Osteoarthritis in Cats
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis found in cats.
It is often referred to degenerative joint disease or simply degenerative arthritis.
This condition occurs when the cartilage covering the articulating surface of a joint wears out and the underlying bone becomes jagged or rough; thus leading to joint damage.
Osteoarthritis in cats occurs primarily in joints that have been negatively impacted by some form of trauma.
Examples of this would be fractures, extreme overuse, and dislocations.
Osteoarthritis frequently occurs after the age of 7 or 8 but can occur at any time.
Common signs typically seen in cats with osteoarthritis are lameness and stiffness.
Lameness is the most apparent when the cat wakes up but tends to get better as the day wears on.
Jumps that your cat regularly made without hesitation will be met with reluctance due to pain and/or stiffness.
Cold temperatures and/or dampness only exacerbate the condition.
Cats may show swelling around the damaged joint and muscle atrophy on legs with arthritic conditions.
If you think your cat may be struggling with this condition pay close attention changes in behavior.
The symptoms will likely be obvious.
If you feel additional confirmation is needed an x-ray is the most reliable option.
The x-ray will show bone spurs at points where the ligaments and joint capsule attach to the bone.
There may be an increase in bone density around the joint with varying degrees of joint space narrowing.
In review, at some point joints simply wear out.
While osteoarthritis in cats in not a curable there are a four simple step you can take to help reduce the pain and discomfort.
* First, make sure your cat has a warm place to sleep.
We use a heating pad at our house and it seems to work well.
If you do decide on a heating pad use low to medium heat and make sure your cat gets plenty of water.
* Second, make sure your cat gets moderate exercise.
The key word here is moderate.
This will keep the muscles strong and joints flexible.
Combining water therapy with exercise would be an excellent option if your cat will tolerate it.
* Third, osteoarthritis in cats can be accelerated by obesity.
If your cat is over weight consider a diet plan.
* Fourth, learn more about supplemental formulas for cat osteoarthritis and joint health.
Look for products that contain glucosamine and chondroitin.
These natural pet joint health formulas have been shown to repair joint cartilage and prevent further damage.
It is often referred to degenerative joint disease or simply degenerative arthritis.
This condition occurs when the cartilage covering the articulating surface of a joint wears out and the underlying bone becomes jagged or rough; thus leading to joint damage.
Osteoarthritis in cats occurs primarily in joints that have been negatively impacted by some form of trauma.
Examples of this would be fractures, extreme overuse, and dislocations.
Osteoarthritis frequently occurs after the age of 7 or 8 but can occur at any time.
Common signs typically seen in cats with osteoarthritis are lameness and stiffness.
Lameness is the most apparent when the cat wakes up but tends to get better as the day wears on.
Jumps that your cat regularly made without hesitation will be met with reluctance due to pain and/or stiffness.
Cold temperatures and/or dampness only exacerbate the condition.
Cats may show swelling around the damaged joint and muscle atrophy on legs with arthritic conditions.
If you think your cat may be struggling with this condition pay close attention changes in behavior.
The symptoms will likely be obvious.
If you feel additional confirmation is needed an x-ray is the most reliable option.
The x-ray will show bone spurs at points where the ligaments and joint capsule attach to the bone.
There may be an increase in bone density around the joint with varying degrees of joint space narrowing.
In review, at some point joints simply wear out.
While osteoarthritis in cats in not a curable there are a four simple step you can take to help reduce the pain and discomfort.
* First, make sure your cat has a warm place to sleep.
We use a heating pad at our house and it seems to work well.
If you do decide on a heating pad use low to medium heat and make sure your cat gets plenty of water.
* Second, make sure your cat gets moderate exercise.
The key word here is moderate.
This will keep the muscles strong and joints flexible.
Combining water therapy with exercise would be an excellent option if your cat will tolerate it.
* Third, osteoarthritis in cats can be accelerated by obesity.
If your cat is over weight consider a diet plan.
* Fourth, learn more about supplemental formulas for cat osteoarthritis and joint health.
Look for products that contain glucosamine and chondroitin.
These natural pet joint health formulas have been shown to repair joint cartilage and prevent further damage.