Cat Arthritis Treatment

Unlike humans, cats have built in shock absorbers to prevent their limbs from getting damage during large falls or jumps. Whereas most humans end up with arthritis as a result of old age, cats are surprisingly versatile and resilient to arthritis. However, there are cases when this resilience is diminished and arthritis can occur. Most of the time, cat arthritis is due to accidents, such as car accidents or another major impact injury, however in some rare cases a cat’s connective tissue and/or bones can start to degrade, which leads to arthritis over time. In this article, we will discuss some of the basic symptoms and issues that arise from cat arthritis so that you can tell if your cat is affected now or in the future.

Cat arthritis is difficult to diagnose because your cat cannot simply tell you that their joints are in pain. The typical symptoms are join pain and inflammation, but unless you notice your cat limping or being much less active than before, you probably won’t notice. Now, if your cat has been injured by a car accident, then there is a good chance that their bone structure has been damaged. In this case, you should definitely speak with a veterinarian about doing X-Rays to watch the development of the condition.

With anti-inflammatory medications, your cat should be able to rebound from injury. However, these medications are more of a short-term fix than a long-term fix. If your cat is overweight or out of shape, your doctor might recommend a diet or exercise routine to help your cat reduce its weight so that there is less pressure on the joints. Lastly, in the event of severe osteoarthritis, your vet might recommend surgery to repair the bone or connective tissue. Although this surgery can be expensive, it might be the only way you can prevent your cat from living a life of pain and misery.

Just like humans, cat’s bones and joints get more fragile with age. As your cat gets older, you would do well to get regular checkups and tests to make sure that your cat isn’t suffering from joint swelling or inflammation. Although it is a rare condition with cats, it can occur. If your cat is overweight or obese, then your cat is at a much higher risk of arthritis simply because the joints are not used to that sort of pressure. Pay close attention to your cat’s behavior and look for any signs of limping or joint sensitivity. Try and keep your cat in good health by feeding him or her proper food amounts and letting them get plenty of exercise. If you find a problem, make sure that you schedule a checkup at the local veterinarian’s office.