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By Andrea S. Mullen, DVM
Our
animal companions are enjoying a much longer life span than just a few
decades ago. This is in part due to advancement of veterinary
knowledge as well as, (and perhaps even more so) simply because of
improved diet. This longevity has brought with it disease states usually seen
only in old age such as cancer, cognitive dysfunction syndrome
(“doggy Alzheimer’s”) and degenerative arthritis.
Arthritis
can develop quite insidiously to the owner: “not getting up like he
used to,” “a little slower”, “my cat doesn’t jump up on the
bed any more.” My
favorite was when I went to a housecall to remove mats on “Tiger”
the 13-year-old cat because he refused to clean himself anymore.
After examining the elder cat, I notice the mats were mainly
around his tail and lower back area. Everything else was normal. I concluded that Tiger was not
grooming because it hurt to twist his back and neck to reach that
now-far-away place. I put
Tiger on supplements, primarily glucosamine.
After about 14 days, Tiger started cleaning himself again and
became more agile, climbing stairs and jumping up on the bed again.
We receive unsolicited calls from owners with update reports on
how well this therapy works. When
the cat is happy the owner is happy!
Arthritis
therapies I use:
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Glucosamine
or glucosamine type supplement.
I’ve had the best and most consistent results from:
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Adequan.
This is effective but must be injected into the muscle once
a week to once a month.
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Cosequin.
This is a powder that you sprinkle on the food.
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Acetylator.
This is also a powder, but with digestive enzymes added.
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Glycoflex.
This is a chewable treat made from green-lipped muscles and
is loaded with glucosamine-like material that has been
particularly effective in my canine patients.
It has a seaweed-like smell that many cats like.
Another form of Glycofles also includes MSM, a natural pain
reliever recently touted by actor James Coburn.
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Du
Huo Jisheng Wan. This
is a classical Chinese herbal formula that works well for cats
with arthritis. It is
used in humans for chronic arthritis, (rheumatoid or
osteoarthritis). It
is a combination of herbs including licorice root and ginger.
The feline dosage is two to three pills twice a day.
You can smear the pills with butter or tuna oil for taste
and to help them slide the throat. Use for two weeks and then as needed. I’m presently using Du Huo Jisheng Wan, along with
acupuncture, on a 10-year-old Nubian goat with severe spinal
arthritis and getting great results.
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Sodium
oxide dismutase (SOD) is a potent antioxidant with great
anti-inflammatory properties.
Kitty-cat dose is 100 mg once to twice a day.
Start on the low end and watch for diarrhea.
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Aspirin.
Yes, you can give aspirin to a cat but ONLY once every 72
hours. The cat is
missing a liver enzyme that helps break down aspirin.
This causes aspirin, and many other drugs, to be slowly
broken down and thus the effects of aspirin lasts for 72 hours in
the feline patient. So,
if you gave aspirin three to four times a day to a cat you would
certainly have a dead cat by the second or third day.
Cat aspirin dose is 10mg/kg once every 72 hours.
Aspirin should be given with food.
NEVER give aspirin if the cat is also on a glucocorticoid (prednisone)
or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS).
This is almost always the rule with other species as well. A baby aspirin is 81mg, and a regular aspirin is 324
mg.
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Glucocorticoids:
Prednisone, dexamethasone, vetalog, etc.
These are drugs that can greatly improve your cat’s
quality of life but usually at a price, which is a shorter life.
Use only under a vets direction.
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Acupuncture
is effective in treating arthritis.
Several sessions are needed-- usually once or twice a week
for four weeks, then once a month for three months, then as
needed. I usually see
results after the second treatment.
I
cannot finish without at least mentioning the following.
Plain and simple – never, ever, ever use it in a cat BECAUSE
THEY ARE USUALLY FATAL:
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