Max

[slick]

I know this isn't as important as all the other cat health threads but I just have to post this about Max.

As you know he is 16 now and during the last year I have noticed that a couple of times his back end and legs will flop over as if they are very weak. He remained like that for about 5 minutes, then he was fine. Note, it's only happened about twice in the last year so I didn't panic.

More recently his personality changed....he's become more cranky. I can't cuddle him like I used to and 3 or 4 times now, he will jump off the coffee table and let out a loud meow and favour one of his back legs. He'll limp for a few steps then he's fine.

Since he has not been to the vet for about 4 years I took him in yesterday (Saturday). He had a full blood panel done (I'll get the results on Monday) as well as x-rays on his hips and spine. Turns out that my baby has very bad arthritis in both hips and he prescribed Metacam...2 drops each night in his wet food in the hope that the anti-inflammatory will ease his pain somewhat.

In addition the vet said that he had spondylosis in the lumbar between L5 & L6 and that reacts on the nerves which would be the reason for the rear end weakness. The vet also mentioned IVDD - Intervertebral disc disease. I had to get him to write both of these down for me .

I'm assuming that he's cranky because he's in a bit of pain and that just kills me to think of it. I forgot to mention that he spends 80% of his time in my closet.....so much time in fact that I've made a bed for him in there. He acts normal when I come home from work but after eating he goes right back in the closet.

Have any of you had experience with IVDD or spondylosis???? Is there something more that I can do for my baby boy??? The vet tells me that IVDD doesn't cause any pain but I want to do more for the arthritic pain. Any suggestions or links are very much appreciated. Many thanks.

Slick
xo

[Catty1]

Vicki, I have had NO experience with either of these, but hope Max feels better with the Metacam.

I did find that it is 'osteoarthritis of the spine' and the discs degenerate. Here's a bit more.

Since spondylosis is a form of arthritis localized in the spine, treatment for spondylosis is essentially the same as for patients suffering from generalized degenerative arthritis. In cases where there is pain and stiffness of various ares of the spine, treatment with joint health supplements containing omega-3-fatty acids, glucosamine, and MSM, in addition to administration of a good veterinary nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), will often increase comfort and range of motion. In cases where there are neuromuscular deficits to the extremities and/or loss of urinary or bladder control, steroids are typically the patient's only chance to regain function. At this time there are no effective surgical solutions to canine and feline spondylosis.

Also:
http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/sa..._61/61mast.htm

The latter article suggests the the bone spurs that form may turn in and impact the spinal nerves, which might explain the loss of motion. I don't know if there is a way to remove or laser these spurs, or make the nerve more impervious to it.

HUGS! Give Max a pat, if he'll let you.

[shais_mom]

I don't have any experience in this in cats/animals but I just wanted to send my good thoughts and prayers for you and Max.
Gentle hugs....

[Moesha]

I know this isn't as important as all the other cat health threads but I just have to post this about Max.

I don't have any experience dealing with any of the health issues that you mentioned. But I did want to say that your questions and postings about Max's condition is just as important as the other cat health threads!

[Bengalz]

Slick,

I agree with Moesha - Max is a very important boy and his health issues definitely matter

I am so sorry to hear that Max is not himself and is dealing with symptoms of old age I hope your Vet can find the right blend of medication to help ease the pains.

Please give your precious baby a gentle hug for me.

Hugs, Betty

P.S. I sent you an email

[Emeraldgreen]

This thread about Max is important! I'm sorry to hear that he is in pain and has been hiding out alot.
I don't know alot about IVDD but I am familiar with arthritis and Metacam. My RB dog was on it from the age of 14-16 and it helped her so much with getting around better and being less painful.
My cat Paddy was prescribed Metacam last week because his joints have been under too much strain with his weight and he may have arthritis. The vet said to give him 5 drops for 5 days and then wean him down to 1-2 drops a day. It is remarkable how much it has helped him and I hope it will be the same for Max. I have been mixing it in with wet food and he doesn't seem to notice it. Within an hour, he is walking with so much more ease, it is very noticable. It might take a day or two for it to start working for Max? I think Medi-Cal makes a dry food that has glucosamine in it. Hills makes a food for joint care called J/D too.
I wonder if accupuncture would be helpful for his condition.
Prayers going out for you and Max.

[Barbara]

Oh Slick how can you think it wouldn't matter to us what happens to sweet Max. He was such a good boy when we picked him up and cuddled him. I hope he wasn't in pain then.
It looks as if Max just has the same problems humans his age would have. I hope the meds help him to be able to better move and not to be in pain.

