Finding Arthritis Relief for My Senior Cat, Cirrus

[pampered1224]

My kitty, Cirrus, has turned 17! I am noticing that he is starting to have issues with jumping up on things and I was told that there are several glucosemine supplements, for arthritis, out there. I found one, Multi-Vite Senior. I was just wondering if any of you have had to use something over the counter? I found out that the vet needs to see him to get something that way, too expensive right now, so...

 

[Jennie4PC]

My DH works at a place called IFA and they sell a thing called DMSO, it helps animlas with arthritis. (IFA is a farm/feed store)

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I tried to use a similar product with my cat, but if you can get your cat to take a vitamin then you are doing much better than I was able to do!

 

[pampered1224]

This thing I found, and I think I will give it a try is a TREAT for him. It is chicken flavored! My sister the vet tech said give it a try!
"These tasty chewables pack a powerful nutritional punch that complement your senior cat's diet. Containing glucosamine, taurine and essential vitamins and minerals, this tasty treat is a great reward for cats over 7 years of age.Guaranteed Analysis per Soft Chew: * Crude Protein (min) 16%
* Taurine (min) 0.7%
* Crude Fat (min) 10%
* Crude Fiber (max) 2%
* Moisture (max) 25%
* Ash (max) 6%
* Vitamin A (min) 90,000 IU/kg
* Vitamin D3 (min) 5,500 IU/kg
* Vitamin E (min) 250 IU/kg
* Vitamin B6 (min) 50 IU/kg
* Vitamin B12 (min) 125 IU/kg
* Thiamine (min) 54 mg/kg
* Riboflavin (min) 41 mg/kg
* Ascorbic Acid* (Vit. C) (min) 3,900 mg/kg
* Niacin (min) 511 mg/kg
* Folic Acid (min 8 mg/kg
* Pantothenic Acid (min) 55 mg/kg
* Glucosamine* (min) 100 mg/kg I need to note here that a lot of vets do carry a glucosamine supplement that is very expensive and will not be administered without a visit which in it self can be costly. I will do that when the time comes though. * Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFC) Cat Nutrient Profiles.Ingredients: Chicken, wheat flour, tapioca starch, corn syrup, soy flour,m glycerin, gelatin, hairball blend, wheat gluten, tuna, brewer's yeast, natural flavor, dextrose, phosphoric acid, cheese powder, salt, fish oil, potassium sorbate, glycine, whole dried eggs, mixed tocopherols, calcium carbonate, ascorbic acid, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, biotin, vitamin A supplement with vitamin D3 supplement, calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfate complex, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, pyridoxineSuggested Use: Three (3) chews per day if 5 lbs. or less body weight; four (4) chews per day if over 5 lbs. body weight."My sister will be coming over in about a month and will take a look at him to see if this is working OK and that he is doing OK with it. Saves me some money but well, I keep watching him.

 

[pampered1224]

If anyone has an aging cat, I gotta tell you this stuff is awesome. I give him three each morning and he almost swallows them whole! But I have noticed very devious improvements. He no longer sits on the floor contemplating getting a drink, he uses a stool to get on the counter by the sink as he will NOT drink out of a bowl on the floor, now he just walks into the kitchen and just goes for it. He is up and around much more often. He is not sleeping as much. He pulls out toys and plays with them again! He does not twitch his back legs as much as I think the soreness and stiffness is dissipating for him. When he would lay on the couch on his side to be petted, he would shake his back legs, like humans do when they get cramps, stiffness or are just sore. And he has started doing one of his favorite things again. He wants to and does go down the back steps to sleep in the morning sun! That is what made me know he was doing better for sure. Those stairs! So, go for it. I only found them at Pet Smart though. So...

 

[robochick84]

I tried to use a similar product with my cat, but if you can get your cat to take a vitamin then you are doing much better than I was able to do!

I work with a feline rescue organization. It's not a "see it once and learn it type of thing" but if you know a vet, breeder, kennel owner, etc - someone who works with MANY animals they can show you how to easily and properly scruff a cat lower its jaw and pill them.

It will be significantly easier to learn this technique with your own pets as I tend to only do it with feral animals.


Good Luck, and thanks for so many dedicated years to your cat!! :thumbup::angel:

 

[gigi425]

I have had much success with the cat "pill popper" that looks like a big plastic syringe. You can get it from a vet, pet store, or online. You just have to be quick about "popping" it!

Good luck!

 

[pampered1224]

The thing I used was the one I mentioned in the first post. It is a product by a company called Nutri-Vet and is a Chicken and Tuna flavored soft chew. He actually begs me for them. I give them to him, 3 for his weight, each morning and that is it. These are the Multi-Vite Senior chews. He is showing more and more activity and he does not do the shaking out of the legs like he was. I also noticed that he has been sitting on the bathroom sink like he used to do! When he hears me waking up, he gets to the bathroom, jumps into the bathtub, then up on it edge then up to the sink. He has not done that for almost months! He also is driving me crazy with wanting attention so much more as he is not sleeping anywhere near as much as he was! So I know he is feeling better.