Aging cats experience a variety of health challenges. One such challenge is osteoarthritis, which can lead to joint stiffness and soreness, decreased mobility, reduced activity, and less time spent doing things your cat normally enjoys doing. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a term also known as arthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD).
Quick Overview: Osteoarthritis in Felines
common symptoms: Difficulty jumping on/off higher surfaces, difficulty getting in/out of litter boxes. Decreased grooming, stiffness in walking, less grooming.
diagnosis: Clinical history consistent with arthritis, physical examination findings, X-ray evidence of arthritic joints.
diagnosed as a cat: frequently
need to continue taking medication: Yes
available vaccines: No
Treatment programs: Anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, physical therapy, therapeutic laser therapy, acupuncture. In some cases, surgical options such as arthroscopy or joint replacement are options.
home remedies: Hot and cold compresses, regular exercise, weight loss to reduce joint stress.
Osteoarthritis in Cats
Osteoarthritis, or arthritis, is a chronic disease that involves the degeneration, breakdown, and thinning of cartilage in joints, bone spur formation, joint effusion (fluid accumulation), thickening and scarring of connective tissue associated with joints, and other joint changes The bones around the joints.
Arthritis is a progressive, degenerative and irreversible joint disease that causes decreased mobility and chronic pain. Basically, what happens is the normal cushioning of the joint wears down and causes pain and inflammation.
Arthritis can result from the normal wear and tear of joints during aging, but can also be secondary to injury or trauma, overexertion, worn or torn joints, poor joint alignment, or congenital orthopedic disorders.
While osteoarthritis is more common in dogs, it can also be seen in cats of all ages, breeds, and sexes. It is most commonly seen in older, overweight, or large cats. According to International Cat Care (ICC), 90 percent of cats over the age of 12 show signs of arthritis.
The most commonly affected joints include the elbows, hips, and lower spine. However, cats may also have arthritis in the knees (knee joints), ankles (tarsals), and shoulders. Many cats will have arthritis in more than one joint and will often have the same joint on both legs affected.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Arthritis symptoms in cats may be less pronounced than in dogs. Cats are smaller and more agile than dogs, so they can more subtly compensate for pain and injury.
Cats are very good at hiding their pain and discomfort, so cat owners may not realize their cat has arthritis for a while. The most common signs are limp and limited mobility.
You might think this is because your cat doesn’t want to or can jump on furniture or windows, runs and plays less, wanders around more, and has a change in your cat’s gait, such as a limp or a slow, stiff walk.
Other signs include loss of muscle and strength, swollen joints, difficulty getting in and out of the litter box, paranoia (due to pain), difficulty grooming (due to decreased mobility), or clicking and grinding noises in the joints.
Cats who have been injured before or have been diagnosed with other orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia are more likely to develop arthritis.
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by a veterinarian with a combination of history, physical examination, and imaging studies such as radiographs (X-rays). Sometimes, radiographic changes consistent with arthritis are found, but the cat may not have any problems or signs of pain.
According to the American College of Veterinary Medicine (ACVS), x-ray changes showing arthritis can be seen in up to 90 percent of patients, while only about 50 percent of patients experience signs of discomfort due to joint pain.
Osteoarthritis Treatment
Arthritis is a more manageable disease than treatment. Once a joint has been damaged, it is nearly impossible to restore normal structure and function.
The goal is to keep the cat comfortable by controlling pain and inflammation, improving mobility and function, and reducing further damage. The approach to managing arthritis should be a multimodal approach, using several different therapies.
There is no single easy way to treat or prevent this condition.
pain management
The most commonly used pain relievers to treat arthritis in cats are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These medications should only be prescribed by a veterinarian and over-the-counter medications should not be used as they can be toxic to cats.
The goal is to use the lowest effective dose, which usually means adding other pain relief methods to reduce the frequency of taking NSAIDS and manage their side effects.
Other pain relievers that can be used to manage pain from arthritis are pain relievers such as buprenorphine, gabapentin, and tramadol. These, too, should only be used under the direction of a veterinarian.
joint supplements
Joint supplements are an important addition to a cat’s treatment regimen for arthritis. Some important ingredients include glucosamine hydrochloride, which is a building block of cartilage and helps cartilage cells grow, chondroitin sulfate, which helps block cartilage-destroying enzymes, and fish oil, which provides a great source of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation .
