feline ARTHRITIS help, please- 3, 21+ yr olds

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Melissa&Paul-Kyle

Melissa&Paul-Kyle

Member Since 2009
Need advice on the best severe arthritis pain relief for 3 elderly cats, please.

I have 3 elderly cats- all litter mates, 2 females, one male- all three have developed severe arthritis in the last few years time (give or take, to varying degrees)

I have been giving them cosequin, and one of them is epileptic and so have phenobarb, too.

The cosequin seemed to help wonders the last year or so, but now all three of them have developed spinal "deformity" from the arthritis...that is to say, instead of that nice arched kitty back, halfway down their spines they go "flat" or straight now.

Their activities have slowed- of course they are over 21 years old, so I don't expect gymnastics from them, but they still jump, leap, go to the outdoor enclose to sit in the sun and do their daily activities.

The spinal issue HAS to be painful though, I would think...can anyone advise as to the best pain reducer I can give at home to the three of them? liquid or powder is preferred, but a pill is fine, too, if I can hide it in their food.

THANK YOU for your suggestions!
 
It's tough to see them like this. There are some options you could try.

Adequan - off label in cats, please discuss with your vet - I've been told that it can help with some forms of arthritis. Unfortunately, with my Sydney, three vets didn't think it would help her and would actually hurt more - as it's an injection.

Add fish oil - salmon oil to their food - about 3-5 drops a day.

Does your cosequin include MSM? Or is it just glucosamine?

I started giving Sydney human pills - glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM combo. then I found Pet Naturals of Vermont makes a hip & joint treat and gave that to her instead. I don't know about diabetic friendly, but it's only one or two treats a day, and Sydney wasn't diabetic so it didn't matter.

I know someone who did acupuncture/acupressure on their cat and it seemed to help.
 
ditto the adequan, its really helped Carly. When shes getting close to her next shot I can see that she walks more painfully because its wearing off. We started out one shot every 2 weeks but that wasnt cutting it and are now giving it once a week.

Gabapentin is not supposed to help as much with arthritis in the joints but it can help when there is nerve issues, and vettybean and I think Carly may have nerve issues in her spine, so we are trying it. I notice when I forget to give her PM dose shes creakier in the morning.

Her spine has arthritis in her lumbosacral joint, so squatting hurts and lifting her tail up to clean her butt hurts, and when she went for Xrays to see how bad the arthritis was, her legs were collapsing under her both from the pain and the sedation. For the xrays they had to have her legs pulled down, and that put pressure on the lumbosacral joint that hurts so much. My Animal communicator friend Jean says she had been injured there before (someone/something "whomped her" there) she also has arthritis in all 4 leg joints (elbows knees)

Also, Dasuquin is made by the same company, its more expensive but its supposed to have extra good stuff in it (Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables powder (ASU)) Not sure its worth the extra cost vs the Cosequin but I had been running out of the dasuquin and was giving it once a day, instead of 2x and my catsitter in august noticed the difference and asked if she could give it 2x like before, and noticed a definite improvement by the time I got home 1x vs 2x a day.
 
When Tigger was alive he used to get acupuncture for his arthritis/spondolosis and it worked so well!! After a few treatments he was jumping on the counters again and doing stairs with no problem. I was skeptical but it really did work! Fish oils are great to keep everything lubricated and they're good for kidney function too. Tigger was also on an oral medication for pain called Buprenex, it's in the opioid family of pain killers and can be given orally. It's best to have it compounded into a flavored liquid, and it's cheaper too. Have you asked your vet about prescription pain killers? They might make a big difference in your kitties.

Good luck

Annemarie
 
Do not give cats human arthritis mixes, the glucosamine content is all wrong for them and is likely what caused Vyktor's diabetes. There are some mixes specially designed for cats but I haven't found any whose manufacturer's say it's okay for cats with diabetes (not sure if that's an issue for any of these kitties). Have heard good reports about adequan and also acupuncture.
 
Gabapentin worked wonders for Blackie. We also used Dasuquin and Adequan injections, but I believe that the Gabapentin worked the best. Congratulations on getting your kitties to 21! That is very special.
 
Melissa,

Adequan was a HUGE comfort for Ennis when his arthritis became debilitating. After the ramp-up period, it made him feel well enough to run. Granted he ran like an old man in a full-body cast, but it was a run. A prescription is required. You can give the shots at home, easy-peasy.
 
I am giving twink adequan but for his cystitis. can be given SQ or IM. I am told IM is better so that is what I am doing. If it continues to work, I may be (clearing throat) getting some.
still trying to get down that way. scritches to the oldsters and TY for caring so much for them. I would add the fish oils too. can get those at wally world. Dr lisa believes the cheaper ones are better cause they are lower on the food chain than ex: salmon oil so they do not have all the gook from the other fishies
 
I am in the same boat- I am giving Sneakers gaba for pain relief but she now has her arthritis giving her pain. When I miss a dose she creaks and limps along but I can tell the current dose is not enough for both. I need to ask the vetty bean about it.
 
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