The old, skinny cat – healthy or ill?

Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world. They reach an old age due to improving welfare oriented cat keeping and sophisticated veterinary support. After 10 to 12 years of life the cat’s age becomes obvious by changes in the body condition and proportions. Geriatric feline metabolism basically differs from canine metabolism, so adaption of feeding as well as preventive veterinary examinations is crucial for a healthy aged cat. Differentiation of physiological changes in the aged cat from pathological events is of major importance and a basic veterinary challenge. Efficient use of certain examination methods shall provide important information without stressing the feline patient. Even we are able to run complicated, expensive, and time consuming tests, the most important information regularly result from the clinical examination. A close look at the cat includes an oral examination, palpation of thyroid glands, kidneys, and the intestine, as well as auscultation of lung- and heart sounds. An orthopaedic and neurological examination might show unnoticed disease leading to weight loss and discomfort. Blood and urinary analysis is also an important part of preventive and diagnostic procedures and will be discussed regarding benefit and efficacy of those examinations.

Language: English

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