Inflammation of the jaw joints in a cat. Arthritis in Cats: Causes and Treatments

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Some diseases, such as arthritis, affect the surface of the joint itself. Other types of diseases affect ligaments, tendons, cartilage, synovial bags and fluid within the joint. Joint diseases can be congenital or develop as a result of trauma, developmental disorders, immune disorders or infections.

Patella displacement in cats.

it hereditary disease caused by wrong development patella(patella). Displacement of the patella often accompanied by multiple deformities in hind limbs, including the hip joints, femurs and lower legs.

Signs of displacement of the patella depend on the severity and degree of displacement. In mild cases, a displaced patella can easily return to its normal position. In more severe cases, the patella takes wrong position, the cat constantly limps, deformities of the bones may be noticeable. X-rays are used to determine the severity of the disease and its effect on the paws.

Depending on the degree of displacement, apply various ways treatment, including surgery. It should be noted that in cats, the displacement of the patella is usually less pronounced than in dogs. Treatment prospects are very good.

Hip dysplasia in cats.

dysplasia hip joints called a deviation in the development of the joints. The disease is rarely observed in domestic cats, in purebred cats it is somewhat more common. Dysplasia is characterized by looseness of the hip joint, which ultimately leads to degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthritis). Signs of dysplasia are numerous, among them lameness - from mild to severe. Most affected cats do not need surgical treatment, however, they do require lifelong care, such as a weight loss diet, to reduce discomfort when moving.

Osteoarthritis in cats.

Degenerative changes in articular cartilage in freely moving joints can accumulate over time, gradually leading to loss of joint mobility and, in many cases, causing pain. Degenerative changes can be caused by trauma, infections, work problems immune system or malignant neoplasms. As a result, inflammation of the articular membranes begins, cartilage tissues continue to break down and the joints cannot perform their functions correctly. Although osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) is less common in cats than in dogs, the disease is not very rare. In many cases, the disease can go unnoticed, as cats can change their behavior to accommodate the changes.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include lameness, joint swelling, muscle wasting, thickening and scarring of joint membranes, and grinding during movement. X-ray shows accumulation of fluid in the joint, inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues, formation of bony growths, hardening and thickening bone tissue under the cartilage, sometimes narrowing of the articular cavity.

Treatment can be medical or surgical. Therapy includes the use of drugs that relieve inflammation and reduce pain. The prognosis for recovery depends on the location and severity of the joint disease. Other therapies, including those aimed at weight loss, soft surfaces for the cat, and cartilage maintenance drugs, can also help prevent further cartilage degeneration.

Septic arthritis in cats.

Infectious (or septic) arthritis usually caused by bacteria that are carried by the blood, entering the body as a result of trauma (with penetrating wounds) or surgical intervention. Other causes of septic arthritis may be infection with rickettsiae and spirochetes.

Symptoms of septic arthritis in cats include lameness, swelling, pain in the affected joints, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and stiffness. X-rays can show an increase in the amount of fluid inside the joint by early stages disease, and in case of prolonged illness - degenerative changes joints. Data laboratory research joint fluid may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of septic arthritis in cats is with antibiotics (oral or intravenous), joint lavage, and severe cases resort to surgical removal dead, damaged or infected tissue.

Immune-mediated arthritis in cats.

Arthritis caused by the actions of one's own immune system can lead to inflammation in the joints. As a rule, such arthritis affects several joints. Some species immune-mediated arthritis lead to the destruction of articular cartilage and bones under them. An example of such arthritis would be progressive feline polyarthritis (resembling rheumatoid arthritis in people). Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form of arthritis causing inflammation joints without destruction of cartilaginous and bone tissues. Lupus can also affect other parts of the cat, such as the skin.

Symptoms of immune-mediated arthritis in cats include lameness, pain and swelling in many joints, fever, general deterioration, and persistent loss of appetite. The symptoms usually come and go. For diagnosis, X-rays, a biopsy of the tissues of the joints and data from the analyzes of the joint fluid are also used.

Treatment is with anti-inflammatory and chemotherapeutic drugs. The prognosis for recovery is uncertain. Relapses are fairly common, and the cause often remains unknown.

Cancer arthritis in cats.

