Pain Management and Treatment for Degenerative Joint Disease in Senior Cats
Degenerative joint disease in cats that causes pain and disability is surprisingly common. Researchers estimate 45 percent of all cats and 90 percent of cats over ten suffer from painful, arthritic joints. Here are three things our veterinarian at Georgetown Animal Hospital in Georgetown, OH, wants you to know about pain management and treatment for feline arthritis.
Hide the Pain
In every aspect of cat care, it is essential to remember that cats are small, vulnerable creatures. They instinctively conceal weaknesses. Pet cats may send their owners signals of the need for pain management and treatment for feline arthritis by how they act. Symptoms may or may not include the following:
- Reluctance to move up or down
- Lameness in one or more legs
- Not wanting to be held or petted
- Unexpected aggressiveness
Medicinal Feline Pain Management
When you see your pet suffering, it is only natural to want to relieve the pain, but never give a cat a pain reliever made for us. For example, acetaminophen is toxic for cats because they do not make the liver enzymes needed to keep it from building up in their bloodstream. Cats also react badly to aspirin, ibuprofen, and cannabis edibles intended for human consumption. Our vet at Georgetown Animal Hospital can prescribe the proper medication to relieve your cat's arthritis pain.
Diet Makes a Difference
There isn't cat food that cures feline osteoarthritis, but there are foods that reduce inflammation. For example, cats often benefit from naturally anti-inflammatory omega-3 essential fatty acids in foods like salmon, mussels, and cold-water fish.
Diets for controlling arthritis in people often involve the restriction of "bad fats," like the fats in animal fats and egg yolks. However, these fats play a role in keeping feline joints healthy. The arachidonic acid in animal fats and egg yolks becomes a good inflammatory agent that removes defective tissue in arthritic joints, so you can replace it with healthy tissue. Cats with osteoarthritis may need calorie restrictions to lose weight and reduce the load on their joints, but they do not need a low-fat diet.
Bring Your Cat to Georgetown Animal Hospital for Vaccines
At Georgetown Animal Hospital in Georgetown, OH, we are committed to helping people who love cats and providing them with healthy lives. Contact us online or call us at (937) 378-6334 to set up an appointment for your next visit today!
