The most common chronic disease in cats over the age of 12 years is osteoarthritis. It is a disease both difficult to diagnose and to treat. Cats are notoriously good at hiding their disease. They may just avoid painful movements like jumping up on the furniture, grooming hard-to-reach areas or climbing the stairs to get to their litter boxes. It takes an astute owner to pick up on these gradual behavioral changes.
Once on the exam table at the veterinary office, cats are not interested in participating in a good lameness exam—they much prefer staying motionless in their owner’s arms to trotting up and down the hallway on a leash. Radiographs confirm the diagnosis as 90 percent of older cats have arthritic changes in one or more of their joints.
Cats are uniquely sensitive to anti-inflammatories, so treatment has been geared to management changes and supportive care. Weight loss, making litter boxes more accessible, and providing steps up to their favorite windowsill lookouts can help improve your cat’s quality of life. Joint supplements such a Dasuquin and Welactin are helpful. Short term pain management with anti-inflammatory meds such as Onsior (robenaoxib) can also provide some comfort.
The good news is that in February 2023 the FDA approved a monthly injectable treatment called Solensia (frunevetmab) for cats that can significantly help to decrease pain from osteoarthritis. Solensia is a monoclonal antibody protein that is found only in cats. Once injected under the skin, it binds with a protein called nerve growth factor. It blocks the ability of the nerve growth factor to send pain messages to the brain. The injection needs to be repeated monthly as it naturally degrades over that time. This is an alternative to traditional anti-inflammatories that has real potential for long-term use and sustained pain relief. It does require monthly visits to your veterinarian and mild side effects such as pain at the injection site, itchiness, and vomiting and diarrhea have been noted.
It is important to observe your older cat carefully. Changes in behaviors, no matter how small, should be noted and discussed with your veterinarian. Advances in veterinary medicine continue to provide new options for treatment of many chronic diseases with the goal of extending good quality of life for our pets.