Arthritis In Cats

This makes joints less flexible causing stiffness and pain.

Arthritis in cats.

Younger cats can develop arthritis if they have an injury or their joints haven t developed properly. Osteo meaning bone arthro meaning joint and itis meaning inflammation cats with oa experience pain and inflammation in various joints that interfere with the activities of daily living. Arthritis is a joint problem that can reduce mobility and elicit pain. Age weight health status and previous injuries play a big role in feline arthritis.

Until recently cats were thought to be unlikely to develop arthritis. Arthritis is a painful condition that causes joints to become inflamed and stiff. The word osteoarthritis is derived from several words in greek. Causes of arthritis in cats arthritis occurs when the cartilage within the joint becomes damaged.

Most cats don t develop obvious signs of arthritis until they are at least 10 years old. It can be caused by injury infection the body s own immune system or developmental problems involving the joints. Cats can develop arthritis for a variety of reasons including aging obesity trauma and occasionally genetic or heritable conditions. Arthritis is commonly encountered in cats particularly in older cats.

The signs of feline arthritis are often subtle and difficult to spot even for the most dedicated of cat owners. Arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in middle aged to older pets. Just as in humans cats develop arthritis as they age. Does your cat crouch awkwardly as if their joints are stiff.

Arthritis causes changes within the affected joints that are painful for the affected pet. However the most common form of arthritis in cats is called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Even younger cats under the right circumstances can suffer from arthritic changes. More than 80 of cats over 10 years of age will have some degree of arthritis.

Arthritis occurs when the cartilage between bones deteriorates. Symptoms and pain relief webmd veterinary reference from the aspca arthritis also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease causes pain and inflammation in a cat s. This inflammation of the joints occurs when there is damage to moveable bones and can be caused by many things including trauma infection or wear and tear. It can affect any joint in the body but is most common in the legs and spine.

Arthritis is extremely common in cats. This pain is responsible for many of the signs associated with arthritis in cats.