It is heart wrenching when your darling cat that's a part of your family to begin limping or appear to stiffen up on a wintry or humid days. There are times when it does not seem as bad as others. You may discover the cause to this is arthritis. Arthritis in our feline friends causes a slow wear down of the cartilage in the joints. There are two variations of feline arthritis. The first category is referred to as primary arthritis and is the more rare of the two as it has more to do with continuing overuse of one joint or another as well as aging. The secondary form of arthritis is more common. It generally occurs over a period of time, however it is generally due to unstable joints like found in hip dysplasia, defects in the bones or cartilage or even damage from trauma and sprains.
In addition to being referred to primary or secondary arthritis, cats that have arthritis can suffer from specific versions. Progressive polyarthritis for example has an affect on several joints at the same time. Conditions are comparable to those characteristics of secondary arthritis listed above. Age is not an underlying factor, which makes it similar to the rheumatoid arthritis that we are susceptible to. Regrettably your animal will suffer through a lot of pain, as there is no cure for arthritis. You can help to make them a little more comfortable with medications.
Calicivirus, an affliction of the respiratory system that causes runny eyes and noses, can cause inflammation in the joints. This can be caused by the strain of the virus in the vaccine your pet receives or from the field strain in the air. It usually causes short-term lameness which can be recovered from with pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
A form of arthritis that is generally due to an infected bite or wound is known as bacterial arthritis. This should be treated immediately to avoid further damage to the joints. Another arthritis that is due to diabetes mellitus can cause your cat to acquire a curious step to their walk. A lot of time this is mistook for a joint problem when in actuality it is a nerve disorder
In order to diagnose arthritis you can obtain x-rays of the areas in question, analyze the joint fluid as well as the number of cells in the fluid and blood. Running test like these will help to understand the kind of arthritis your cat is afflicted with. Not only that it will tell you of any underlying problems that may cause the arthritis. Having detailed blood test done is helpful in insuring that your cat is not suffering from an infectious disease or anything else that could deteriorate their health. You may find if helpful to also test the fluids in the joints and capsules for bacterial cultures.
Just like in humans, arthritis in your cat can be treated, making it easier for your pet to move and live. What treatment is recommended will depend on what type of arthritis your cat has been diagnosed with. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, cartilage protective agents, corticosteroids, and glucosamine are all medications that can be given to your cat to east the pain, lubricate the joints, reduce inflammation, and help rehabilitate the ruined cartilage.
There are times when surgery is necessary for your cat to help ease or heal the arthritis they have. Shoulder osteochondritis, elbow dysplasia and dissicans can be treated with Arthrotomy or arthroscopy. Ruined cartilage and bones in cats have been repaired with joint freezing, total hip replacements and reconstructive surgeries. You will find that your cat heals quickly and with remarkable improvement in their life.
Basically even cats with arthritis can live active, healthy and normal lives with the proper care and medicines. If the projection is one that will have your pet be in constant pain with medicines not helping and there is not a hope of improvement then you will be faced with the difficult decision of whether to euthanasia or not. The majority of cats, much like humans, have arthritis that progresses slowly therefore they can still be with you for plenty of fun and love filled years to come.
Article Source: http://www.BharatBhasha.com
Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/pets.php/73069
Article Added on Tuesday, April 15, 2008
| Other Articles related to "Arthritis In Cats" by David P Lee | |
Don t Let Your Cat Get Fat
Cats, although very independent are also considerably affectionate and fun pets to have. Making sure your cat is healthy requires the simplest of upkeep. However, you do need to monitor the amount of food your cat consumes each and every day. If you allow them to, cats, in a similar manner to dogs, will eat as much as they possibly can. While they may well be particular about the kind of food you give them, they seem to have no self control over the actual quantity they eat. We all love to...
Cat De Clawing Should You Consider It
De-clawing is physically and emotionally maiming cats. Case studies have shown that de-clawing is a cruel act of mutilating animals that result to the de-clawed animal becoming lame, not to mention developing arthritis, depression and a host of other long-term complications. Any way you look at it, de-clawing cats is inhumane. In fact, many countries consider de-clawing illegal. In the United States, however, self-serving cat owners practice this cruel act.
More than Just Trimming the...
Cat Flea Control Don t Let Fleas Bug Your Cat
When a cat starts scratching, it is cause for concern, constant scratching can mean fleas. Fleas are more than a mere discomfort for you pet, they are a serious issue that needs to be dealt with before they cause health issues for your cat as well as issues for you and your family.
Because fleas can cause a condition in cats known as pruritus or an allergic reaction, keeping them at bay is an important step to keeping your pet healthy. For most cats, fleas are a nuisance; for cats that...
Gingivitis In Cats
A chronic condition occurring in cats that causes extreme gingivitis and tooth loss is Plasmacytic-Lymphocytic Stomatitis. This disease is usually is a result of another disease. It has been found in cats with Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency. The symptoms are salivating excessively, trouble eating, and a really foul odor in their mouth. Naturally this soreness in their mouth causes them not to eat and they lose weight rapidly.
Severe gingivitis around the back upper molars is...
|
| Articles In LimeLight | Win Social Security Disability For Bipolar: How To Build A Bullet Proof Case
By Sarah Freeman Added on Friday, May 16, 2008
Can A Blog Actually Make Money?
By Brian Garvin Added on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Drug Rehab Its A Hard Road But You Dont Have To Do It Alone
By Mary Waltrip Added on Thursday, May 15, 2008
What Is Online Trading In Forex?
By John J Callingham Added on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Replace Negative Thinking With Positive Thinking
By Ronnie Nijmeh Added on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Path To Sainthood
By Elizabeth Guide Added on Friday, May 16, 2008
Personal Injury Compensation Accident Claims
By Carolyn Clayton Added on Friday, May 16, 2008
Single Table And Super Satellites Buy-in
By Michael Binns Added on Saturday, May 17, 2008
How Do You Get Paid When You Make Money Online?
By Troy Shanks Added on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Seven Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
By Elizabeth Guide Added on Friday, May 16, 2008
General Instructions For Diabetics
By Safron Jeen Added on Monday, April 21, 2008
The New Reality Of Energy
By Julie Redstone Added on Thursday, May 15, 2008
Payday Loans And Cash Advances Are The Oldest And Most Reliable Short Term Cash Solution
By Kurt Maschoff Added on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Car Hire Hamburg Airport A Great Way To Travel Germany
By Lakshmi Reddy Added on Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Paleozoic Era
By Claudia Mann Added on Thursday, May 15, 2008
Bold & Sassy Chef Aprons
By Max Johnson Added on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Problems and Crisis
By Jose Riesco Added on Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Internet And Business Online A Tale Of Cause And Effect
By Scott Lindsay Added on Friday, May 16, 2008
How To Get A Great Deal On House Painting
By IPRWire Staff Writer Added on Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Basics Of Html Tagging
By Dave Text Added on Sunday, April 27, 2008
|
|
|