Managing arthritis in a cat with high blood pressure

Flowerbelle has high blood pressure and early asthma. The cause is most likely damage done from a severe lung worm infection when she was rescued nine years ago combined with a severe herpes infection. There is no indication of any other problems organ-wise. The arteries in her lungs look like she has heartworm, but she doesn't. Well - she's been tested several times, so it's unlikely. We may have her tested again, as the test only checks for adult worms, and that takes about six months. But she's indoor only, and we have screens. Our main bugs inside are spiders, sometimes flies or moths. I'm not aware of mosquitos in here, and Gary's really the mosquito magnet.

She was diagnosed with arthritis in her hips last Thursday.

Anyway, it turns out glucosamine and chondroitin are contra-indicated for both asthma and high blood pressure, so those are out.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/2...s-of-glucosamine-chondroitin-hyaluronic-acid/

Kitties with arthritis have done very well on oral hyaluronic acid. :nod: But it appears it is also contra-indicated for hypertension.

http://www.drpasswater.com/nutrition_library/Sardi.html
http://www.plasmetic.com/skin/antiaging/facts-about-oral-hyaluronic-acid-supplements.html

In people with hypertension it is suggested that if hyaluronic acid is used, it should be followed with "an excess of water intake." Whatever THAT means. I don't know how to translate that into giving it to a cat that's on medication for high blood pressure.

I'm upset because it was one of our VETS that suggested putting her on glucosamine, chondroitin, and HA for the arthritis. She is currently also on 1.25mg (VERY low dose) of prednisolone (Flowerbelle does only weigh 7 pounds, 6 ounces). This theoretically will help with her asthma and the arthritis, but even pred is contra-indicated for high blood pressure. Theoretically this dose is low enough to help and not hurt. :cross:

Just wondering if anyone has experience with managing arthritis in a cat with high blood pressure or heart disease. I want to slow the progression of the arthritis, but I'm not sure what I can do that won't complicate the other health issues she faces.

I'd recommend trying acupuncture (or aqua-puncture - which is sometimes better tolerated by cats) and/or osteopathy treatments if you have a vet in the area qualified to do them. What about Adequan injections? My old guy, Aztec, has a mild heart condition for which he takes Atenolol (to treat tachycardia) and he's also been getting Adequan for a couple years, but I don't know if that's contraindicated for high blood pressure. Traumeel or Zeel are homeopathic combination remedies that are often useful for arthritic cats. Oh, and heated pet beds are a favourite (even with the non-arthritics in my house).
 

Thanks. I appreciate the ideas. :nod: The vet that diagnosed her does acupuncture, we just can't afford weekly treatments. At least not right now.

I'll ask about the Adequan. :nod: As an injectable, it may be an option. It doesn't say it's contra-indicated for hypertension, but does say it's contra-indicated when there are bleeding disorders. :dk: The active ingredient appears to be chondroitin sulfate. But again - maybe injected is different than oral. :dk: http://www.drugs.com/vet/adequan-canine.html

I still don't know if Adequan is contra-indicated for high blood pressure (or asthma) or not, but here's another interesting article on it: http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2010/march/adequan_cats_dogs#.T7OweZJMiLZ

Good article! Thanks for that. One thing, you can actually inject Adequan subcutaneously, doesn't have to be intra-muscular (makes it easier for home administration, which is what I do).

As for acupuncture, I'm sure different vets have different protocols but mine didn't go with the initial weekly "loading" sessions that I've heard about. We did 2 sessions about 3 weeks apart, then on an as needed basis (which varies between 3-5 months). Aztec's treatments are actually a combo of osteopathy, acupuncture, and aqua-puncture (a tincture of vit B12 and Traumeel are injected at the acupuncture points) designed to address both his arthritis and his renal insufficiency. Cost is approximately $100 per session, depending on how long we're there.
 

Well, it's worth asking about then. :nod: We didn't discuss the protocol (frequency). It does cost $100 per session. I don't know if she does the acqua-puncture too, or just the acupuncture.

What about laser therapy?

http://lasertherapyforcats.com/

OH no Laurie, I'm so sorry this is happening to Flowerbelle   I know how you feel.  I don't have any advice about it because I don't have experiences with that, but I willl keep her in my prayers, there must be something out there to help with the arthritis without affecting her blook pressure.

Our little darlin' Flowerbelle :rub: :heart2: She has quite a few issues going on all at the same time. So hard to manage the proper medications/supplements for one condition that won't be a problem for another. I do agree in that I would consider the Adequan. We used it for horses - although IM. But I have used it in dogs SubCu. At one point we were using Acetyl-D (generic Adequan) much cheaper.... but unfortunately not FDA approved and the results were not as effective as the Adequan. Just in case a vet mentions to you about the Acetyl-D - I would not use it on a kitty. I really hope that this will not be contra-indicated for HBP. :cross: Please give the little sweetie a love scritch from me :rub: :sun:

p.s. I have been considering this for Pipsqueak and the FIC.... I don't think the Cosequin or Dasuquin (have tried both) is working for him. The Adequan just might.

