Update on diagnosing and managing osteoarthritis in cats

Abstract

Background: It is a truth now universally acknowledged that cats suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis in cats has received a lot of attention in the past 15 years, but previously it was an infrequently recognised and poorly understood problem. As veterinarians we should be assessing cats (both old and young) for the presence of OA, and should educate owners about the treatment and management of the condition.Aim of the article: This article aims to provide a broad overview of current diagnosis and management practices for OA in cats, outlining how to confirm an OA diagnosis, the treatment options that are available and when surgery may be required.