This type of arthritis is most often caused by a tumor known as synovial cell sarcoma. This is the most common malignant tumor that affects the joints of a cat. Signs are lameness and swelling of the joints, x-rays show swelling of the soft tissues and inflammation around the bone. A biopsy reveals signs of a soft tissue tumor. Since spread of cancer to the lungs occurs in about 25% of cats, amputation of the limb is usually recommended to prevent this.

Joint injuries in cats.

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in a cat.

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament knee joint usually occurs as a result of a serious injury. However, injury is more likely if the joint is already weakened by degeneration, immune system dysfunction, or defects in the structures that support the joint. In most cases, injuries lead to ruptures in the middle of the ligament, although sometimes the ligament is torn from the bone. Ligament tears of this type can cause knee instability, cartilage damage, synovial fluid buildup, bony outgrowth, hardening, and thickening of the joint membrane.

Signs of a tear may include lameness, pain, joint swelling, fluid buildup, and grinding when moving the joint. In addition, the joint may move abnormally freely. Partial breaks characterized by limited joint mobility, especially in flexion. The rupture can be determined by x-ray. To clarify the condition, the results of the analysis of the joint fluid are used.

Currently, both therapeutic and surgical methods. Physical therapy, weight loss, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alleviate discomfort experienced by the cat from inflammation and degenerative joint disease. If degenerative changes in the joints have not gone too far, the prognosis after surgery is good.

Rupture of the palmar carpal ligament in cats.

Loads from falls or jumps can cause joint hyperdisplacement, in which the limb is out of its normal range of motion. This causes excessive stress on the wrists, which can lead to rupture of ligaments and fibrous cartilage, destruction of the joints. Fortunately, such injuries for cats are rare. Signs of a torn palmar ligament include lameness, swelling of the wrist, and difficulty placing the foot on the ground. While a splint or cast may be sufficient in mild cases, it usually requires surgical operation. The operation consists in fastening the affected bones of the joints with screws and plates, pins, wire or installing an external system. Recovery prognosis is good.

Dislocation of the hip in cats.

hip dislocation usually the result of a fracture or injury that displaces the head femur from the socket of the hip joint. Signs of hip dislocation are lameness, pain when moving in hip joint and limb shortening. X-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis and identify possible fractures. Non-surgical treatment includes "power" reduction of the joint and fixation of the thigh in a normal position. Surgery provides for stabilization with pins. If more conservative treatment does not produce results surgical resection bones or complete prosthetics hip joint. The prognosis is very good.

It is generally accepted that in old age people often suffer from joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. It is also very common in older dogs.

Until relatively recently, arthritis in cats was usually not diagnosed or treated. This is partly due to the instinct to mask symptoms, which makes it difficult for owners or veterinarians to diagnose the disease.

Distribution of Arthritis in Cats

Due to the problems of diagnosing arthritis in cats, it is quite difficult to determine exactly how many cats actually get the disease in old age. Relatively recent studies based on radiographs of older cats have come up with startling findings. 90% of cats over the age of 12 show signs of degenerative joint disease, including cats with "spondylosis" spinal column. But even when these cases were ruled out, approximately y? of all cats, there were still radiographic signs of arthritis affecting the joints of the extremities. Recent studies have shown the presence of arthritis in the joints of the extremities in 90% of cats. All of these studies show that arthritis is very common in cats, and that it is much more common (and more severe) in older cats. Shoulders, hips, elbows, knees knee joints), and the ankles are the most commonly injured joints.

Causes of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated type of arthritis in which normal cartilage tissue, which cushions the joint, degenerates and wears out, leading to inflammation. OA can be idiopathic, or primary (without an obvious underlying cause where the disease may arise, according to at least in part, due to mechanical "wear and tear" due to increased friction in the joints), or secondary to joint injury or other pathology.

It is currently not entirely clear what is more likely to cause arthritis in cats. Required additional research to find out if this is similar to OA in people where mechanical damage joints may be a key factor in the development of the disease, or other factors may be involved.

Factors that may increase the risk of arthritis in cats include:

• Genetics - a number of cat breeds have more high risk development of arthritis
• Hip dysplasia (abnormal development of the hip joints), especially in Maine Coons (but also pathology can occur in Persians, Siamese cats and representatives of other breeds);
• Patella luxation, which is most common in cats Abyssinian breed and Devon Rex;
• Scottish folds are prone to severe arthritis that affects many joints due to abnormal cartilage development.

