? Arthritis? And crackling noises

[babyg]

Hi, everyone,

My girl is 14, and I've noticed lately she doesn't jump or climb much; when she walks, her back looks a little humped/hunched, and sometimes when I touch her back she flinches. I'm thinking it's arthritis but wondering if you all have experience with that or how to go about diagnosing it, if I should have her seen. Would they do an xray? Can they tell just by feeling her back? She's overweight and I'm sure that doesn't help, but she's on a diet so that will hopefully improve. Any stories/advice would be appreciated!

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

Hi

Regardless of her age yes a cat not being able to jump as it used to or waking a bit different could be arthritis but it could also be something else my suggestion is to have the vet check her, the vet will probably examine her and do some xrays and depending on what they found some other tests could be made but usually the x rays can give them a good idea of what's going on and take it from there

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Often the vet can detect arthritis by feel and. not need to do x-rays. Neko's was bad enough that I could feel it. Not jumping up means back legs and or spine. Reluctant to go down stairs usually means front legs/elbows.

Getting her down to a good weight will definitely help. There are all sorts of treatments. Neko's arthritis was bad enough (due to her acromegaly/bony growths) that I tried almost everything. Since then, Solensia has come out and seems to get some good reviews.

 

[babyg]

Thanks, I may take her to get checked out anyway because I've also noticed a crackling noise sometimes when she breathes or purrs. I had mentioned it at our last visit and the vet listened and heard a wheeze but then said it went away when my girl shifted, so she attributed it to her weight. But I don't like the crackling noises when she purrs. They remind me of when I had a real bad allergy problem a few years ago and how I sounded when I had fluid building up in my lungs and I had to keep swallowing and coughing to clear it (once I got an inhaler, it cleared it instantly). Any experience with crackling noises?

 

[babyg]

Quick update. I'm taking her this morning to get x rayed and complete check up. That should take care of both the crackling noise and the arthritis issue. Hoping and praying nothing is wrong.