Feline arthritis is a condition that is often difficult to identify, yet it is painful and debilitating for domestic cats. Here is how to spot it and treat it.
Arthritis in cats is often underestimated and not fully understood by owners. By nature, cats do not like to be seen struggling and, even when in pain, will simply try to limit their movements as much as possible, withdrawing to solitary spots and showing little inclination to be fussed over. The pain of arthritis, more than most conditions, causes domestic cats to change their habits without us realising the extent of their suffering. Unlike dogs, cats do not limp, which makes it even harder to tell whether they are in pain and where. In this respect, feline arthritis becomes a truly little-known and poorly understood condition — rather like cystitis, an insidious disease that frequently affects felines and requires the help of their human companion to be fully decoded by the treating vet.
Perhaps more than with any other feline condition, observation and love for one's cat are essential for detecting arthritis in time. And the contribution of the treating vet becomes fundamental for managing the discomfort and pain caused by the disease.
We therefore hand over to Dr Gianni Marinacci, veterinary surgeon, for a thorough examination of the problem.
Arthritis is common in cats and is very often underestimated. A characteristic of the species is, in fact, the instinct not to be seen struggling by potential predators, and so a cat will rarely walk around the house with a noticeable limp; instead, it will limit its movements as much as possible, very often becoming a sort of ornament. Another important feature is the loss of previously established habits. The domestic cat no longer jumps onto the bed, defecates outside the litter tray, and no longer covers its waste because movement has become difficult and painful.
Once the condition has been identified, what treatments are available?
Therapies for the joint damage caused by arthritis involve the use of NSAIDs during the acute phase and, subsequently, the management of the condition through high-concentration fatty acids and chondroprotective agents. It is also important to ensure an adequate intake of nutrients in elderly and sick animals that reduce their movement due to joint pain. In recent years, several scientific papers have been published demonstrating how metronomic doses (low dose, but every day) of certain NSAIDs can not only greatly assist in pain management, but also cause no harm to kidney function even in elderly patients already affected by chronic kidney disease.
The management of arthritis in cats can also be greatly supported by the use of alternative and complementary therapies. We discuss this with Dr Francesca Parisi, veterinary surgeon.
In cases of feline arthritis, various alternative therapies can be used to keep the situation under control, slow the degenerative process and minimise the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. There are several effective types of herbal remedies, food supplements and cannabis-derived products. The important thing in this case is to ask your trusted vet to recommend the product that may be most suitable for your four-legged friend. Homoeopathy can also be of great help in treating this condition and can be combined with acupuncture or laser treatments.
But is it easy to help a cat in these cases? Isn't a hands-on approach difficult?
It is true that cats are often not easy to treat, and each individual may respond differently to therapies and to handling by the vet. It is precisely for this reason that, in the case of felines, it is even more important to establish an ad hoc protocol that adapts as closely as possible to individual needs. For example, some cats cannot tolerate taking products orally and, in such cases, manual therapies such as acupuncture, massage or local laser treatment can be good solutions. In some cases, home treatment may be the preferred option instead. Often, in fact, in their own environment cats are more docile and allow themselves to be handled. Moreover, this approach reduces the stress of transport. Finally, using pheromone sprays in the environment where laser or acupuncture treatment takes place can be a helpful strategy.