Due to daily physical activity, the musculoskeletal system becomes an easily vulnerable part of these animals. Veterinarians often encounter joint diseases in cats, especially in selective breeds. Modern veterinary medicines help not only to neutralize the manifestations of pathology, but also to restore damaged tissue.
General understanding of joint diseases in cats
Among joint diseases in cats, arthritis and arthrosis are the most common. They are inflammatory and degenerative in nature. Arthritis is inflammation of joint tissue caused by infection or autoimmunity. Arthrosis refers to degenerative damage to cartilage, bone, ligaments, which occurs against the background of chronic arthritis, metabolic, endocrine and other disorders in the body.
According to statistical data, the appearance of arthritis and/or arthrosis in cats in most cases is caused by:
- Congenital disorder of the development of the articular apparatus. For a number of reasons, during intrauterine development in kittens, the formation of connective tissue may be disrupted, and therefore their joints are underdeveloped. This pathological condition is called dysplasia, which later becomes the basis for the development of arthritis in cats.
- Trauma. These are mainly accidents of being hit by a car, falling from a height, etc. As a result, the animal receives a sprain or rupture of the soft tissue around the joint, damage to bone and cartilage tissue.
- Infections and immunodeficiency. Joints are easily vulnerable parts of an animal’s body, so infectious pathogens can cause inflammation in them. The situation is especially aggravated against the background of reduced immunity.
- Overweight. In this case, the increased load on the articular surfaces and the presence of metabolic disorders that lead to obesity are important.
At the initial stages, the symptoms of arthritis in cats are blurred. You can suspect something is wrong based on your behavior. The animal becomes less active, stiffness in movements appears, which goes away after “pacing”. The pet refuses to eat, does not bury feces, and does not want to be picked up. As it progresses, a limping gait, an increase in the size of the joint, and pain when trying to touch the affected limb are noted. Later, a crunching sound appears when moving, which indicates the destruction of cartilage tissue, that is, it can serve as a symptom of developing arthrosis. An indirect sign of a worsening situation is the unkempt condition of the cat's fur. This is due to the fact that any movement brings her pain.
Much less often, cats encounter orthopedic abnormalities such as bursitis and tenosynovitis. Most likely, this is due to the anatomical features of the structure of their musculoskeletal system. Bursitis refers to inflammation of the synovial membranes of the joint, and tenosynovitis refers to inflammatory changes in the muscle tendons. Clinically, both pathologies occur with the appearance of pain, lameness, and an increase in the size of the affected area. A veterinarian will help you understand the nosologies and will conduct an additional examination of your pet.
When diagnosing joint diseases in cats, veterinary specialists resort to examining the patient and collecting data about the animal’s life from the owner. To make a correct diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental research methods are of differential importance. Thus, the examination plan includes:
- general blood and urine tests;
- X-ray and ultrasound of affected joints;
- joint puncture with cytological and bacteriological examination of synovial fluid.
The therapeutic approach to treating arthritis in cats is complex. Veterinarians recommend providing the animal with rest and a nutritious diet during the acute period. If the disease is chronic with periods of exacerbation, then it is necessary to periodically force him to move, this maintains the functionality of the joints.
For arthritis and arthrosis in cats, treatment includes a course of drug therapy. In this case, the medications used are divided into two groups: anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors. The first group helps cope with inflammation and reduce pain. The second group is intended to restore damaged cartilage. At the present stage, Bonharen is a highly proven drug with chondroprotective activity. Below are instructions for its use.
Joint diseases and chondroprotectors for dogs and cats
Does your puppy's ears not stand up or his paws get tangled? Is your older dog limping and refusing to go for walks? Has the cat stopped being playful, can barely walk and meow? After visiting the veterinarian, chondroprotectors were prescribed - find out what they are and what they are needed for?
Joint diseases
The most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system include osteoarthritis, discopathy, discospondylosis, osteodystrophy, hip dysplasia, and osteochondrodysplasia and injuries.
