How to spot osteoarthritis in cats

Most people have heard of osteoarthritis (more commonly called arthritis), but do you know what causes it and how to spot the early signs of disease in your cat?  

 

Osteoarthritis is an extremely common and painful condition in cats, particularly as they age. Sadly, it is often not diagnosed until it is very advanced, which means many cats may have been quietly struggling for quite some time.   

 

A few studies help to demonstrate just how underdiagnosed this condition is.  One paper went as far as to show that 9 out of 10 cats aged over 12 years had evidence of arthritic change, despite the condition only being recognised in about 4% of these cats.  

 

Vets and pet owners need to work together to improve these statistics.  

 

What is osteoarthritis? 

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). It is a painful condition where the normal gliding surface of the joints becomes roughened and worn away. Smooth cartilage is found at the end of the bones in healthy joints, but in DJD this gradually wears away and becomes uneven.  

 

Eventually, the bones in the joint start rubbing against each other. These changes lead to pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis can affect one joint or multiple, depending on the underlying cause. It is a progressive condition, meaning that it will usually get worse over time. Joints can become thickened and stiff. While the condition cannot be cured, much can be done to help manage your cat’s pain and improve their quality of life. 

 

What causes osteoarthritis in cats? 

Most cats have primary osteoarthritis, which is usually related to general wear and tear on the joints. Recent research has suggested that the cells in the cartilage “wear out” but for some reason aren’t replaced – these “senescent cells” don’t work properly, leading to breakdown of the cartilage. Genetics can play a part in how likely your cat is to develop the condition, but advancing age and obesity also play a significant role.  

 

Secondary osteoarthritis may occur if there is damage to a joint through trauma or developmental abnormalities. 

 

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis in cats? 

Cats are very good at hiding pain, which is why it is so important to be aware of the subtle signs that your cat might be struggling, as well as the more obvious ones. Symptoms of joint disease can include –  

  • Difficulty jumping up onto high places 
  • Matted, unkempt fur due to difficulty grooming (especially around their rear end and back) 
  • Sleeping or resting more than usual 
  • Reacting negatively when painful joints are touched 
  • Using the scratching post less, leading to overgrown claws 
  • Stiffness, especially after resting 
  • Less interest in playing or hunting 
  • Change in temperament, becoming grumpier or withdrawn 
  • Not going outside as much as usual 
  • Loss of body condition – reduced muscle mass can lead to weaker legs and more visible bones 
  • Difficulty getting in the litter tray or through the cat flap 
  • Toileting accidents  
  • Limping 

 

 

Some cats may only show one or two of the above signs, whereas others may show several. Signs can also be intermittent. 

 

How will my vet diagnose osteoarthritis? 

An examination could reveal physical clues that there is a problem with your cat. Loss of muscle condition, overlong claws and a matted coat may be spotted first. But your vet will also feel and manipulate your cat’s joints to assess for any inflammation, stiffness, crepitus (grating in the joints) and signs of pain. Your vet will also watch how your cat moves around the room. They may also discuss any signs you might have noticed at home such as difficulty jumping or whether they have had any behavioural changes. 

 

Treatment for arthritis should be started straight away. Sometimes your vet may recommend taking X-rays first though to assess your cat’s joints further. This can help to determine the severity of the condition and help to target the treatment to be most effective but general advice will be given even when x-rays are not taken. 

 

Attending regular senior clinics can help to detect osteoarthritis sooner, as well as other health complaints in your ageing cat. 

 

How is osteoarthritis treated in cats? 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoarthritis. The aim of treatment is to slow down the progression of the disease. There are plenty of things that can be done to improve your cat’s quality of life. Your vet will tailor the treatment to your cat’s specific needs. Some of the common treatments are listed below:  

 

Joint supplements 

Joint supplements (nutraceuticals) contain glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids and green lipped muscle. These are the building blocks needed for healthy cartilage. Think of them as a lubrication for the joint. 

 

Weight management 

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is vital and will reduce the amount of pressure put on diseased joints. Your vet may suggest a weight loss regime for your cat if they are overweight or obese. 

 

Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications 

Your vet may prescribe medication to help make your cat more comfortable. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like meloxicam, are commonly used because they provide pain relief as well as reducing inflammation. Your vet may recommend checking your cat’s liver and kidney function both before and during long-term use of this medication. 

 

Monthly monoclonal antibody injections can also be very helpful in many cases. The advantage of these is that you don’t need to give daily medication at home, and this drug can also be used safely in animals with underlying organ dysfunction. They work by interrupting the transmission of pain signals, making your cat more comfortable. 

 

Other drugs such as gabapentin and amantadine may be used in cats with chronic pain issues.

 

Home environment changes 

There are lots of things you can do in your cat’s home environment to support them. These include: 

 

  • Providing a low-sided litter tray to make toileting easier for them 
  • Providing steps or ramps to help them get up on things like your bed or the sofa 
  • Offering comfortable beds in a couple of different locations that they can easily access 
  • Raising food and water dishes slightly if your cat struggles to bend down 
  • Trying a heated bed or heat pad to provide comfort for arthritic cats  

 

Additional or alternative therapies 

Some complementary therapies can be helpful for cats suffering from osteoarthritis. Physiotherapy is a form of physical therapy that helps to improve movement in affected animals.  

 

Hydrotherapy is a low-impact exercise that takes place in water. This helps to improve the muscles that support affected joints. This tends to be more useful for dogs, however, as many cats will not tolerate going in the water. 

 

Surgical management 

If medical management is not proving helpful, there may be some cases where surgical intervention could be warranted. Your vet will discuss this with you depending on your cat’s condition. 

 

A combination of all of the above usually gives the best outcome in most cases. This is called a multi-modal approach to osteoarthritis management. Your vet will advise routine checkups to ensure your cat’s joint issues are well managed and, if not, help tailor the treatment further to get the best results. They will also ensure that no other health concerns are developing (e.g. with regular physical examinations and blood tests). 

 

The value of regular health checks 

While conditions like osteoarthritis can’t be cured, there is plenty we can do to help manage them. The sooner the problem is diagnosed the sooner they can start treatment, allowing them to live the rest of their lives in comfort.  

 

As well as the symptoms we have discussed around joint disease there are other things to keep an eye on in elderly cats. These include: 

 

  • An increased thirst 
  • Changes in appetite (reduced or increased) 
  • Weight loss 
  • Changes in urination frequency 
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea 
  • Changes to their eyes or eyesight 
  • Unusual behaviour such as increased vocalisation or confusion 

 

By seeing your cat regularly, we can be proactive about your cat’s health and deal with other developing problems such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes mellitus at a much earlier stage. 

 

Summary 

Osteoarthritis is extremely common in cats, particularly as they age. Spotting the problem early helps us to manage their condition and allows them to lead a more comfortable life. Regular health checks allow us to spot joint disease sooner, but also other conditions like kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.  

 

If you are interested in bringing your cat along for a health check or have any concerns about your cat’s health, then please contact us today on 0151 428 8600.