We think of arthritis as an aging disorder of dogs, horses and even people, but no one gives it much thought for cats. Osteoarthritis (OA) is irritation of the joints and is a painful and common disease. Any living thing with bones and joints can get arthritis. Cats are so good at hiding pain that they seem to be fine, even if they are suffering.
Usually the signs are so subtle that owners think they are signs of normal feline aging. They think that their cats “are just getting old”. But cats are quite long-lived and the oldest living cat today is 26 years old!
Perhaps an arthritic cat used to sleep on the bed with you and now seems to prefer the floor. Or maybe a cat has started to urinate or defecate outside the litter box and cannot say that it hurts her joints to step over the high sides. These are just examples of things that you might notice if you stopped to think about them.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by physical exam findings with radiographic evidence to attempt to stage severity and it not a curable condition. The goals of treatment are reducing pain and inflammation, minimizing the continued damage to the cartilage, and preserving the remaining cartilage. My primary goal is restoring and maintaining the quality of life for OA sufferers. There are several areas that you can address to help a cat that suffers from OA.
Body Weight– reducing body weight will reduce the pressure placed on his/her joints. Your cat should have a waist when viewed from the side and above and you should be able to feel his ribs when you press on his sides. If you find that you have to press really hard or you have to use your imagination to know where the ribs are, he is too big. This is a difficult issue and we all know that we feel terrible to deny our friends, but if we know that it will help him to live longer and better, it is easier. Ask your vet to give you advice on how much your cat should be fed.
Exercise-People think that arthritis sufferers should not exercise, but we have found the opposite to be true. Low impact exercise can help build up the muscle strength to divide the load on the joints. I tell all my clients to keep their cats moving. Enrichment and “tech toys” are a good way to keep an indoor cat on the move. Physical therapy is another form of exercise that has restored quality of life for many of my patients. You want to choose a licensed veterinary therapist, but this safe addition to the protocols can be a life saver. The only limitations here are cost and convenience.
Non-prescription supplements-Disease Modifying therapies include things like glucosamine, chondroitin and many others. These agents are aimed at preserving the integrity of the cartilage and slowing the damage to it. Cats can be finicky about things added to their food, but there are many options to choose from. Most reputable companies will honor a palatability guarantee if your cat refuses their product.
*Be advised that these agents are not FDA regulated, so you want to be sure to choose the products that your vet specifically recommends, as there is no regulation on quality or proof of efficacy.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are often helpful, but cats are very sensitive to this class of drug. There are not many options approved for use in cats and response is individual. There are other medications that can also be added to address other parts of the pain cascade and your veterinarian is the best resource for trying things that may provide the right combination for your cat. Never give your cat human medications.
If you do notice changes in your cat’s routine, osteoarthritis might be the culprit. Just because the condition is incurable, does not mean that we are powerless against it and the symptoms can be managed and reduced. Addressing the ailments often seen in aging pets can help insure that his golden years are truly the best time of both of your lives.
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About The Author: Dr. Kathryn Primm is a practicing small animal veterinarian and practice owner at Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, TN. She has consulted on articles for national magazines, done numerous radio interviews and appeared on local television. She has contributed to articles for Prevention magazine (April 2015) and Woman’s Day (Feb 2014 and June 2015). Her radio segment Chattanooga Pet Talk airs each week on all the local iHeart Media affiliates.
She has a social media presence on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ and enjoys interaction with others about her passions, animals and communication. She has written a book, Tennessee Tails:Pets and Their People. The book received recognition as Runner Up in the Memoirs category at a national book festival. You can read more about Dr. Primm and how to get the best value for your pet care dollar at her website, www.drprimm.com.