Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How common is spinal spondylosis in cats and behavior changes seen
By Kranenburg, H C et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2012·Utrecht University, 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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Prevalence of spondylosis deformans in the feline spine and correlation with owner-perceived behavioural changes.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that nearly 40% of cats showed signs of spondylosis deformans, a condition affecting the spine that can lead to discomfort. Owners reported that their cats, particularly those with issues in the lower back area, were less willing to greet people, more aggressive, and seemed to have a lower quality of life. This condition was more common in older cats, especially those with changes in the thoracic and lumbosacral vertebrae. If you notice your cat acting differently or showing signs of discomfort, it’s a good idea to discuss these observations with your veterinarian for potential treatment options.
People also search for: cat spine problems · spondylosis in cats · cat behavioral changes · why is my cat aggressive · older cat quality of life issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to determine the prevalence, spinal distribution, and association with the signalment of cats suffering from different grades of feline spondylosis deformans (spondylosis). The secondary objective was to document behavioural changes associated with spondylosis by owner observation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence of feline spondylosis (group 1). A prospective study was performed to determine the association between radiographic abnormalities of the lumbosacral region (L3-S1) and owner perceived behavioural changes based on a completed questionnaire (group 2). The radiographs were reviewed using a grading system (0-3) for spondylosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of spondylosis in group 1 was 39.4% (158/402). Cats with spondylosis were significantly older than cats without spondylosis (p <0.001). The thoracic (T) vertebrae T4-T10 were most often affected by spondylosis, but spondylosis was most severe in the T10-S1 vertebrae. In group 2, spondylosis of the lumbosacral region was significantly correlated with owner-reported behavioural changes, such as a decreased willingness to greet people and to being petted, increased aggressiveness, and a poor perceived quality of life (p = 0.037). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study found that feline spondylosis is common and that spondylosis of the lumbosacral region may be accompanied by 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/22367053/