You probably marvel at your cat’s agility and athleticism as they leap, pounce, climb, and jump in the air after their feather wand toy. They often channel Simone Biles with their gymnastic abilities! But if your furry Olympian suddenly stops jumping and climbing, they may have feline arthritis.
Feline arthritis is inflammation of a cat’s joints, causing discomfort and decreased mobility. This underdiagnosed condition can affect cats of all ages but is more commonly seen in older cats. Timely recognition and management are crucial for ensuring your feline friend’s well-being. Fortunately, State Ave Veterinary Clinic has some new treatments for helping your kitty feel better, but first, learn what feline arthritis is and how you can recognize this condition.
Quality of life for cats with arthritis
This condition’s impact on a cat’s quality of life can be significant. Cats with arthritis may experience pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility, affecting their ability to engage in everyday activities such as jumping, climbing, and grooming. A diminished quality of life can lead to a cat’s frustration, stress, and decreased overall well-being. Arthritis can also result in behavior changes, including increased hiding, reduced interaction with other pets and people, and changes in litter box habits.
By helping maintain your arthritic cat’s quality of life, you promote their overall health and happiness. In addition, by understanding the impact of arthritis on your whiskered pal’s daily life, you can ensure they receive effective treatment to improve their comfort and mobility and continue to enjoy a fulfilling and pain-free life.
Feline arthritis signs
Arthritis in cats can be caused by joint injury, genetics, or age-related wear and tear. However, the signs are often subtle and may be accompanied by behavioral changes such as hiding. You may notice a stiff gait or limping, difficulty getting around, and inappropriate urination if your cat struggles to get in and out of the litter box. Other feline arthritis signs may include:
- Difficulty climbing or jumping
- Difficulty lying down or getting up
- Inability to groom or resistance to being groomed, resulting in a matted or unkempt coat
- New heat-seeking behavior such as lying next to the coffee pot
Because cats’ arthritis signs can be subtle, owners often mistake them for normal aging, which prevents your whiskered pal from getting a definitive diagnosis and pain-relieving treatment. Cats are experts at hiding pain or discomfort, making it crucial for cat owners to be vigilant and proactive in observing changes in their whiskered pal’s mobility or behavior.
Feline arthritis causes and risk factors
Certain risk factors predispose cats to arthritis. Schedule an appointment with our State Ave Veterinary Clinic team so that we can assess your whiskered pal’s condition and provide appropriate treatment and pain relief if they exhibit feline arthritis signs and are predisposed to the condition because of these risk factors:
- Breed — Certain cat breeds, such as Maine coons and Persians, are more susceptible to arthritis than other breeds.
- Weight — Being overweight puts extra stress on the joints, causing wear and tear that can lead to arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight by feeding your cat a balanced diet and ensuring they exercise regularly can help reduce their arthritis risk.
- Age — Age is a significant risk factor in cats. Most cats older than 10 years of age are susceptible to the condition.
Feline arthritis diagnosis and treatment
Early feline arthritis diagnosis is important so our team can manage your whiskered pal’s pain, helping improve their quality of life. Diagnostics include:
- Physical exam — Our team performs your cat’s nose-to-tail exam, which includes joint palpation and manipulation to test for discomfort and decreased range of motion.
- X-rays — We may recommend X-rays to determine the extent of your cat’s joint damage.
If our team diagnoses arthritis in your cat, they do not have to continue suffering. Several strategies can help improve arthritic cats’ comfort and mobility:
- Providing a comfortable living environment — Ensure your home is conducive to your arthritic cat’s needs. Provide your whiskered pal with soft bedding in a warm, quiet area and easy access to food, water, and the litter box.
- Managing their weight — If your cat is overweight, work with our veterinarian to develop a weight management plan to reduce stress on their joints.
- Providing regular low-impact exercise — Encourage gentle, low-impact activities to keep your cat moving without putting too much strain on their joints. Interactive play with appropriate toys can help maintain their mobility.
- Giving joint supplements — Our veterinarian often recommends joint supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, which can support your cat’s joint health.
- Scheduling veterinary care — Regular checkups with our veterinarian can help monitor your cat’s condition and ensure they are receiving appropriate treatment and pain relief.
- Having our team administer Solensia — Solensia is an injectable monoclonal antibody therapy administered monthly to control feline arthritis pain. Our team can administer Solensia, which is a new therapy for arthritic cats that targets nerve growth factor to reduce joint pain.
By considering your whiskered pal’s arthritis risk factors and learning how to recognize arthritis signs, you can help ensure they stay comfortable by receiving arthritis pain relief. Make your cat’s arthritis assessment appointment with our State Ave Veterinary Clinic team.
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