Cat Arthritis"Cat arthritis is seen in older cats and while difficult to diagnose can be successfully treated." The most common form of both human and feline arthritis is feline osteoarthritis (OA), especially in older cats. It is a condition in which the cartilage between bones wears down. Without the cartilage padding, the bones rub together, causing inflammation and pain. Causes of ostoarthritis in cats include primary joint disease due to immune-mediated causes, inherited joint problems, problems resulting from some type of injury or just "wear and tear" from age. Cat Arthritis SymptomsFeline arthritis commonly affects the elbows, stifles (leg joints) and hips.Symptoms of cat arthritis include limping, difficulty rising from a resting position, yelping when touched, or avoiding being touched. Your cat may be reluctant to walk run, jump, climb stairs, or play. Swollen joints are also a sign of arthritis. Feline Arthritis DiagnosisFeline osteoarthritis is under-recognized due to difficulties inrecognition of affected cats by both owners and veterinarians since the symptoms are naturally associated with aging.In addition to a thorough history, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and then take some x-rays. The x-rays will show if there is adequate cartilage between the bones or not. Cat Arthritis TreatmentThere are a variety of management strategies and medical treatments that are available to treat feline arthritis that can be very helpful to improve the quality of life for your cat.Treatment for feline arthritis often includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis. People take NSAIDS like ibuprofen all the time. NSAIDS commonly prescribed by vets include carprofen, meloxicam, tepoxalin, etodolac, deracoxib, and firocaxib. These drugs are effective at managing the symptoms of arthritis, but they don’t slow the progression of the disease. Glucosamine and chrondotin are supplements often used to help rebuild cartilage. There is some anecdotal evidence that they are effective in cats but there is little of scientific evidence. They are safe to use in combination with other arthritis treatments, though, so there is no downside to using them except the cost. Cats with diabetes should not use glucosamine and cats with bleeding disorders should not use chrondotin. Talk with your vet about whether or not he or she recommends these supplements for your cat. Note that these supplements will not relieve pain; rather, they will help rebuild the cartilage, helping to reverse the disease process over time. Diet and weight management can be an important part of arthritis treatment. If your cat is overweight, the extra weight puts too much pressure on her joints, which can cause damage to the cartilage and make arthritis symptoms worse. Your vet can tell you if your pet is overweight, and if so, help you work out a feeding schedule that will help her lose the extra pounds. Losing the extra weight will not only decrease the inflammation and pain, it will slow the progression of the disease. Exercise is an important component of cat arthritis treatment. It’s difficult to make a cat exercise, but you can play with your cat to encourage exercise. Also do not allow your cat to sleep for hours at a time in one spot. Wake her up occasionally and encourage her to walk around a bit. SourcesFeline ArthritisPawprints and Purrs Osteoarthritis and Treatment Options in Pets Caney, Sarah BVSc, PhD, DSAM From Cat Arthritis to Cat Health Guide Home
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