March 23, 2009

Dear Obie,
My cat, Ruby, seems to be having a lot of trouble recently jumping up on the couch, or leaping up to her favorite window bench. She's eleven years old. Is it possible that she has arthritis?
Signed, Scott
Billings, Montana


Dear Scott,
As cats age, they develop some of the same infirmities as humans do when they get older. That list includes such things as arthritis, and degenerative joint disease. Some of the side effects, and the ones that you are most likely to spot, are things just like you mentioned. Cats become less active, or have problems getting up following a nap, or stay on the floor rather than jump onto a bed or couch or window ledge.

Arthritis will affect every cat in different ways, but, as mentioned above, the most common affects are in the areas of movement. The simple things that your cat always did without effort suddenly become painful, and they stop doing them. Jumping, stretching, playing; all will cause pain in their joints. These signs, however, can be difficult to spot. In most cases, the cats joints are not swollen or painful to the touch, and only through observation, and noticing behavioral changes, can you recognize the signs of arthritis. If you do recognize that Ruby is acting differently, as you say you have, talk to your vet. Ruby could have arthritis.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help make her life easier. Many pet retailers offer steps that you can use to give her easier access to the couch or bed, or even to her favorite window ledge. Heated pads can also help make her joints feel better, but use them with caution! The best types of pads are the ones that reflect back a cats body heat rather than the plug-in variety. You can also purchase litter boxes with lower sides than a standard box, allowing Ruby the luxury of getting in and out without having to make that big step over the rim!

Another option is nutraceuticals, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, as I talked about in my column of March 15. Talk to your vet about these new natural drugs. They can help Ruby feel a lot better!

I hope this helps, Scott!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
What is heartworm?
Signed, Tai-Chai
Columbus, Ohio


Dear Tai-Chai,
Heartworm is a nasty infection that garners a lot of attention in dogs but is not mentioned that often in cats. Cats can, however, suffer from heartworm just like dogs, and it is just as dangerous to us as it is to our canine friends! And heartworm can affect indoor cats as well as outdoor cats!

Heartworm infection occurs when an infected mosquito bites a cat. This infects the cat with heartworm larvae, and those larvae then mature in the blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs. The larvae mature in those vessels, causing an inflammatory reaction, which then in turn leads to respiratory problems.

Unlike heartworm in dogs, it is the larvae rather than the mature heartworms that cause the problems. And since the larvae are in the vessels that supply blood to the lungs, the primary symptoms of heartworm in cats are difficulty breathing, coughing, fainting, and not eating. These signs, too often, are mistaken for asthma or bronchitis, and, since the standard tests for heartworm don't always detect the larvae, many cats are misdiagnosed. Luckily, new scientific discoveries are allowing vets to detect heartworm more readily in cats, leading to more cases in which cats can be effectively treated.

If you think your cat might have heartworm, call your vet. Get treatment as soon as possible, and your kitty can recover and live a happy life!

Your friend,
Obie

*****

"What a cat dreams, it dreams with all its soul. When a cat plays, it plays with all its might. And when a cat loves, it loves with all its heart."
-Don Amiet

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!