Complete Care for Your Aging Cat - Amy Shojai [68]
Morris Animal Foundation has funded a pilot study at the University of Montreal to look at both the behavior and anatomy of cats to diagnose the disease. Dr. Eric Troncy, professor at the University of Montreal says MRI is much more sensitive in showing structural changes in the limbs of cats, which can help veterinarians identify joint disease. In animals with the disease, the normal cartilage cushion in the joint breaks down, and the bones rub against each other, but the resulting damage may not be visible on traditional X-rays.
Cats with arthritis walk differently and put more weight on their unaffected limbs. The researchers will develop a pain scale and a quality-of-life scale with gait analysis and telemetered locomotor activity monitors. This is the first study designed to validate both the objective and subjective pain of feline arthritis, and may lead to more effective diagnosis and treatment.
Senior Symptoms
Cats rarely vocalize from pain. “They’re very stoic creatures,” says Dr. Linn. “Owners frequently don’t think their animals are in pain until they’re having a really tough time getting around.”
Overall reduction in activity, sleeping a lot, and simply not moving at all, especially in the morning. Movement warms up the joints and mobility often improves later in the day.
Reluctance to jump up onto, or off of the couch, the bed, or the countertop, or use the stairs.
Failure to groom
Limping or holding up a paw or leg
Specialized tissue called cartilage cushions the ends of the bones that form joints, and allows the bones to move freely against each other. A joint capsule encases the cartilage and contains a fluid-producing membrane that lubricates and maintains cartilage health. The natural motion of the joint pumps this synovial fluid where it’s needed.
Injury to the cartilage from trauma, such as broken bones, predisposes the cat to arthritis as he ages. Damage and inflammation develop when the bones fit imperfectly in the joint and erode the cartilage when they rub together. Damaged cartilage releases inflammation-causing enzymes, which interferes with elasticity, and the ability of the joint capsule to nourish and repair itself. The resulting pain causes cats to stop moving, and that causes even more damage when loss of motion reduces the distribution of the synovial fluid.
Loose or torn tendons are more common in dogs but can also occur in cats. Tendons and ligaments normally hold the bones in place, and tears cause joint instability that leads to arthritis. For example, a torn anterior cruciate ligament can cause knee instability that eventually results in arthritis.
It’s hard to say which cat breeds are more prone to arthritic changes because no specific studies have been done. Greater weight places more stress on the joints, so larger cats such as Maine Coon cats and those that are overweight tend to have more arthritis. Any cat can develop it, though, and they become more prone the older they get.
The most common area affected is the hip, which may develop as a consequence of dysplasia. This is a developmental disease in which the hip joints do not fit correctly. Lightweight and athletic cats often compensate and may never show problems, but as they age, they’re more likely to experience discomfort. Elbows, back, and knees also may develop arthritis. Affected cats typically have trouble keeping themselves well groomed because it hurts them to stretch and flex to reach everywhere.
Arthritis usually is diagnosed based on symptoms and X-rays. Once arthritis is diagnosed, therapy consists of any one or combination of surgery, physical therapy, medical management (drugs), weight control, and acupuncture.
Nonsurgical Treatment
James L. Cook, DVM, an orthopedic surgeon at University of Missouri, recommends a triad approach to the nonsurgical management of arthritis. This includes weight control, exercise, and pain relief such as medication, acupuncture or other therapies.
The first thing to realize is that a cure is not possible.