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As with humans, cats can suffer from many joint-related illnesses such as feline rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that produces inflammation and muscle pain, among other symptoms. This disease is not easy to detect, as cats tend to hide very well when they are in pain, it is difficult for us to detect that our pet suffers from this disease if we do not know the signs to be aware of.
That's why it's important to know the Arthritis symptoms in cats, just like yours treatment and the special care we must offer to the feline. If this topic is of interest to you, continue reading this article by PeritoAnimal and learn 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 a cat of any age and is characterized by inflammation of the joints and the wear of the protective layers that cover the animal's joints, something that causes pain, stiffness and loss. mobility, among other symptoms. This disease is degenerative, that is, it gets worse over the years and should not be confused with arthrosis. In general, arthrosis affects cats that are already old, unlike arthritis, which causes the progressive loss of cartilage, which in turn causes the bones to rub and wear out. Although arthritis and arthrosis in cats (and other living things) are very similar, they are not the same thing.
At causes that can cause rheumatoid arthritis in cats are diverse and may have different origins:
- Post-traumatic: due to injuries, blows or trauma that the feline has suffered.
- Infectious: due to germs or bacteria that may have affected the joints.
- Genetics: 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 it) of the joints.
- Obesity and overweight: it is not a direct cause but it can aggravate the symptoms and favor joint inflammation if not controlled.
Arthritis Symptoms in Cats
The symptoms your cat may have if it has rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Inflammation of the joints.
- Loss of mobility and less exercise than usual.
- Muscle pain and atrophy.
- Joints to snap.
- Difficulty and stiffness in moving, jumping, climbing stairs, getting up, etc...
- Change in the usual mood, you may notice him indifferent, apathetic, distant, etc...
Detecting arthritis in cats is not an easy task as these animals are quite skilled in the art of hiding weaknesses, as usually do not usually complain or show pain when they have it. So if your cat shows any of these signs it is important to take him to the veterinarian immediately for a complete diagnosis which will include, depending on its evolution, a blood test, a history of the injury or trauma suffered and x-rays to see the state of the cat's bones.
Cat Arthritis Treatment
The treatment of feline arthritis begins with the prescription, always by the veterinarian, of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) to relieve pain and minimize joint inflammation, as well as the administration of pharmacological supplements such as chondroitin or glucosamine to help relieve the animal's symptoms. Surgery is always the last option and is only performed if the arthritis is very developed and the veterinarian deems it really necessary.
But in addition to conventional medical treatments with analgesics for cats, some homeopathic remedies for cats and cats can also help to improve feline arthritis. natural remedies such as lecithin, sodium sulfate or calcium fluoride, or even with acupuncture and therapeutic massages.
To prevent the onset of arthritis in cats, it is advisable for the animal to have adequate food and exercise regularly and moderately, so that its musculoskeletal system will remain in good condition and it will be less likely to suffer from this disease. If the cat is overweight or obese, it is recommended to reduce weight to reduce the load that your joints have to support and reduce inflammation. You can consult this article if you want to know some exercises for obese cats or consult a balanced diet with your veterinarian.
Cat Arthritis Care
In addition to regular exercise and proper nutrition, if your cat has arthritis you should provide a range of special cares to make your life easier and your illness lighter.
First, your feline needs to be as comfortable as possible at home, so you should put blankets or several soft towels on your bed and everywhere you know you're going to lie down. This way your cat will rest much better and your joints will hurt much less than if your body touches flat surfaces directly, reducing possible damage. Also, you can include some compresses or hot water bags in your padded bed to relieve inflammation of the affected areas. The cold and humidity aggravate the pain of arthritis in cats, so you need to make your house a warm, dry place without sudden changes in temperature. You should also avoid slippery floors so you don't risk your cat falling down by accident.
It is also necessary for your cat to have the minimum possible obstacles when you live at home, because if you used to be able to climb to some place that was your favorite and now you can't, it would be good to provide a ramp instead of stairs or other surfaces that will cause more pain in your joints if you have to. climb them, like bookshelves or boxes. In addition, your litter box and your feeder/drinking bowl should also be located in an area where the cat can easily reach, so if you have a house with several floors, the ideal would be to have a litter box and a feeder/ drinking fountain on each floor so you don't have to keep going up and down.
And finally, you must avoid at all costs that your cat becomes stressed and must treat him with great care, love and patience, so that he knows he can count on you. A peaceful, comfortable and unobstructed environment are the keys to keeping your cat happy.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.