I also want to mention that Wilbur has a back issue, disk problem and arthritis. Now that we have the cushings under control, we are going after his other issues. Dr. Wessner just sent me a couple of new remedies (crystal form) for the tremors and a musculoskeletal supplement that contains Boswelia. http://www.standardprocess.com/display/VeterinaryCatalog.spi?ID=342. There is also NaturVet http://www.naturvet.com/index.php?option=com_dogcat&task=view&Itemid=59&pid=130 I have good success with this for Wilbur too. But now that I am starting him on the supplement from Doc Wessner, I won't keep him on the NaturVet product. Just a few more possibilities to mull over :lol3: Not sure about the Boswelia and HBP :dk: I am going to talk with Doc again next week. Will ask him !!!

Thank you so much, Lauren, for that information!!!

Just wanted you to know I am reading this thread and hoping you can find something that will work work.  That darned HBP...so many drugs are contra-indicated when you've got that.  And then adding asthma to the mix....   Good thing research is your business! 

Well, so far I'm finding that Omega 3s are going to be my best be for Flowerbelle. http://www.arthritistoday.org/nutri...ood-and-inflammation/fatty-acids-benefits.php

We're at the local vet a week from Tuesday. I'll be asking her for any ideas she might have. Next stop will be Stan. Then we'll circle back around to the holistic vet. :lol3:

LDG said:

Well, so far I'm finding that Omega 3s are going to be my best be for Flowerbelle. http://www.arthritistoday.org/nutri...ood-and-inflammation/fatty-acids-benefits.php
We're at the local vet a week from Tuesday. I'll be asking her for any ideas she might have. Next stop will be Stan. Then we'll circle back around to the holistic vet. :lol3:

Click to expand...

Omega 3, what a great idea. I've been taking fish oil capsules for almost a year now, and my arthritis is definitely more manageable. I am talking only half as much NSAID as I used to, even.

Aw, that's great to know! I'm glad it's helping!

I'm also looking into turmeric (curcumin). We would need to keep an eye on her BP with both (or either) Omega 3 / turmeric, because both can affect BP, but we'll run the info by one of the vets before we consider any omega 3 outside of amounts recommended on cat health sites or before starting turmeric, if we decide to use it. But Gail, you should look into it for you. :nod:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/100841-benefits-curcumin-turmeric/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/368307-turmeric-dosage-for-arthritis/'
http://www.livestrong.com/article/121043-contraindications-turmeric/
http://margaret.healthblogs.org/lif...-curcumin/curcumin-side-effects-and-warnings/
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400838/Turmeric-for-Arthritis.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/662.html

http://viim.org/dogs-arthritis.php

GOSH :doh3: I was just going over what Doc Wessner had Wilbur on last Fall and Turmeric was one of them. It has incredible anti-inflammatory effects on the body without side effects (so perfect for arthritis), a natural liver detoxifier, can prevent many metastases from occurring in cancers. Many other benefits too. I was just going over Wilbur's remedies and this one came to mind. YOU beat me to the punch, again

Aw, thanks Lauren! I'm sorry I beat you to it! :lol3: Actually, Turmeric is a blood thinner, I just don't know at what doses. That isn't bad for Flowerbelle, as she has high BP, but it means we'll have to keep a close eye on her BP if we use it, and we may have to adjust her dose of Norvasc (the calcium-channel blocker we're using to lower her BP).

But that's GREAT to know! It obviously helped Wilbur! But yes - I think I'm going to put Gary and I on a turmeric supplement!!! :nod:

About the O3...... on my research yesterday, I read a lot about green-lipped mussel's benefits for arthritis.....you might want to consider that instead of fish oil.... In humans (I guess because they talk and can post reviews :lol3 it seems to make a great deal of difference :nod:
Thanks for letting me know about it, I will give it a try to the babies as a source of O3 - hopefully this will do it!! :nod:

Yeah, I was hoping Bugsy would tolerate it because it was in the ZiwiPeak :cross: since he couldn't deal with the salmon oil.

I saw that too. There have been studies specifically comparing green lipped mussel oil in arthritis. I was surfing on my phone and didn't bookmark them, but I expect I'll find them again. :nod:

I wonder if it's because of the DHA? That seems to be the main anti-inflammatory. Maybe the green-lipped mussel oil is higher in DHA? :dk:

Oh! I found one place I saw that addresses it. Apparently his conclusion is that there were problems with the designs of the study. But the man responsible for this site has been researching fatty acids for 30 years:

All the materials on this site are evidence-based and written by Dr. Bruce Holub, University Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph in Canada, who has been involved in omega-3 research for over thirty years. Since 2006, Dr. Holub has shared his knowledge about the physiologically essential nutrients, DHA and EPA omega-3, with the public at large via this website.

Click to expand...

This is the site: http://www.dhaomega3.org/

The green-lipped mussel oil information is in here (along with a LOT of other great stuff):

http://www.dhaomega3.org/Frequently-Asked-Questions