If your cat stops jumping, limps or seems less active, arthritis may be the culprit. Age can be a leading factor to this, but there could be more to it. In this article, you will learn about the symptoms of arthritis, its causes, and treatment.
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Symptoms and Causes of Arthritis in Cats
If you care for your cat, you should know when something is off. Research shows that cats are good at hiding pain and may not show significant symptoms till it gets worse. However, symptoms like limping in cats should not be overlooked but should be properly examined for arthritis.
“My 15-year-old cat no longer jumps on the bed and feels pain when I pet her back leg. I took her to the vet, and arthritis was diagnosed”, - Reddit User
Below are some of the symptoms of arthritis in cats:
Limping/Lameness
This is the easiest way to identify the possibility of arthritis in your cats. You may notice your cat putting its weight on one leg when walking, and the other leg may appear stiff or inactive. This could get worse if not resolved on time.
Joint Pain
Cats become grumpy when petted or groomed, especially in joint areas. If this happens, take your cat to the vet to identify the root cause and rule out arthritis.
Reduced movement
Cats may lose interest in walking around, playing or even using the litter box when they have joint issues. They tend to sleep a lot and do not want to move much.
Dehydration
Cats with arthritis avoid moving to drink water because of joint pain, leading to dehydration and stiffness. The Petcube Water Fountain can encourage cats to move and drink more by sparking curiosity with its running water feature.
Weight loss
Cats need to eat to stay healthy. If they avoid walking to their feeding trays, they tend to lose weight. Additionally, their leg muscles may weaken and stiffen from lack of use.
Arthritis is caused by several factors or a combination of some factors. When joints such as the elbow, hip or knee get infected or distorted, the bones of the joints become uneven, causing inflammation and pain.
Old age is a major contributing factor to arthritis and has been commonly found in cats above 12 years. Studies show that cats above one year can develop early-stage arthritis and could become worse if not checked.
“Arthritis is common in older cats and is oftentimes not detected on time, until it’s advanced”, - Dr. Michael Jaffe
Here is a list of possible causes of arthritis in cats:
- Old Age
- Obesity
- Trauma
- Dislocation
- Joint Infection (eg., Lyme disease)
- Inactivity
- Immune- mediated conditions
- Congenital abnormality
Treatment of Arthritis in Cats
Treating arthritis requires a lot of effort from both cat parents and the vet. It’s an excruciating condition for cats and would need a lot of care and rigorous treatment to resolve.
A proper diagnosis should be carried out, usually through physical and X-ray examinations. After this, the following treatment options can be recommended:
- Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as gabapentin and meloxicam to alleviate pain and control swelling are effective for arthritis.
- Supplements could provide great support for bones and joints. When included in arthritis treatment regimen, supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids are effective in pain management.
- Cold compresses can serve as a first-aid treatment option to reduce pain and inflammation temporarily.
- Other treatment options may include acupuncture and laser therapy. These options are not common and could be recommended as a treatment option by the veterinarian.
- Surgery is the most effective treatment option for arthritis in cats. Surgical procedures for arthritis may include a joint replacement or fusion, which could cost a lot. With the Petcube Emergency Fund, you can offset up to $3000 in vet fees. Signup now using the exclusive link to enjoy a 27% discount.
Recovery and management is important when treating arthritis. Cats under treatment should be monitored closely and provided with intensive support such as physical therapy which is a rewarding treatment option for arthritic cats. One of my rewarding experiences was seeing a 14-year-old cat regain her ability to climb onto her favorite couch after physical therapy.
Conclusion
Arthritis is common in cats, especially older cats above 10 years. Clinical signs like limping and inactivity are symptoms cat parents should look out for in their cats. These symptoms should be reported to the veterinarian promptly to prevent it from becoming advanced. With proper medication, arthritis can be treated and managed in cats.
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