Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs owners notice in cats with osteoarthritis and vet diagnosis
By Klinck, Mary P et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2012·Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Owner-perceived signs and veterinary diagnosis in 50 cases of feline osteoarthritis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old cat was diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) after the owner noticed changes in mobility, like difficulty jumping and using stairs. The veterinarian confirmed the diagnosis based on the owner's observations and physical exams. Most cats with OA were treated with oral or injectable medications designed to help manage the condition. After starting treatment, many owners reported improvements in their cat's mobility and overall activity levels.
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Abstract
Veterinarians contacted to identify cats diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) provided information on signalment, method of diagnosis, treatment and concurrent disease. Owners of 50 cats were interviewed to collect information on specific OA signs observed in the home, relating to mobility, self-maintenance, social and exploratory behavior, and activity and habits at diagnosis and after treatment. Mean age at diagnosis was 12 y; concurrent diseases were common (44%). Owner-reported abnormalities led to OA diagnosis in most cases; either as the primary finding (30%), or combined with abnormal physical examination or radiographic findings (64%). Owners frequently reported changes in mobility, particularly gait, jumping, and use of stairs. Oral or injectable disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs were the most common treatments (71%). Feline OA diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring appear to rely heavily on owner-perceived signs; physical examination abnormalities may not be detected. Questioning of owners revealed various observable signs potentially useful in OA detection and monitoring.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23633711/