Cat Ailments

Cats can be affected by a number of ailments:

Arthritis

• Progressive polyarthritis (two types) - First, affecting multiple joints and worsens over time. The cartilage is eroded from the ends of the bones making up the joint and bony spurs and bone thickening in the joint. Affecting the feet, wrist and hock. Second, similar to rheumatiod arthritis in dogs. The erosion of the cartilage is severe that the bone under the cartilage is exposed, which causes severe pain.
• Arthritis caused by calicivirus infection. This virus is most commonly know for the respiratory disease it causes but can cause inflammation in the joints, which results in lameness.
• Bacterial arthritis - joints become infected as a result of bit wounds. Swollen, painful and warm to the touch.

Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - on a rare occasion develop an unusual walk in which the hock touch the ground when the cat walks.

Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) - a painful and debilitating disease. The loss of smooth cartilage that covers and protects the end of the bones.

Hip Dysplasia normally only most people think this is a dog only condition. But, not true cats can be affected by it. The hip joint can be result from the abnormal development of the hip joint.