Arthritis

[Hisisteritsmeeee]

My cat has been diagnosed with arthritis in her spine/tail. I give her pain killers each day (with some witchery to do this) and she has a good quality of life. She’s only 10 so I’m really glad the medication works. She seems to be struggling with her balance still, she likes to sit on the arm of one of my chairs and has almost fallen off a few times today, also, instead of jumping she steps up
tenderly onto things and avoids jumping if she can.

Does anyone else have experience of this? I’ve not had a cat reach 10 before let alone have arthritis so any experience that can be shared would be appreciated. Also does anyone know any ways I could help her be more comfortable?

Bump

Hello
My old cat had arthritis of the spine and hips as well as spondylosis. She was about 16 when diagnosed.
She was on gabapentin which gave her a new lease of life when she was 1st on it. But sadly for her it really made her struggle to go to the toilet. She did also have mego colon so the 2 of them made her suffer unfortunately.
I found self heating pads gave her some comfort. I got them on Amazon. And really just lots of low down comfy places for her to sleep.

My girl’s been put on gabapentin as well as a painkiller I can’t pronounce. Are there any signs I should look out for with toiletting?

When you say self heating pads do you mean like the ones people use as hand warmers in the winter?

Also, thank you for replying

Hi, sorry for just seeing this. With our girl she couldn't crouch properly to poo, so along with the mega colon was severely constipated. Talking every 3 months or so. She was having to go for full enemas and it was just too much for her in the end.
Signs of constipation can be a lot of scrabbling in the litter tray (if yours uses one) diarrhea can also be a sign. And obviously just not going. At one point she couldn't urinate and her bladder had to be emptied manually. That was when she was put on the gabapentin.

The blankets she liked where these ones www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Heating-Blanket-Ideal-Medium/dp/B01M34MAPI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Self+heating+cat+blanket&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1619820665&sr=8-3 they have a tiin foil type lining and warm up when the cats on it.

I hope your wee cat feels better on her pain relief. Its so sad seeing them uncomfortable. My girl liked sleeping on the bed but could get on and offf easily so i made stairs out of 2 different sized storage boxes.