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Conference abstract2015

Evaluation of body fat content and osteoarthritis in cats using computed tomography – a novel approach using whole-body imaging

Ley, Cecilia; Ley, Charles

Abstract

Evaluation of body fat content and osteoarthritis in cats using computed tomography - a novel approach using whole-body imaging Cecilia Ley1*, Charles J Ley2 1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; 2Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden E-mail: cecilia.ley@slu.se Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2015, 57(Suppl 1):P7

Introduction: Development of whole-body multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) methods have the potential to allow investigations into relations between feline osteoarthritis (OA) and obesity. In one MDCT examination all joints in an animal and the total body fat content can be evaluated. However, studies investigating the correlation between presence of joint lesions detected by MDCT and macroscopic evidence of OA are lacking. Objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate whole-body MDCT for the diagnosis of feline OA, and to utilize a method for whole-body MDCT-based quantitative fat content determination. Methods: MDCT images from 30 cats were evaluated for joint lesions and fat percentages (fat%) were calculated for 14 cats. Body condition scores (BCS) were determined using a nine-grade scale. The shoulder, elbow, antebrachiocarpal, hip, stifle and tarsocrural joints were macroscopically evaluated for presence of cartilage lesions. Associations between MDCT-detected lesions and macroscopic cartilage lesions were investigated, and the correlation between MDCT-fat% and BCS determined. Results: Significant associations between MDCT-detected lesions and macroscopic cartilage lesions were detected in the shoulder (p=0.0002), elbow (p=0.009), and tarsocrural (p=0.004) joints. MDCT estimates of fat% ranged from 13.4-48.6% (median 34%) and the BCS ranged from 2- 8 (median 5). There was significant correlation between fat% and the BCS (p=0.006). Conclusion: Whole-body MDCT is useful for predicting macroscopic cartilage lesions in feline shoulder, elbow and tarsocrural joints and for determination of body fat content. These methods may be valuable for future studies of feline OA and investigations into the possible influence of obesity on OA development.

Published in

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica Supplementum
2015, Volume: 57, number: Supplement 1, pages: 9-9
Publisher: Springer

Conference

Animal Obesity - causes, consequences and comparative aspects