Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Osteoarthritis signs and joint pain in older cats explained
By Slingerland, L I et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2011·Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and clinical features of osteoarthritis in 100 cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that 61% of cats aged 6 years and older showed signs of osteoarthritis (OA) in their joints, particularly in the shoulders, elbows, hips, and ankles. Owners may notice their cats moving less, grooming less, or even having accidents outside the litter box. As cats age, the likelihood of developing OA increases, which can lead to noticeable changes in behavior. If you suspect your cat has OA, a veterinarian can perform an examination and may suggest treatments to help manage pain and improve mobility.
People also search for: cat osteoarthritis symptoms · why is my cat grooming less · older cat joint pain treatment
Abstract
To assess clinical signs and relevance of osteoarthritis (OA) in cats, the radiographic prevalence of OA in the appendicular skeleton of 100 client-owned cats (≥ 6 years old) was assessed. Possible associations between radiographic OA, clinical locomotor system examination, and owner-perceived behavioural changes were evaluated. OA was most prevalent in the shoulders, elbows, hips and tarsal joints with 61% of cats having OA in at least one joint and 48% in more than one joint. Overall, clinical examination of the larger peripheral joints had the highest sensitivity and specificity for radiographic OA. Regression analysis showed age to be related to OA (P = 0.002), as were decreased mobility and grooming (P = 0.008), although there was a correlation with age. Finally, increased inappropriate elimination was associated with OA (P = 0.046). It was concluded that the prevalence of OA in cats is strikingly high and increases with age. OA in cats seems to be associated with behavioural changes.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20083417/