Studies on the Seroprevalence, Age, and Gender on the Distribution of Feline Coronavirus in Van Cats Kept in a Multiple-Cat Environment

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to investigate for the first time the seroprevalence of feline coronaviruses (FCoV) in Van cats kept in a multiple-cat environment. A total of 24 male and 46 female Van cats aged between two months and nine years were used in the study. FCoV antibodies were determined using the commercial feline coronavirus antibody ELISA kit. The cats were examined clinically before blood sampling. No clinical signs of feline infectious peritonitis diseases were observed in the cats. But, out of the 70 cats, 38 (54.3%) showed seropositivity to FCoV. When the results were examined with regard to gender, 28 (60.9%) of female cats, and 10 (41.7%) of male cats were seropositive. When the results were examined with regard to age, out of the 18 cats aged between two months and one year, three (16%) were seropositive, out of the 10 cats aged between one to two years - eight (80%), out of the 27 cats aged between two to five years - 15 (55.5%), out of the 13 cats aged between five to eight years - 11 (84%), and all cats (two) aged over eight years showed seropositive reaction to FCoV.