Arthritis is a disease which afflicts the bones and joints, it’s a condition where the joints get inflamed and cause a great deal of pain as the cats get older. Mostly cats develop arthritis in hips and elbows, but sometimes other joints like lower back and knees get affected. Cats are more likely to reveal their painful or stiff joints in how they approach their usual activities. Physical diagnosis of osteoarthritis in cats is difficult even for experienced veterinarians. Cats, unlike most dogs, can tolerate severe orthopedic disease due to their small size and natural agility. Most important is cats do not limp or favour a particular leg as a dog might do. This reluctance to show pain, injury or vulnerability goes back to their wild ancestry.
In 2002 a study showed that more than 90% of cats over 12 years of age have some signs and symptoms of arthritis. In 2011 another study revealed that 61% of cats over 6 years had arthritic changes in one joint and 48% had arthritis in 2 or more joints.
Cats are now living longer than before due to the improvements in nutrition, medicines, vaccines and therapeutic agents. Life expectancy depends on many things but main factor is whether the cat in an indoor type – pet or outdoor type – stray. Pet cats mostly live for 12-18 years of age, some cats may even live upto 20 years. The oldest cat in the world lived for 28 years.
Outdoor cats mostly have a short life span as they are more likely to be involved in motor accidents, dog attacks and several life threatening viruses that are spread due to fights or contact with an infected cat.
Arthritis is mostly incurable but with proper care arthritic cats can enjoy a good quality of life for many years.
