Just like humans, cats can suffer from many joint-related diseases, including feline rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that produces inflammation and muscle pain, among other symptoms. This disease is not easy to detect since kittens usually hide very well when they are in pain, and it is difficult for us to realize at first glance that our pet suffers from it if we do not know exactly what signs we should look for.
That is why it is important to know the symptoms of arthritis in cats, as well as its treatment and the special care we have to offer to the feline, so if you are interested in this topic, keep reading this article on our site and find out everything you need to know about feline arthritis
What is arthritis?
The feline arthritis, also called feline osteoarthritis, is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the cat at any age and is characterized by due to the inflammation of the joints and the wear of the protective layers that cover the joints of the animal, which causes pain, stiffness and loss of mobility, among other symptoms. This disease is degenerative, that is, it worsens over the years, and not be confused with another that is also degenerative: osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis in cats usually affects when they are elderly and, unlike arthritis, this disease causes the progressive loss of cartilage which, in turn, causes the bones to rub and wear out. Although osteoarthritis and arthritis in cats (and in other living beings) are very similar, they are not the same.
The causes that can produce rheumatoid arthritis in cats are very diverse and can have different origins:
- Post-traumatic: due to injuries, blows or traumas that the feline has suffered.
- Infectious: due to germs or bacteria that may have affected the joints.
- Genetic: due to limb malformations and other developmental problems.
- Immunological: due to the cat's own immune system that reacts against the synovial membrane (the protective layer that covers) the joints.
- Obesity and overweight: it is not a direct cause but it can aggravate the symptoms and favor the inflammation of the joints if it is not controlled.
Arthritis symptoms in cats
Symptoms your cat may show if he has feline rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Joint inflammation
- Loss of mobility and less exercise than usual
- Muscle pain and atrophy
- Joint Cracks
- Difficulty and stiffness in moving around, jumping, climbing stairs, getting up, etc…
- Change from usual mood: will be more passive, distant, listless, etc…
Detecting arthritis in cats is not an easy task since these animals are very skilled in the art of concealing weaknesses and normally, do not usually complain or show painwhen they have it, so if your cat shows the least of these signs, it is important that you take him immediately to the vet for a complete diagnosis that will include, depending on his evolution, a blood test, a history of the injury or trauma suffered, and some X-rays to see the state of the bones of the pussycat.
Treatment of arthritis in cats
The treatment of feline arthritis begins with the prescription, always by the veterinarian, of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and minimize inflammation of the joints, as well as taking pharmacological supplements such as chondrotitin or glucosamine to help relieve the animal's symptoms. Surgery is always the last option and will only be performed if the arthritis is very developed and the veterinarian considers it really necessary.
But in addition to conventional medical treatments with pain relievers for cats, you can also help improve feline arthritis with some homeopathic medicines for cats and natural remediessuch as lecithin, natrium sulphate or calcium floride, or even with acupuncture and therapeutic massages.
To prevent the onset of arthritis in cats, it is advisable for the animal to have a proper diet and exercise regularly and moderately, so that its musculoskeletal system will remain in good condition and it will be less likely suffer from this disease. If the cat is overweight or obese, it is recommended that it lose weight to reduce the load that its joints have to bear and reduce inflammation. You can visit this article if you want to know some exercises for obese cats or consult your veterinarian about a balanced diet.
Arthritic cat care
Apart from regular exercise and proper nutrition, if your cat has arthritis you should give him a series of special care to make his life more easy and your illness more bearable.
First of all, it is necessary that your cat is as comfortable as possible at home, so if you put some blankets or several soft towels on his bed and in all those places where you know he likes stretching, your cat will rest much better and its joints will hurt much less than if its body directly touches flat, bare surfaces, cushioning possible blows. In addition, you can include some compresses or hot water bottles in your cushioned bed to relieve the inflammation of the affected areas. Cold and humidity aggravate arthritis pain in cats, so you need to make your home a warm, dry place without sudden changes in temperature. You can also avoid slippery floors so your cat doesn't accidentally fall.
It is also necessary that your cat has the fewer obstacles possible when living at home, so if he could climb Somewhere that was his favorite and now he can't, it would be good if you provided him with a ramp instead of stairs or other surfaces that will cause more pain in his joints if he has to climb them, like shelves or boxes. Likewise, its litter box and its feeder/drinker should also be located in an area where the cat can easily reach it, so if you have a house with several floors, the ideal would be for it to have a litter box and a feeder. / drinker on each floor so you don't have to go up and down continuously.
And lastly, you must prevent your cat from getting stressed at all costs and you must treat him with great affection, love and patience, so that he knows that he can count on you and that nothing is wrong because he has arthritis. A calm, comfortable and unobstructed environment are the keys to keeping your arthritic cat happy.