• Wound or injury - fractures, dislocations and other joint damage. They can cause joint pathology, which can result in secondary osteoarthritis.
• Obesity - may be a predisposing factor. There is no evidence that obesity per se causes arthritis, but it probably does. overweight in a cat can make an existing condition worse.
• Acromegaly is a condition in older cats in which the pituitary gland secretes too much a large number of growth hormone. With this disease, cats usually suffer from diabetes.

Arthritis Symptoms in Cats

Cats are masters at masking discomfort and pain, and often do not show the obvious signs that one would expect from this condition. Cats limit activity to minimize the use of inflamed joints and do not usually exhibit signs of arthritis common to other animals.

The main symptoms of arthritis in cats are:

• Limited mobility
• Reluctance or refusal to jump
• The cat jumps to lower surfaces than before
• The cat jumps down less often
• Difficulty climbing up or down stairs
• Immobility in the limbs, especially after a period of rest (such as sleep) for some time
• Obvious lameness
• Difficulties using cat litter
• Difficulty going through the cat door
• Activity reduction:
• Increased rest or sleep time
• Reluctance to hunt or get out into the environment
• Sleeping in "new", more accessible places for the cat
• Reduced interaction and play behavior with people or other pets
• Grooming disorders
• Decreased time spent licking hair
• Tangled and frayed fur
• Excessive licking painful joints
• Overgrown claws due to lack of activity and reduced claw sharpening
• Character changes
• Irritability when interacting with people
• Irritability when in contact with other animals, aggression
• Spending most of the time alone
• Reluctance to interact with people and/or animals

Diagnostics

Because arthritis is more common and more severe in older cats, it should be looked for in any adult cat(7 and more years) or in very old cats. Diagnosis is often based on the presence of certain signs of behavior at home. If you see any of these changes, it is important to have your cat checked by a veterinarian, as arthritis is an uncomfortable and painful condition.

When your veterinarian examines your cat, they may notice tenderness, discomfort when bending a joint, or other changes affecting certain joints. If in doubt, your veterinarian may suggest x-rays of the joints, however, this is not always necessary, and in some cases of doubtful diagnosis, a trial treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs may be used.

Although further tests such as blood and urine tests are not usually necessary to diagnose arthritis, they may be indicated to look for other problems (common in older cats) or before certain medications are started.

Treatment

There are many treatment options for arthritis, and it's not always just about taking the right pill.

Changing conditions for a sick cat

Changing the content environment can significantly improve the quality of life in many ways. This includes:

• The use of soft comfortable sunbeds placed in secluded places that are easily accessible to the cat, devoid of drafts
• Creating steps or a ramp to give the cat access to favorite high places (e.g. sofa, window sill, etc.)
• Nessesary to use toilet tray with one low side for easy access
• Make sure food and water are easily accessible and at floor level.
• Make sure your cat does not need to climb or descend stairs to access food, water, or a litter box.
• Spend time grooming and cleaning your cat as this can be difficult for her.
• Overgrown nails need to be trimmed regularly.

Diet and nutritional supplements

Being obese or overweight makes arthritis worse. Careful weight optimization is very important for older cats. If your cat is overweight, then it is very helpful for her to lose weight in a controlled manner, under the supervision of a veterinarian. A special diet may also be recommended.

Some nutritional supplements may also be indicated for a cat with degenerative joint disease - they usually contain combinations of essential fatty acids, and glycosaminoglycans (such as glucosamine and chondroitin), which are "building blocks" articular cartilage and designed to improve its quality.

These diets and nutritional supplements are generally safe and easy to use (only on the recommendation of a veterinarian!); however, their effectiveness in treating arthritis in cats is questionable. If they have an effect, it will probably be moderate. Diets and supplements can help with initial stage arthritis or as part of more complex treatment. Additional problem is that the manufacture of glucosamine and chondroitin as food additives is poorly regulated and the quality of different commercial products can vary wildly.

Medical treatment

Medications can be very effective in controlling arthritis pain and inflammation, but they must be used as directed by a veterinarian as any medication can have side effects.

The most commonly used class of drugs to manage arthritis pain are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Many different NSAIDs are licensed for use in cats in different countries but the safety of these drugs varies. To minimize risk side effects the medicinal product must be carefully selected and administered using the lowest effective dosage for each cat).

