Degenerative joint disease (DJD), also called osteoarthritis (OA), is progressive loss of joint cartilage with new bone at the joint margins, inflammation of the joint lining and chronic pain. MSD calls it one of the most common painful conditions of dogs and cats. In cats it is easy to miss, because cats rarely limp. They just do less.
Key facts
Degenerative joint disease at a glance- Species and system: cat; musculoskeletal, chronic pain.
- Frequency: about 60% of all cats and over 90% of cats older than 12 years have radiographic DJD (MSD, citing Lascelles 2010).
- Cause: mostly age-related; secondary forms follow trauma, infection, immune-mediated joint disease or hip dysplasia (mainly Maine Coon cats).
- Presentation: slowing down, not jumping, poor grooming, litter box changes, irritability; lameness is often absent.
- Diagnosis: history (owner questionnaires), examination and radiographs.
- Treatment: multimodal; frunevetmab, carefully chosen NSAIDs, gabapentin, weight control and home changes.
What's inside
11 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 9 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.