Cat with crepitus - crackly bone stretch fix

Mercy

Hi all

My 16 yr old cat stretched the other week and all his back bones crackled like the softest fireworks :eek:

I have crepitus whereby joints crackle when used. My old and much loved cat did the 'arms out in front bottom up' stretch and I HEARD HIS SPINE CRACKLE :eek:

Not on. Checked it out and although cod liver oil works for me it's not the best for cats. Too much Vitamin A will cause other problems, apparently, like paralyzed front limbs! Don't do it!

So I gave my 2 cats Tuna in oil (65g drained, and I drained it ) tin between em. This worked almost immediately but crepitus started again after 4 days. Poor Newton simply didn't notice he was falling apart! :rotfl:

Having kept the oily tuna mix up for 3 weeks at interval of once a week there is no sign of crackling on stretching. I did try to feed more often but Newt just left it.

Anyway, we seem to have sorted the prob for now. Maybe if you have a cat who's older it would be good to supplement with this fish in oil thing. Rather than in spring water. Cats deal with fats in better ways than humans.

Sherlock is about 12 and I'm hoping the new oily foods taken regularly will give him a crepitus free life, cos it's awful if not always painful.

Lucky aside - when they've had a belly full of protein and fat they do tend to sleep for hours rather than shouting. :rotfl:

MX

tankgirl1

Have you consulted your vet at all?

Mercy

No, and his problem - which he didn't seem to notice, has gone away.

I've tackled eye infections with warm tea too.

Mx

picklepick

I wouldn't think that feeding Tuna any more regularly than once week is a good idea because I believe it's really salty?

Really, people should consult their vet on the best course of action.

Also meant to say, I believe that Evening Primrose Oil is safe for cats but ask vet about correct dosage first

Mercy

I suppose it'd be really salty if served in brine. I've noticed it much less salty if served in oil or spring water - I'm their taster.

Maybe it's just the oil doing the good. Got to get it down them somehow though:)

If either of my cats was ill in some way I'd be down the vets quick smart. If they're just getting old or having a down day, I give em a day to sort it out or help nutritionally.

Seems some have missed the point that they're 12 and 16. Can't be doing much wrong so far :rotfl:

Mx

picklepick

No Mercy, I havent missed the point that they're 12 and 16, but other people read this forum whose cats aren't 12 and 16!

They might decide to start feeding their cats tuna and this can make them really ill. It's related to Yellow fat disease caused by Vitamin E deficiency, which can be caused by too much intake of tuna.

Oil in tuna also causes diarhoea, which can be dangerous in young cats who can become dehydrated very quickly.

I'm not trying to cause an argument, I'm just saying that advising people on what to do if their cat displays the symptoms you describe above without first consulting a vet is irresponsible

Mercy

picklepick wrote: »

No Mercy, I havent missed the point that they're 12 and 16, but other people read this forum whose cats aren't 12 and 16!
And they can't read

They might decide to start feeding their cats tuna and this can make them really ill. It's related to Yellow fat disease caused by Vitamin E deficiency, which can be caused by too much intake of tuna.

Oil in tuna also causes diarhoea, which can be dangerous in young cats who can become dehydrated very quickly.

I'm not trying to cause an argument, I'm just saying that advising people on what to do if their cat displays the symptoms you describe above without first consulting a vet is irresponsible

Fair enough.
My cats as mentioned are only getting this once a week.
As mentioned, they're getting on a bit. I don't for one second think people can't read that.

Will look into the vitamin E thing as well.

The rest of the week they are fed on proprietary foods - KiteKat and Whiskas in jelly. Not entirely happy with the low protein high carb of these (promoting diabetes) so we also partake of white fish and chicken on occasion.

What do you feed your cats?

Think irresponsible is a little harsh. But I would, I suppose

Mx

picklepick

My cats have a high protein dry food (usually whatever I can get on a special offer!)
They have a tinned wet food from PAH about 5 times a week. And they get some nice raw chicken thighs to gnaw through once a week. They love it, definitely look into feeding raw food if you can (if you dont already) They absolutely adore it and its so good for them!

As an aside, I also have cracky joints in my spine, eek!

Mercy

Ta chuck!

Will try some raw food for them when they can do it outside Don't think Newt could manage as many of his teeth have gone, sure he'd suck out the goodness

For your own crackly joints I recommend cod liver oil - normal strength (more doesn't help).
Works a treat. I still get a bit in my ankles when I've been sitting for a while - people don't seem to hear it but it sounds like gunshot to me

Know it works as I stopped taking it when I took up omega3. After a month I was crepitized all over Takes a month to work but it does work.


Big love

Mx

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I personally would steer clear of dry food. Can cause all sorts of issues in cats..but I won't get into it.

A good wet food is Butchers Classic. It comes in packets or tins. It is one of the best wet foods & is rather cheap compared to say Whiskas.

My cat is 18 & likes it, she also likes Aldi premium cat food in the packets.

Re: fish..I feed my car tinned mackeral in sunflower oil once a week & she loves it. Maybe alternate between tuna and mackeral or even sardines.

I think home/herbal remedies are good for animals as they are more natural & are what they would treat themselves with in the wild. Not convinced that vet medication is always the best route unless the animal has serious problems.