Historical Prevalence of Radiological Appendicular Osteoarthritis in Cats (1972-1973).

Interest in feline osteoarthritis has grown recently; this might be due to increased prevalence or increased awareness. This study records the presence of appendicular osteoarthritis in a subset of the United Kingdom cat population in the 1970s and estimates its prevalence. One hundred cats euthanized in 1972-1973 had a series of skeletal radiographic images taken post mortem. Each joint was put into a set with or without osteoarthritis according to the presence or absence of a specified set of radiographic features. Limited historical data were analyzed. The prevalence of osteoarthritis in these cats was 74%. There is no evidence that feline osteoarthritis is a "novel" disease. The prevalence was similar to recent prospective radiological surveys. Recent interest in the condition may have derived from more attention being paid to feline medicine and welfare.