Arthritis in Cats
Holly Frisby, DVM, MS
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
The most common signs of arthritis and joint disease in cats include stiffness, limping, or
favoring a limb – particularly after sleep or resting, reluctance to jump or even climb stairs,
and noticeable pain.
As in dogs, there are many causes of arthritis and joint
disease in cats. These include trauma, infections, immune
system disorders, and developmental disorders such as
hip dysplasia (yes, cats can get hip dysplasia).
In the following article we will discuss some of these causes
or conditions which are more common or unique to cats.
Information on how to manage cats with arthritis and other
joint problems, including the use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin is discussed in Treatment
of Osteoarthritis in Cats.
Progressive polyarthritis
Feline progressive polyarthritis, as the name suggests, affects multiple joints in a cat and
worsens over time. There are generally two types of this disease.
In the first type of progressive polyarthritis, the cartilage is eroded from the ends of the
bones making up the joint and bony spurs and bone thickening occur in bones adjacent to
the joint. These kinds of changes are similar to those seen in hip dysplasia and other
degenerative joint disease. The most commonly affected joints are those of the feet, the
carpus (wrist), and hock.
In the second type of progressive polyarthritis, the erosion of the cartilage is severe such
that the bone under the cartilage is exposed, which causes severe pain. This is similar to
rheumatoid arthritis in dogs and people.
Regardless of type, progressive polyarthritis in cats generally affects young and middle-aged
male cats (neutering appears to make no difference). The cats show a reluctance to walk,
the joints are swollen, the range of motion is reduced, and in some cases, the cats
experience recurring episodes of fever, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes.
There is no cure for either type of progressive polyarthritis. Even with strong combinations
of pain relievers, anti-inflammatories such as prednisone, and more potent medications,
which suppress the immune system, many cats remain in extreme pain and owners may
elect to have the cat euthanized.
Arthritis caused by calicivirus infection
Calicivirus is a virus that is most well-known for the respiratory disease (usually runny eyes
and nose) it causes. Calicivirus is often included in the distemper-rhinotracheitis-chlamydia
vaccine, which is given to kittens and cats.
In addition to respiratory disease, calicivirus can cause inflammation in the joints, which
results in lameness. This condition has been associated with both the field strain (the strain
which generally causes disease), and rarely, the vaccine strain. Respiratory symptoms may or
may not be present along with the lameness. The cats with calicivirus-associated lameness
often develop a fever and may be reluctant to eat.
It is generally a self-limiting disease, which means it usually resolves on its own. Supportive
therapy such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication is sometimes given. The vast
majority of cats fully recover.
Diabetes mellitus
Rarely, cats with diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) develop an unusual gait in which the
hocks touch the ground when the cat walks. This is thought to be related to a disorder of
the nerves, but can be mistaken for a joint problem.
Bacterial arthritis
In cats, joints most often become infected as a result of bite wounds. The joint becomes
swollen, painful, warm to the touch, and the cat will often not want to bear any weight on
the affected leg. The cat often has a fever and will not eat. At times, the infection can
spread from the joint to the bone (bone infection is termed 'osteomyelitis').
Treatment involves draining the infected joint fluid from the joint, flushing the joint, and
placing the cat on antibiotics. Because bacterial infections of the joint can rapidly produce
permanent injury to the joint, infectious arthritis must be treated as soon as it is detected.
Other joint diseases
Several other joint conditions which are more common in dogs do occur rarely in cats.
These include degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis), ruptured anterior cruciate
ligament, luxating patella, hip dysplasia, (intervertebral) disc disease, and
hyperparathyroidism.
Copyright © 1997-2004, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted from PetEducation.com.
Holly Frisby, DVM, MS
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
The most common signs of arthritis and joint disease in cats include stiffness, limping, or
favoring a limb – particularly after sleep or resting, reluctance to jump or even climb stairs,
and noticeable pain.
As in dogs, there are many causes of arthritis and joint
disease in cats. These include trauma, infections, immune
system disorders, and developmental disorders such as
hip dysplasia (yes, cats can get hip dysplasia).
In the following article we will discuss some of these causes
or conditions which are more common or unique to cats.
Information on how to manage cats with arthritis and other
joint problems, including the use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin is discussed in Treatment
of Osteoarthritis in Cats.
Progressive polyarthritis
Feline progressive polyarthritis, as the name suggests, affects multiple joints in a cat and
worsens over time. There are generally two types of this disease.
In the first type of progressive polyarthritis, the cartilage is eroded from the ends of the
bones making up the joint and bony spurs and bone thickening occur in bones adjacent to
the joint. These kinds of changes are similar to those seen in hip dysplasia and other
degenerative joint disease. The most commonly affected joints are those of the feet, the
carpus (wrist), and hock.
In the second type of progressive polyarthritis, the erosion of the cartilage is severe such
that the bone under the cartilage is exposed, which causes severe pain. This is similar to
rheumatoid arthritis in dogs and people.
Regardless of type, progressive polyarthritis in cats generally affects young and middle-aged
male cats (neutering appears to make no difference). The cats show a reluctance to walk,
the joints are swollen, the range of motion is reduced, and in some cases, the cats
experience recurring episodes of fever, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes.
There is no cure for either type of progressive polyarthritis. Even with strong combinations
of pain relievers, anti-inflammatories such as prednisone, and more potent medications,
which suppress the immune system, many cats remain in extreme pain and owners may
elect to have the cat euthanized.
Arthritis caused by calicivirus infection
Calicivirus is a virus that is most well-known for the respiratory disease (usually runny eyes
and nose) it causes. Calicivirus is often included in the distemper-rhinotracheitis-chlamydia
vaccine, which is given to kittens and cats.
In addition to respiratory disease, calicivirus can cause inflammation in the joints, which
results in lameness. This condition has been associated with both the field strain (the strain
which generally causes disease), and rarely, the vaccine strain. Respiratory symptoms may or
may not be present along with the lameness. The cats with calicivirus-associated lameness
often develop a fever and may be reluctant to eat.
It is generally a self-limiting disease, which means it usually resolves on its own. Supportive
therapy such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication is sometimes given. The vast
majority of cats fully recover.
Diabetes mellitus
Rarely, cats with diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) develop an unusual gait in which the
hocks touch the ground when the cat walks. This is thought to be related to a disorder of
the nerves, but can be mistaken for a joint problem.
Bacterial arthritis
In cats, joints most often become infected as a result of bite wounds. The joint becomes
swollen, painful, warm to the touch, and the cat will often not want to bear any weight on
the affected leg. The cat often has a fever and will not eat. At times, the infection can
spread from the joint to the bone (bone infection is termed 'osteomyelitis').
Treatment involves draining the infected joint fluid from the joint, flushing the joint, and
placing the cat on antibiotics. Because bacterial infections of the joint can rapidly produce
permanent injury to the joint, infectious arthritis must be treated as soon as it is detected.
Other joint diseases
Several other joint conditions which are more common in dogs do occur rarely in cats.
These include degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis), ruptured anterior cruciate
ligament, luxating patella, hip dysplasia, (intervertebral) disc disease, and
hyperparathyroidism.
Copyright © 1997-2004, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted from PetEducation.com.
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Arthritis In Cats
Arthritis Management - Dogs
Arthritis Treatment - Cats
Causes of Arthritis in Pets
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Essential Needs
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Hip Dysplasia In Dogs
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Food Not Fit For A Pet
Food Pets Die For
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