Arthritis, also called osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that causes cartilage erosion and bone proliferation in the joints. The joints wear down which results in inflammation and pain in the joints. Arthritis is found in cats of all ages but is most common in senior and geriatric cats. In cats, we frequently find more than one joint affected with arthritis at the time of diagnosis. The most affected joints are the hip, hock, and elbow.
The diagnosis of arthritis is made by exam, history, and radiographs.
The treatment for arthritis in cats is often multimodal. When treated, we can improve our cat’s quality
of life. Osteoarthritis requires chronic treatment. Your veterinarian will help you develop the best
approach for treating your cat. Some common treatments include:
Arthritis is the most common chronic, painful condition in cats. We can see arthritis in cats of all ages,
but most commonly it is found in older cats. With the help of your veterinarian, we can develop a
multimodal treatment plan to improve your cat’s comfort and mobility.
