Routine health screening: findings in apparently healthy middle-aged and old cats 

Routine health checks important for middle-aged and older cats

Source: D. Paepe, G. Verjans, L. Duchateau, K. Piron, L. Ghys, S. Daminet 
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery  vol 15: no 8, 2013 doi: 10.1177/1098612X12464628.

This study, carried out in Belgium, involved health checks on 100 cats which were thought to be healthy by their owners. Fifty-six of the cats were classeD as middle-aged, ie from 6 to 10 years old) and 44 of the cats were classed as old,  ie they were more than 10 years old. All 100 cats were given urine and blood tests, and physically examined.

The most common health problem detected was gum disease (gingivitis), affecting 72 of the 100 cats. Forty of the cats were overweight, while 11 were underweight, both categories accounting for just over half the total. Some of the cats also suffered from high blood pressure, showed signs of heart problems and signs of urinary tract disease. Fourteen of the cats were diagnosed as suffering from Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which is potentially fatal. These findings show that routine health checks are important for middle-aged and elderly cats.
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