Cat Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease in the joints which causes excessive pain. There is a significant development of arthritis disease which can be prominently seen in older cats. This disease is caused due to the infection and the subsequent inflammation in the joints. Swelling and redness around the joints will be visibly evident. The main symptoms of the arthritis disease are slow movement due to stiffness, limping, refusing to use litter box, reluctance and refusing to climb staircase and the resulting pain.
Obesity in cats proves to a major reason that causes strain on the joints. Just like human beings, cats also face many difficulties and are prone to dangerous diseases due to the obesity factor. Heart disease and diabetes can also be prevented with the help of proper diet restrictions. Regular exercise is also essential. The blood supply can be increased to a considerable extent by gentle massage around the swelling areas. Cold weather tends to increase the pain. Warm soft bed should be provided to keep give warmth to the cat. Feline Progressive poly arthritis is a dangerous disease and it has the ability to affect multiple joints of the cat. The health condition of the cat gets affected terribly over a period of time. This disease is basically categorized into two types. Progressive poly arthritis comes under the first type. The cartilage which is present at the bone end tends to get eroded thus resulting in thickening of the bone and the surrounding areas. The feet hock and the wrist are the common areas that are prone to arthritis disease. The severe erosion of the cartilage and the resulting exposure of the bone that is present under the cartilage is the symptom seen prominently in the second type, Poly Arthritis. This disease is similar to that of Rheumatoid Arthritis which is commonly seen in human beings and dogs. Young and middle aged male cats are easily prone to the Progressive Poly Arthritis. The movement of the cat is drastically reduced due to the pain and swelling around the joints. Increase in the body temperature, loss of food intake and inflammation of the lymph nodes are the forthcoming problems that arise in cats. There is no permanent cure for the either of the Poly Arthritis. Even medicines that have been prescribed for pain relief and inflammation do not eradicate the problems totally. Advance medical treatments indirectly force the immune system prevalent in the cats to get suppressed. Most of the cats recover with the help of medication and physiotherapy. Calici virus, those are responsible for the respiratory infections, have the capacity to create inflammation in the joints thus resulting in lameness. Field and vaccine strain may the reasons for such infections. In such cats the respiratory disease cannot be seen. Frequent increase in the temperature and reduction in the food intake are the symptoms of this viral infection. Bacterial arthritis is very dangerous and occurs due to bite wounds. If this bacterial arthritis is not detected and treated on time, it has the capacity to cause permanent injury. |