[Medusa]

I'm sorry to read about Max and his pain and he is just as important as any other furkid on this forum. I've not had experience w/either of these conditions, although I did treat one of my dogs who had arthritis years ago. Please know that prayers are going up for Max and for you, too, Slick.

[Donnaj4962]

I am so sorry that Max is having pain. I hope the meds help and he is feeling better soon.

***Of course Max's health issues are just as important as any other furbaby on PT! ****

Please keep us posted on Max's progress.

[jenluckenbach]

Dear Max! I am so sorry you are having pain. Getting old sucks. I hope the Metacam will help you (I am sure it will). And one more thing, Max, give your mom a SLAP from me thinking that you are not as improtant as the other kitties here. (actually Slick, I imagine you were thinking that this PROBLEM is not as serious as the other illnesses, but your concerns are OUR concerns )

[Randi]

Oh Slick, Max is just as important to us all as the other furbabies. I'm so sorry to hear that he's in pain, and hiding.

I don't have any experience with the health issues you mentioned, but what Emeraldgreen said in her post, sounds promising. I do hope the drops you give him will help and he'll be able to move around without pain.

Please give him lots of kisses from me - and Fister sends headbumpies, of course.

If you want to talk, you know where to find me.

Big ((((Hugs))))

[ChrisH]

Dear Max! I am so sorry you are having pain. Getting old sucks. I hope the Metacam will help you (I am sure it will). And one more thing, Max, give your mom a SLAP from me thinking that you are not as important as the other kitties here. (actually Slick, I imagine you were thinking that this PROBLEM is not as serious as the other illnesses, but your concerns are OUR concerns )

Poor Max. slick, I am so sorry to hear your dear boy is suffering and is in pain. As Jen wrote, getting old sucks. I don't have any knowledge of the conditions he has been diagnosed with and so, I'm sorry, I don't have any advice to offer. Just prayers and positive thoughts that the Metacam will be of a great help in easing his pain.

Please give some kisses and gentle hugs to your beautiful boy from me.

[susanswatlin518]

Hi There-max Is Certainly Important To This Cat Forum! As You Are Being His Human. I Hope He Is Feeling Better. It's Hard That Cats Can't Speak With A Voice To Tell Us Exactly-but Of Course They Show Us In Other Ways. Before I Put One Of My Cats Down-for Reaching A Very Old Ageover 21 Or More-i Am Sure He Had Arthritis. I Still Think Of Cuddles And It's Been Almost 4 Years. He Was A White Angora I Think. Cuddles Probably Did Suffer Artritis But Hung In There Until My Boyfriend At The Time And Other Best Friend Could Get Me Prepared To Let Cuddles Go. I Hope Max Is Around For A Long Time. Please Hang In There Susanswatlin518:d:d:d

[jazzcat]

Aww poor Max. I'm sorry to hear he is having pain like that. I sure hope the meds help.

I don't have any experience with his conditions. In fact I've never heard of spondylosis.

Sending prayers and good thoughts for our sweet boy Max. My Ripley is 16 so I know how hard it is to see our guys show the signs of age.

[slick]

(actually Slick, I imagine you were thinking that this PROBLEM is not as serious as the other illnesses

LOL Yes Jen, that's exactly what I was thinking. Thank you all for the replies and links and very helpful info.

So the blood tests are back and I spoke to the vet last night. He's very pleased and says that Max is extremely healthy for a boy his age. There does seem some indication of very early CRF but it's nothing to be concerned about now. He's been eating low protein dry for about 8 years and I'd like to think that it has acted is a preventative diet.

Now, the Metacam. That stuff stinks worse that my feet at the end of long day and I wasn't sure if he would accept it but much to my surprise when mixed up with even stinkier Whitefish and Tuna wet food, he didn't even notice it. He received the injection on Saturday and I've only been giving him drops for two nights and already I can notice a difference. Last night he was much perkier and after supper he curled on the bed instead of in the closet. This morning he was following me around for a bit but now he's back in the closet.

The next thing is his dental and since he passed his blood test with flying colours I'll probably schedule that in for October sometime. I know there is some controversy here over putting a 16 yr old "under" but I don't want him to get gum disease and have that spread to the blood stream. I'm very confident that he can handle the sir jury. The vet says a dental will be $300 not including any extractions. Just another expense for the babies we love.