Cats and Arthritis

It's kind of amazing when you think about all the health conditions that cats and people share.  Another one for the list is arthritis.  It's long been known that arthritis is common in older dogs but diagnosing it in cats is newer.  This may be because cats are such experts and not showing signs of pain and also because veterinarians have only recently been diagnosing it in cats.  Several senior BCR cats have arthritis, including Gallie and Sargent.

Thanks to some helpful scientific studies, veterinary medicine is just now seeing how common arthritis in cats actually is.  A 2002 study reviewed radiographs of older cats and results indicated that 90% of the cats over 12 years in the study group old showed evidence of arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases.  More recent studies show arthritis in 60-90% of the reviewed radiographs.   All this evidence confirms that arthritis is, in fact, common in older cats.  Arthritis most often affects a cat's shoulders, hips, elbows, knees and ankles.  Some cats may also develop spondylosis, which targets the spine.

So far, arthritis in humans and cats is looking pretty similar!   Most arthritis is defined as osteoarthritis (OA), where the cartilage cushioning joints gets worn away, leading to inflammation, pain and related problems.  OA comes from wear and tear on the joints over a lifetime but can also be caused by a joint injury or abnormality in the joint itself. 

In addition to age and injury, genetic factors can trigger arthritis in cats.  These include hip dysplasia (often seen in breeds like Maine Coon, Persian and Siamese cats); dislocation of the knee cap (Abyssinian and Devon Rex breeds); and an abnormality in the joint cartilage itself (Scottish Fold breed).

Additional potential causes for feline arthritis are:
 - Obesity
 - Ligament injury
 - Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections
 - Trauma
 - Infection

If cats are good at hiding pain, there are other signs of arthritis a cat parent can look for.  These may include:
 - Lameness
 - Changes in how they walk, their posture and how they sit
 - Reduced activity
 - Changes in grooming
 - Increased grumpiness
 - Difficulty sitting or getting up.
 - Swollen joints
 - Clicking sound when joints move
 - Decreased range of motion.

An observant cat parent will notice any of the above right away.  It's always important to be vigilant about your cat's behavior since sometimes that's the only indicator you'll get for something being wrong.  This becomes even more important as cats get older.  International Cat Care has a downloadable mobility check list that anyone can use to help figure out if their cat is showing any signs of arthritis. 

If you suspect your senior kitty is showing some symptoms, call your vet right away.  To diagnose arthritis, your vet will do a thorough exam that will look for pain or swelling in joints or other physical changes in your cat.  To confirm a diagnosis of arthritis, the vet will probably do an X-ray, which will reveal any changes to the bones.  To rule out any other possible causes for the symptoms, the vet may also recommend blood work.  This is where we'll say again how important it is for your vet to have a comprehensive health record for your cat based on regular visits and check ups.  Knowing your cat's basic health status will help the vet make the right diagnosis every time.

If the diagnosis is arthritis, there are several ways to treat it.  The first step is to reduce pain through medications that are safe for cats.  Some supplements, like glucosamine/chondroitin and Omega-3 fatty acids may also help. It's also been shown that cold laser therapy, acupuncture and warm compresses reduce pain.  Lifestyle changes may also be necessary, like helping an obese cat lose weight through a special diet.  Making sure there are soft beds in draft-free places in the home, adding steps or a ramp to help cats reach their favorite spots, and even making sure the litter box is low enough for easy access all help reduce your cat's discomfort when dealing with arthritis.

Arthritis isn't a reversible condition but it can be managed so your cat continues to enjoy life.  Always work with your vet to find the best program of pain management and lifestyle changes that will keep your cat comfortable.

CLICK HERE to read more about feline arthritis from icatcare.org.

CLICK HERE to read more from PetMD.com.