Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
OTHER POSSIBILITIES
If a veterinarian suspects arthritis but X rays don't support the diag-
nosis, it is likely that nerve pain rather than bone or muscle pain is
the problem.You may need a referral to a veterinary neurologist
and additional diagnostic tests, such as a special X ray of the spine,
called a myelogram, or an MRI.
Joints are made up of bones that have cartilage on their ends. The
cartilage cushions the bones and decreases friction. Each joint has a
small amount of fluid in it called synovial fluid that lubricates the car-
tilage and adds more cushioning. In an arthritic joint, the cartilage
becomes rough, the joint fluid becomes thick and abnormal calcium
deposits are formed at the ends of the bones.
You can decrease the risk of arthritis for your cat by feeding her
a good diet that ensures proper bone growth and development.
Controlling a cat's weight is very important because the heavier a cat is,
the more stress is placed on her joints. Keeping a cat indoors will lower
the risk of trauma to bones and joints, and trauma can lead to arthritis.
Cold temperatures make joints ache more, so allowing an older animal
with arthritis to sleep on a padded, warm surface can help make the cat
more comfortable.
Don't Take Two Aspirin . . .
Cats are very stoic animals, so it is difficult to assess how much pain an
arthritic cat is in.The worst thing you can do is try to treat pain with-
out consulting a veterinarian. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and
pain medications for human should
never
be given to a cat. If you think
that your cat has arthritis and discomfort, consult your veterinarian to
find out what safe medical treatments exist.
Medications used to treat arthritis may include children's aspirin or
other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cortisone and
nutritional supplements. One 83-mg children's aspirin can be safely
given once every three days—but only under the supervision of a vet-
erinarian. Any other NSAIDs, such as carprofen and ketoprofen are
much more toxic and are prescribed much less frequently.
Cortisone is often used in cats to reduce pain and inflammation.
Owners are sometimes reluctant to use corticosteroids because, they
