Elderly cat with arthritis. What are the options?

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

My lovely boy is now 15 or 16 (he is a rescue cat) and has had arthritis for a few months now.
He has been on metacam but it gives him diarrhoea and vomiting so we stopped that.

He is now limping so badly he doesn't go upstairs and is just in pain all the time. He has over groomed his front leg due to the pain so has a big bald patch on it and won't weight near on it at all now.
The vet has given him some vetergesic which seems to help him.

Is there anything else we can do to help him? He seems to still be quite content, he eats (although a lot less than he used to) and enjoys the comfort of sleeping near us.
TIA

[Micah]

Theres something my cat used to have- i'll google and see if i can jog my memory.

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

Thanks Micah

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

Oh I forgot to say, the vet said he can't have tramadol or anything like that.

[Micah]

Got it- pentosan.

It's once weekly injections for 4 weeks, then boosters every 3-4 months.

Mine had very advanced arthritis, but couldn't have steroids or painkillers because of pre existing conditions. We gave it a go and it made his quality of life mich better.

[FuzzyOwl]

Are steroid injections an option?

You can also get little mini steps or ramps to help him climb up onto things so he can still curl up on his favourite chair in comfort. Sometimes ones designed to help potty train toddlers can be a good enough size and might make things a bit easier for him.

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

Thank you both I will speak to the vet about steroid injections and pentosan.
The vet said that if he continued to be in this much pain then it may be kinder to consider letting him go
Thanks for your help

[cozietoesie]

This guidance on arthritis in cats contains some environment assists that you can try.

My own old lad has severe arthritis/joint issues and is on both meloxicam and supplemental pain meds - but pain meds are really one for discussion with your vet, I reckon. They would have to be happy about prescribing them apart from anything else.

The big thing for my lad is heat. (He actually has an electric blanket on all the time so the he can lie long and snooze - he can't curl up too well any more.) Maybe have a look at some of the suggested assists but a good heat source for him is definitely one I'd try.

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

Thanks Cozie, we have got him a litter tray as he can't use the cat flap now.
His favourite seat is in quite a warm place but I will look at what I can do to make it warmer.
I will get something to make it easier for him to get up and down from the sofa as well.
Thanks for all the advice

[FuzzyOwl]

I really hope these things and some other medication from the vet make a big difference to him and he is much happier. The electric blanket idea is a great one.

[ThatIsNachoCheese]

Thank you ☺ I'm go ogling electric blanket right now!
I'm off sick at the moment with a chronic back condition, so we are both comforting each other, and I'm so glad I'm home with him so he's not on his own.

[cozietoesie]

The environmental assists weren't all successful with my old boy, I fear - so don't be too disheartened if any of them don't work. (Putting a ramp or steps to reach his bed didn't prove acceptable, for example: I reckon that he has it in his mind that cats jump onto their beds.) He's old and cussed though - you might have better luck.