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If your cat no longer appears interested
in playing with her favorite mouse toy for hours on end, there may
be a good reason—osteoarthritis. A chronic, degenerative joint
disease that makes movement difficult and painful, osteoarthritis
mainly strikes pets in their middle and senior years. However,
younger animals can also be affected. In fact, studies show that
approximately 20% of dogs have the condition in some form and,
even though they are less prone, cats can also suffer from it.
It can be heartbreaking to see your once lively, always active
best friend begin to limp, or notice his or her obvious pain when
moving around. There is no cure for osteoarthritis. However, if it
is treated promptly, there is a great deal that you and your
veterinarian can do to decrease your pet’s discomfort and increase
his or her mobility.
Early warning signs
of osteoarthritis:
- Difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and out
of the litter box
- An overall decrease in activity, especially play
- Resting more than usual
- Slowness in getting up from a lying position
- Failing to groom themselves or eating less, with a resulting
loss of weight
- Slow or stiff movements upon waking, after a rest, or in cold
weather
- Beginning to limp
- Swollen joint(s) that is warm to the touch
- Licking or biting at a joint
- Personality change—your pet no longer likes to be touched
- If you notice any of the signs above, don’t just think that
your pet is “slowing down with age.” Take him or her to see your
vet! The faster osteoarthritis is first diagnosed and treated, the
better your pet’s quality of life will be.
What
causes osteoarthritis?
There are many causes, but practically
all can be grouped into two main categories:
- Abnormal stress on normal joints
- An injury that damages a joint
- “Wear and tear”: joints are subjected to repeated loads or
stress
- Obesity: an excessive load is put on joints
- Normal stress on abnormal joints
- Developmental defects that alter the shape or stability of a
joint
- Poor limb conformation: bow legs or knock knees can cause an
uneven load on a joint
Whatever the specific cause, stress on
a joint can begin a destructive cycle of inflammation of the
joint area and damage to the cartilage that leads to pain for
your pet.
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How is
osteoarthritis treated?
Treatment includes three main components,
each equally important.
- Weight control
Cats that suffer from chronic pain caused
by conditions like osteoarthritis often become inactive, which can
result in obesity. Controlling your pet’s weight will lighten the
load on arthritic joints and make it less difficult to move
around. Just as for humans, weight loss for animals involves both
a well-balanced, calorie-reduced diet and regular exercise. Ask
your veterinarian for advice on the proper diet for your cat.
- Exercise is
essential because it contributes to strengthening the muscles that
support joints. Daily, moderate amounts of low-impact exercise
also improves joint mobility and can help get a lethargic,
arthritic pet active again. Cats can profit from play that keeps
them moving without excessive jumping.
Consult your veterinarian about what amount and type of exercise
would be best for your pet. Also, be aware that your cat’s
osteoarthritic pain may be more severe at certain times than
others. If this is the case, let your pet take a break from his or
her exercise routine for a few days, until the painful flare-up
subsides.
- Anti-inflammatory
drugs combat inflammation in the joints,
thus relieving pain, increasing mobility, and protecting the joint
from further damage. As joint pain may vary according to the
amount of exercise, the weather or season, or for other, unknown
factors, your veterinarian may prescribe anti- inflammatory
medication such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
as treatment. Newer NSAID drugs are proving to be especially
effective in reducing inflammation and pain to improve mobility
without the significant side effects - including gastrointestinal
problems - previously associated with NSAID use. Ask your
veterinarian for more information.
In addition to the above, your veterinarian
may also suggest physical therapy, cold or hot packs and baths,
massage or acupuncture as well as glucosamine and chondroitin to
help control pain. In extreme cases surgery may also be indicated.
What’s the
outlook for a pet with osteoarthritis?
 Osteoarthritis
may progress very slowly (over several years) or very quickly (you
might notice a major change in just a few weeks or months). It all
depends on your pet’s age, his or her activity level, the joints
involved and the underlying cause. Some pets’ pain and loss of
mobility can be kept to a minimum for long periods of time with a
simple regimen of weight control, moderate, regular exercise and the
occasional use of anti-inflammatory drugs if flare-ups occur. For
others, severe damage to the joints may occur rapidly and require
long-term medication and other therapy. In either case, your
veterinarian can determine the best course of treatment for your
pet’s particular condition. There is no reason why, with your loving
attention and committed care, as well as your veterinarian’s
guidance, your osteoarthritic pet cannot have a happy, healthy and
comfortable life for many years to come.
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