Our feline friends, like ourselves, do get tired and with age their joints, ligaments and bones start to grow old too. Because of their light weight, expertise at balancing their bodies and landing on their feet, cats are less vulnerable to orthopedic problems. They also have the natural advantage that their forelegs are not joined to the rest of their body via the bone, which acts as a shock absorber. It is usually through accidents that they are affected with any such affliction. Hence, active, athletic cats are more susceptible to arthritis than other cats. Older cats are also more vulnerable to this degenerative affliction.
Arthritis is known as the inflammation of joints. However, it is not as simple as that. It can be very agonizing and must not be taken lightly. There are the following types of arthritis that is found in cats:
Traumatic Arthritis (Sprain): This type of arthritis is mild. It occurs as a result of some accident, a possible fight between cats or an unconscious fall. If it is caused by a sprain, it is usually painful for a little while and not so serious. However, if the cat has been run down by a car, there might be broken joints or bones needing surgery.
Osteoarthritis: This is a severe form of arthritis where a joint may stop working at all. The most vulnerable are the shoulder and elbow joints along with those of the hip and the spine. The onslaught of osteoarthritis is mostly associated with frequent Traumatic Arthritis and dislocation or fractures of joints. The severity of osteoarthritis is dependent upon its cause and the overall health of the cat. For instance, an overweight cat is likely to suffer more than the one with an optimum weight.
Arthritis in Old Age: As in humans, gradually the cartilage of the joints wears out in cats also. This causes the bones to come directly in contact while in movement, causing inflammation.
Symptoms
The symptoms of traumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis are subtle but different. The most obvious symptom that you will notice in case of traumatic arthritis is the puffed up joint which will not only hurt but might also cause the cat to limp. However, unlike dogs, cats very easily hide the symptoms.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis are more severe. Along with limping, there is also the possibility of stiffness both of which will be more evident after the cat has taken some rest. It will start alleviating once the cat has been active for a while. In chilly and humid weather, the stiffness may assume a more extreme character. Your cat might grow an abnormal bone which would be apparent as an unusual protrusion around the joint. In case the joint afflicted with osteoarthritis is sprained, there will be an abrupt and painful lameness. If you witness your cat limping very badly, take it to a veterinarian immediately. Also, if you suspect any of the above symptoms, do not wait for them to become more obvious or severe before you get it examined and diagnosed.
Other generalized symptoms include a decline in the rate of activity, increase in sleep-time, less interaction with others, hesitation to jump on otherwise accessible bounds, unwillingness to cover defecation, decrease in appetite and thinner legs that might result from an enhanced wastage of muscles. You might also witness a change in the overall behaviour of your cat. It will become more cranky and aggressive.
In old age, arthritis can cause cats to limp or becomes stiff. They will lose interest in any kind of activity and refuse to go even outdoors. Most of their time will be spent sleeping. You will also hear them wince and whine if you pick them up. You will also notice your cat sitting or changing postures with a lot of difficulty.
Causes
There can be many reasons behind this affliction. Some of these are obesity or an over-weight cat, old age, possible problems with the bones and cartilage, excessive activity or a high level of stress. It can also be cause by fractures, dislocation and sprains of the joint. This illness can even be genetically transferred.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of arthritis is only possible by a physical examination of your cat. The veterinarian will observe the cat in motion and at rest. He will also try to move the joints to ascertain their soreness. Additional tests such as X-rays, Radiographs and fluid test might also be carried out on the affected joint. To eliminate the possibility of other diseases, tests such as Complete Blood Count, Blood Chemistry Panel and Thyroid Testing might be carried out as well.
Treatment
Arthritis has no permanent solution. Any treatment adopted will only help cope with it instead of eliminating the problem completely. The treatment of arthritis depends upon the type and the cause. If the cat has traumatic arthritis caused by a sprain, complete bed-rest and anti-inflammatory medicines for a few days will suffice. However, if it is more serious, you might have to get supportive dressing.
In old age, vets recommend the use of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which not only lessen the pain but also help slow the development of the disease. Dietary supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids are also very helpful.
In case of osteoarthritis, the treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication as and when necessary to encourage movement. This is not the ultimate solution as they only act as painkillers. Physical therapy and weight control should go side by side as well. Especially if your cat is overweight, you will have to make your cat follow a strict diet that your vet may advise you upon.
