Cat Arthritis

Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy cats. Most arthritis found in cats is from an accident that has made the bones or joints weak. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and there is more than one type of arthritis that can affect your cat.

Cats usually suffer with two different types of arthritis. The first one being traumatic arthritis, this is brought on by an injury. It could have been a fight with another animal or even being hit by a car. Osteoarthritis is when a joint just quits working properly and new bone is growing around the joint. Many older cats have this type of arthritis and can be brought on from numerous accidents including dislocations of their joints or even fractures.

Traumatic arthritis does not usually last but can be very painful, if it is more or less a sprain. But, if it involves a fracture then the pain can last a longer time and may even need surgery to heal the fracture or dislocation.

As in the case of Osteoarthritis the pain is severe and your cat will need some relief from the pain. If your cat is overweight the pain can even be more severe.

Talk with your veterinarian if you do believe that your cat does have a type of cat arthritis. Your cat will enjoy life more and be able to chase those mice again if treatment is regular. It is no fun to play and jump and be a cat when they are in severe pain. The longer your cat sits around in pain the stiffer the joints will become. The pain will then increase with every step they take. Be sure to get the treatment your cat needs so they can enjoy life once again.

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What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints and other parts of the body. Arthritis is actually more than 100 different diseases and affects one out of every 7 people of all ages. People with arthritis experience pain and loss of movement and function. Arthritis can be very disabling and is a lifelong disease, but can go into remission. Each type of arthritis is different and has a different cause.
Literally means joint inflammation. Can be used to indicate a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the protective covering of internal organs.
Inflammation of a joint. An increase in the amount of synovial fluid in the joint is a result of this inflammation. Accumulation of synovial fluid in the fetlock joint is called a "wind puff" or "wind gall." In young horses, a swelling in the fetlock joint, particularly on the front of the joint where the cannon and long pastern bones meet, is called a "green osselet." This swelling is a result of inflammation and reactive changes of the front edges of these two bones and adjacent cartilage.