Clinic News
Does this sound like your cat?
Did you know an estimated 40% of all cats are living with arthritis? A painful joint condition, but we often do not recognise the signs or put it down to old age.
Read on to find out if this could be your cat
What is osteoarthritis?
• There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis, essentially the same chronic condition that humans suffer from.
• Healthy joints are covered by cartilage, a rubbery material that creates a cushion between the bones and provides a smooth surface for movement.
• When arthritis occurs, this cartilage breaks down, causing swelling, stiffness, movement problems and increasing pain, which steadily spreads throughout the body.
• Arthritis is normally found in older cats, although it can affect youngsters too.
• It’s usually caused by natural wear and tear of the joints, but can also be linked to injuries, as well as joint abnormalities such as hip dysplasia.
How do I spot the symptoms ?
Cats are very good at hiding pain, which means they might not whimper or look obviously lame.
Also, because our furry friends are four legged (unlike us!), they are more adept at redistributing their weight to cope with discomfort. As a result, a limp can be harder to spot. Nevertheless, there are some signs to look out for:
• Climbing up stairs: uses ‘bunny-hop’, with both back legs hopping at same time, and/or stops for a break.
• Climbing down stairs: angles body to the side, descends one stair at a time, and/or stops for a break
• Chasing moving objects: slows down or takes breaks during play and/or may have thinner frame near the tail
• Jumping up: hesitates before jumping up, doesn’t clear jumps in one leap, and/or uses arms to pull the legs up
• Jumping down: hesitates before jumping down, makes smaller jumps vs. one big one and/or reaches down towards the ground instead of leaping
• Running: moves at a slower speed and alternates between jogging & walking, and/or back feet angle together
If you think this may be your cat, give the clinic a call on (03) 9726 9616 to book an appointment with one of our Veterinarians.
Did you know an estimated 40% of all cats are living with arthritis? A painful joint condition, but we often do not recognise the signs or put it down to old age.
Read on to find out if this could be your cat
What is osteoarthritis?
• There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis, essentially the same chronic condition that humans suffer from.
• Healthy joints are covered by cartilage, a rubbery material that creates a cushion between the bones and provides a smooth surface for movement.
• When arthritis occurs, this cartilage breaks down, causing swelling, stiffness, movement problems and increasing pain, which steadily spreads throughout the body.
• Arthritis is normally found in older cats, although it can affect youngsters too.
• It’s usually caused by natural wear and tear of the joints, but can also be linked to injuries, as well as joint abnormalities such as hip dysplasia.
How do I spot the symptoms ?
Cats are very good at hiding pain, which means they might not whimper or look obviously lame.
Also, because our furry friends are four legged (unlike us!), they are more adept at redistributing their weight to cope with discomfort. As a result, a limp can be harder to spot. Nevertheless, there are some signs to look out for:
• Climbing up stairs: uses ‘bunny-hop’, with both back legs hopping at same time, and/or stops for a break.
• Climbing down stairs: angles body to the side, descends one stair at a time, and/or stops for a break
• Chasing moving objects: slows down or takes breaks during play and/or may have thinner frame near the tail
• Jumping up: hesitates before jumping up, doesn’t clear jumps in one leap, and/or uses arms to pull the legs up
• Jumping down: hesitates before jumping down, makes smaller jumps vs. one big one and/or reaches down towards the ground instead of leaping
• Running: moves at a slower speed and alternates between jogging & walking, and/or back feet angle together
If you think this may be your cat, give the clinic a call on (03) 9726 9616 to book an appointment with one of our Veterinarians.
We are incredibly excited to announce the new owners of North Croydon Veterinary Clinic, Dr Rebecca Ross, Dr Carly Cheung & Dr Jess Landy!
We want to thank every one of our amazing clients for the support that we have received during this transition. We look forward to the future of our wonderful clinic and to continuing to provide the same excellent standard of care and service that Dr Mark Andrews has always done.
Our team would also like to give a special thank you to Mark’s entire family for the continuous support and strength that they have shown. We would not have been able to keep this clinic up and running without them. We are forever appreciative of everything they have done for us during this time.
We want to thank every one of our amazing clients for the support that we have received during this transition. We look forward to the future of our wonderful clinic and to continuing to provide the same excellent standard of care and service that Dr Mark Andrews has always done.
Our team would also like to give a special thank you to Mark’s entire family for the continuous support and strength that they have shown. We would not have been able to keep this clinic up and running without them. We are forever appreciative of everything they have done for us during this time.
