Feline Arthritis

Have you noticed your cat is not as quick or active as he/she used to be. Do cold winter days seem to make your kitty slow or limp from time to time. Maybe it was not very noticable at first but you relize it has become worse as the months have gone by. It is likely that the cause of this deteriorating condition is arthritis. Arthritis in our feline friends causes a slow wear down of the cartilage in the joints. There are two variations of feline arthritis. The first category is referred to as primary arthritis and is the more rare of the two as it has more to do with continuing overuse of one joint or another as well as aging. The secondary form of arthritis is more common. It generally occurs over a period of time, however it is generally due to unstable joints like found in hip dysplasia, defects in the bones or cartilage or even damage from trauma and sprains.

More than just being classified as primary or secondary arthritis, cats can suffer from specific versions of it. Progressive polyarthritis affects multiple joints at a time. Similar conditions to the listed secondary arthritis description above characterize this type. It is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans and the animal’s age makes no difference. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition and even with strong medication your pet will still be in a lot of pain.

Calicivirus, an affliction of the respiratory system that causes runny eyes and noses, can cause inflammation in the joints. This can be caused by the strain of the virus in the vaccine your pet receives or from the field strain in the air. It usually causes short-term lameness which can be recovered from with pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

A form of arthritis that is generally due to an infected bite or wound is known as bacterial arthritis. This should be treated immediately to avoid further damage to the joints. Another arthritis that is due to diabetes mellitus can cause your cat to acquire a curious step to their walk. A lot of time this is taken for a joint problem when in actuality it is a nerve disorder

Arthritis can be diagnosed by taking x-rays of the affected areas, analyzing joint fluid, and the number of cells in the fluid and blood. These tests not only help determine the type of arthritis your pet is suffering from, but also the underlying cause of the condition. Concentration of blood and specific blood tests may also be requested to make sure the cat does not have an infectious disease or other ailments that could deteriorate your pet’s health. It may be necessary to also test the joint fluid and capsules for bacterial cultures.

As with us, your cat’s arthritis can be treated, which will make it easier on your cat to move around. The treatment will depend greatly on the type of arthritis that you cat has. Corticosteroids, glucosamine, cartilage protective agents and not-steroidal anti-flammatory medications are all available to help with your cat’s pain, assist in lubricating the joints, bring the swelling down and help to rehabilitate any ruined cartilage.

There are times when surgery is necessary for your cat to help ease or heal the arthritis they have. Shoulder osteochondritis, elbow dysplasia and dissicans can be treated with Arthrotomy or arthroscopy. Ruined cartilage and bones in cats have been repaired with joint freezing, total hip replacements and reconstructive surgeries. You will find that your cat heals quickly and with remarkable improvement in their life.

In general, cats with arthritis can live normal, healthy, active lives with care and medication. If you purchase cat tree furniture that is low to the ground there will be less chance of injury to your cat while climbing or jumping. Also dog steps, pet steps can be an easy way for your cat to get up on the bed or other favorite spot with out too much effort. If the prognosis is something that will cause your pet to be in constant pain even with medication and there is no hope for recovery, the hard decision about euthanasia will have to be considered. Most cats have slow progression arthritis, much like humans, and can offer their owners plenty of loving years to come.

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David is an expert on cats and cat health. See his web site for more information on subjects like feline kidney disease or health of cat teeth. For cat carrier, pet carrier see AceCatFurniture.com