Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia

Arthritis in cats been gaining a lot of focus in recent years.  Historically cats were thought not to be subjected to the arthritic change we see in dogs, especially large breeds.  However, very important studies have shown that this is not the case (simply proving what cat practitioners had known all along!) as 90% of cats over the age of 12 had documentable joint changes on x-ray even if they were not showing a lot of symptoms at home!
Some breeds of cats, like Main Coon Cats, are more at risk of developing types of arthritis, especially hip dysplasia.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis reflects wear and tear changes on joints that can cause a loss of the protective cartilage over time.  Once the cartilage is going, bones being to grind over each other during normal movement, causing pain.

How do cats get arthritis?

Although all joints can develop arthritis, younger cats, as they are more active and crazy, can get arthritic change in the joints that are involved with movement (i.e. elbows and knees), whereas older cats may show more changes in their spines.

How do I know if my cat has arthritis?

Cats are subtle when sick so if they have arthritis, we can be sure they are not going to be obvious about it!  Arthritic cats will likely still jump, walk up stairs, and otherwise act “normal” because they are so good at masking their pain.
An arthritic cat may start to jump on lower objects to get onto their favorite couch or hop down the stairs to avoid moving painful hips.  A sudden aversion to being brushed or a change in their grooming may be because the spine is too painful and stiff to flex properly.  Sudden changes in litter box use may reflect knees that are too sore to climb over the edge or a general unsteadiness while standing on the litter.

Can I cure my cat's arthritis?

Unfortunately arthritic change is part of aging and, as of yet, there is no cure.  That said, there are treatment options available that can be used to keep the pain and inflammation to a minimum and your cat comfortable.
The most common treatment option in people and dogs is the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories).  Cats are highly sensitive to NSAIDs and some human products are very toxic (especially ibuprofen and acetaminophen/Tylenol®) and can cause death if given to a cat.  Do not administer any medicine to your cat without first speaking to your veterinarinan.