title: Prevalence of spondylosis deformans in the feline spine and correlation with owner-perceived behavioural changes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective was to determine the prevalence, spinal distribution, and association with the signalment of cats suffering from different grades of feline spondylosis deformans (spondylosis). The secondary objective was to document behavioural changes associated with spondylosis by owner observation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence of feline spondylosis (group 1). A prospective study was performed to determine the association between radiographic abnormalities of the lumbosacral region (L3-S1) and owner perceived behavioural changes based on a completed questionnaire (group 2). The radiographs were reviewed using a grading system (0-3) for spondylosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of spondylosis in group 1 was 39.4% (158/402). Cats with spondylosis were significantly older than cats without spondylosis (p <0.001). The thoracic (T) vertebrae T4-T10 were most often affected by spondylosis, but spondylosis was most severe in the T10-S1 vertebrae. In group 2, spondylosis of the lumbosacral region was significantly correlated with owner-reported behavioural changes, such as a decreased willingness to greet people and to being petted, increased aggressiveness, and a poor perceived quality of life (p = 0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that feline spondylosis is common and that spondylosis of the lumbosacral region may be accompanied by behavioural changes.
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Utrecht, The Netherlands. H.C.Kranenburg@uu.nl
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kranenburg
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Meij
authors.forename: E M L
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: van Hofwegen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Voorhout
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Slingerland
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Picavet
authors.forename: H A W
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Hazewinkel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires