Obesity: Risk Factor in Geriatric Aged Cats.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity as a risk factor in geriatric-aged cats. By its approach, the study was quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational and observational design. A total of 100 geriatric-aged cats were sampled, with a nonprobabilistic sampling type, using a directed or intentional sampling technique; the inclusion criterion was considered to be geriatric-aged cats ≥ 7 years old. A measuring tape, scales and a structured questionnaire related to risk factors such as age, breed, weight, height, environment, exercise habits, type of feeding and physiological condition were used as measuring instruments. The physical method was used to measure the Body Score Condition (BSC) of 5 points of Thatcher, based on external morphological characteristics such as: observing and palpating the difficulty to palpate the ribs, if they presented thick layer of fat, bony prominences covered by a thick layer of fat, hanging ventral bulge and widened back. There were 10% of cases with obesity and 14 cases with overweight in geriatricaged cats. The determining factors associated with obesity in geriatric-aged cats are the mixed breed, age between 7 and 10 years, larger cats and neutered cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]