You can also give your cat herbal medicines but only with the assent of your vet.
Since osteoarthritis is a gradually developing disease, at an advanced stage, surgery is also an option. Sometimes, even traumatic arthritis needs surgery. From time to time, you will need to adhere to a new type of treatment corresponding to the stage of osteoarthritis your cat has. Some veterinarians also endorse a multi-modal approach to palliate the pain.
Health and Care
There are a lot of ways on which you can help your arthritic cat at home. Starting with its diet, you can avoid grains and give it a low carbohydrate diet. Add in fish oil and vitamin E supplements.
Your cat will be at ease if you make sure that its joints are kept warm. This may be done by keeping a hot water bottle covered by towel in your cats bedding. This will improve the blood circulation to the affected area and help alleviate the pain. You may also give occasional massages to its joints yourself or take it regularly to a massage therapist. It usually includes massaging the neck, shoulders and the lower back areas. Make sure you ask your vet the technique or a demonstration for such a massage.
In case your cat has recently acquired arthritis, applying a cold pack to a swollen joint helps. The application time must not be more than 5 minutes! To make sure, it is better to use sealed frozen packs of vegetables like corn or peas that thaw earlier than ice. However, if you pet likes neither the hot nor the cold therapy, do not use it.
If your cat is obese, do not starve it to lose weight. Instead make a reasonable diet plan for your cat until it reaches its optimal weight. For this, the advice of the vet is necessary who might recommend a low-fat diet since arthritic cats are more prone to gaining weight because of limited activity.
Cats cannot be forced to follow a certain exercise routine. Thus, you will have to be more insistent and encouraging and make your cat exercise a little every now and then. This will help keep your cats weight in check and keep the joints movable and the surrounding muscles stronger. The exercise has to gentle and not very frequent. A little walk everyday will suffice which will be aided if your cat has a habit of following you around. You must also not let your cat sleep for more than a few hours at the same place, at a time.
There is a form of massage known as TTouch invented by Linda Tellington Jones. This helps relax the cat and its muscle contractions. For further information on this, you can contact a veterinarian or read Jones book The Tellington TTouch: A Revolutionary Natural Method to Train and Care for Your Favorite Animal.
There is also the art of acupressure, similar to that of acupuncture but sans the needles, that can help your cat with its illness. It uses fingers to exert pressure on specific point in order to release the meridians of energy there. Subsequently, endorphin is released that pacifies the pain and improves the physical and mental health of the animal. It is best if you learn the art from holistic veterinarian but the book Four Paws, Five Directions by Cheryl Schwartz is also very resourceful.
There are also other simple things that you can do for your arthritic cat to make its life more comfortable. Keep your house clean and uncluttered. This will ensure easy movement of your cat. Their bedding must also be at a level low enough for the cat to conveniently jump onto it and soft enough so that there is no pressure on any joint while the cat is asleep. It should also not be too deep for the cat to make it difficult to get out of. You might even want to buy a specialized bed for arthritic cats that helps distribute the body weight equally and reduces the pressure on joints.
The sides of the litter box must not be too high. Food and water must be placed in a comparatively quiet and empty room, without any disturbance. Even the floors must not be very slippery and if they are, it is recommended that you put a mat in the room your cat is mostly found in.
Just like humans, cats also have emotional needs that need to be fulfilled if you want to keep your cat happy. A change in the routine of your cat will also make it unhappy. An unhappy cat is a stressed cat and according to many holistic practitioners, stress makes the immune system less responsive while happiness makes for an improved one.
Diet
The diet of a cat with arthritis is to be taken care of. It should be complementary to its needs. Because of weak bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, muscles and joint fluids, a special diet regimen has to be followed. If you can provide your cat with home-cooked meals, then there is nothing better than this as it will keep your cat away from synthetic preservatives and other harmful chemicals. You can give it fresh meat, bone-meal, digestive enzymes and uncooked veggies with vitamin supplements. You must, however, consult a vet and take advice on the kind of diet most suitable for your cat. He might also prescribe daily supplements to go along with.
If your cat is allergic to one type of meat or you want a strictly vegetarian diet for your cat, do consult the vet because it is not recommended. Cats derive a good part of their nutrition from meat. You can switch to a kind of meat that your cat is not allergic to. Moreover, providing a whole-some, nutritional, vegetable-only meal is very difficult. According to practitioners, foods such as potatoes and tomatoes (or those belonging to the nightshade family) can exacerbate arthritis. They also recommend that cats should be kept away from their known allergens as this may also cause a decline in health.
