Cat + Arthritis (Long)
 

It is official Mika (14 years) has Arthritis. She does not want to jump gates or jump onto/off the bed. I have steps the Yorkies will sometime use. Mika is now using them regularly. Today she refused to jump a baby gate- I can raise most of the baby gates several inches off the ground so she can get under but then so can the Yorkies :(. She cried at the gate- When to check on her. She had food and water, bed was clean, litter looked good. I then lifted her over the gate and she was happy and walked away. The baby gates are pretty low- 18 inches to max of 24 inches in height for all the gates- So lower gates is not possible. I can easily and will happily pick her up and down all she wants. She has earned it. She is a seasoned kitten and puppy raiser. She never had kittens of her own but has raised my others I have fostered. She taught all my yorkie puppies to be nice to kitty. She has ruled with an "iron paw" as a Regal Queen.

Her gait has been getting stiffer especially the last 1-2 months. She is eating, drinking, and acting normally otherwise- She was always a Regal Queen- Above play but happy to bird watch and lounge all day. So her quality of life is not vastly affected. She loves to be in steam- Pot on stove with boiling water, teacup, or bathroom. All you have to say is "Bathtime Mika- Time for your asthma treatment" and she goes quickly to the bathroom. I have been lifting her into towels piled behind the tub for years- She enjoys the steam not an actual bath. She lives her life on her terms. Always has- No one makes Mika do anything.

Thankfully she is not a finicky or picky eater. She loves her wet food but always has and the vet says her teeth are in great shape. I always give them more wet food in hot weather.

It just hit me this morning that is all that she is old :(:(

Anything I can give her/supplement with to make her more comfortable. She saw the vet 2 months ago for her yearly exam. He does not think me bringing her in more often unless ill would benefit her. He said older dogs should be brought in every 6 months but he would rather leave older cats be.

I wonder if I can give her some oral supplements before I jump to injectable (Adequin) She only eats cats food and occasionally some real fish or chicken.

The vet said I can try fish oil (Salmon is best) and Cosequin (Glucosamine/Chindrotine). I can also add Vitamin C and Vitamin E, too if I wanted.

Just really wondering what others do.

Sorry for the length.

Mike I just wanted to say I'm sorry you have not had any responses. as of yet, I've not had to deal with arthritis in cats. Is it possible to check with your vet to see if Glucosamine and Chondritin supplements might help?

Also I've had success with acupunture with dogs with arthritis, and I've heard really good things about the Class IV or V laser treatments.

No biggy. The vet said to give her some fish oil and vit E to start and then go put for there. To an over the counter Cat joint med like Cosequin. So far I am just adding the fish oil and vit e and she is still eating her wet food with vigor.