Creek View Veterinary Clinic is pleased to present our Featured Pet of the Month, Henry!
Henry is a 10 year old feline that has been visiting Creek View Veterinary Clinic for his annual checkups ever since he was a tiny kitten. He is normally known for his spunky and playful attitude but over the past year, he began moving around a bit slower and not using his back legs as well. He also showed reluctance when climbing up and down his cat tree and was not as playful with his brother and sister cats. Henry’s owner discussed these signs with Dr. Rierson at a recent visit and after further examination, Henry was diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA).
About 90% of cats over the age of 10 experience osteoarthritis in at least one joint and since cats can be very good at hiding their pain, it can be difficult to catch the early signs of this condition. OA is a type of arthritis that occurs when the tissue in your cat’s joints starts to get worn down, causing bones to rub against one another. Nearby bone may splinter and form sharp, bony projections which can lead to swelling, inflammation, and pain in the joints. It is a progressive disease, meaning it continues to worsen over time. Because these joint changes cause pain, cats can show decreased mobility and lameness when they have arthritis.
The good news is that with appropriate management, the progression of arthritis can be slowed down. In Henry’s case, Dr. Rierson recommended a monthly injection called Solensia which binds to the joint and works like your cat’s naturally made antibodies to relieve pain and discomfort. Six weeks after receiving the injection, Henry’s owner was pleasantly surprised to find Henry running up his cat tree and roughhousing with his fellow feline family members. It was like he was a kitten again! Henry has received two injections so far and we are looking forward to watching his journey back to a pain-free life!
