For Cat Owners |
JOINT PAIN IN CATS
Diseases of joints are common in companion animals. Joint pain, particularly associated with degenerative joint disease (DJD) (often referred to as osteoarthritis (OA)), is common in cats. DJD involves deterioration of all the components of the joint, and this deterioration (of cartilage, and the underlying supporting bone) results in inflammation and pain. In cats, the pain is most common in the hips, knees, hocks (ankles), lower back and elbows. The condition is chronic and, with time, the pain may be so debilitating as to lead to a poor quality of life for the cat. Importantly, with time, pain that is not controlled can lead to changes in the pain-sensing system resulting in a neuropathic type of pain in these cats.
DJD results in reduced mobility and lower levels of activity. DJD is also associated with spontaneous and induced pain, often in multiple areas of the body.