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Advanced Clinical Nursing Theory > The Geriatric Cat > Flashcards

The Geriatric Cat Flashcards

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1
Q

what age is a cat classed as senior?

A

11-14 years

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2
Q

what age is a cat classed as geriatric?

A

15+ years

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3
Q

what are the common conditions seen in geriatric cats?

A

hyperthyroidism
hypertension
CKD
feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD)
dental disease
degenerative joint disease
diabetes mellitus
intestinal lymphoma
inflammatory bowl disease

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4
Q

what are the signs of hyperthyroidism?

A

PUPD
increased appetite
weight loss

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5
Q

what are the signs of hypertension?

A

systolic BP >160mmHg
vision issues
dilated pupils
blood in eye
blindness

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6
Q

what are the signs of CKD?

A

lethargic
unkempt
weight loss
azotemia
submaximally concentrated urine

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7
Q

what percentage of cats are affected by FCD?

A

more than 50% over 11 years old and more than 80% over 16 years old

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8
Q

what is crucial when managing a cat with FCD?

A

stability of the home environment

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9
Q

what are the main dental diseases seen in older cats?

A

gingivitis
periodontal disease
tooth resorption

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10
Q

what are the signs of diabetes melitus?

A

PUPD
increased appetite
weight loss

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11
Q

what are the signs of intestinal lymphoma?

A

digestive issues

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12
Q

what percentage of feline cancer diagnoses are intestinal lymphoma?

A

30%

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13
Q

what are the signs of inflammatory bowel disease?

A

cat becomes ravenous as they cannot absorb the food they are eating

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14
Q

when should inflammatory bowel disease be considered?

A

alongside differential for hyperthyroidism

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15
Q

how can diseases in the geriatric cat be detected?

A

pre-assessment forms
history
parameters
clinical exam

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16
Q

what can be discussed on a pre-assessment form to detect disease?

A

behavioural changes
other pets (behaviour towards)
household changes
current medication

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17
Q

what can be discussed when taking patient history to detect disease?

A

parasite control
vaccination status
any diet changes
confirm signalment

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18
Q

what may cause behavioural changes in senior cats?

A

pain
FCD

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19
Q

how should a geriatric nurse consult be structured?

A

history taking
weigh
blood pressure measurement - discuss findings
clinical exam - discuss findings
diagnostic tests if required
recommendations
summerise and arrange revisit

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20
Q

what does the order of a nurse consult ultimately depend on?

A

individual patient

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21
Q

what recommendations may be made during a geriatric nurse consult?

A

set up at home
routine
need for referral

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22
Q

what type of food should senior cats be fed?

A

wet rather than dry to improve water intake

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23
Q

how should diet changes be made?

A

gradually

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24
Q

what are the main aspects of a senior diet?

A

reduced energy
reduced fat
reduced calcium
reduced phosphorus
increased fibre

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25
Q

why is it important that senior diets have reduced energy and fat?

A

less active

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26
Q

why is it important that senior diets have reduced calcium and phosphorus?

A

supports the kidneys

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27
Q

why is it important that senior diets have increased fibre?

A

increase satiety and support weight loss
prevent constipation

28
Q

what is water vital for?

A

maintaining acid base balance
osmoregulation

29
Q

how can cats be encouraged to drink?

A

always have water readily available
cats +1
round the house
different bowl types
fountains
water in food

30
Q

how often should water intake be measured?

A

6 monthly even in multi-cat households

31
Q

how can % weight change be calculated?

A

(difference in weight / original weight) x100%

32
Q

what should be done if a 5% weight change is seen?

A

may not be significant - monitor monthly

33
Q

what should be done if a 5-10% weightloss is seen?

A

significant - intervention needed

34
Q

what should be done if a >10% weightloss is seen?

A

serious - diagnostic tests needed

35
Q

what patients should have their blood pressure measured?

A

all older cats

36
Q

is primary hypertension common?

A

seen but not that common

37
Q

when is secondary hypertension seen?

A

CKD
hyperthyroidism
other endocrine disorders

38
Q

what are the systemic effects of hypertension?

A

occular damage (retinal oedema/detachment)
left ventricular hypertrophy
progressive renal failure
bleeding into CNS
ataxia
disorientation
seizures
coma
sudden death

39
Q

what methods of indirect BP measurement are there?

A

oscillometric
doppler

40
Q

what is the downside of oscillometric BP measurement?

A

not great if patient moves

41
Q

what should be considered when taking BP measurements?

A

situational hypertension
traveling impact on hypertension
think about the venue where BP is to be measured

42
Q

describe the process of BP measurement

A

select suitable cuff
clip and listen for pulse
once pulse heard inflate sphygmomanometer to 20mmHg above the point where the sound of the pulse is lost
release air out of the cuff until pulse is heard again
repeat measurement 3-5 times and take and average

43
Q

where can BP be measured from?

A

tail
limbs

44
Q

what is indicated by a SBP of <120mmHg?

A

hypotension
heart failure
shock
hypovolaemia

45
Q

what is indicated by a SBP of 120-160mmHg?

A

normal

46
Q

what is indicated by a SBP of 160-180mmHg?

A

grey area
could be due to stress

47
Q

what is indicated by a SBP of >180mmHg?

A

hypertension
CRF
hyperthyroidism
endocrine disorders

48
Q

what are the key areas to consider when doing a clinical exam on a cat?

A

allow cat to come out of its basket of it’s own accord
don’t restrict them to the exam table if safe
use non-slip mats and bedding
full head to toe exam
assess gait

49
Q

what may be seen on gait assessment which indicates DJD?

A

stilted on HL
thoracolumbar spine arched
muscle loss over femurs
goes to sit in sternal and rolls into lateral for comfort

50
Q

what are the key parts of a clinical exam for a geriatric patient?

A

auscultate systematically
observe respiratory pattern and rate
check for goitre
examine muscles and joints for asymmetry and ROM

51
Q

what are the 2 most common tests used to screen geriatric cats?

A

urinalysis
blood analysis

52
Q

what is the benefit of urinalysis?

A

basic
useful information
cheap
easy

53
Q

what needs to be considered about urinalysis for cats?

A

collection method

54
Q

what is a normal urine dipstick reading?

A

SG >1.035
protein <1+
blood -
gluconse -
ketones -
UPC <0.2

55
Q

what is the benefit of blood sampling?

A

useful information
assess major body systems and organs

56
Q

what are the downsides of blood sampling?

A

restraint may be painful
cat needs to be starved (+6 hours)
expensive

57
Q

why must biochemistry not be EDTA contaminated?

A

EDTA will increase potassium levels

58
Q

why must glucose monitors be calibrated to cats when testing cat samples?

A

glucose ratio in plasma and RBC differs between cats and dogs

59
Q

what must be taken into consideration when restraining cats?

A

accommodate individual
consider temperament
disease/injury
patient preference
age

60
Q

what percentage of cats over 12 years old have radiographic changes associated with DJD?

A

90%

61
Q

what is the gentlest way to extend patient limbs for IV/blood sampling?

A

handler to push

62
Q

why is providing support and literature for owners so crucial?

A

can give information from reputable sources
prevent googling and scaring themselves/finding unreliable information

63
Q

who are the best people to run cat clinics?

A

nurses
those with special interest

64
Q

where should cat clinics be held?

A

quiet area
seperate entrance
won’t be interupted

65
Q

when should cat nurse consults be held?

A

quiet time of day
not end of day to reduce client and nurse stress
early morning for starved cats?

66
Q

how long do cat consults need to be?

A

<30 mins

67
Q

how can you promote cat clinics?

A

mailing list
cards for cats over 10
vets promote in vaccines
discuss initially at kitten checks
social media
reception

Advanced Clinical Nursing Theory (36 decks)

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