Arthritis in cats?

A few days ago our 14 yr old cat suddenly exhibited signs of suffering
extreme pain (hissing, growling, touch sensitivity, etc.) We took her to the
vets - they couldn't find anything specific wrong with her. We feel she may
be suffering from an arthritic condition. Is this common in older cats? Any
insights gratefully received.

Thanks,

Harvey

It can be, however they definitely should take an xray to be sure as it
could be something else. Where was she touch sensitive? If it is arthritis,
a neutraceutical should help her out after a few weeks. I find it odd for
arthritis to crop up suddenly however. I guess, I would seek a second
opinion.

Karen

"Harvey Fielder" wrote in message
...
A few days ago our 14 yr old cat suddenly exhibited signs of suffering
extreme pain (hissing, growling, touch sensitivity, etc.) We took her to
the
vets - they couldn't find anything specific wrong with her. We feel she
may
be suffering from an arthritic condition. Is this common in older cats?
Any
insights gratefully received.

Thanks,

Harvey

It can be, however they definitely should take an xray to be sure as it
could be something else. Where was she touch sensitive? If it is arthritis,
a neutraceutical should help her out after a few weeks. I find it odd for
arthritis to crop up suddenly however. I guess, I would seek a second
opinion.

Karen

"Harvey Fielder" wrote in message
...
A few days ago our 14 yr old cat suddenly exhibited signs of suffering
extreme pain (hissing, growling, touch sensitivity, etc.) We took her to
the
vets - they couldn't find anything specific wrong with her. We feel she
may
be suffering from an arthritic condition. Is this common in older cats?
Any
insights gratefully received.

Thanks,

Harvey

Need to have an xray in order to tell
if it's arthritis. Did you ask the vet
when you were there?

"Harvey Fielder" wrote in message ...
A few days ago our 14 yr old cat suddenly exhibited signs of suffering
extreme pain (hissing, growling, touch sensitivity, etc.) We took her to the
vets - they couldn't find anything specific wrong with her. We feel she may
be suffering from an arthritic condition. Is this common in older cats? Any
insights gratefully received.

Thanks,

Harvey

Need to have an xray in order to tell
if it's arthritis. Did you ask the vet
when you were there?

"Harvey Fielder" wrote in message ...
A few days ago our 14 yr old cat suddenly exhibited signs of suffering
extreme pain (hissing, growling, touch sensitivity, etc.) We took her to the
vets - they couldn't find anything specific wrong with her. We feel she may
be suffering from an arthritic condition. Is this common in older cats? Any
insights gratefully received.

Thanks,

Harvey

"Harvey Fielder" wrote in message
...
A few days ago our 14 yr old cat suddenly exhibited signs of suffering
extreme pain (hissing, growling, touch sensitivity, etc.)

Does the pain seem to be confined to one joint or multiple joints? Also,
sometimes distinguishing joint pain from soft tissue trauma (sprain/strain)
can be difficult.


We took her to the
vets - they couldn't find anything specific wrong with her.

Unfortunately, some symptoms, including pain disappear when a cat is nervous
or excited -- especially at the vet's office. However, most of us
intuitively know when our cat is in pain -- even though she doesn't
display her pain in a manner that's obvious to other people. No one knows
your cat better than you -- especially after 14 years -- so if you feel your
cat is in pain -- my money is on your intuition -- I'd seek a second opinion
and further diagnostics.


We feel she may
be suffering from an arthritic condition. Is this common in older cats?
Any
insights gratefully received.

A sudden onset of pain would lead me to suspect either joint trauma or soft
tissue trauma (sprain, strain). Primary arthritis in cats is not that
common. The most common form of "arthritis" seen in the cat is arthrosis -
a progressive joint degeneration with minimal actual inflammation of the
joint. often secondary to trauma or instability.

Since cats are masters at concealing pain, I'd err on the side of caution
and opt for x-rays and ideally, joint fluid analysis. The difference
between inflamÂ*matory and noninflammatory arthropathies is based primarily
on joint fluid analysis. Fluid analysis may help avoid unnecessarily high
steroid therapy.

