Arthritis is inflammation of the joint. It is a progressive disease that once started, doesn't stop. It is seen most often in older cats, but can develop at any age. Cats do not seem to develop arthritis as commonly as dogs or humans. The most common forms of arthritis in cats are:
Traumatic Arthritis (sprain) -
Caused by sudden injury to a joint, such as impact with a moving vehicle, involvement in a cat fight, or due to an awkward fall or landing.
Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) -
This condition that we associate in people also affects cats. It's a chronic disease of aging that occurs after wear and tear on a joint that slowly destroys the thin layer of protective cartilage protecting the joint surface, particularly of the elbow and shoulder.
How can you determine if your cat has developed arthritis?
Feline arthritis often isn't detected until the cat begins to show obvious signs, such as stiff, swollen, or painful joints. Stiffness or limping on an affected joint, resentment of the joint being handled, lameness, reluctance to move - particularly in damp or cold weather - are all signs of a joint injury or arthritic condition. Any lameness or stiffness may be more pronounced after rest and may appear to subside after moving around for a few minutes. Joint pain from arthritis can make cats reluctant to move and may cause irritability.
What can you do about feline arthritis?
There's no way to prevent age-related arthritic changes in cats, nor to predict which cats will experience problems. Recognizing and treating early signs can help cats to feel more comfortable, such as applying warm compresses and massage to affected joints, and keeping the cat's weight down. As always, prompt veterinary treatment of any suspected joint or bone injury is highly recommended.