"Ain't doing right"/Ill thrift

Question 1

What are the general signs of ill thrift often related to?

Answer 1

1. A trivial problem that requires minimal treatment
2. The first manifestation of a serious problem
3. Client over interpretation
4. General ageing

Question 2

What should be considered as baseline information in these cases of ill thrift?

Answer 2

Signalment
Full General Medical History
Full Physical examintion

Question 3

What adjunctive testing should be considered and how can this be decided upon?

Answer 3

Basic bloods (BUN, PCV, TP)
Urine: USG/Dipstick
Cats: T4, viral testing

if the owner is very worried or the clinician gets a sense that things may be more serious.

Question 4

What is the most important thing to consider when presented with this sign?

Answer 4

Whether the problem is likely a serious one or not.

Question 5

What things are worth getting the owner to do if they elect to just ‘monitor’ the situation?

Answer 5

• Mentation
  
  • Appetite
  • Ambulation
  • Respiration
  • Digestion
  • Water intake (>100ml/kg/d is consistent with PU/PD, <80ml/kg is considered normal)

Question 6

What communication options could be made for follow up? What would these depend on?

Answer 6

Non-serious: owner to update

Serious: scheduled clinical phone-call or appointment

Question 7

What are the important parts of history taking for ill thrift

Answer 7

Whether there have been any changes in owner circumstances
The onset, duration and course/progression of disease
Systems screening