Some good glucosamine chondroitin supplements for cats are Cosequin and Dasuquin Advanced. Adequan is a polysulfated glycosaminoglycan that helps control cartilage loss, lubricates and reduces joint inflammation.
alternative therapy
There are several therapies that are considered alternative, holistic or complementary. These alternative treatments can be used in conjunction with other arthritis treatments.
Acupuncture is a treatment in which special needles are inserted into specific parts of the body to stimulate pain relief and healing.
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive method that promotes healing, relieves pain and reduces inflammation in affected joints.
Chiropractic adjustments can help restore normal function to the spine and the entire body.
Massage can help relax sore and stiff muscles and increase blood flow.
Hydrotherapy involves swimming pools or underwater treadmills to promote joint mobility, lose weight and exercise while taking weight off painful joints.
Stem cell therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that allows the body to repair and heal.
environmental and lifestyle changes
Making some simple environmental changes for an arthritic cat will help improve its overall quality of life and ability to move around with ease and comfort.
Bedding should be soft, comfortable and easy to access. There should be comfortable places within easy reach of the arthritic cat. Ideally, place bedding in a warm, dark, quiet place away from noise and activity.
Provide ramps or steps for favorite perches, such as furniture, a bed, a window, a cat tree, or other places your kitty likes to sit and spend time looking.
Use non-slip rugs or mats on hard floors where cats like to hang out. These will make it easier for the cat to grasp and walk on, rather than slipping on hard, slippery surfaces.
Limit access to stairs and other places your cat may try to jump up and down.
Provide litter boxes in easily accessible areas and on the lower side. Some cats with arthritis may have difficulty climbing over high edges to get in and out of the litter box. Make sure cats can reach them without taking stairs or walking long walks.
Make sure food and water bowls are within easy reach.
If your cat has trouble reaching to clean their back or rear, help them groom. Don’t forget to trim their claws regularly to help them grip.
weight management
It is very important to carefully and closely monitor the weight of cats with arthritis. Obesity increases the prevalence of arthritis in older cats. Overweight cats are prone to arthritis because being overweight can put a lot of stress on sore joints. If your cat is overweight or obese, ask your veterinarian to help you develop a weight loss plan.
For overweight or obese cats, restrict calories not only from meals but also from treats. Make sure your diet is high in omega-3 fatty acids, low in carbohydrates and fats, and high in protein and fiber. Choose premium cat food from trusted weight loss brands.
It’s also important that your senior cat doesn’t lose much weight. Older cats are also prone to weight and muscle loss, so maintaining balance is very important.
Regular, controlled exercise is also important to maintain your cat’s weight and muscle tone. Older arthritic cats are usually less active. Help your cat stay active by offering physical therapy, range of motion exercises, control and assistance exercises, or hydrotherapy. Inactive cats are prone to stiffness, soreness, and weight gain. Be sure to avoid strenuous exercise and don’t push a cat in pain — make sure the pain is adequately controlled before starting exercise.
Surgery
Surgery is sometimes needed on painful joints to remove bone spurs, smooth bone, and remove diseased cartilage. Consult your veterinarian to see if surgery is right for your arthritic cat.
frequently asked questions
How to treat osteoarthritis in cats?
Osteoarthritis in cats is treated by managing the clinical signs and symptoms of pain, helping to improve mobility and function, and reducing further joint damage. This can be done with anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, supplements, alternative treatments, surgery, etc.
How Long Can a Cat Live With Arthritis?
The prognosis and quality of life at the time of diagnosis of osteoarthritis is different for each cat. Working closely with your veterinarian is important to managing arthritis in cats. While there is no cure for arthritis, cats can enjoy years of arthritis and a good quality of life if symptoms are properly managed.
What can I do for my cat with arthritis?
Work with your veterinarian to develop a long-term management plan for your cat’s arthritis. Change the environment, manage your cat’s weight, manage pain, and be aware of the subtle changes and needs of an arthritic cat.
At what age do cats get arthritis?
Cats can develop arthritis at any age. In most studies of cats with osteoarthritis, the mean age was over 10 years. In a study published in 2002, 90 percent of cats over the age of 12 showed signs of arthritis.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.