Case 1: Bones (Client Information)

General History:

Your cat, Bones, is a 14-year-old neutered male domestic shorthaired cat. You are coming to the veterinary clinic today because you think he has been losing weight. He has been a really big cat in the past, and he seems lighter when you pick him up. A relative was visiting the other day and remarked on how small Bones looked. You aren’t sure how long this has been going on, maybe a few months?

You are a client of this veterinary practice, although the last time you were in to see them was about 3 years ago when Bones was bitten on the tail by another cat and needed some medicine to help that clear up.

Systems Review:

If specifically asked by the veterinarian, you can give the following information:

• Attitude: Seems more restless than usual, and perhaps even more aggressive (he has never been very friendly).
• Appetite/weight change: Seems to be hungry all the time and has started to steal food off the bench and from the garbage if he has the opportunity.
• Water consumption/urination: Drinking water from the toilet and bath the past two months. The litter box seems wetter than usual.
• Vomiting/diarrhea: Has been vomiting for the last 3 months, initially once a week and now every 2 to 3 days. Usually brings up food and or clear liquid with some white foam.
Stools are formed but they may be slightly bigger than usual.
• Any other illness signs (e.g., cough, sneeze, etc): No

Previous medical history:

If specifically asked by the veterinarian, you can give the following information:

• Other than the tail injury, you cannot think of any other health concerns you have had regarding Bones.

Current Health Status:

If specifically asked by the veterinarian, you can give the following information:

• Environment: Bones is mostly indoors, but you sometimes let Bones outside. A previous veterinarian told you this was not a good idea, so when asked you usually just say that he is an indoor only cat.   There is a budgie in the house, otherwise no pets. You live outside of Barrie, Ontario, and Bones has not travelled.
• Diet: Bones eats Iams adult cat food that you purchase at the grocery store. You give 1 scoop in the morning and evening, and he usually finishes what is in the bowl gradually throughout the day. You give him Temptations treats each day, likely around 5 per day.
• Preventatives: The vet gave you a flea preventative last year but you never used it. You got the vaccination reminder last year from the clinic, but never ended up booking an appointment.

Case 1: Bones (Veterinarian Information)

Bones is a 14-year-old neutered male domestic shorthaired cat. Bones is an infrequent visitor to your practice, but you do have a previous patient relationship with this cat.

You saw Bones was 3 years ago, when the owner thought he hurt his tail in a cat fight. On examination, the cat had a small abscess on his tail, presumed to be a cat-bite abscess. This was treated with local cleaning and an 14-day prescription of oral Clavamox (an antibiotic). There is a note in the file that clinic receptionist called the client a few days after the appointment to check on Bones’s condition and acceptance of the oral antibiotic, but never heard back from the client.

Last year, Bones had a wellness visit. Physical examination revealed multiple fleas in the hair coat, and the rest of the exam was normal (including the previous tail injury). He was given a product that would kill adult fleas in the clinic, then send home with further treatment. He weighted 7 kg at that visit. A vaccination reminder was sent to the client within the last year, and  the owner did not schedule a vaccine visit.

Today your assistant has weighed Bones prior to placing him in an exam room. He is 5.1 kg, and she happily reports no signs of fleas on the cat today.