Some Interesting Facts from the Veterinary World

As is true with people, pets, especially cats, can develop esophageal injury from oral medications.

Antibiotic pills are most commonly incriminated. The medications irritate the esophagus when they get stuck in the folds of tissue lining the esophagus and fail to move into the stomach.

To minimize the chance of esophageal stricture, administer 1 teaspoon of water following the administration of any medications for pets and people.

Arthritis is a common problem in older cats as well as dogs. However, many pet owners and veterinarians do not recognize it. Many cats do not show clinical signs such as limping or lameness, which makes the diagnosis and treatment more challenging.

In one recent study, 22 percent of cats that were X-rayed showed radiographic evidence of arthritis. The elbows were the most commonly affected joints in this study. In dogs, the lower back and hips are most commonly affected.

The take-home message: As with dogs, I suspect most of my older feline patients suffer from arthritis. I have all older cats begin taking joint supplements as a prevention. Any older cat exhibiting clinical signs of arthritis is placed on a variety of joint supplements plus homeopathics and herbs. If needed, NSAID medication can be used infrequently for severe pain.

By: Shawn Messonnier, Dr., Dallas Morning News