Thank you for your replies, my Mum was getting more and more worried and finally persuaded the vet that Jazz needed x-rays., despite their latest diagnosis that Jazz was miserable because my Mum has other cats, doh! She's lived with other cats all her life!
For some months Jazz had been limping and had been to the vets several times, who said she had a tendon problem. Mum had asked for an x-ray but was told there was no need.
Yesterday, she demanded that Jazz had abdominal x-rays, these were done and showed nothing. Then Mum said to do her legs as well which they finally did. Guess what? The tendon injury was actually not that at all, Jazz has arthritis in all four legs affecting most joints! Thank goodness Mum insisted on Jazz's legs being done. She was so lethargic from the pain obviously and that's why despite eating little was getting fatter! It's so sad that Jazz has this condition but thank God at least we now know what is going on. Just goes to show that we know our pets better than anyone. Now she can have treatment and although can't be cured, can be made much more comfortable and start enjoying life again.
Has anyone got any views on the best treatment, from experience, and any suggestions re alternative/complimentary therapies?

Thank you for the update and thank goodness your mum pushed the vets into taking some proper action, instead of just blaming it on her age.

You know, no matter what way I turn it, I just cannot make V-E-T read G-O-D!!!!!!!! So WHY do SO many think that they are???????

Can't offer any constructive advice on treatments or remedies but hope that she is now more comfortable.

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I cant offer any advice either but I am so glad that Jass can get treatment now and hopefully she will be more comfortable soon.

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Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats

Glucosamine is often prescribed to counteract the efects of arthritis and arthrosis, and of course anti inflammatory pain killers are in order.
In humans, glucosamine is given on a daily basis, but I underdand cats get a prescription for a couple of weeks, which should be repeated on a regular basis. Apparently it is not good for cats to get it all the time.

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Jiskefet & the mognificent Dutch bunch

My little angels at the rainbow bridge

if she allows it - gentle massage of the legs helps bloodflow and keeps swelling down allowing free movement

I know a couple cats with bad arthritis that have hydrotherapy but depends how much she hates water

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Hmm....how much weight gain are we talking about here in relation to quantity of food consumption, since in your first post you mentioned she was eating next to nothing? Of course reduction in exercise will impact on weight (gain ) but this is usually accompanied by little or no decrease in calorific intake. Based on what you've written, I would have expected Jess to have actually lost rather than gained weight, despite the decrease in activity levels. I would start weighing Jess from now on. I'm not convinced all this is purely down to effects arthritis.

To give an example I've got a kitty here with a leg fracture on complete cage-rest-obviously very reduced mobility ( which thankfully he's happy to comply with! ) who though eating slightly less than normal is still maintaining his normal weight!

Yes, pain can definitely affect appetite so once this is controlled hopefully things will improve. However, I would like a second opinion before proceeding with anything particularly if vet prescribes Metacam which they often do with this conditon. Have heard acupuncture can be very good in these cases.