The aims of this investigation were to report the radiographic prevalence of DJD and physical changes in the appendicular skeleton and its clinical relevance in mature indoor cats.

One hundred and sixteen apparently healthy mature client-owned cats were included (age ≥6 years). All cats were kept exclusively indoors. These owners reported no lameness was observed of these cats over the last six months. All cats underwent a full physical examination and orthopedic evaluation of the appendicular and axial skeleton (signs of pain, instability, effusion and crepitus, performed by the same assessor). Body condition score (BCS, 5-point system) was also assessed. Each cat was gently restrained for radiographic examination without sedation. Radiographs of both shoulders, elbows, carpi, coxofemoral joints, stifles, and tarsi were evaluated. Among 116 cats, 111 (95.7%) cats had at least one appendicular joint affected with radiographic osteoarthritis. The prevalence of DJD in shoulders, elbows, carpi, coxofemoral joints, stifles, and tarsi were 15/116 (12.9%), 86/116 (74.1%), 82/116 (70.7%), 17/116 (14.7%), 71/116 (61.2%), and 11/116 (9.5%), respectively. Results of multivariate general linear model analyses indicated that DJD in elbows and coxofemoral joints was associated with BCS (p=0.008 and p=0.014, respectively). DJD in hocks was associated with BCS, gender and neutering (p=0.039). Sixty-six (56.9%) cats had decreased mobility, and further discriminant analysis indicated that decreased mobility was associated with presence of DJD in hocks (p=0.014); whereas 21 (18.1%) cats hesitated to jump down, and further discriminant analysis indicated that hesitation of jump down was associated with presence of DJD in elbows (p=0.009). Presence of DJD and decreased mobility was not associated with age or body weight.

Based on this investigation, DJD was highly prevalent in indoor cats. The front limb joints were commonly affected with DJD. The living environment (exclusive indoors, flooring materials and limited access to exercise) might contribute to the high prevalence of DJD in this cohort.

Disclosures

The study was self-funded. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The study was carried out in accordance with the code of the Research Ethics Office of National Taiwan University: No ethical approval was needed if no trial therapy (tested medicine) was involved in the study. All owners of cats whose cases were included in this study signed up their written consent for agreement of participating in a research study.