Arthritis

Case Studies

Omaha has severe arthritis. Lynette started getting him acupuncture treatments in 2004 and the results were amazing! At the time they started, he was having trouble standing up. After about three weekly sessions, he was RUNNING. They continued with the treatments for some time, but it was a struggle as Omaha is NOT generally able to be handled by anyone but Lynette. To find a qualified veterinary acupuncturist in your area, try the AHVMA site. Keep your search broad for the most hits.

Omaha's arthritis has worsened dramatically in 2008, to the point he once again was having trouble standing up. He's doing MUCH better now, though, and walking well and able to stand up on his own. His current regime is:

• Adequan - 0.3 cc's injected weekly. Lynette's vet recommended injecting it into the muscle (IM) - but many vets give Adequan as a sub-q injection.
• Glucosamine/chondroitin: orally daily - Lynette just uses a human over-the-counter brand, as it's less expensive than most veterinary versions
• Gabapentin (Neurontin) - As of this writing, Omaha gets 2.5 mL (50 mg) twice daily. That's the standard starting dose. It's very new for use in cats and supposedly blocks the pain recepters. The only noted side effect has been drowsiness, which Lynette has not seen in Omaha. Hers is compounded into a chicken-flavored liquid.
• Metacam (meloxicam) - Omaha gets the 2 pound dose of the 0.5 mg/mL suspension every other day. (It comes with a special syringe that fits on the tip of the bottle and just notes "pounds".) There are risks with Metacam, but despite Omaha's age (18) his bloodwork looks great. Should he start to develop kidney (renal) insufficiency, Lynette might choose to discontinue the Metacam if it seems she can without him being in pain.

For futher information, visit:

AHVMA site - search for a holistic vet including acupuncturists

Adequan by Mar Vista Animal Medical Center

WSAVA 2007 on joint disease

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management - reference to gabapentin

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management - reference to gabapentin

Analgesic drugs for arthritis

Winn funds study on gabapentin in 2007

Pain Control

AAFP pain management guidelines

Treating chronic pain in the geriatric feline Zimmer Feline Foundation, Fall 2009

Date last updated: 12/3/2016

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