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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Talk to me about arthritic cats please

51 replies

Polter · 13/08/2017 13:13

Sorry in advance, this is ridiculously long but I need to get it all out.

Just over a week ago 15yo PolterCat came in unable to weight bear on his back legs, which looked wonky, and he was clearly in pain, no signs of RTA, but very reminiscent of cats who've broken their hip/pelvis. Emergency trip to vets who found 'thickening' in both back knees and suspected arthritis which he'd exacerbated with a fall/jump/fight. Given Loxicom jab and a weeks worth to give at home. He was much better the next day and by day 4 he was darting up the stairs as usual.

Saw vet on day 4 who seemed surprised and pleased how much better he was, vet did a more thorough exam now pain was gone and is pretty sure it's arthritis and PolterCat might need med's long term, but to see how he goes.

We've kept him in all week, he has access to a walled courtyard for basking and he seems happy enough. He'd never lived in a house until we got him from rescue 6 years ago and has always had free access to outside, but we plan now to keep him in at night and see how he goes in the daytime. He's popped out for a poo but seems to have decided that he prefers the litter tray for wees.

Vet mentioned x-rays, but seemed quite pragmatic, I'm not sure I'd want to risk a GA at the moment when PolterCat seems fine, and I'm not sure it would make any difference to treatment if arthritis/dodgy bones/joints was confirmed.

Would love to hear how others have dealt with similar. I don't want to be over-protective, but I also don't want to risk further injuries.

OP posts:

pinkdonkey · 16/08/2017 15:19

Our 13yo has arthritis in both elbows, we have metacalm to give him when he has a flare up, but the thing that has made the most difference is a suplement called Senequin EFA, since started on this he has been much less stiff and hardly needed the metacalm at all.

cozietoesie · 16/08/2017 15:24

Interesting. How does he get it?

cozietoesie · 16/08/2017 15:27

That's Synoquin?

Original poster

Polter · 16/08/2017 15:36

at heating 'test'

It's absolutely about quality of life, and that will always guide my choices.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 16/08/2017 15:41

You were supposed to ignore that!

Original poster

Polter · 16/08/2017 16:08

OP posts:

pinkdonkey · 16/08/2017 18:00

Yes Synoquin sorry about my spelling. We buy it from our vets, my other boy was put on it following joint surgery after an accident as a preventitive measure years ago too. Discussed the evidence base with the vet and they said that whilst there is no evidence that glucosomine and chondritin are any help there is good evidence for the essential fatty acids which are in it helping arthritis. Its definately made a big diffence to my boy, he hasn't limped in months without needing any metacalm. He still runs round like a lunitic at times, though I've noticed he avoids climbing fences these days and walks round the long way instead.

cozietoesie · 16/08/2017 18:05

You're bound to get a change of activities as he ages. As long as you're keeping an eye on him and can help out as required.

Original poster

Polter · 16/08/2017 20:09

PolterCat has just had his first taste of the green lipped mussel powder, mixed with liver lick-e-lix [boak], resulting in delerious ecstasy at the apparent delicious combination of flavours.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 16/08/2017 20:14

Seniorboy used to love liver Lick E Lix also. Vile stuff. (To me.)

Original poster

Polter · 30/08/2017 11:06

Back to the vet for his boosters today and a chat about med's. Saw a different vet who commented on what good condition PolterCat is in, that he doesn't look his age and is an ideal weight, so that was good. Agreed that, although he's not showing any obvious signs of pain, as he has obvious arthritis in his back knees he'll start on daily Loxicom and we will go back in October for bloods and review.

She mentioned another anti-inflammatory that's in tablet form that she thinks might be better for long term use but I can't remember what it's called.

OP posts:

Toddlerteaplease · 30/08/2017 12:43

A friend of mines cat has acupuncture for his arthritis!

cozietoesie · 30/08/2017 13:53

That all sounds pretty good. I'm afraid that I had no option but the meloxicam for Seniorboy because he wouldn't - and I mean WOULDN'T - take any type of pill. How is Poltercat with them?

Original poster

Polter · 30/08/2017 14:07

I can get a pill in him, but I'm not sure I want to do it every day.

OP posts:

Original poster

Polter · 30/08/2017 14:09

Although if they're very small it might not be a problem. I worm him with Drontal and they're huge.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 30/08/2017 14:18

It's the 'every day' thing. (They learn fast.) See how the meloxicam does.

MonkeyPoozzled76 · 30/08/2017 14:25

Our senior boy, also 15yr, has the same problem in his back knees. We've suspected for a while as he's more reluctant to jump up so much. We've made him some steps in the garden to get to the low wall he uses to get to the front of the house and added a box next to his favourite human bed to he can get up in two smaller hops. Also noticed he was very stiff after an altercation with the neighbours cat. I've drawn the line at a ladder on to the kitchen work tops so his stealth food licking habit has come to an end.

Unfortunatly he got attacked by a big dog last week resulting in an injury to his hip, the vet needed to sedate him to check this and in the process she confirmed he's got very advanced arthritis in both knees. Pleased to say his disclocated hip is healing well but he's not best pleased with cage rest. He's now on a daily does of Metacam currently for his hip but we will continue with this to ensure he is pian free with his knees from now on.

We wouldn't have risked the anasthetic on him if it hadn't been for a more serious injury bit the vet said she'd be happy to give Matacam without the xray based on his reduced gymnastics!

He must be feeling better as currently trying to break out of his pen!

cozietoesie · 30/08/2017 14:26

He's on meloxicam and feeling better?

Original poster

Polter · 30/08/2017 14:36

Your poor boy getting attacked Monkey but glad he's on the mend.

PolterCat has never really been a jumping/climbing cat, he's very much a ground-dweller, so it was hard to spot any changes. I guess we just see how it goes. We have limited his access to outdoors to only when we are home and he's being kept in overnight now which isn't causing any problems.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 30/08/2017 14:37

Heat makes a MASSIVE difference for them, it seems. I'd also try him with a heating pad or something similar.

Wolfiefan · 30/08/2017 14:40

Old girl had awful arthritis. She couldn't have metacam due to old stomach surgery. Ended up on tramadol! Kept her happy. We also bought an electric whelping pad. We put it in her favourite spot and when she curled up tight there on cold days we switched it on for a bit and watched her unfurl in bliss!

Original poster

Polter · 30/08/2017 15:33

I don't think he'll be interested, but it's something to consider.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 01/09/2017 19:49

Even The Lodger, a serious rough-tough if ever there was one, was often to be found fast asleep at the top of our airing cupboard. (Nice and toasty.) I think you might be surprised - once he's found it.

Original poster

Polter · 01/09/2017 20:25

He's a very strange cat cozie so he probably wouldn't! The house is rarely cold though.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 01/09/2017 21:12

I'll let you know how Newboy does.

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