Why does my cat have arthritis in her legs?
It can affect any joint in the body but is most common in the legs and spine. It is common in older cats due to natural wear and tear on the joints. Younger cats can develop arthritis if they have an injury, or their joints haven’t developed properly. The bones in a healthy joint have a smooth surface and healthy joint fluid.
How old does a cat have to be to have arthritis?
If your cat is hesitating to jump, or is looking at his favorite chair and then just walking away, maybe old George is in considerable arthritic pain. Age, weight, health status and previous injuries play a big role in feline arthritis. Most cats don’t develop obvious signs of arthritis until they are at least 10 years old.
Why does my 19 year old cat have wobbly back legs?
Our 19 year old cat has suddenly developed wobbly back legs and twice in the last couple of days has slightly staggered to the side when walking. She’s also lost quite a lot of weight over the last few weeks. I’m going to take her to the vet tomorrow but I just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar. I’m a vet nurse.
What are the symptoms of weak back legs in cats?
Weak and stiff back legs in cats can come on suddenly, or more gradually. Symptoms that you may notice include: Lameness (limping) Struggling to stand; Slow or stiff walking; Unsteady back legs; Holding a leg off the floor while standing; Dragging the back paws; Legs giving out or collapsing; Paralysis – unable to move the legs at all
If your cat is hesitating to jump, or is looking at his favorite chair and then just walking away, maybe old George is in considerable arthritic pain. Age, weight, health status and previous injuries play a big role in feline arthritis. Most cats don’t develop obvious signs of arthritis until they are at least 10 years old.
What happens when a cat has back arthritis?
When cat arthritis occurs in the back legs it can greatly limit your cat’s mobility. In some cases, cat arthritis can cause lameness where the cat will begin limping or favoring one leg when they walk. Many times, this causes the cat to become much less active and spend more time resting:
Why does my cat not walk on her back legs?
But when a cat has problems walking or putting weight on its back legs, it’s much harder to hide. Weakness and stiffness can be due to bone, ligament, muscle problems, nerve damage, neurological issues, or organ failure. It can be triggered by injury (sprains, strains, and broken bones), or by a progressive disease, such as arthritis.
Weak and stiff back legs in cats can come on suddenly, or more gradually. Symptoms that you may notice include: Lameness (limping) Struggling to stand; Slow or stiff walking; Unsteady back legs; Holding a leg off the floor while standing; Dragging the back paws; Legs giving out or collapsing; Paralysis – unable to move the legs at all
What kind of arthritis does a 12 year old cat have?
However, recent studies looking at radiographs of older cats produced startling results. In one study published in 2002, 90% of cats over 12 years of age had evidence of degenerative joint disease. This included cats with so-called ‘spondylosis’ of the spine (a form of degenerative joint disease).
Is it difficult to treat arthritis in cats?
Treating arthritis in cats can be more challenging than treating dogs for a couple of reasons: If medication is needed, we all know how difficult daily dosing of meds can be in a cat. And cats have peculiar problems when it comes to using anti-inflammatories, the mainstay of treating arthritis.
What causes a cat to lose its back legs?
Acquired heart disease develops later in life, and is more common in older cats. It can be triggered by an injury, infection, or wear and tear on the heart muscle. Heart disease can cause a gradual weakening of a cat’s back legs, if inadequate blood flow reaches the legs. It can also lead to sudden paralysis of the hind limbs.
What kind of arthritis does a cat have?
Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, causes pain and inflammation in a cat ’s joints. Although fairly uncommon in felines, arthritis tends to affect the elbow joint when it does strike-but many joints can be afflicted. What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis in Cats?
How does an arthritic cat hide its pain?
Many of our cats hide their pain very effectively. While we may sometimes see our older cat limping or favoring one leg or another, more often than not our arthritic cats simply become less active. They spend more time sleeping and resting. They may be reluctant to jump onto surfaces that were easily accessible previously.
What to do if your cat has arthritis in his back legs?
In some cases, cat arthritis can cause lameness where the cat will begin limping or favoring one leg when they walk. Many times, this causes the cat to become much less active and spend more time resting: A licensed veterinarian can help determine if your cat has arthritis in their back legs and help put together a treatment plan.
What are the most common joints in cats?
All these studies show that arthritis is actually very common in cats, that it is much more common (and more severe) in older cats, and that the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees (stifles) and ankles (tarsi) are the most commonly affected joints. What causes arthritis in cats?
Many cats hide their pain very effectively. While we may sometimes see cats limping or favouring one leg or another, more often than not our arthritic cats simply become less active. They spend more time sleeping and resting. They may be reluctant to jump onto surfaces that were easily accessible previously.
What does arthritis do to an older cat?
Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease. It’s characterized by inflammation and deterioration of the joints, which can make movement painful, slow, and more difficult. Arthritis is mostly seen in older cats, although it can potentially affect cats of all ages.
Why does my cat have arthritis in her hip?
Some of the most common factors that increase the risk of arthritis in cats are: Wear and tear. The joints may weaken as the cat gets older. Abnormalities. Abnormal hip development may affect cartilage around joints. Injury. When a cat experiences a joint fracture or joint injury, it may cause arthritis. Obesity.
What are the physical ailments of an older cat?
One of the most common physical ailments that affect senior cats is reduced mobility or immobility. Often hallmarked by hind leg weakness, stiffness, balance problems, and an inability to walk without a limp, the older feline can easily fall victim to joint and muscle deterioration.
Is it normal for cats to lose muscle mass on their hind legs?
Losing muscle mass on its hind legs is normal for some older cats especially with a poor lifestyle. They tend to be picky on their food because they only eat that which they can chew which may result in an improper diet. They also tend to become less active and refuse to do muscle-building activities like they used to do.
Is it common for senior cats to have arthritis?
Living with an Arthritic Senior Cat. However, senior cats are more likely to develop conditions and illnesses that create pain and discomfort. Arthritis is a common but often unrecognized disorder in older cats. In one study, 90 percent of cats over 12 years of age showed radiographic (X-ray) evidence of arthritis.
Many of our cats hide their pain very effectively. While we may sometimes see our older cat limping or favoring one leg or another, more often than not our arthritic cats simply become less active. They spend more time sleeping and resting. They may be reluctant to jump onto surfaces that were easily accessible previously.
What is treatment for arthritis in cats?
Treating arthritis in cats when it is mild can delay the need to use prescription painkillers, which can have harmful side effects. Dietary supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, can be an effective option, Lund says.
What is the best arthritis medicine for cats?
There are 3 popular suggestions for cats and dogs with arthritis treatment: Analgesic medications that relieve arthritis pain, such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Novox are NSAIDs , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs revive the spirits of pets by resolving their pain.
When do cats get arthritis?
Some estimates suggest that about a third of adult cats have arthritis by age 6, and up to 90 percent of kitties over the age of 12 have some degree of arthritis. The condition most often occurs in the elbow and hip joints.
Can cats get arthritis?
Yes, cats can get arthritis. It means dietary management is vital, as weight control is an important feature of any treatment for arthritis.