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Arthritis in CatsHow to Tell if Your Pet Has Arthritis, and How to Treat It
Arthritis (known also as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease) is more common in dogs, but it can afflict elderly cats as well.
Arthritis is more likely to occur when a cat is over 9 years old, or as a result of prior injuries such as dislocations and fractures. Cats are quite stoic about pain, so if a cat begins to show signs of arthritis, the problem is usually quite advanced. Arthritis Symptoms in Cats Arthritis symptoms are variable, depending on whether the limbs or the spine are afflicted. Common symptoms include:
Symptoms are usually worse when the cat first wakes up and diminish somewhat over the course of the day. They are also worsened by damp or cold environments. In some cases there may be swelling around the affected joint, but often the damage is so advanced that swelling doesn't occur. Because pain in or around joints may result from other medical conditions such as soft tissue infections or tumours of the cartilage or bone, a veterinary check-up is necessary to rule out more serious problems. Cats tend to hide their pain until the situation is quite serious, so owners should seek medical attention for cats showing signs of pain as soon as possible. Arthritis TreatmentArthritis treatments fall into six categories: weight loss, supplementation, physical therapies, heat, medication, and surgery. Weight Loss: Dietary changes can help to mitigate the symptoms of arthritis. First and foremost, if the cat is obese, a weight-loss program must be implemented immediately to reduce strain on the affected joint. Switching to a premium, low-carbohydrate wet cat food and cutting calories by approximately 20% per day will often take care of the problem. A veterinarian may also recommend a particular weight loss diet. Supplementation: Ask a veterinarian to recommend a vitamin and mineral supplement. Vitamins C and E are particularly beneficial, and supplementing with essential fatty acids can also help to reduce the inflammation that causes arthritis pain. Additionally, many pet owners have had good results using glucosamine-chondroitin supplements. Physical Therapy: Many cats with arthritis benefit from massage or other physical therapy, and for cats that don't mind water, hydrotherapy shows some promise. Encouraging cats to get moderate exercise is also beneficial, though arthritic cats should avoid excessive exercise. Heat: As with arthritic people, warmth is also helpful. Providing a small heating pad or placing a cat bed in a sunny spot enables a cat to warm his joints. Electric heating pads shouldn't be left on when owners are out of the house or asleep. Medication: A relatively new anti-inflammatory medication called Metacam (meloxicam) is quite effective against arthritis. However, this should not be used with cats that suffer from kidney problems, a common affliction among senior felines. A veterinarian should perform a urinalysis and blood test before prescribing Metacam, and cat owners should keep in mind that this medication may have serious side effects. Corticosteroids have also been widely used for arthritic pets, but concerns about their side effects have led to a decline in their popularity. In cases of extreme pain, analgesics may also be prescribed, though these can cause sedation and dependence. There are a number of medications for dogs and humans with arthritis, but many of these (such as Tylenol/acetaminophen) are toxic to cats. Surgery: In extreme cases, surgery on the afflicted joint may be prescribed, but this is more common for dogs than cats. Luckily, most cats can be treated with dietary changes, anti-inflammatory supplements, heat, and/or physical therapy, and should not require more serious medications or surgery. References:
The copyright of the article Arthritis in Cats in Cats is owned by Jennifer Copley. Permission to republish Arthritis in Cats in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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