Evaluating aging in cats

Bellows, Jan; Daristotle, Leighann; Estrada, Amara H.; Flickinger, Elizabeth A.; Horwitz, Debra F.; Lascelles, B. Duncan X.; Lepine, Allan J.; Perea, Sally; Scherk, Margie; Shoveller, Anna K.

doi:10.1177/1098612x16649525

Cited by 36 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Thus, the push to understand companion animal aging is growing rapidly. In addition to the companion dog, companion cats have also been studied fairly extensively with regard to aging age-related diseases (Bellows et al 2016a;Bellows et al 2016b), though minimally with regard to actual longevity and causes of death (O'Neill et al 2015). A similar trend is not seen with regard to domesticated agricultural animals, with an exception of horses, as explained in more detail later.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A short life on the farm: aging and longevity in agricultural, large-bodied mammals

Hoffman

Valencak

2020

GeroScience

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As average human lifespans increase across the globe, companion animals, specifically dogs and cats, are also living longer with more age-related morbidities. However, a similar trend is not seen in mammalian livestock species. Cows, pigs, goats, and sheep, as well as more niche mammalian species raised across the world, have been primarily raised for their economic benefit to humans and are culled from the population once their production declines. To this end, we lack clear knowledge about the age-related morbidities and causes of death that afflict livestock animals due to natural aging, as well as detailed age-specific survival rates. Here, we review the current state of the field of agricultural mammal aging, as well as provide specific questions and directions that may provide novel resources for veterinarians and aging biologists. By raising awareness of the overall quality of life and ongoing health of individual livestock animals, we can potentially increase production into older life stages, leading to decreased costs to farmers and improved welfare for the animals themselves.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A short life on the farm: aging and longevity in agricultural, large-bodied mammals

Hoffman

Valencak

2020

GeroScience

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“…Details about age-related behavioural changes and common diseases seen in elderly cats have been reported previously [9,10]. Recognising behavioural changes that are common in old age is important as they can result from systemic diseases, intracranial pathology or neuronal degeneration [9,10]. Behavioural changes may develop before any other signs of illness, highlighting the importance of their early recognition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Behavioural changes may develop before any other signs of illness, highlighting the importance of their early recognition. Some of the most common age-related behavioural changes include house-soiling, excessive vocalisation, altered sleep cycle, and disorientation [9,10]. The most common medical problems seen in elderly cats include mobility disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis); endocrine disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism); hypertension; neurological disease (e.g., neoplasia and sensory deficits); organ failure (e.g., kidney, heart, and liver failure); and cognitive dysfunction syndrome [9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of the most common age-related behavioural changes include house-soiling, excessive vocalisation, altered sleep cycle, and disorientation [9,10]. The most common medical problems seen in elderly cats include mobility disorders (e.g., osteoarthritis); endocrine disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism); hypertension; neurological disease (e.g., neoplasia and sensory deficits); organ failure (e.g., kidney, heart, and liver failure); and cognitive dysfunction syndrome [9,10]. Alongside this, geriatric patients are more likely to be presented with co-morbidities [9,10], resulting in the need for polypharmacy, which can make their management challenging, although rewarding, nonetheless.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of Disease and Age-Related Behavioural Changes in Cats: Past and Present

Sordo

Breheny

Halls³

et al. 2020

Veterinary Sciences

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(1) Background: age-related changes in behaviour and health may be thought of as “normal” ageing; however, they can reflect under-diagnosed, potentially treatable, conditions. This paper describes the prevalence of age-related behavioural changes and disease in two UK cat populations at separate time-points. (2) Methods: owners of cats aged ≥11 years completed questionnaires in 1995 (cohort 1: n = 1236), and from 2010–2015 (cohort 2: n = 883). (3) Results: the most important behavioural changes in these cats were increased affection towards their owners (reported by 51.9% in 1995; 35.8% in 2010–2015), increased vocalisation (63.5%; 58.9%, respectively), particularly at night (32%; 43.6%), and house-soiling (29.3%; 55.8%). Most (79.4%; 81%) of the cats had visited a veterinary surgeon since becoming 11 years old. The main reasons, aside from vaccinations, were dental disease, renal disease and lower urinary tract disorders in 1995, and dental disease, renal disease and hyperthyroidism in 2010–2015. All major diagnoses were reported significantly more frequently in 2010–2015 than in 1995; behavioural changes were variably associated with these diseases. (4) Conclusion: elderly cats display age-related behavioural changes and develop diseases that may be under-diagnosed. Veterinarians need to ask owners about these behavioural changes, as they may signify manageable conditions rather than reflect “normal” ageing.

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“…As veterinary care is improving worldwide, the life expectancy of pet cats is increasing. In the US, in 2011, approximately 20% of pet cats were 11 years of age or older [ 13 ]; and a 2016 study of cases presenting to veterinary clinics across the UK had a median age of 6.2 years, with cats over 8 years of age representing over 40% of all feline consultations [ 14 ]. Many older cats develop behavioural problems ( Table 1 ), often associated with undiagnosed CDS; this has been estimated to affect 28–36% of cats aged 7–14 years, 50% aged 15 years or older, and 88% aged 16–19 years [ 6 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Causes of Increased Vocalisation in Elderly Cats with Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome as Assessed by Their Owners

Černá

Gardiner²,

Sordo

et al. 2020

Animals

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The objectives of this study were to explore owner perception of the causes of increased vocalisation in cats diagnosed with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and consider what impact this vocalisation may have on the cat’s household. Owners of cats diagnosed with CDS that presented with increased vocalisation were invited to complete an online survey. The survey consisted of 28 questions including the cat’s signalment, its medical history, and questions pertaining to the owner’s perception of what motivated their cat´s increased vocalisation. This was determined by looking at the cat’s behaviour when vocalising, where it was looking when it was vocalising, and if the vocalisation stopped when the owner interacted with it, e.g., petting or feeding it. The owners were also asked how stressful they found their cat’s vocalisation. There were 37 responses. The majority of owners reported that the main cause of their cat’s vocalisation appeared to be disorientation (40.5%) or attention seeking (40.5%). Seeking a resource such as food was reported in 16.2%, and pain was perceived to be the cause in only 2.7% of cats. However, the majority of owners (64.8%) believed there was >1 cause of their cat’s increased vocalisation. Importantly, when owners were asked how stressful they found their cat’s increased vocalisation, 40.5% scored ≥3 (where 1 = not stressful; 5 = significantly stressful). This study provides novel insight into owner perception of feline CDS, as well as potential causes for increased vocalisation; this will allow veterinarians to better advise owners on how to manage their cat with CDS.

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Evaluating aging in cats

Abstract: There is a paucity of research in feline aging. The authors draw on expert opinion and available data in both the cat and other species.

Cited by 36 publications

References 35 publications

A short life on the farm: aging and longevity in agricultural, large-bodied mammals

A short life on the farm: aging and longevity in agricultural, large-bodied mammals

Prevalence of Disease and Age-Related Behavioural Changes in Cats: Past and Present

Potential Causes of Increased Vocalisation in Elderly Cats with Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome as Assessed by Their Owners

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