When Cats Hurt

 “Not too long ago I trimmed the trees back from one corner of my home. I trimmed one tree, in particular, that was more than a tree it was a ladder our 14-year-old cat, Boo, to climb up on our roof. I trimmed it so that our cat could no longer get up on our roof after an incident where he was unable to get down. Since then we have not seen Boo on the roof.

To my wife’s and my surprise upon returning home after a morning walk we saw Boo on the roof attempting to jump to the trimmed back tree. We were too far away to help.  Not being very limber he missed his mark and fell to the ground. He quickly walked away from the mishap but with his age, we knew he would be hurting.  We regularly give Boo Feline RJ Plus Transdermal Cream but decided to double the dose for the next couple of days.  Boo never showed signs of discomfort so I know that this wonderful transdermal cream worked and I didn’t have to fight Boo every day trying to administer a pill to him. “

Cats can be difficult to treat for pain for several reasons. One, Cats being cats, when they hurt because of illness or injuries, their instincts cause them to mask their pain. This natural behavior creates a problem when the animal has a serious condition that should receive veterinary attention but instead goes unchecked. Two, it’s just hard to give cats pills or liquids in spite of pill poppers and syringes.

Unmasking Hidden Feline Pain

It is important that cat owners be vigilant in watching for signs that their cat is experiencing discomfort since cats hide it well and often become ill-tempered when they experience pain.

Signs that indicate a cat is in pain may include:

• Behavioral changes
  • Increased vocalization
  • Acting agitated by biting or slapping
  • Withdrawal from play activities
  • Excessive sleeping
  • Loss of interest in being handled, cuddled, picked up
  • Aggression when handled
  • Acting depressed, hiding, or disappearing for long lengths of time
  • Changes in grooming habits
    • Decreased grooming, hair mats
    • Increased grooming in a specific area, pulling out hair
  • Subtle changes in personality
• Physical changes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Shallow breathing
  • Trembling
  • Increase in blood pressure
  • Increased heart rate
  • Limb stiffness or limping

Reasons Why Cats May Experience Pain:

Hiding their pain also makes it difficult for your veterinarian to diagnose the cause of the cat’s discomfort. A cat can encounter many causes of pain, for example:

• Trauma
• Injury
• Poison
• Recovering from medical treatment or surgery
• Dental infections
• Degenerative disease
• Urinary tract diseases
• Ear infections
• Systemic infections
• Cancer
• Age
• Arthritis

What you can do to treat and manage Pain in Cats:

Determining the cause to alleviate the pain is imperative to help your cat feel better. However, in cats, pain management does not always have a straightforward approach. While there are many ways for a veterinarian to medically manage animal pain, unfortunately, there are fewer options for cats than there are for dogs.

Pain relief medications that can be used on cats include:

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Used to treat mild to moderate pain
  • Provide analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic help
  • However, caution must be shown when used with cats
    • Recommended only for short-term use
    • NSAIDs can cause liver, kidney, stomach, intestinal problems
      • For example, acetaminophen is toxic to cats and can be fatal
• Opioids
  • Used to treat cats with severe pain, for example:
    • Following surgery
    • Advanced cancer
    • Severe arthritis
  • Certain opioids are considered to have few side effects than others
  • Felt to offer quality of life for cats with severe chronic pain
• Corticosteroids
  • Used to treat cats with anti-inflammatory needs, for example:
    • Arthritis pain
    • Allergic discomfort
  • Caution must be shown when used with cats
    • Potential long-term side effects

Alternative Therapies for Managing Pain in Cats

Two types of alternatives methods for managing feline pain include:

• Acupuncture
  • Considered a natural, non-invasive therapy that acts as an aid to stimulate the body to repair itself.
  • Therapy typically requires a series of treatments and should not be considered to be a quick fix.
  • The outcome usually recommends a series of treatments before an animal can return to its original pain-free state.
  • Has been proven to help animals with conditions such as:
    • Traumatic nerve injuries
    • Arthritis
    • Seizures and epilepsy
    • Immune function
    • Systemic inflammatory conditions
    • Degenerative joint disease
    • Cancer, to provide pain relief and aid fatigue
    • Cancer, to alleviate gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, nausea, inappetence
• Transdermal Cream

Feline RJ Plus Transdermal treatment is an anti-inflammatory & pain reliever for cats that you simply massage on the inside of one ear of your cat. There are no known side effects or contraindications. It is safe and non-toxic and easy to use with no gloves required.

• Prolotherapy
  • Type of holistic rehabilitative therapy also referred to as non-surgical ligament reconstruction
  • Therapy has been used in human rehabilitative medicine with minimal side effects.
  • Involves a series of injections that are a mixture of medicines that work to:
    • Relieve pain
    • Reconstruct and regenerate ligaments and tendons
    • Speed healing
• Injections are inserted into the area where ligament or tendon attaches to the bone, increasing the blood supply which stimulates the repair of the tissues and provides pain relief.
• Therapy has been shown to reduce pain in animals diagnosed with medical issues such as:
  • Ligament, tendon, and/or cartilage damage
  • Joint degeneration
  • Arthritis
  • Degenerated or herniated spinal discs

Cats are often beloved for their strong independent natures combined with their loving and sweet personalities.  Although it can be hard to determine when and why our cats experience pain with some understanding of feline pain you will have the knowledge to help you make those assessments correctly. Making your cat comfortable by using tried-and-true medicines or newer medical therapies offer methods for you to manage your cat’s pain and keep them comfortable.

