Cat Arthritis
Most
cats are naturally extremely agile and athletic animals, but inevitably
their joints, ligaments and bones are vulnerable to accidental
damage, and to the wear and tear of everyday life. However, thanks
to their lightness, sense of balance, ability to land on their
feet and built-in shock absorbers (their forelegs are not connected
by bone to the rest of the skeleton), cats do not suffer from
as many orthopaedic problems as they might otherwise do. These
conditions in cats occur most commonly as a result of accidents.
Cat arthritis, which literally means joint inflammation, can
come in many different forms. However, arthritis is much more
complex than simple inflammation, so this name is rather misleading.
For instance, osteoarthritis is associated with the growth of
new bone around a moveable joint and the deterioration of the
smooth cartilage that covers and protects the ends of the bones
within it; the tissues that line the joint may not necessarily
be inflamed.
The following are the common forms of cat arthritis:
-
Traumatic
Arthritis (sprain) - This may be caused by sudden injury
to a joint: i.e., following impact with a moving vehicle,
the result of a fight with another cat, or due to an awkward
fall.
-
Osteoarthritis
- This is considered by experts to be the end result of a
joint failure that may occur for any reason. The shoulder
and elbow joints are those most frequently affected in older
cats. Common causes are recurrent episodes of traumatic arthritis
(possibly due to a cat's athletic lifestyle), and also dislocations
of joints or fractures involving joints that occurred in the
past and made the joints more susceptible to excessive wear
and tear.
Traumatic
arthritis in a joint that results from a minor sprain is likely
to be painful for a short period of time but is not serious. Yet
the damage inflicted through impact with a vehicle may be much
more severe, and may involve fractures to the bones within the
joint that require surgery.
The seriousness of osteoarthritis depends on the nature and severity
of any underlying cause, on the joints affected and on the general
health status of the cat involved. A cat who is overweight will
always suffer more than one who is not obese.
Cat arthritis is a painful condition, and for this reason it should
always be taken seriously.
Any type of cat may suffer from arthritis. Usually, though, it
is a condition that is perhaps most common in cats who lead athletic
lives.
Symptoms of traumatic arthritis in cats may include the following:
-
-
A
painful joint, causing limping on that leg and resentment
of the joint being handled.
Symptoms
of osteo-arthritis in cats may include the following:
-
Limping
or stiffness: this may be mild or intermittent initially,
but will gradually become worse over time. Typically, any
lameness or stiffness may be more pronounced after rest, and
may appear to wear off when the cat has been moving about
for a few minutes. The stiffness shown by an affected cat
may also become worse in cold and damp weather.
-
An
abnormal appearance to a joint, due to the new bone formation
around it.
-
Sudden
and more severe lameness may occur if a joint that is affected
by osteoarthritis is suddenly sprained.
If
your cat suddenly begins to limp badly, you should immediately
take him to your vet.
If your cat limps intermittently, is regularly stiff after rest,
or is less athletic and less agile than before, take him to your
vet. Do not wait until your cat is hobbling about. If he has osteoarthritis,
the sooner you know, the sooner you will be able to adopt
measures to slow down its progression.
Your vet will consider your cat's symptoms, and will examine him
thoroughly both at rest and while he is moving about. The vet
will also need to manipulate your cat's joints in order to identify
whether they are painful.
Once the joint or joints which is affected has been identified,
the vet may carry out additional tests, including x-rays and possibly
analysis of fluid taken from the joints.
Treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the arthritis.
A sudden, uncomplicated case of traumatic arthritis - such as
a simple sprain - will usually respond well to strict rest for
a few days and to a short course of anti-flammatory medications;
a more severe case of traumatic arthritis may require supportive
dressings.
The treatment of a cat suffering from established osteoarthritis
is likely to include the following:
-
Anti-inflammatory
medications - Ideally, these should only be used in the short
term, as and when necessary to encourage movement. Do not
think of them as miracle cures simply because your cat's stiffness
disappears when he is on them. In most cases these medications
are acting simply as painkillers, and should only be used
in addition to weight control and good exercise management.
-
Glucosamine
- We recommend taking a high quality glucosamine product such
as Syn-flex.
-
Dietary
management - Weight control is an important feature of any
treatment for arthritis. If your cat is overweight, you must
follow the dietary advice of your vet.
-
Exercise
management - Although it is very difficult to impose an exercise
regime on a cat, those individuals who are affected by osteoarthritis
will benefit from regular activity. A small amount of exercise
taken frequently is recommended, so be prepared to wake up
your cat for a wander about every now and again, and avoid
letting him sleep in one place for hours at a time.
-
Surgery
- This may be appropriate for osteoarthritis. (Some cases
of traumatic arthritis may also need surgical treatment.)
As
osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, the treatment in any
given case will need to be adapted from time to time. As always,
if you see any signs of arthritis, do make a trip to the Vet.
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The
Cat Arthritis Resource Center