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Arthritis in cats

Until fairly recently osteoarthritis or arthritis in cats has not commonly been diagnosed or treated, the biggest reason being that cats are great at hiding disease! It’s in their survival instinct not to show pain. Especially when they get older, they just tend to sleep more, so it is often difficult to pick up any signs of discomfort.

So should one worry about osteoarthritis if your cat is not in any obvious discomfort?

Yes definitely, because studies show that 90% of cats over 12 years of age have osteoarthritis in at least 1 joint. And it is well known from humans that arthritis is painful and debilitating.

So what is osteoarthritis and why does it happen?

Osteoarthritis is a complicated condition involving inflammation and degeneration of the cartilage of the joint. This results in pain and discomfort, with permanent changes to the joint which causes reduced mobility. Simply put, where there is cartilage damage, the lubricating joint fluid becomes less and the bones can rub against each other, which then causes pain.

Arthritis can be primary meaning without an obvious cause, besides ongoing wear and tear to a joint. Or it can be secondary, as a result of another disease or injury. Currently a lot more research is needed to determine the exact causes of arthritis in cats, however below are a list of factors that may increase the risk of it starting:

Genetics plays a big role in the pure bred animals- we know certain breeds are predisposed to certain genetic abnormalities such as hip dysplasia in Maine Coon cats, patella luxation in Abyssinian and Devon Rex cats and cartilage abnormalities in Scottish fold cats.

The genetic make-up also determines the body conformation (the build of a cat) and joint development of a cat. If these are abnormal they will more likely develop arthritis.

Nutrition also plays a vital role in the development of arthritis. This is especially true early on in your cat’s life when they are growing. But also if your cat is obese or overweight.

Conditions such autoimmune diseases (when the body attacks itself) can cause arthritis and this is often the case in humans with rheumatoid arthritis.

Injuries to ligaments, muscles and bones can be a major cause for arthritis as they can cause joints to become unstable, as well as any orthopaedic surgery.

Old age is not a disease and does not cause arthritis however we do see more arthritis in older animals.

So what will my cat do if it has osteoarthritis?

In dogs, the clinical signs can be obvious like a limp in a leg. But very rarely do we see limping cats, unless there is a fracture or abscess. The signs of joint pain are most often very subtle and can easily be missed but include things like the following:

A reduction in daily movement- You might notice a stiff gait when your cat walks. Or a single joint can be stiff, swollen or painful. But most often they just tend to climb up and down furniture less frequently or not at all. Sleep in lower, more easily accessible spots. Or they may have difficulty getting in and out of cat litter trays.
A reduction in daily activity- They tend to just sleep more! They spend less time outside exploring, hunting or playing.
Changes in grooming behaviour- They can spend less time grooming which results in a matted and unkempt coat. Or cats can over groom and cause self trauma on a particular joint due to pain in that area (the skin can lose its hair, be inflamed or infected)
Changes in personality- They can be more irritable when being handled or groomed, they avoid interaction with humans or other animals, or they can become more aggressive.

How does one treat it?

Schedule a vet visit. In treating osteoarthritis it is important to start a treatment plan at the beginning and book a veterinary appointment for a thorough clinical examination. One cannot assume that your cat has arthritis if it is less active, especially as one doesn’t want to miss another concurrent disease. Also remember to tell your vet exactly how your cat is behaving at home, as they often get very nervous at vet clinics and show NO clinical signs. The description or history you give is vital to build an individual treatment plan for your cat.

Weight management: This is a crucial step in treating arthritis. Excess fat is pro-inflammatory as it releases inflammatory mediators which tell the body to create an inflammatory response. Excess weight also adds to the amount of weight and stress a joint has to bear and will make inflammation worse.

Environmental management A few simple changes for your cat at home can make a massive improvement to their comfort levels. Create a safe, warm, easily reachable, sleeping space for your cat. Provide small ramps or steps to allow them to get onto their favourite beds or furniture. Use litter trays that have a low side for easy entry and exit. Raise food and water bowls to elbow height.

Home care tips: Keep your cat’s nails trimmed and carefully groom them regularly.

Medical management: There is no single drug that fixes arthritis and all the treatment plans are aimed at pain management of a very complex disease process.

NSAIDS- non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often the drug of choice for treating osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation and providing significant pain relief.
Corticosteroids- these are used less frequently but also reduce inflammation may be prescribed in certain circumstances
Pentosan polysulfate is an example of a disease modifying drug that helps cartilage repair and improve joint lubrication.
Nutraceuticals and diet- there are many really great dietary supplements available, that include ingredients such as chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine, omega 3 and 6 and green lipped mussel extract. And can safely be used long term to help control arthritis.

Alternative therapies

There are many therapies such as physiotherapy, exercise, joint mobilisation, laser therapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture that significantly help improve joint health for many animals.

Osteoarthritis is a common, complex disease and there is no single, quick fix for it. But it is worth investigating and treating keeping your cat as happy, healthy and comfortable as possible.

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