding the time that elapses between litter mortality and subsequent rebreeding in females. Here, we present observations from seven female mountain lions from two distinct study locations-the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico-where female mountain lions lost litters and rebred shortly afterward. Our findings contribute novel data to the understanding of reproduction in mountain lions, including the shortest documented interval between litter l…

Evidence: 41 • authority: 72

The black-footed cat (Felis nigripes), also called the small-spotted cat, is the smallest wild cat in Africa, having a head-and-body length of 35–52 cm (14–20 in). Despite its name, only the soles of its feet are black or dark brown. With its bold small spots and stripes on the tawny fur, it is well camouflaged, especially on moonlit nights. It bears black streaks running from the corners of the eyes along the cheeks, and its banded tail has a black tip. The first black-footed cat known to science was discovered in the northern Karoo of South Africa and described in 1824. It is endemic to the arid steppes and grassland savannas of Southern Africa. It was recorded in southern Botswana, but o…

Evidence: — • authority: 38