Whatever you do *please* don't give your cat any human pain/antiinflammatory
drugs without explicit instructions from a vet. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
are extremely toxic to cats and aspirin dosages must be calculated very
carefully to avoid toxicity.

Good luck,

Phil

"Harvey Fielder" wrote in message
...
A few days ago our 14 yr old cat suddenly exhibited signs of suffering
extreme pain (hissing, growling, touch sensitivity, etc.)

Does the pain seem to be confined to one joint or multiple joints? Also,
sometimes distinguishing joint pain from soft tissue trauma (sprain/strain)
can be difficult.


We took her to the
vets - they couldn't find anything specific wrong with her.

Unfortunately, some symptoms, including pain disappear when a cat is nervous
or excited -- especially at the vet's office. However, most of us
intuitively know when our cat is in pain -- even though she doesn't
display her pain in a manner that's obvious to other people. No one knows
your cat better than you -- especially after 14 years -- so if you feel your
cat is in pain -- my money is on your intuition -- I'd seek a second opinion
and further diagnostics.


We feel she may
be suffering from an arthritic condition. Is this common in older cats?
Any
insights gratefully received.

A sudden onset of pain would lead me to suspect either joint trauma or soft
tissue trauma (sprain, strain). Primary arthritis in cats is not that
common. The most common form of "arthritis" seen in the cat is arthrosis -
a progressive joint degeneration with minimal actual inflammation of the
joint. often secondary to trauma or instability.

Since cats are masters at concealing pain, I'd err on the side of caution
and opt for x-rays and ideally, joint fluid analysis. The difference
between inflamÂ*matory and noninflammatory arthropathies is based primarily
on joint fluid analysis. Fluid analysis may help avoid unnecessarily high
steroid therapy.

Whatever you do *please* don't give your cat any human pain/antiinflammatory
drugs without explicit instructions from a vet. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
are extremely toxic to cats and aspirin dosages must be calculated very
carefully to avoid toxicity.

Good luck,

Phil

Dear Harvey

I know what you are talking about I had a cat that acted that way.I was not
able to get it to the vet , he eventually died last year. I believe it was
old age he was 14 and half years old. Its very sad to a cat (kid) you love
so much in pain . You can feel very helpless. I hope your cat fairs better
than mine.

Dear All,

Daisy had an short term pain killing injection at the vets and has appeared
much happier and calmier since. The Vet manipulated her hind legs and could
not find any problems (not a murmur was made).

We are currently in two minds as to what the cause of her pain was:

1. Arthritis
2. An insect bite

She currently appears pain free and we and our neighbours are monitoring
her - should she again show signs of distress will whisk her off to the vets
ASAP.

Daisy is an independent cat, and I am not sure whether the Vet will ever be
able to truely diagnose the problem, particularly as she seems to play it
cool when ever there are strangers around

Thank you very much for your concern, best wishes to you all and your cats.

Best regards,

Harvey

"PATRICIA CHILCOTT" wrote in message
...
Dear Harvey

I know what you are talking about I had a cat that acted that way.I was
not
able to get it to the vet , he eventually died last year. I believe it was
old age he was 14 and half years old. Its very sad to a cat (kid) you love
so much in pain . You can feel very helpless. I hope your cat fairs better
than mine.

Dear All,

Daisy had an short term pain killing injection at the vets and has appeared
much happier and calmier since. The Vet manipulated her hind legs and could
not find any problems (not a murmur was made).

We are currently in two minds as to what the cause of her pain was:

1. Arthritis
2. An insect bite

She currently appears pain free and we and our neighbours are monitoring
her - should she again show signs of distress will whisk her off to the vets
ASAP.

Daisy is an independent cat, and I am not sure whether the Vet will ever be
able to truely diagnose the problem, particularly as she seems to play it
cool when ever there are strangers around

Thank you very much for your concern, best wishes to you all and your cats.

Best regards,

Harvey

"PATRICIA CHILCOTT" wrote in message
...
Dear Harvey

I know what you are talking about I had a cat that acted that way.I was
not
able to get it to the vet , he eventually died last year. I believe it was
old age he was 14 and half years old. Its very sad to a cat (kid) you love
so much in pain . You can feel very helpless. I hope your cat fairs better
than mine.