In case you want to stick to commercial cat-food, there is a wide variety of cat food available in the markets for older cats. Do make sure that it does not contain ethoxyquin preservatives, BHA and BHT nitrates or nitrites which are dangerous for arthritic cats. However, food without these chemicals will have a disadvantage of having a shorter shelf-life. Also, keep the food in air-tight jar to ensure its freshness.
Self-education
Last but not the least, it is always advised to collect as much information as you can on the topic. You will become better-equipped to help your cat and also understand its emotions and feelings better. There is a constant barrage of theories being developed every now and then in conventional as well as complementary methods. This way, you will be able to know what is best for your cat.
Symptoms
The symptoms of traumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis are subtle but different. The most obvious symptom that you will notice in case of traumatic arthritis is the puffed up joint which will not only hurt but might also cause the cat to limp. However, unlike dogs, cats very easily hide the symptoms.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis are more severe. Along with limping, there is also the possibility of stiffness both of which will be more evident after the cat has taken some rest. It will start alleviating once the cat has been active for a while. In chilly and humid weather, the stiffness may assume a more extreme character. Your cat might grow an abnormal bone which would be apparent as an unusual protrusion around the joint. In case the joint afflicted with osteoarthritis is sprained, there will be an abrupt and painful lameness. If you witness your cat limping very badly, take it to a veterinarian immediately. Also, if you suspect any of the above symptoms, do not wait for them to become more obvious or severe before you get it examined and diagnosed.
Other generalized symptoms include a decline in the rate of activity, increase in sleep-time, less interaction with others, hesitation to jump on otherwise accessible bounds, unwillingness to cover defecation, decrease in appetite and thinner legs that might result from an enhanced wastage of muscles. You might also witness a change in the overall behaviour of your cat. It will become more cranky and aggressive.
In old age, arthritis can cause cats to limp or becomes stiff. They will lose interest in any kind of activity and refuse to go even outdoors. Most of their time will be spent sleeping. You will also hear them wince and whine if you pick them up. You will also notice your cat sitting or changing postures with a lot of difficulty.
Causes
There can be many reasons behind this affliction. Some of these are obesity or an over-weight cat, old age, possible problems with the bones and cartilage, excessive activity or a high level of stress. It can also be cause by fractures, dislocation and sprains of the joint. This illness can even be genetically transferred.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of arthritis is only possible by a physical examination of your cat. The veterinarian will observe the cat in motion and at rest. He will also try to move the joints to ascertain their soreness. Additional tests such as X-rays, Radiographs and fluid test might also be carried out on the affected joint. To eliminate the possibility of other diseases, tests such as Complete Blood Count, Blood Chemistry Panel and Thyroid Testing might be carried out as well.
Treatment
Arthritis has no permanent solution. Any treatment adopted will only help cope with it instead of eliminating the problem completely. The treatment of arthritis depends upon the type and the cause. If the cat has traumatic arthritis caused by a sprain, complete bed-rest and anti-inflammatory medicines for a few days will suffice. However, if it is more serious, you might have to get supportive dressing.
In old age, vets recommend the use of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which not only lessen the pain but also help slow the development of the disease. Dietary supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids are also very helpful.
In case of osteoarthritis, the treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication as and when necessary to encourage movement. This is not the ultimate solution as they only act as painkillers. Physical therapy and weight control should go side by side as well. Especially if your cat is overweight, you will have to make your cat follow a strict diet that your vet may advise you upon.
You can also give your cat herbal medicines but only with the assent of your vet.
Since osteoarthritis is a gradually developing disease, at an advanced stage, surgery is also an option. Sometimes, even traumatic arthritis needs surgery. From time to time, you will need to adhere to a new type of treatment corresponding to the stage of osteoarthritis your cat has. Some veterinarians also endorse a multi-modal approach to palliate the pain.
Health and Care
There are a lot of ways on which you can help your arthritic cat at home. Starting with its diet, you can avoid grains and give it a low carbohydrate diet. Add in fish oil and vitamin E supplements.
Your cat will be at ease if you make sure that its joints are kept warm. This may be done by keeping a hot water bottle covered by towel in your cats bedding. This will improve the blood circulation to the affected area and help alleviate the pain. You may also give occasional massages to its joints yourself or take it regularly to a massage therapist. It usually includes massaging the neck, shoulders and the lower back areas. Make sure you ask your vet the technique or a demonstration for such a massage.
