Cat arthritis

[LanaRelDay]

Sorry this is not an AIBU question!! Don’t usually post here for questions like this but I really really would like some advice from people with first hand experience and figured this is where most people would be.

Please could anyone who has a cat with arthritis tell me what has worked for them to really improve their joints and quality of life? My boy is only 5 but due to a fractured wrist (or would it be ankle?) a few years ago he is very stiff and limping. The vet did say he will develop arthritis early and he practically has no movement in that joint, the mobility is very bad. I have heard of YuMove but really would like to hear from people who have experience to let me know what the best things are ☺️

thank you, and apologies for posting here but I’m a bit desperate to help him!

My 15 year old cat has arthritis and we got him a heated mat to go in his cat bed. He absolutely loves it and spends most of his time in his bed. We also have some "metacam" pain killer that we give him when he is limping.

Heat seems to make a big difference, I also supplement mine's food with youmove for cats and that does seem to help.

There are veterinary mobility diets available which have the supplements in them. Supplements won't help with the pain though. Has your vet mentioned solensia? Monthly arthritis injections, my cat has them, not cheap but thankfully insurance covers the costs. Otherwise there's metacam but my vet said my cat would need regular blood tests on that as it can affect the kidneys.
Also think about changes you can make at home to make life easier for your cat like steps up to favourite resting places or low sided litter trays, things like that.

Thank you, the heat pad sounds good I think I will have a look at getting him one. He probably won’t use it right now as it’s so warm outside but I’m sure it would be a help in the colder months

That mobility diet sounds good! If supplements don’t help with the pain, do you know what would? Is it those injections? The vet hasn’t mentioned them because she said his joints aren’t inflamed or anything. He has a plate in his leg, so the plan is to take that out as it has made his bone density weak. So right now he isn’t at the stage where he needs injections, but I would like him on something at least to ease it for him. He will just get worse from here on out so he will eventually need injections when it gets to that point

Yes I think the only options for pain relief are anti inflammatory drugs like metacam or the injections. Cats are very good at hiding pain, apparently 90% of cats over the age of 11 have arthritis.

Yumove is good but I found the Health span one that had higher doses of the key ingredients for a much lower price

Solensia was an absolute game changer for our 16yo ragdoll. Worth a try.

He is currently on metacam. Would he need to be on that for life? He’s only 5 so it’s sad

To control any arthritic pain, yes. My cat was on metacam prior to solensia and each dose only lasts 24 hours. Arthritis is not something that ever gets better unfortunately.

My old cat had the monthly injection and it worked wonders on him. I also kept his weight very slightly under to what it should have been which also helped and I used to drag a bit of string along the floor a few times a day to keep his joints supple. Nothing strenuous, just made him trot a bit.

Mine is on Metacam and he'll need to be on it for life - he's nine.

Our vet recommended keeping him as slim as possible (he's currently on a diet which he's furious about ) and getting him moving too. Obviously not too much, though.

My 18 year old cat is on solensia injections. We saw an immediate difference in her mobility. I’d definitely recommend for a better quality of life. It is expensive (but our insurance partly covers). She does seem to be slowing down every day now but I think just old age unfortunately.

Solensia has given my old boy a new lease of life it's been amazing!

I got a prescription from my vet and bought it online so it worked out exactly half the cost compared to getting it from the vet.

Give CBD a whirl

Mine takes Loxicom. He also has a heat pad, plugged into a timer switch so it's on overnight and it has a temperature regulator so he doesn't roast! Bought on amazon and still going strong 10 years later! We adjust the timer with the season but the cold (and wet) really affect him so it's on most of the year but for fewer hours. It makes a huge difference as he's able to move first thing before he gets his Loxicom. He's arthritic in all his joints - diagnosed at 7 though the vet suspects he had it long before then.

Seems like most people are saying this so I’m going to ask my vet about it! Are there any side affects?

Do you know where I would get it from? I can’t find any specifically for cats so I wouldn’t know how much to give him

Please don't use CBD oil on your cat without the vets recommendation.

@LanaRelDay

Put a thread on LitterTray under "Pets"
Loads of great Cat Advice on there .

Metacam. My cat loves it! Licks it out if the little syringe!

I agree with trying yumove, or green lipped muscle (one of the key components in yumove but cheaper which a vet advised me of being good to use) and asking your vet about solensia.

Cats can be very sensitive to side effects of Metacam / Loxicom and longterm it can damage the kidneys so its not something I’d want to use more than occasionally, if he needs long term pain relief I’d discuss an alternative to metacam.

Another vote for solensia. It's a wonder drug for arthritic cats.

One of our guinea-pigs post castration practically wrestled the syringe off me on Day 1 , then cantered over on Day 2 . He was meant to have 3 days but the Vet always gave a bit extra so he wheedled 4 .
It is highly prized !