How do I know if my cat has an ear infection?

How do I know if my cat has degenerative joint disease?

A cat with degenerative joint disease may show difficulty or reluctance to move. If your cat is older or has recently suffered an injury, appears to be limping, or becomes less active, contact your veterinarian for an examination.

What are the signs of degenerative disc disease in cats?

Other signs include loss of muscle and strength, swollen joints, difficulty getting in & out of a litterbox, increased crankiness (due to pain), difficulty grooming (due to decreased mobility), or clicking and grinding of the joints.

What happens when a cat has degenerative joint disease?

This lack of cartilage in the joint can cause chronic unbearable pain and can lead to poor quality of life. Cats with degenerative joint disease most commonly have pain in their lower back, elbows, knees, hips, shoulders, and hocks (the equivalent of our ankles).

When to look for arthritis in an older cat?

As arthritis is more common and more severe in older cats, it should be looked for in any mature (7 years plus) or older cat. A diagnosis is often based primarily on the presence of appropriate signs and changes in the home environment (see above).

What is a slipped disc in cats?

A slipped disc in cats is termed intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This rather rare feline disease is a condition of neurological dysfunction the spinal cord.

How do vets diagnose degenerative disc disease in cats?

Since most cats affected by this spinal degeneration don’t exhibit symptoms, the vet will diagnose spine degeneration by taking an X-ray of the spine. You should inform your vet if your cat has had any previous spinal problems, including trauma or surgery.

How common is intervertebral disc disease in cats?

The infections most commonly reach the intervertebral disks through the blood. Less common is infection due to fractures or local abscesses. Due to the proximity of the spinal cord many of the symptoms seen in affected animals are related to the nervous system. This disease is relatively rare in cats as compared to dogs.

How can I tell if my cat has a bulging disc?

Depending on the location of the disc that is bulging, signs occur anywhere in the body from the neck to the rear legs. In cats, the discs more commonly bulge in the neck and upper back. Examination by your veterinarian will include a complete neurologic exam, which will help identify where in the spinal cord the injury is located.

What are the signs of spinal cord injuries in cats?

The most common sign is spinal pain, with some cats also having fever, depression, and weight loss. Neurologic signs can develop due to pressure on the spinal cord or, rarely, spread of infection to the spinal cord. X-rays are used to diagnose the condition, and cultures can identify the underlying infection.

What is vertebral disc inflammation in cats?

Vertebral Disc Inflammation in cats is typically first noted by pet owners during a petting session, as the most common sign associated with this disease is localized neck or back pain.

What is intervertebral disc disease in dogs?

Intervertebral disc disease is a serious condition seen more often in dogs than cats. Intervertebral discs are cushioning pads of fibrocartilage that sit between most of the vertebra of the spinal column. The discs have an outer layer of tough fibrous tissue and a center that is more of a gel-like substance.

Is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) common in cats?

Although intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is seen less frequently in cats than dogs, it is still a serious condition. IVDD occurs when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge or burst (herniate) into the spinal cord space.

What does it mean when a cat has an intervertebral disc?

The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers between the bones of the spine and allows the feline a great deal of movement. Over time, these discs experience degeneration of the nucleus pulposus (water within the disc) and lose shock absorption abilities, resulting in a compression of the spine.

What is a cat’s a disc?

A disc is the gel-filled cushion between the cat’s vertebrae of the spinal column. The discs between the vertebrae, known as intervertebral discs, prevents the vertebra from pushing together, protecting the nerves.

What causes a slipped disc in a cat?

Slipped disc in cats is caused by a degeneration of the fluid filled, nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs. A slipped disc can also be due to intervertebral herniation or bulging of the disc. The discs of the spinal column cushion the bones of the spine, working as shock absorbers when the feline moves.

What is spine degeneration in cats?

Spine degeneration is typically associated with aging and primarily affects cats older than 10 years. This condition should not be confused with diskospondylitis, which is an inflammatory disease of the spine.

What is spinal cord dysfunction in cats?

This rather rare feline disease is a condition of neurological dysfunction the spinal cord. The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers between the bones of the spine and allows the feline a great deal of movement.

What are the symptoms of a slipped disc in cats?

The symptoms associated with slipped disc in cats depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases of IVDD may cause a feline to exhibit uncoordinated behavior and localized pain, but severe IVDD can cause a feline to lose mobility altogether.

Why does my cat have pain in his back?

It develops as cats age. It does not typically cause signs, but in rare cases the cat may have back pain. Infectious and inflammatory diseases of the spinal column and spinal cord include bacterial, rickettsial, viral, fungal, protozoal, and parasitic infections and inflammatory diseases of unknown causes.

What are the symptoms of inflamed vertebrae in cats?

The vertebrae can also be inflamed without infection of the disk. It is rare in cats and is usually due to direct spread of infection from a nearby wound. (Also see diskospondylitis in dogs.) The most common sign is spinal pain, with some cats also having fever, depression, and weight loss.

What is spondylosis deformans and how is it treated?

Spondylosis deformans is a condition that affects the vertebral bones of the spine and is characterized by the presence of bony spurs or ‘ osteophytes ‘ along the edges of the bones of the spine. A bony spur may develop in a single spot on the spine; more commonly, there will be multiple bone spurs in several different locations along the spine.

Can a 10 year old cat get spondylosis?

No, any middle-aged to older cat can be affected. In most cats, this degenerative condition will begin to develop by 10 years of age, and some researchers feel that every cat that lives long enough will develop this condition. What are the symptoms of spondylosis deformans?

Where do spondylosis Spurs develop in cats?

A bony spur may develop in a single spot on the spine; more commonly, there will be multiple bone spurs in several different locations along the spine. In cats, spondylosis deformans lesions are often found along the thoracic spine (along the top of the rib cage), although they also may develop in the lumbar or sacral areas (lower back).