Dear Dr. Robin: My 17-year-old cat began having difficulty moving around several years ago. It began as an increased sensitivity to his back being touched and a tendency to walk with his tail down or straight out behind him. We have tried homeopathic remedies as well as steroids.
His blood tests are normal. Urine tests late last year seemed to indicate reduced kidney function. The only back/hip injury I know of is a backward fall from a windowsill when he was about 6 years old. He seemed a little stiff after that, but seemed to recover fully.
Is there anything more we can do to increase his comfort and mobility? Is there anything else besides arthritis that could be affecting him?
– S.K.
A: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition of the joints. The cartilage on the bones within the joints deteriorates and the inflammation within the joints leads to pain and reduced comfort and mobility. Any joint has the opportunity to develop OA, and any animal with joints (knees, hips, elbows, etc.) can suffer the pain and debilitation of that disease.
We may not be able to link OA to a specific injury. X-rays combined with a thorough physical examination and pain assessment are used to diagnose and localize osteoarthritis.
OA in dogs has received lots of attention in recent years, and the result has been the release of multiple medications that assist dogs with pain and inflammation, keeping them comfortable and mobile. Unfortunately, cats are not taken as seriously by the drug companies because of the general perception that the market (and consequently, the moneymaking potential) may not be as large with cat patients as with dogs.
Fortunately, cats with OA can be helped, provided the veterinarian is willing to work from a multimodal perspective. One important source for information is the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (ivapm.org). There is information on the site for both pet owners and veterinarians.
Homeopathy does not help OA. Cortisone (steroids) actually speeds the degeneration of joint tissues. Modification of the home environment, nutritional supplements for joint support, physical rehabilitation techniques, as well as acupuncture are options that, when combined, have a synergistic effect.
They work better together than any one alone. In addition, we now understand that there are medications that can be used “off label” in cats to provide real pain relief. Owners of arthritic cats need to find and work with a veterinarian who has expertise in feline pain management.
Dr. Robin Downing will respond to your questions in her weekly column, but cannot answer individually. Send questions to Robin Downing, DVM, P.O. Box 460, Windsor, CO 80550, or drrobin@windsorvet.com.
