Adequan injections for arthritic cats?

[paschat]

My vet suggested Adequan injections for Ozwald, my 15 yr old cat with arthritis. Cosequin has shown no marked improvement over the years, and we are wondering if Adequan is safe. I have done a google search for Adequan, and read some good results, but I trust your opinion above all Traci, as you've helped me so much with my kitties in the past.

[Traci]

The nice thing about Adequan is that it can often be used with other meds without contraindications, but of course, it depends on the "other meds".
You do NOT want to use Adequan in a cat with renal disease or blood clotting problems, so make sure you talk to your vet about evaluating Ozwald's recent health history/lab values before starting Adequan.

The most common side effect is muscle pain because it's an injection....and unfortunately, a series of injections will be required as the starting dose, this can then be given on an as-needed basis. You want to watch Ozwald carefully for any signs of severe pain and notify your vet immediately should that occur. Generally, cats fair well with it, but you still want to observe him closely. With each appointment, your vet will check for any signs of clotting problems, but these problems are somewhat rare and occur moreso with higher doses (or prolonged doses). Vomiting and/or diarrhea are also possible but rare - if these symptoms are present, contact your vet immediately.

I think overall, as long as Ozwald is in otherwise good health condition, the Adequan may be successful, just be sure you monitor for any symptoms and notify your vet immediately. Since Ozwald is 15, you want to monitor him a bit more carefully than a younger cat as far as pain is concerned or any other symptoms because older cats tend to have anorexia when they're not feeling well or are feeling painful.

I would recommend a check up for Ozwald in 6 months after starting Adequan, so the vet can check bloodwork and ensure all is fine.

[paschat]

Traci, thank you so much. Ozwald had his full bloodwork done last week and the vet says he's in excellent health. As he's a senior kitty I want to make his twilight years as happy and pain free as possible, and this arthritis is causing him some limping and xrays revealed stenosis in his spine and hips and he had the cracked Tibia two years ago when he jumped off the mantelpiece. He hates injections but do you think we could give him a mild pain reliever during his 6 week course of injections? His arthritis gets worse in winter and I was hoping to start Adequan next week. Since Ozwald is over 12 we've been doing 6 monthly bloodwork and a UA for the last 3 years. I love him so much and the idea of him being pain free is a relief.

edited to add: Ozwald is on no other meds.

[Traci]

Well, personally, I wouldn't add pain relievers, since there are very few "mild" pain relievers safe for cats that would necessitate this. Although your vet can discuss very low doses of something like butorphanol (in an oral syrup) that would probably dull the pain enough to be effective. As with any pain reliever, there are risks in combining meds. I know you want nothing more than for his comfort and I agree with you wholeheartedly. Ask your vet about the options if it is necessary but try to avoid them first if you can. (just my opinion, your vet is ultimately the one who is gauging Ozwald's progress in treatment and you are the one who knows Ozwald best )

My advice is play it by ear, see how Ozwald does with the first injection, ask your vet what to expect. If you feel Ozwald is not handling it as well as the vet predicts, then discuss it with him. But, I think once the initial injections are started, he will feel improvement before consideration of additional meds. That's my guess but of course, I cannot predict how soon he will show improvement.

Post an update when you can?

[paschat]

Well, personally, I wouldn't add pain relievers, since there are very few "mild" pain relievers safe for cats that would necessitate this. Although your vet can discuss very low doses of something like butorphanol (in an oral syrup) that would probably dull the pain enough to be effective. As with any pain reliever, there are risks in combining meds. I know you want nothing more than for his comfort and I agree with you wholeheartedly. Ask your vet about the options if it is necessary but try to avoid them first if you can. (just my opinion, your vet is ultimately the one who is gauging Ozwald's progress in treatment and you are the one who knows Ozwald best )

My advice is play it by ear, see how Ozwald does with the first injection, ask your vet what to expect. If you feel Ozwald is not handling it as well as the vet predicts, then discuss it with him. But, I think once the initial injections are started, he will feel improvement before consideration of additional meds. That's my guess but of course, I cannot predict how soon he will show improvement.

Post an update when you can?

Thanks Traci, I'll see how Ozwald responds to the injections and hopefully he won't need any pain relievers. I'll also update you on his progress. We'll be starting his course next week.

[paschat]

Update on Ozwald's Adequan.

Ozwald had round 3 of Adequan yesterday, we are doing it every 5 days, and she is giving it to him as a sub Q in the scruff of his neck. I am noticing a difference in Ozwald's general sense of well being. He jumped on my lap for the first time in many years this morning. I have also noticed that when I picked him up to trim his claws he didn't cry, and usually he cries and yowls, probably due to discomfort in his hips. So far so good. He has 3 rounds left to go, and then maintenance. His UA results came back too, and for a 15 yr old, the vet says he is in good health with urine concentration of 1.040. Thanks Traci, for your help. I hope that there are other arthritic cats out there who will benefit from Adequan.
Edited to add photos of Mr. Ozwald:
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734691.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734692.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734695.JPG

[Traci]

What wonderful news, I'm so glad to hear he is improving!!!! I'll bet you're feeling much better about it too!

And hey, where'd ya get the matching cat beds to match the cats?

Ozwald is such a cutie, I love those orange boys. Who is your other kitty, (who is also a cutie)!

[paschat]

Thanks Traci. I got their kitty beds at the Walgreens about two years ago.
The other kitty in the photo is Moche Moo, Ozwald's sister who is 16 years old. I know it's quite obnoxious to show pet photos, but I wanted to share these with you because they're so cute (and I'm a proud cat mom!).
Teddie is the smoky persian cross - his fur is short in these photos because he's been groomed. Moche is the silver fluffy, and of course little Ozwald is the ginger.
Here you go!
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734725.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734727.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734744.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734743.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734741.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734715.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734694.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734690.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1734684.JPG

[Traci]

It is not obnoxious to show photos, we love photos!!

I love their pics, Teddie looks just like a cuddly little teddy bear! Moche Moo reminds me of my Gandolf, long flowing beautiful silvery fur, and Ozwald of course is quite the looker!!

[paschat]

Traci,

Just an update on Ozwald - we are doing Adequan maintenance now, and he's doing pretty well. I would recommend this to other cats with arthritis. On a completely off topic note, I made a Catio this weekend for the kitties - They're indoor only cats, so we decided to enclose my office balcony for them with some clear mesh netting - that way they can enjoy sunshine and bird watching but be safely enclosed, and go inside whenever they feel like it. The big plants are all artificial, because I'm afraid they'll eat real plants and could get poisoned. I have some organic catnip growing in pots for them to nibble on. We also placed the bird feeder outside the balcony enclosure so they can watch birdies all day. They've been having such fun! Pics here: (look at Moche's smile!)
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1789659.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1787025.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1787031.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1787033.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1787032.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1787026.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1787029.JPG
http://img.makeupalley.com/3/7/2/3/1787023.JPG