In case your cat has recently acquired arthritis, applying a cold pack to a swollen joint helps. The application time must not be more than 5 minutes! To make sure, it is better to use sealed frozen packs of vegetables like corn or peas that thaw earlier than ice. However, if you pet likes neither the hot nor the cold therapy, do not use it.
If your cat is obese, do not starve it to lose weight. Instead make a reasonable diet plan for your cat until it reaches its optimal weight. For this, the advice of the vet is necessary who might recommend a low-fat diet since arthritic cats are more prone to gaining weight because of limited activity.
Cats cannot be forced to follow a certain exercise routine. Thus, you will have to be more insistent and encouraging and make your cat exercise a little every now and then. This will help keep your cats weight in check and keep the joints movable and the surrounding muscles stronger. The exercise has to gentle and not very frequent. A little walk everyday will suffice which will be aided if your cat has a habit of following you around. You must also not let your cat sleep for more than a few hours at the same place, at a time.
There is a form of massage known as TTouch invented by Linda Tellington Jones. This helps relax the cat and its muscle contractions. For further information on this, you can contact a veterinarian or read Jones book The Tellington TTouch: A Revolutionary Natural Method to Train and Care for Your Favorite Animal.
There is also the art of acupressure, similar to that of acupuncture but sans the needles, that can help your cat with its illness. It uses fingers to exert pressure on specific point in order to release the meridians of energy there. Subsequently, endorphin is released that pacifies the pain and improves the physical and mental health of the animal. It is best if you learn the art from holistic veterinarian but the book Four Paws, Five Directions by Cheryl Schwartz is also very resourceful.
There are also other simple things that you can do for your arthritic cat to make its life more comfortable. Keep your house clean and uncluttered. This will ensure easy movement of your cat. Their bedding must also be at a level low enough for the cat to conveniently jump onto it and soft enough so that there is no pressure on any joint while the cat is asleep. It should also not be too deep for the cat to make it difficult to get out of. You might even want to buy a specialized bed for arthritic cats that helps distribute the body weight equally and reduces the pressure on joints.
The sides of the litter box must not be too high. Food and water must be placed in a comparatively quiet and empty room, without any disturbance. Even the floors must not be very slippery and if they are, it is recommended that you put a mat in the room your cat is mostly found in.
Just like humans, cats also have emotional needs that need to be fulfilled if you want to keep your cat happy. A change in the routine of your cat will also make it unhappy. An unhappy cat is a stressed cat and according to many holistic practitioners, stress makes the immune system less responsive while happiness makes for an improved one.
Diet
The diet of a cat with arthritis is to be taken care of. It should be complementary to its needs. Because of weak bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, muscles and joint fluids, a special diet regimen has to be followed. If you can provide your cat with home-cooked meals, then there is nothing better than this as it will keep your cat away from synthetic preservatives and other harmful chemicals. You can give it fresh meat, bone-meal, digestive enzymes and uncooked veggies with vitamin supplements. You must, however, consult a vet and take advice on the kind of diet most suitable for your cat. He might also prescribe daily supplements to go along with.
If your cat is allergic to one type of meat or you want a strictly vegetarian diet for your cat, do consult the vet because it is not recommended. Cats derive a good part of their nutrition from meat. You can switch to a kind of meat that your cat is not allergic to. Moreover, providing a whole-some, nutritional, vegetable-only meal is very difficult. According to practitioners, foods such as potatoes and tomatoes (or those belonging to the nightshade family) can exacerbate arthritis. They also recommend that cats should be kept away from their known allergens as this may also cause a decline in health.
In case you want to stick to commercial cat-food, there is a wide variety of cat food available in the markets for older cats. Do make sure that it does not contain ethoxyquin preservatives, BHA and BHT nitrates or nitrites which are dangerous for arthritic cats. However, food without these chemicals will have a disadvantage of having a shorter shelf-life. Also, keep the food in air-tight jar to ensure its freshness.
Self-education
Last but not the least, it is always advised to collect as much information as you can on the topic. You will become better-equipped to help your cat and also understand its emotions and feelings better. There is a constant barrage of theories being developed every now and then in conventional as well as complementary methods. This way, you will be able to know what is best for your cat.
