Joint Pain In Cats: How Compounded Pet Medication Can Make A Difference
Like humans, cats can end up with joint pain that negatively impacts their range of motion, making it far more challenging for them to get around. Pet owners who have cats should pay attention to the signs of joint pain in their feline friends to determine if something is going on. If so, bringing the animal to the veterinarian is important because the veterinarian may prescribe the animal with compounded pet medication designed specifically for that animal and its conditions.
How Can a Cat Owner Tell If the Animal Has Joint Pain?
When cats suffer from joint pain, it is not always automatically apparent to their owners. However, there are sure signs that anyone with a cat should look out for just in case. The cat may start doing some of the following things when experiencing aching joints:
- Take longer to move up or down a flight of stairs
- Struggling to get up from a resting position on the floor, couch, or even a cat bed
- Having difficulty jumping
- Struggling to walk in general throughout the home
When these signs are evident, cat owners should move swiftly to seek help for their pets.
When Is It the Right Time to Take the Cat to the Vet?
The right time to take the cat to the veterinarian for an examination is as soon as you notice unusual behavior. Of course, a cat cannot just walk up to its owner and say that its joints are aching. However, there is a lot that cat owners can learn from an animal's body language. A veterinarian will also pay close attention to the animal's body language while examining it to provide an accurate diagnosis. If a cat gets diagnosed with chronic joint pain and inflammation, the veterinarian may suggest a compounded pet medication.
How Does Compounded Pet Medication Help Cats With Joint Pain?
Compounded pet medication is different from medications that pet owners can find in pet stores. Rather than a one-type-fits-all approach to treating joint pain, compounded pet medication gets mixed and developed specifically for the cat with the diagnosis. The medication will consist of a combination of medicines that can provide the cat with relief and treat any other issues that might be developing. For example, some cats receive compounded medication consisting of opioids and tramadol, which work to reduce inflammation drastically. The exact type of medicines added to the compounded pet medication will depend on the cat and its conditions.
Some cats have multiple medical problems at the same time, such as joint pain, diabetes, and cancer. While not every cat will have numerous health issues, a veterinarian will diagnose the conditions and then go over the compounded pet medication options with the cat's owner.
How Long Will the Cat Need to Take Compounded Pet Medication?
The cat will likely need to continue taking compounded medication for joint pain for the rest of its life. Many cats end up with joint pain due to old age. Making sure to provide the animal with the compounded pet medication is the best way to keep the cat comfortable despite its health conditions. The veterinarian will let the cat's owner know how long to provide the medication, whether it is temporary or permanent.
Cats can suffer from joint pain like humans. When a cat's owner notices the animal is not walking or jumping around like it usually would, they can bring their four-legged feline to the veterinarian's office for an exam. If it turns out that the cat does have joint pain, a veterinarian can provide a prescription for a compounded pet medication consisting of a blend of medications that will increase the cat's comfort while improving its health.
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