Osteoarthritis in small animals: tools for diagnosis and monitoring

Abstract

A diagnosis of osteoarthritis is frequently presumptive, based on history, clinical signs and orthopaedic examination. One of the most useful and underused tools for a more thorough assessment of the patient's condition is a client metrology instrument. There are many validated client metrology instruments available for use in canine patients. Client metrology instrument options for felines that have been rigorously tested for their ability to assess chronic pain and osteoarthritis in cats include the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index and the use of client-specific outcome measurements. Although definitive diagnostic cut-offs have not yet been established for most of these questionnaires, just as clinicians gain experience with interpretation of clinical examination findings, by using these client metrology instruments frequently, clinicians will gain experience in their interpretation. Most importantly, these instruments provide accurate data on patient outcomes and therefore improve patient welfare.