Health status and population characteristics of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States

Objective-To determine age, breed, sex, body condition score, and diet of d ogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States during 1995, and estimate prevalences of the most common disorders for thes e animals. Design-Cross-sectional study. Animals-31,484 dogs and 15,226 cats examined by veterinary practitioners at 52 private veterinary practices. Procedure-Information on age, breed, sex,body condition score, diet, and as signed diagnostic codes were collected electronically from participating pr actices and transferred to a;;relational database. Prevalence estimates and frequencies for population description were generated using statistical so ftware. Results-Dental calculus and gingivitis were the most commonly reported diso rders. About 7% of dogs and 10% of cats examined by practitioners during th e study were considered healthy. Many conditions were common to both specie s(eg, flea infestation, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, vomiting). Dogs were like ly to be examined because of lameness, disk disease, lipoma, and allergic d ermatitis. Cats were likely to be examined because of renal disease, cystit is. feline urologic syndrome, and inappetence. Clinical implications-Results can be used by veterinary practitioners to be tter understand and anticipate health problems of importance in cats and do gs they examine and to better communicate with clients regarding the most p revalent disorders in cats and dogs.