Condition10 connections · 2 sources
Osteoarthritis
A common but often overlooked degenerative joint condition in cats and dogs. Causes chronic pain, reduced mobility, and behavioral changes including house soiling. More prevalent in overweight and aging pets.
Key Facts
- Common in aging cats — often undiagnosed because cats hide pain
- Overweight cats have higher risk of developing arthritis
- Causes reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or enter high-sided litter boxes
- Can lead to house-soiling when litter box access becomes painful
- Diagnosis may require at-home video recordings of movement
- X-rays and orthopedic evaluations help confirm diagnosis
- Pain medication trial can serve as both diagnostic and therapeutic tool
- Low-sided litter boxes help arthritic cats maintain proper elimination
- Sodalitol (Solensia) — monoclonal antibody treatment approved for feline OA pain