Most often, these diseases occur in older animals. However, there is also a breed predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In long-bodied and short-legged breeds of dogs and cats (Dachshund, Basset, Corgi, Pekingese, Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Munchkin, Minskin and Dwelf cats), and dogs with a strongly curled or missing tail (English Bulldog, Pug, Basenji ) there is a high risk of intervertebral disc displacement.
Labradors, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, and Shar-Peis are predisposed to osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, joint destruction occurs.
In small breed dogs - Spitz, Pekingese, miniature poodles, miniature schnauzers, Yorkshire terriers, French bulldogs - Lagg-Calv-Perthes disease, characterized by necrosis of the head and neck of the femur, is most common.
Scottish fold cats are predisposed to osteochondrodysplasia (the risk is especially high if this breed is not bred incorrectly; the mutation causing fold ears when crossing two fold cats gives an almost 100% guarantee of osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish cats), Bengal cats and Maine Coons, as well as rapidly growing puppies of large and giant breeds (Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, German Shepherd, Mastiffs, etc.)
Hip dysplasia is the most common disease in large breed dogs. This is a hereditary disease; during the period of active growth, the weight of the animal increases, and the bones do not keep up with such growth; dogs of large breeds (Central Asian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Labrador) are especially susceptible. In combination with frequent physical training, the joints cannot withstand such a load and become deformed. The risk increases with poor nutrition: low-quality dry food, feeding exclusively with meat, and with an incorrect ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the diet. If you have a large breed dog, you need to monitor it very closely for signs of dysplasia. Obvious symptoms - lameness and pain - may not appear immediately. And when adopting a puppy from a kennel, you should definitely find out about the parents of the new pet. Dysplasia in an advanced state can only be cured surgically.
Joint injuries in dogs and cats: fractures, bone cracks, dislocations, sprains and ligament ruptures occur due to unsuccessful jumps, falls, impacts.
Symptoms of joint diseases
- There is no activity, the animal carefully steps on its paws
- Lameness constantly
- Periodic appearance and disappearance of lameness
- Stiff movements after sleep
- Increased fatigue
- Refusal to climb stairs or jump onto elevated surfaces (for example, onto a sofa)
- Lameness that appears at the start of running
- Using 2 hind legs at the same time when running
- Abrupt change in gait, asymmetry in movement
- Unnatural paw position
- The animal does not use its paw, does not step, and is suspended
- Paw failure
- Moving paws, inability to place the limb in the desired position
- Swelling, joint pain
How can you help your pet?
The first step, of course, is to contact a veterinarian for an examination and prescription of the necessary treatment.
One of the targeted agents is chondroprotectors. These drugs are used as part of complex therapy for the treatment of inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the joints, prevention of diseases, assistance in the proper development of the musculoskeletal system of young animals, during the recovery period after injuries.
How do chondroprotectors work?
The mechanism of action is to restore all structural units of the joint: cartilage, bursa, synovial fluid and to reduce the negative impact of damaging factors.
There are a lot of studies on the effect of chondroprotectors on the animal body. For the drug to be effective, it must be used over a long period of at least one month. The most acceptable form of use is oral. It is easier to administer the drug orally than to inject it, especially when it comes to a long course. Bioavailability when taken orally is very high, and it is important to note that beneficial substances selectively accumulate in the synovial fluid. Additionally, for better action, the manufacturer adds vitamin C and manganese to the preparations. Indications for use:
- Young age. During the period of active growth and development, it is important to provide the body with all the substances it needs. For example, chondroprotectors are very effective in setting up the ears of puppies and strengthening the paws during the period of active growth.
- Elderly age. Even if there are no obvious problems, preventive administration of chondroprotectors is recommended to maintain the musculoskeletal system in good shape.
- Joint diseases.
- Injuries.
What is included in chondroprotectors?
- Glucosamine – increases the amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which help repair cartilage tissue or maintain its strength. Also relieves swelling and inflammation. Promotes collagen reproduction. Protects against the negative effects of joint-damaging factors. Glucosamines are also found in intervertebral discs, the cornea, some structures of the heart, and in the mucous membranes of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. For example - 8in1 Excel Glucosamine for dogs.
