Dr. D. Lee Pickett
Editor’s note: Dr. Lee Pickett has retired, but Creators continues to syndicate columns from his archive. This is from 2020.
P: Our 12 year old cat, Chia, is matted on her lower back, just above her tail. What is causing the mats and how can we remove them? She pinches us when we try to brush or comb them.
A: Cats groom themselves to clean their coat and remove loose hair. When they don’t tidy up, their fur rugs. Rugs cause discomfort and block air from the skin, increasing the risk of skin infection.
A cat that stops all grooming usually doesn’t feel well. I suspect Chia is not sick because she takes care of everywhere except her lower back.
Therefore, she may not be able to comfortably reach this area that includes the lumbar spine and pelvis. The problem is common in overweight cats and those with osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, or DJD, particularly if it affects the spine or hips.
Research shows that nearly all senior cats suffer from DJD. They usually don’t limp, because DJD usually affects both sides of the cat’s body equally. Radiographs, sometimes called X-rays, can help confirm the diagnosis.
If Chia has DJD in her spine or hips, turning to care for her back will cause pain. Fortunately, many therapies are available to alleviate feline pain.
The first step is to have Chia’s veterinarian examine her and shave her hair.
If Chia is overweight, your veterinarian may recommend a weight loss program. If the diagnosis is DJD, supplements, pain relievers, and other treatments such as laser therapy and acupuncture may help.
You will know that Chia will feel comfortable when she takes care of her entire body herself again.
P: Rudy, our 1-year-old Rottweiler-Labrador mix, is limping on one of his front paws and standing with his leg rotated so his elbow is to the side. His vet took an X-ray of his leg and diagnosed elbow dysplasia.
She advised low-impact activities and weight loss, and prescribed an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, joint supplements, diet change and physical therapy.
The vet said Rudy may need surgery and referred us to a veterinary orthopedic surgeon. Before we meet with the surgeon, please inform us about this condition.
A: Elbow dysplasia is the most common cause of forelimb lameness in young dogs.
The hereditary disease, which can affect one or both elbows, most frequently affects large and giant breed dogs. The risk is twice as high in men as in women.
The name comes from Greek, where “dis-” means abnormal and “-plasia” refers to formation. So Rudy’s elbow developed abnormally.
Three bones meet to form the elbow: the humerus, or upper arm bone, and the radius and ulna, the two bones of the forearm. Yes, a dog’s front paws are actually arms.
Elbow dysplasia occurs when the three bones do not align perfectly. The result is that the elbow cartilage wears unevenly, eventually producing osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.
Clinical signs, which usually begin between 6 and 18 months of age, include those you saw in Rudy, as well as elbow pain, swelling, grinding, and decreased range of motion.
The treatment recommended by Rudy’s vet is usual, so I’m sure he’ll feel better soon.
