What is arthritis
Cat arthritis is divided into primary arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and secondary arthritis. And most cats suffer from secondary arthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis.
Degenerative arthritis is a broad term. These include osteoarthritis, deforming spondylosis of inflamed disc (non-synovial) joints, isolated degenerative conditions such as degenerative soft tissue calcifications in the joints, and traumatic arthritis.
Arthritis is most commonly caused by degeneration of articular cartilage:
In normal joints , There is a certain gap between the two bones, and there is a synovial fluid and a cartilage layer to provide lubrication and cushioning, so the joint can bend freely, but with age, the cartilage of the joint increases. It is lost, degenerated, worn, and the lubricating effect of synovial fluid is reduced, leading to inflammation and discomfort, which can lead to pain and difficulty walking in cats. Ongoing joint damage can also cause secondary lesions in surrounding tissues.
Therefore, older cats have a very high probability of developing arthritis.
The principle of arthritis
In addition, in addition to arthritis caused by the degeneration of articular cartilage, there are also Arthritis, which is caused by the formation of new bone on the surfaces and edges of joints, is simply hyperplasia:
Where does arthritis usually occur?
Arthritis-prone areas: legs, buttocks, and spine. More precisely, common locations: shoulder, hip, elbow, etc.
Symptoms of arthritis
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Cats are very tolerant animals and can hide their pain very well, so it is often difficult for owners to find out. If a cat suffers from arthritis, it may have the following manifestations:
① Movement is restricted: I do not like to jump, hesitate for a long time before jumping, or even refuse to jump; the height of the jump is not high, if the arthritis is severe, there will be stiffness in the legs, which may appear obvious after sleeping or resting for a period of time of lameness. Walking is slow.
②Reduced activity: cats become less active and playful, often lie on their stomachs, lie down, do not move often, and spend more time sleeping.
③ I don’t like grooming: because grooming requires body folding, arthritis pain will cause cats to change grooming habits, reduce grooming frequency, and reduce grooming movements.
④ Personality will change: I don’t like being picked up or petted, become more irritable, like to be alone with cats, and I don’t like to interact with people or cats.
Causes of Arthritis
The causes of Arthritis are probably as follows:
①Aging:
Like humans, the body will degenerate when old. Studies have shown that nearly 70% of cats over 12 years old will encounter arthritis. . Because the older the cat, the more serious the wear and tear of the cartilage in the joints
We may feel that the cat is not as flexible as before, will not jump up and down, and exercise less than before, but in fact, the cat may endure long-term tolerance joint pain.
② Genetic factors:
Some cats are at a higher risk of developing arthritis than others: Maine Coons, Persians, Siamese cats are prone to hip development Malformed, Abyssinian and Devon Rex cats prone to patellar luxation, achondroplasia in Scottish Folds
③ Obesity factors:
A cat being overweight can cause a lot of problems, including arthritis. When the cat gets fatter and heavier, the weight on each joint will also increase. More, more stress, so fat cats are more likely to develop arthritis and their joints will deteriorate faster.
④ Trauma:
Trauma in cats is also an important reason why cats may develop arthritis: such as fractures, dislocations and other joint injuries. These can lead to abnormal joint conformation, which can lead to secondary osteoarthritis
⑤ Acromegaly:
Acromegaly cats secrete too much growth hormone . Affected cats often develop diabetes, and some cats also develop secondary arthritis in the joints.
How to treat
① Medication:
Medications can be very effective in controlling Pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, but should only be used under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, as any medication has side effects.
The most common class of drugs used to treat arthritis pain are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Be careful to use the lowest dose and be precise in cats; most commonly used is meloxicam, 0.02mg/kg PO q24h, or follow specific drug labeling
if using NSAIDs Alternative or supplemental analgesic (pain relief) medications may be required in inappropriate or inadequate situations. Includes: buprenorphine, amantadine, tramadol, and gabapentin.
Note: All of these medications must be used only under your veterinary supervision
②Diet management:
Obesity or overweight can exacerbate arthritis, so weight loss is a top priority: Avoid feeding your cat high-calorie, high-protein foods.
Supplement with essential fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids (EFAs) and glycosaminoglycans (such as glucosamine and chondroitin) that reduce inflammation.
③ Environmental management
Environmental management refers to changing the environment to maintain a good quality of life for cats.
For example, setting up some stairs or passages so that cats can Avoiding jumps makes it easier to get where you want to go. Make sure food and water are easily accessible, and cats don’t have to jump to get food, water, or litter
A soft, comfortable, dry litter is also required. A wet and cold environment can exacerbate a cat’s discomfort.
Groom your cat frequently and trim her nails regularly, as self-cleaning and paw grinding are essential for cats with arthritis Hard and painful things.
④ How to prevent?
You can give cats appropriate calcium supplements in their infancy, and choose high-quality cat food when choosing cat food. The most important thing is, don’t keep cats fat and obese for cuteness The invisible killer of cats.
Finally, the treatment of cat arthritis is a very tedious and lengthy thing, which requires our long-term patient care, and we should always pay attention to the changes in the cat’s behavior and body, especially for those cats that are getting older , I hope our fur children are all well!