To your Pet’s good health,

Dr. Barry

Sources:

http://www.aahc.us/holistic-medicine/prolotherapy.html
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.aava.org/resource/resmgr/AAVA_Acupuncture_brochure.pdf
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/02/03/how-to-know-if-your-cat-is-in-pain-and-what-to-do-about-it.aspx
http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/pain-management-for-cats/6584http://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20for%20the%20Long%20Term%20Use%20of%20NSAIDS%20in%20Cats_0.pdf

No Bones About Joints

The most common problem with middle age to senior dogs and cats is arthritis or some type of joint problem. Just like people our pet’s need help taking care of their joints. Today, I want to share important facts and pointers on how to  keep our pet’s joints healthy.

Did You Know?

• Dogs have about 319 individual bones
  • Bones will vary in size and shape depending upon the breed.
• Cats have about 244 individual bones
  • The number of bones will vary depending upon the length of their tail.
• Unlike humans, who walk on the soles of their feet, cats and dogs walk on their toes.
• While humans carry all of their weight on their hips, dogs carry 75 percent of their weight on their shoulders and front legs.
• In cats, the collar bone is small and may even be absent:
  • If present, the collar bone is not attached to the main skeleton, which helps to narrow the chest to allow the animal to keep its legs and feet close together and offers increased flexibility and the ability to fit in tight spaces.
  • This also enables the front legs to better absorb the shock of landing.
• The musculoskeletal system works together to provide stability and skeletal tightness, but in a cat, this system is less tightly connected, which helps to provide for their extreme flexibility!

Become Familiar with The Basics:

Musculoskeletal System

The joints are a part of the musculoskeletal system, which also consists of bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and muscles. This system has three general purposes:

• Support the weight of the body
• Maintain body position
• Produce controlled movements

Joints

When two bones come together they meet at the joint and provide for the range of motion in the skeletal system.

• Most joints have a cushioning pad of cartilage that works to protect the bones from the friction caused by everyday movement.
• When damaged by joint stress or trauma, these pads may deteriorate and inflame joint surfaces to cause pain and decrease mobility.
• Damage to the cartilage or structures in the joint often results in arthritis, a painful joint disease which is treatable, but has no cure, and typically progresses over time.
• Some joint issues are related to genetics.

Growth Plates and Young Puppies

What is a Growth Plate?  Growth plates are soft areas that sit at the ends of the long bones in puppies and kittens.

Growth Plates  contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to become longer.  Growth plates normally close or fuse as a pet matures.   In puppies, this closure is normally completed by approximately 12-18 months old.

Until the growth plates close, they’re soft and vulnerable to injury. Puppies and kittens that jump from high places or for toys can cause stress on the growth plates.

 Injury to a growth plate can result in a misshapen or shortened limbs which, in turn, can create an incorrect angle to a joint which can make the puppy more prone to yet more injuries or arthritis when he grows up.

4       Tips for Maintaining Joint Health and Reducing Joint Issues

#1.  Overweight animals are more likely to develop joint problems

• Veterinarians can provide answers to questions regarding a pet’s appropriate weight.
• Consult with your veterinarian about a pet’s dietary needs, for example:
  • Young animals need a diet balanced for the age and breed.
  • Unbalanced diets that cause the animal to grow too quickly can lead to excessive stress on cartilage and may cause future joint issues.
  • Diets with an imbalance in the calcium to phosphorous ratio in growing animals can result in metabolic bone diseases which will affect joint health.
  • Older animals need a diet that is nutritionally balanced for their age, and one that helps to maintain good body condition and weight.
• Dietary supplements
  • Consult with a veterinarian about the possible need for a supplement that supports joint health and mobility in your pet, such as: Feline RJ+, Vitality Joint Support, Dasuquin, Rejuvenate Plus
    • Glucosamine: supports joint health, increases mobility and decreases pain.
    • Omega 3 fatty acids: helps to ease joint pain by reducing inflammation.
• Exercise
  • Consult with a veterinarian to establish an exercise regimen that:
    • Looks at the pet’s current overall health.
    • Considers the pet’s issues with joint pain, arthritis and overall health.
    • Promotes an exercise plan that is appropriate for the pet; for example, moderate and low-impact exercise like walking and swimming for older animals.
• Help reduce joint strain
  • Everyday movements, such as jumping and climbing, can cause joint strain. Here are 3 things to do to prevent joint strain for the pet:
    • Consider using pet ramps or pet stairs for getting on/off of beds and couches, and in/out of vehicles.
    • Cover floors with rugs or carpet to protect the pet from injuries caused by slipping.
    • Provide the pet with a place to rest that helps to keep joints warm.

Not all joint issues are preventable, but keeping your pet at the right weight and in good body condition will definitely help to avoid some. Maintaining a good diet and providing the proper exercise can reduce the amount of discomfort they could otherwise experience if they suffered from poor joint health issues.

To Your Pet’s Good Health,

Dr. Barry

Hip Dyslasia Information and Tips for Clients