Cat joint health

Muscle atrophy is the degeneration or loss of muscle mass. In cats, muscle atrophy is primarily recognized when there is generalized muscle loss and owners are able to easily feel the spine, hips, and rib bones

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition in cats where a piece of cartilage breaks off the end of a bone and becomes lodged in the joint. OCD is extremely rare in cats, so information about presentation, diagnosis, and treatment is based on data about dogs.

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a congenital malformation of the cerebellum in cats, which is the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination. The root cause is due to incomplete development of the cerebellum in the womb.

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) in cats is a rare condition affecting the first two vertebrae in the neck, known as the atlas and axis bones. These bones are responsible for head movement; instability in the joint between these two bones results in pain and damage to the spinal cord.

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in cats, but is overall uncommon in cats. The cranial cruciate ligament is one of the primary stabilizers of the knee joint 

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning occurs when cats inhale carbon monoxide gas, typically produced by fires, running vehicles, or improperly functioning fuel-burning (gas or oil) appliances.

Acromegaly in cats is a disease caused by a growth hormone-secreting tumor of the pituitary gland. Excessive growth hormone affects the entire body, causing abnormal growth of the internal organs (organomegaly), and sometimes the bones of the face and feet.

Vestibular disease in cats is a syndrome in which the balance system of the brain and middle ear is disrupted, causing incoordination. Symptoms include uncoordinated gait (ataxia), rapid eye movements (nystagmus), loss of balance, and head tilt.

Coccidioidomycosis in cats is a systemic infection caused by inhalation of dust-borne fungal spores of Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioides is endemic in dry, desert areas and outbreaks commonly occur after dust storms.

Narcolepsy in cats is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness and cataplexy. Cataplexy is sudden collapse with complete loss of muscle tone which may be spontaneous or triggered by emotional stimuli, such as food. 

Limb fractures are common in cats and typically occur when a bone breaks after an injury such as car accidents, falling from heights, or other blunt force trauma. Fractures can also result from weakening of the bone from conditions such as bone infection or tumors.

Polymyositis is a rare condition in cats which affects the way nerves interact with muscles, characterized by inflammation of one or more muscle groups. Long term inflammation results in damage to the muscle tissue

Septic arthritis is rare in cats and is described as joint inflammation triggered by infection. Septic arthritis occurs when a joint becomes infected by a bite or puncture wound. Rarely, infection spreads through the bloodstream and infects multiple joints.

Weakness describes a lack of power and energy available to the body. In cats, evidence of weakness includes fatigue after activity, difficulty executing athletic movements, asymmetry in the position of the body, difficulty rising, muscle shaking, and difficulty holding up the head.

Heartworm is a serious disease in cats caused by the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis. The parasite lives primarily in the blood vessels that connect the heart and the lungs. Heartworm disease is uncommon in cats, but is increasingly thought to be underdiagnosed.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne bacterial disease commonly seen in dogs and humans that is rarely found in cats. RMSF transmission occurs through bites from infected ticks.

Patellar luxation is a condition that affects the kneecap, causing it to dislocate either towards the inside or outside of the leg. In cats, this disorder is usually hereditary and develops gradually with age.

Hip dysplasia in cats describes abnormal development of the hip joint, resulting in excessive movement of the joint within its socket. Hip dysplasia is a lifelong, degenerative condition, where excessive movement of the joint gradually wears away bone and cartilage in the affected joint.

Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (FATE) is a life-threatening condition in which a blood clot lodges in the saddle: the final section of the aorta that provides blood to the hindlimbs of the cat. The cause of FATE is most commonly heart disease, and in rarer cases cancer or other causes.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is a common, highly contagious virus that causes respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. FCV is not usually life threatening, although in rare cases it develops into FCV-VSD which has more severe symptoms and is potentially fatal.

Feline osteosarcoma (OSA) is a type of cancer that arises from uncontrolled growth of bone cells. OSA is the most common type of bone cancer in cats. The underlying cause of OSA is unknown, but previous trauma, bone infection, or radiation are thought to be possible contributing factors.

Botulism is caused by ingestion of raw meat or carrion contaminated with the neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Initial symptoms may include diarrhea and vomiting related to the ingestion of spoiled meat.

Elbow dysplasia in cats is a group of abnormalities that affect the elbow joints of the front limbs. In cats, elbow dysplasia is very rare but can lead to lameness and drastically affect quality of life.

Facial paralysis in cats is a disorder of the cranial nerve that controls the muscles of the face. Possible causes include injury, ear infection, nerve inflammation, and tumors.

Trigeminal neuropathy is a disorder of the cranial nerve that controls the jaw muscles. It is extremely rare in cats. The underlying cause is not yet understood.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a condition affecting muscle contraction and nerve signaling from the brain to the muscles. MG can be either present at birth or develop during a cat’s lifetime, typically due to autoimmune disease.

Masticatory myositis is a condition of unknown origin where the muscles needed to chew become inflamed, making it painful to open the mouth or eat food. It is so rare in cats that there is no clear consensus among the veterinary community as to whether it is a feline condition at all.

Unexplained weight gain is an accumulation of excess body fat with a normal or decreased food intake. This is uncommon in cats.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where the joint cartilage is destroyed over time.

Joint swelling in cats is the enlargement of one or more joints.