The Geriatric Cat Flashcards
What age is senior?
11-14
What symptoms would a cat with hyperthyroidism show?
increased thirst
increased uriantion
increased appetite
weight loss
What can you expect to see with a cat that has hypertension?
systolic blood pressure over 160mHg
vision issues e.g dilated pupils, blood in the eye, blindness
What symptoms can we see in cats with chronic kidney disease?
lethargy
unkempt look
weight loss
urine and blood build up of waste products
What percentage of cats are more often affected by feline cognitive dysfunction?
55% of cats over 11yrs and 80% of cats over 16yrs
What kind of dental disease is common in senior cats?
gingivitis
peridontal disease
tooth reabsorption
What kind of degenerative joint disease can cats get?
arthritis/osetoarthritis
What symptoms would you see in a cat with diabetes mellitus?
increased urination
increased appetite
weight loss
What percentage of cats get an intestinal lymphoma and what can this cause?
approx 30%
digestive issues
How do we detect disease in cats?
pre-assessment forms
Taking a history
parameters
clinical examination
What is included in pre-assessment forms and history taking?
pre-assessment forms - behavioural changes, other pets, household changes, current medication
History - parasite control, vaccination status, diet, confirm signalment
What could behavioural changes detect?
Feline cognitive dysfunction, pain
How would you structure a consult for a senior patient?
history taking - pre-assessment form and weighing
Blood pressure measurement - discuss findings
Clinical exam - discuss findings
Diagnostic tests if required - urinalysis, blood analysis
Recommendations
Summarise and arrange a revisit
What diet would you recommend for a senior cat?
Reduced fat
Reduced energy
Reduced calcium and phosphorus
Increased fibre
Would you recommend wet or dry diet?
wet as cats not as good at drinking water than other animals