Human-animal bond in our society is not as strong as in developed countries. Except few owners vigilant enough to properly take care of their pets, most pets are managed by different family members or sometimes pets are at their own. Dietary management practices are unknown intervention to our veterinarians as well as to pet owners. No strict dietary plans are followed, and pets are often fed table-scraps, other owner’s recipes, home cooked food, raw food including chicken heads and giblets. Preformed cat foods have come to the markets but they are being used haphazardly on owner’s choice without knowing the formula and their pet’s daily requirements, both in health and disease. No infrastructure is available for the proper veterinary services to the pet holders. Due to the facts, most of the time pets are treated by owner themselves, other owners suggested recipes and professional quakes in veterinary profession.
The Pandora Box syndrome (PBS) is also known as feline cystitis, urolithiasis (urinary stones) and feline lower urinary tract disease is an important clinical problem of cats and presents itself a major veterinary medical issue. It may occur in two forms; one is without known/specific cause called idiopathic and other with the known cause called non-idiopathic. Its former form (without known cause) is much more common in Pakistan, however rare data is available regarding this issue till yet. Research during the last 3 decades has revealed that PBS may result from a variety of different causes like crystals in urine, urinary stones, infections (viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic), inherited or obtained after any defect is structure of bladder and its urethera. Many other factors taking part in this disease may include age, breed, sex, diets, feeding frequency, excessive weight, decreased water consumption, season and indoor life style have been identified, some of which appears to enhance the disease effect.
This situation compelled the scientists from the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, (Pakistan) to have clinico-epidemiological studies for identification of diseased animals also to create awareness among owners as well as veterinarians. Considering the critical situation, the scientists at the Department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (Pakistan) have developed a criterion for first time to diagnose this disease by performing different diagnostic tests for its detection along with association b/w depression status (mild, moderate and severe) and different risk factors (n = 14) leading to the ‘Pandora’ syndrome among cats. Moreover, they also conducted an experimental trial using a medicine named pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS; drug used in human lower urinary tract disease) with and without Vitamin C. The condition was found to be highly associated with winter season.
ABEERA NOUREEN AND PROF. DR. MUHAMMAD SARWAR KHAN,
Lahore, November 15.