| An inflammation of the joints, arthritis is not commonly found in healthy cats. Most arthritis found in cats develops after an accident that has made their bones or joints weak. There are 2 types of arthritis that a cat can develop: osteoarthritis and traumatic arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Many older cats have osteoarthritis which can be brought on from numerous accidents, including dislocation of their joints or even fractures. Osteoarthritis is when a joint quits working properly and new bone is growing around the joints, causing severe pain.
Traumatic Arthritis
Although it doesn’t usually last long, especially if it’s a sprain, traumatic arthritis can be very painful. The pain may last longer if the trauma involves a fracture and surgery to heal the dislocation or fracture may then be needed. The pain can be even more severe if your cat is overweight.
Talk With Your Vet
The best thing to do if you believe your cat has arthritis is to talk with your veterinarian. The longer the cat sits around in pain, the stiffer the joints will become, and every step the animal takes will be in pain. After all, it’s no longer fun to play and jump and be a cat when they are in severe pain! Make sure your cat receives regular treatment from your vet so that he can chase those mice and once again enjoy life. |