Feline Arthritis

[Rexie]

Hi - I'm new to the site--my name is Mary and I have a newly adopted male cat Rexie (unspecified age guessed at 3-5years); his front left leg is very bad with arthritis...trying to treat it with glucosamine liquid (pills not an option) but he refused to eat dry or wet food with it...I've tried multiple kinds and he just simply stops eating. My old cat, Bozo, died last year of fatty liver disease and I'm paranoid if I withold food too much from rexie he'll end up with liver problems, which is the same as he will if I go the steroid treatment. I'm getting tempted to go that route though because I cant stand to see him so sad ... the limp is now resulting in depression, lack of energy etc...he seems to have gotten very old within only a couple of weeks. Any advise would be deeply appreciated?

[Weatherlight]

Um...this may be a stupid question, but why not just give the liquid by itself, without mixing it in food?

[hissy]

Hi Mary,

Do you give the liquid first and that kills his appetite? Or do you mix the liquid with his food, thus making his food not appetizing for him?

What type of food are you feeding him, and how long has he gone without food? Is he drinking water or any type of liquid? Why aren't pills an option? Is he just to hard to pill?

[Rexie]

Originally Posted by Weatherlight

Um...this may be a stupid question, but why not just give the liquid by itself, without mixing it in food?

not a stupid question at all....he gets within an inch of any bowl/food with the medicine in it and backs away

[Rexie]

Originally Posted by hissy

Hi Mary,

Do you give the liquid first and that kills his appetite? Or do you mix the liquid with his food, thus making his food not appetizing for him?

What type of food are you feeding him, and how long has he gone without food? Is he drinking water or any type of liquid? Why aren't pills an option? Is he just to hard to pill?

No..I mix the liquid glucosamine in his food...I've tried the wet and dry...wet is performatrin normally but I have tried the socalled "tasty" friskies, feline cuisine etc and even flakes of tuna and all with the same result. Only gone a day without any food altogether but still drinking regularly. Very hard to pill and even the vet couldnt syringe him successfully.

[tuxedokitties]

Have you tried Cosequin capsules? You might see if the vet can give you a couple to sample - you break open the capsule & sprinkle the powder on the food. With him, I'd try mixing it in with a dab of superyummy canned food or even baby food (make sure there's no onion in the ingredients), separate from his regular meal, so he doesn't miss his meal if he turns up his nose.

I also believe that you can get glucosamine in flavored chewable tablets now, have you tried those?

I used to give my cat her glucosamine powder from the capsule by mashing it up with a few Pounce soft cat treats, then reshaping the treats & giving them to her.

If he really fights getting a pill, you can try making a "kitty burrito", wrapping him up in a towel on your lap. Tilt his head up, open his mouth gently, and drop the pill quickly down to the very back of his throat - if you get it in the right spot, he'll have to swallow it, and won't be able to spit it out. If the pill is to big, you can break it up with a pill splitter (found at drugstores). With a little practice you should both get to a point where it's not a struggle.

Another good thing for arthritis in cats is acupuncture, if you can find a vet that practices it in your area. It can even be done with a laser, instead of needles. It really helped my arthritic kitty.

Hope your sweet boy is feeling better soon.

[Rexie]

thanks ever so much for your reply...he has pounce treats every day (morning and then evening) so that may very well be a wonderful option but I will talk to my vet about the others you mentioned. Mary