Kitty Arthritis: massage therapy?

Hi folks!

I have an appointment with my vet this Thursday to start Skye on cartophin injections for her arthritis, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows of any massages I can do to help Skye with her joints. I'd been using medicam for her, but when I heard her pancreatic values were high, I took her off that and then started her back on prednisone (once the vet said it was ok to start---medicam needs a week or two gap before using pred). I'm not  a fan of pred and was reducing Skye to a half tablet a day, but she was uncomfortable. Her pancreatic values were 34 at last count, but she has zero symptoms. But, my concern is if she's on medicam and has a flare of pancreatitis, she can't take prednisone. I'd rather her be on something else that can help both, and when she was on prednisone 2x daily, she had no arthritic symptoms---but then I wonder if what I'm seeing is pancreatic pain not arthritis---I don't know.

Irregardless,  I want to do some massage for her and I will also ask the vet about other therapies. I need to get Skye a kitty ramp so she can get on my bed as the steps are uncomfortable for her.

Thanks in advance!

Have you tried Cosequin, a kitty arthritis supplement?  It did wonders for my arthritic kitty.

Cosequin is the same as Cartrophin and Adaquean. Adaquin is not available in Canada (don't get me started: Big issue with the horse industry atm as Cosequin for horses isn't as effective).

However, speaking for this in general for CATS, my vet said Cosequin works better for horses/dogs, and Cartrophin works better in cats. She's getting this on Thursday.

I made her a kitty ramp to get on my bed and it works great! Basically two pieces of wood with a pretty bath mat on top so she can walk up to the top of the step stool then get up on my bed (my bed as abnormally high as it's orthopedic)

what about laser therapy? I have been experimenting with this for my older gal. it helps but you have to go 2-3 times a week in the beginning. right now I can only afford 1 time a week.

adequan does help. I have done the injections..we use dasquin and it seems to help  but we also do pred 2.5mg every 48 hours.

foxxycat---I'm not sure if they offer this at my clinic and I don't have the ability to travel anywhere else given my family needs currently. I think she will respond well to the Cartrophan injections and I may keep her on prednisone. I've actually moved her appointment to tomorrow morning so she's not in any more discomfort. She's currently having loads of fun rolling around on my bed and getting extra snuggles so I think she's good  Appetite good and she's been occupying quite a bit of the house today--out in the porch sunning herself this morning, then came back into the bedroom after she got over heated