- Chondroitin slows down the development of degenerative processes. Stimulates the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate take part in the synthesis of connective tissue, helping to prevent cartilage destruction and stimulate tissue regeneration. Restores the bursa (articular bursa) and the surface layer of cartilage tissue. For example, Artroglycan, 8in1 Exele Mobile Flex, Stride plus.
- MSM. MSM is methylsulfonylmethane - a substance that contains organic sulfur, which has some anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In this complex, it is easily absorbed by the body and is necessary for the formation of connective tissue. The role of MSM is quite high: it strengthens the immune system, reduces inflammation and restores damaged tissues of the body, and the parallel intake of glucosamine and MSM improves the condition of joints, skin and hair. Helps in the treatment of arthritis, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint diseases. In addition, MSM has a positive effect on the formation of connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments. The combined use of glucosamine with MCM leads to a significant reduction in pain syndromes in arthrosis. A variant of the drug with MSM is Unitabs ArthroActive with glucosamine and MSM and Polydex Gelabon Plus, 8in1 Excel Glucosamine + MSM.
These drugs are prescribed in repeated courses or continuously over a long period of months and years. Chondroprotectors can be effective in the initial stages of diseases, during recovery from injuries, as well as when raising especially large breeds of dogs and some breeds of cats. Chondroprotectors act rather slowly and do not improve the condition immediately: regeneration of cartilage tissue may take time.
Description of the drug Bonharen
The active substance of the drug is hyaluronic acid (in the form of sodium hyaluronate), which is the main element of cartilage tissue and synovial fluid. According to research, with inflammatory changes in the joints, its content decreases, which leads to disruption of the viscosity of the synovial fluid and the strength of chondrocytes. Additional administration of hyaluronic acid for arthritis in animals helps to compensate for its deficiency and reduce the wear and tear of the joint.
The main indications for prescribing Bonharen to cats are:
- acute and chronic arthritis/polyarthritis;
- osteoarthritis;
- arthrosis;
- tendovaginitis;
- bursitis.
The drug is also used for inflammation and injury to the eyeball in animals in order to restore normal metabolism in the organ.
Release form: sterile solution for subcutaneous or intravenous administration. Sold in ampoules of 2 and 6 ml. There are 3 ampoules in the package.
Recommended dosage for cats:
- with a weight of less than 5 kg – 0.1 ml/kg, which corresponds to 1 mg/kg;
- with a weight of more than 5 kg - 0.05 ml/kg, which corresponds to 0.5 mg/kg.
When administered parenterally, the effect of Bonharen is observed after 4 hours, and the total period of activity is 2-3 days. The course of application is from 3 to 7 injections, which must be performed every 5-7 days. The drug can be prescribed to pregnant and lactating cats. There are no contraindications to it. As a side effect, veterinarians note the appearance of a local reaction to the injection, which manifests itself as swelling and disappears after 1-2 days.
How does joint disease manifest?
- Decreased activity, the animal walks slowly.
- Lameness of the limbs appears.
- The animal has great difficulty climbing the stairs.
- After lying down for a long time, it is difficult for the animal to get up.
- Painful reaction during exacerbation of the disease.
If your pet is lame, you need to act immediately and contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. Remember, without treatment the joint quickly deteriorates. At the last stage, an animal that has not received help becomes disabled and loses the ability to move independently.
Modern drugs and vitamins allow you to begin treatment immediately, and the same drug can not only relieve your pet of pain, but also deliver into his body everything necessary for joint regeneration to occur naturally.
Chondroprotectors designed for dogs and cats will help correct or at least partially correct the situation. Chondroprotectors are drugs that stimulate regeneration processes and slow down the degeneration (destruction) of cartilage tissue. Chondroprotectors for dogs and cats are easily absorbed and quickly incorporated into damaged tissues. They are taken for preventive purposes and for treatment (as part of complex therapy) or to alleviate the course of certain diseases.