Aging Cat

March 3, 2006 4:49 PM

17 yo cat with advanced arthritis (or something).

She been getting wobblier over the last year or two, and her condition has flushed in the last couple of months- wobble to hobble to limp to worse. In the last week her limp became very pronounced, and as of today she's walking on three legs without using her back right leg at all. The vet was not helpful on the phone, and discouraged a visit. I should mention at this point that my cat is a raging psycho bitch who has trashed many exam rooms and turned the tables on many techs who intended to draw her blood, and now when I update her shots I have to pay extra $$$ to have her sedated. Anyway, here're my questions

The internet recommends weight management and exercise, but also early diagnosis. Are these approaches still useful at this late stage?
Anyone have good or bad experience with glucosamine and/or chondritin?
Any non-arthritis explanations I should consider?
Does all of this portend a near demise?

posted by Eothele to pets & animals (9 comments total)

The vet was not helpful on the phone, and discouraged a visit.

See another vet. Your cat's walking on three legs and she doesn't want to see her? That's messed up.

I don't have personal experience with a cat with feline arthritis, but I do have an 18 year old cat with other problems and I really don't think you can tackle this without a vet.
posted by amro at 5:38 PM on March 3, 2006

I had an old cat who was only mildly arthritic. I noticed at one point that, because of her growing discomfort, she was unable to sharpen her claws in the usual way and one of them had grown around and was pressing into the toe pad. After that I was much more attentive to keep her claws trimmed. It's not an issue I've seen described in any cat book, so I thought it might be worth mentioning as a possibility.
posted by zadcat at 6:42 PM on March 3, 2006

See another vet.

I had an old moggie with arthritis. The vet was able to prescribe anti-inflammatories that did assist. Rather than the usual strugge to administer pills, we hid ours in liverwurst and the cat seemed more than happy with the "treat" once a day before meals.

Heated sleeping pads or a hot-waterbottle at night do seem to keep the stiffness at bay and be sure to keep the cat well groomed as stiffness will prevent them from reaching everywhere. A soft baby's brush is cheap, works well and doesn't seem to annoy them as much as generic "pet" brushes.

Zadcat is quite correct - older cats cannot scratch as well and may need to have their claws clipped (not a fun job but can be done at home with special clippers, a fluffy towel to wrap the patient in, and a understanding helper).

Generally there's ALWAYS something that can be done. The limit is how much money and effort you're willing to put in and the net result to the cat. Good luck.
posted by ninazer0 at 7:00 PM on March 3, 2006

I second amro's suggestion to see another vet. Try to find one who specialises in cats.

In my experience elderly cats with arthritis can be helped by adding glucosamine HCL & chondritin sulphate to the diet. There is a product named 'Synoquin' There is an international contact number there and they DO make a formulation specifically for cats. It comes in sprinkle capsules. Two of my 16 year old felines have benefited greatly from having it and both took to it being mixed with their wet food easily. Introduce it gradually to the food, and within 6 weeks if it is going to help, you will see a big difference in mobility.

A good anti inflammatory named 'Metacam' is used in the UK for cats with arthritis and at low doses can provide much relief. In the UK it's only licenced for use in dogs but is widely used in low doses for cats with no harm. I use the oral suspension on days when my two older cats are particularly stiff and creaky. Both products are available via vets. Cats have an increased sensitivity to non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, a good cat vet will advise you.

As cats get older, kidney problems can often present symptoms that appear to mimic the 'wobblyness' of arthritis. Keep a close eye on your cat's drinking and litter box habits. A good cat vet will usually carry out a blood and urine test along with a thorough physical examination to establish if the kidneys are functioning well. X rays will reveal arthritic changes in joints.

With good veterinary care. arthritis in cats can be managed well and the quality of the cat's remaining years of life improved.

Good luck :)

PS: A good cat vet will have a more positive attitude to and techniques for handling cats that go wild with fear when they are examined. Explain your cat's terror and behaviour to your new vet before you visit.
posted by Arqa at 12:34 AM on March 4, 2006

Sorry, I was unclear: when the vet discouraged a visit on the phone, the cat was still using all four legs.
posted by Eothele at 8:51 AM on March 4, 2006

My advice still stands. She needs to see a vet, and your current vet doesn't sound very caring. I felt the same way about the vet I used to take my cat to, and switching to a new one recently (on the advice of MeFites, actually) has made a huge difference. Not only do I feel like her illness has been handled much better, but my cat is actually more calm about going to the vet now.

At any rate, it really sounds like she needs medical attention, whether you take her to the same vet or someone new. I know that taking her for an appointment is no fun for anyone, but she sounds like she's in great discomfort.
posted by amro at 1:05 PM on March 4, 2006

Update: She went to the vet today, and has a massive growth in her knee that has eaten away alot of bone mass. No arthritis. It'll be a few days before we know the nature of the growth. The best case scenario now is amputation, so the question becomes: Anyone know any well-adjusted 3-legged cats?
posted by Eothele at 8:38 PM on March 4, 2006

I'm sorry to hear it was so serious, but glad she's being treated now. Two of the sweetest animals I have ever known were three-legged: a cat at the shelter I used to volunteer at (very newly amputated when I met her), and a family member's dog. She'll adjust. Good luck.
posted by amro at 7:21 AM on March 5, 2006

That's sad to hear that she has a tumour, but like amro, I'm pleased she's getting the right treatment.

If amputation is necessary, please be heartened to know that cats will adapt successfully to having a leg amputated. I've known 2 amputee cats (one missing a fore leg and the other missing a hind leg), both did extremely well. The hind leg amputee resumed her love of tree climbing very quickly too.

Post-op, to enable her to get up and down from favourite places, give her some boxes arranged like steps, she'll be grateful. Give her time, warmth, adequate analgesia and love and I'm sure she'll do really well :)
posted by Arqa at 7:52 AM on March 5, 2006