The first NSAID to be licensed for long-term use in cats was meloxicam and there is extensive information on the use of this medicinal product, showing that it is effective in correct use(and at the doses described), serious unwanted effects are rare.

- A change in behavior - in response to the desire to stroke the cat, if there is a disease, she will not allow this, since pain will already cause discomfort. The cat will avoid any contact, being more alone in a hidden place.

- Sloppy grooming - if a cat suffers from arthritis, then each time it will be more and more difficult for her to put her coat in order by licking. The only place to which she will pay more attention is the focus of inflammation. Also, a sore joint will not give you the opportunity to sharpen your claws well.

- Decrease active life- with a disease, the cat’s unwillingness to jump is noted and this is very important symptom(it will be difficult for her to even jump on the bed), she devotes her time to sleep more often than walking around the house.

- Visual symptoms - lameness can be very clear (especially after a long sleep). If you have joint problems hind legs the cat will have trouble going to her litter box.

The reasons

Arthritis is usually diagnosed in older cats over 7 years of age. However, in young individuals, inflammation and damage to the joints can be detected. The reasons can be varied:

• birth trauma or congenital deformity of the joint;
• excess weight of the animal;
• joint injury;
• colds and infectious diseases.

Treatment

Treatment of arthritis in cats should be comprehensive. Not only acceptance of certain medicines, but the creation of all comfortable conditions can be improved general state your pet and recover faster after illness.

For convenience

If the cat likes to sleep on the windowsill, then you need to equip it soft bedding, and to facilitate getting on it, substitute a chair or ladder so that she does not have to jump again.

All doors in the house for the period of illness should be ajar so that the animal can pass through the opening without hitting the door with its sides.

It is worth helping the cat in grooming, but only if it does not bring her pain. In response to an irritable meow, it is better to stop the procedure.

Medicines and nutrition

Medicines are prescribed very carefully, because there are a lot of side effects. Treatment medications best done under the supervision of a veterinarian.

The only and widely used drug is Meloxicam, which has been licensed to combat arthritis in cats and has proven itself to be excellent. However, only a veterinarian can prescribe the dosage, after examining the cat, establishing the diagnosis and the causes of the disease.

Diet food for a cat - the basis successful treatment especially if the animal is overweight. Also modern production, which produces cat food, supply it with various combinations of nutritional supplements to improve the condition.

Feed may contain such ingredients destructive process for joints - glucosamine and chondroitin. And to reduce inflammatory process fatty substances (acids).

Mandatory re-examination pet best done after 2-3 weeks of treatment.

Arthritis in cats is an unpleasant and difficult to diagnose disease, accompanied by inflammation of the articular tissues and pain. The full name of the disease is osteoarthritis. chronic illness joints leading to limb deformities. Due to the high adaptability, cats to pain, it is difficult for novice owners to compare barely noticeable signs and identify an ailment.

Just like in humans, arthritis in cats is mostly an age-related disease. With age, everything life systems organisms are subject to wear and tear, musculoskeletal system not an exception. Domestic cats do not have the immunity of wild "relatives", so inflammation of the joints is a common ailment. Arthritis is a broad concept and it is divided into types depending on the underlying causes:

• Osteoarthritis- most often due to genetic inheritance. special group risk - lop-eared cats and artificially bred breeds, the initial gene mutation leads to insufficiency of the musculoskeletal system - dysplasia or congenital disorder structures of cartilage.

• rheumatoid- a disease of connective tissues that affects the joints. Origin undetermined, presumably caused by bacteria that are similar in structure to cartilage cells. The disease is similar to autoimmune, it is difficult to treat. How and how to treat rheumatoid diseases is best determined with a veterinarian, since it is impossible to “guess the culprit” without an examination.

• Traumatic- is due to closed injury joint, usually large. Traumatic arthritis in cats can be accompanied by sprains moderate without direct trauma to the joint.

• Functional- develops due to an exorbitant load for the animal, for example, falling from high altitude and landing on the paws.

• metabolic arthritis- metabolic disorders lead to thinning or fragility of the articular tissues.

• Purulent- a disease complicated by infection of the articular "bag". Bacteria enter the cavity formed after the injury, which begin to destroy the surrounding tissues. More often, purulent arthritis in cats occurs with severe open or penetrating wounds.