Hi
I was wondering if there was any joint product out there that I could start to feed my aging & heavier cat? She is starting to get arthritic and was looking for some kind of help for her. For example, MSM, Shark Cartilage, Gluecosamine. Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks
Joint Therapy medication
Re: Joint Therapy medication
Has she been to the vet recently for a total checkup, blood profile and consult about her weight and possible dietary changes that could be done to help keep her healthy and feeling good?
Re: Joint Therapy medication
There's only one supplement that has ever been properly tested for efficacy, safety and purity and that's cosequin for cats. I personally wouldn't trust nor give anything else. (beware of OTC products, they are virtually worthless--they contain little to no actual ingredient they claim, or deficiencies/excesses of same, or contaminants and adulterations, and some even contain harmful substances such as herbs never tested for safety)
BUT, you should not give ANY type of supplements without the specific direction of your vet based on exam, bloodwork, urinalysis, and total health assessment.
If she's overweight, this needs to be addressed properly by the vet. A weight management program could be implemented, but NOT before a complete blood profile is done to determine overall health condition or ruling out major health problems. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, liver failure, arthritis, and the cat is generally not happy, healthy or active.....talk to your vet in greater detail about adressing the weight. All cats over the age of 7 should have full blood profiling/thyroid function testing/urinalysis done yearly or more often if necessary....please get her seen promptly.
BUT, you should not give ANY type of supplements without the specific direction of your vet based on exam, bloodwork, urinalysis, and total health assessment.
If she's overweight, this needs to be addressed properly by the vet. A weight management program could be implemented, but NOT before a complete blood profile is done to determine overall health condition or ruling out major health problems. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, liver failure, arthritis, and the cat is generally not happy, healthy or active.....talk to your vet in greater detail about adressing the weight. All cats over the age of 7 should have full blood profiling/thyroid function testing/urinalysis done yearly or more often if necessary....please get her seen promptly.
..........Traci
Re: Joint Therapy medication
No she hasn't been to the vet lately--she is absolutely terrified when she does have to go--so I choose my battles and unless it's an emergency I don't like to create more stress--She is on low calorie diet and only eats hard crumble cat food and only gets a can of soft food at Christmas.
I was just wondering more if there was a product out there for cat's to help with their joints. For example the market is flooded for joint supplements for horses and for my horses I use an edible daily supplement by Pureform and an IV product 2x yr) called Legand (Legend® (hyaluronate sodium) is the joint disease therapy that helps reduce acute inflammation and reduces the likelihood of chronic joint damage. Legend is pure hyaluronate sodium, the same glycosaminoglycan present in normal joint fluid to protect and lubricate joint cartilage and soft tissues. Legend is produced by a patented biofermentation process, resulting in such purity that it can be given intravenously for immediate bioavailability).
She has turned 15 yrs old this year and I've just noticed that she does have some arthritis starting.
I was just wondering more if there was a product out there for cat's to help with their joints. For example the market is flooded for joint supplements for horses and for my horses I use an edible daily supplement by Pureform and an IV product 2x yr) called Legand (Legend® (hyaluronate sodium) is the joint disease therapy that helps reduce acute inflammation and reduces the likelihood of chronic joint damage. Legend is pure hyaluronate sodium, the same glycosaminoglycan present in normal joint fluid to protect and lubricate joint cartilage and soft tissues. Legend is produced by a patented biofermentation process, resulting in such purity that it can be given intravenously for immediate bioavailability).
She has turned 15 yrs old this year and I've just noticed that she does have some arthritis starting.
Re: Joint Therapy medication
Thanks Traci--I'll enquire to my vet about the Cosequin. I know they make an equine one. And yes maybe I can get the vet to do a house call and make it less stressful for her.
Can't advise beyond what we've said, because she DOES need total health assessment BEFORE you use anything!
Choosing battles carefully also means geting your kitty to a vet when necessary, you can't just put her on a diet on your own and expect it to work, it doesn't work that way. If she's overweight, she's not active, and that's not helping lose weight. Cats who are on a weight management program must be monitored extremely carefully by the vet to ensure that too much weight lost too soon or too sudden does NOT occur. This is how diabetes and liver disease occurs (amoung other major health issues)
Yes, the market is flooded with products. And the largest percentage of them are nothing but crap, excuse the candor. Supplements aren't regulated, so buyer should ALWAYS be aware, particularly for their pets!
Choosing battles carefully also means geting your kitty to a vet when necessary, you can't just put her on a diet on your own and expect it to work, it doesn't work that way. If she's overweight, she's not active, and that's not helping lose weight. Cats who are on a weight management program must be monitored extremely carefully by the vet to ensure that too much weight lost too soon or too sudden does NOT occur. This is how diabetes and liver disease occurs (amoung other major health issues)
Yes, the market is flooded with products. And the largest percentage of them are nothing but crap, excuse the candor. Supplements aren't regulated, so buyer should ALWAYS be aware, particularly for their pets!
..........Traci