AVALIAÇÃO DA PREVALÊNCIA DA OSTEOARTRITE EM FELINOS NA CLÍNICA ESCOLA UNIG NOVA IGUAÇU NO PERÍODO DE ABRIL À NOVEMBRO DE 2025

Abstract The extended lifespan of cats, resulting from advances in veterinary medicine, has led to an increase in the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA). Furthermore, as animals age and live longer, the chances of developing this disease increase. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of OA in cats treated at the Iguaçu University teaching clinic, with the goal of contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of diagnosed patients and the early identification of cats at risk of developing the disease. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the degeneration of synovial joints, often associated with age and sex, with a prevalence ranging from 16.5% to 91%, according to the literature. The most common clinical signs observed in felines include pain, narrowing, decreased range of motion, and behavioral changes, such as difficulty jumping. The specific objectives of the study include describing the case series of patients identified through physical examination and medical history, identifying the most prevalent age, body condition score, and sex, analyzing related diseases, investigating environmental and dietary conditions, and documenting the observed clinical manifestations. The expected results may provide insights into the prevalence of osteoarthritis, thus contributing to improving clinical practices in veterinary medicine. Keywords: Degenerative; joint; cats; management; diagnosis