Arthritis And Cats

[mccfluff]

anyone got any advice (apart from going to the vets, app on sat) re making her comfortable etc
I have a heat pad for her but i can only use that when i'm in, I'm looking at pet stairs so she can get on and off the bed and sofa easily, not sure if there is anything else i can do.

there's a load of stuff online but i'm a bit wary of some of it (i've just been advised to sew copper wire into her collar???). I just want to make her as comfy as poss :-(

[wolf63]

Has she been diagnosed with arthritis or do you just suspect that she has it?

My old cat, George, needed help to get up on the bed and I built a little step for him to use. He still preferred leaping onto the bed, missing and landing on a heap on the floor screaming in rage. When he did get around to using the step it was much less troublesome for him.

Have a read of this and see if it helps you in any way http://www.fabcats.org/owners/arthritis/info.html

How old is the young lady concerned?

[friedgreentomato]

you can get micro heat pads that are safe to use when you are not in the house.

Stairs or ladders are a good idea, try some cod liver oil in her food

[friedgreentomato]

that ain't no lady thats the murph!!!!

[wolf63]

I was being tactful. My lady cat is glaring at me in an evil way

[ummmm]

Poor Murph :-(

How old is she now?

[mccfluff]

I've been suspecting for a while, shes not been able to jump onto the bed and has been pulling herself up by her front legs and this morning she couldn't get onto the sofa. Ive got an app booked for saturday so i'll see what they say then

I've looked at the cod liver oil thing but loads of sites warning against it as app it can be poisonous if you give them too much, i'll wait to talk to the vet for advice on supplements, glucosamine app is good as well

[mccfluff]

is 12 or 13, we think

[divegirl]

I know a lot of people don't like to put collars on their cats [ I don't] but it sounds like your girl won't be climbing any trees and getting herself caught up.....so.... I know many people who swear by bio-flow collars on their dogs and there is a kitty version....

http://www.magnet-healing.co.uk/dog-pain-relief.html

I've always given glucosamine, devils claw and Omega 3,6,9 to my dogs but you would of course need to check their safety for cats [unless work gets really boring then I'll look for you lol]

Lisa x

[mccfluff]

i was reading about glucosamine and i want to try it but i reckon im better of waiting for the vet, i have no idea how much i should give her!

[divegirl]

You can give it....

http://www.simplysupplements.net/product/133/glucosamine-for-catsdogs-500mg/#.UcHy95z8k3w

Lisa x

[society]

I read on another thread that someone gives their cat cod liver oil for arthritis.

[mccfluff]

Thanks lisa, I'll double check with the vet and get those
I'm a bit wary of the cod liver oil ubtil I speak to the vet, I dont want to give her too much. Typically she seems much better today

[wolf63]

I was going to give cod liver oil to my last cat to 'help' a hairball on its journey.

The vet said that cats are much smaller than you realise and what I consider to be a reasonable dose would probably cause projectile ***. Not nice!