Utvärdering av två hullbedömningssystem för katt av en djursjukskötarstudent och djurägare

Abstract: Obesity is a growing global health problem among both humans and cats with the risk of several medical conditions as a result. This can be detected and prevented by body condition assessment methods in order to visualize and detect possible or potential weight problems in cats.To achieve the best results, owner and cat should be introduced to this as soon as possible in their contact with veterinary care.Purina Body Condition System and Walthams Feline Body Mass Index are both morphometric assessment methods that are quick, relatively cheap and simple to perform. 20 cats with owners and a veterinary nurse student participated in a study to compare pet owners and a veterinary nurse student's assessment of the Purina Body Condition System and WALTHAM's Feline Body Mass Index. The body condition assessment methods were compared with each other, and it was investigated which method was preferred, the body condition distribution among the studied cats and if long-haired cats' body condition was more often misjudged. Results of the study showed a significant difference between pet owners and the veterinary nurse student's assessment of Purina BCS with a difference in median of 1. The comparison of WALTHAMs FBMI showed no significant difference between the veterinary nurse student's and the animal owner's assessment and were therefore judged as the most consistent of the two investigated methods. No significant difference was detected between the Purina BCS and WALTHAM's FBMI assessment of the cat’s body condition. Around half of pet owners preferred FBMI and the remaining the BCS. The knowledge of both these methods can be beneficial for a veterinary nurse in order to motivate and educate cat owners in a method they feel comfortable with in order to continuously monitor their cat's body condition to minimize the risk of illness and suffering.