My kitten has osteoarthritis. Vet won't operate. What should I do?

Question

My kitten is one year old, she has calicivirus and has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. These are hers x-rays. My vet doesn't want to operate. I don't know what to do. Sorry for my grammar mistakes, I am not native english. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 6 months old | 7.7 lbs

Rodrigo Roca, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, sorry to hear about Kairi. It sounds like besides her calicivirus, she is having some difficult time walking? If so, it is believed that this is secondary to osteoarthritis. Young cats with osteoarthritis can often have more than one joint affected and is often something that is management medically. Finding the underlying cause for this osteoarthritis such as infection, an inflammatory response, auto-immune disease, or an old injury must be determined. Surgery may not be able to treat the osteoarthritis but rather help her walk easier. Surgical intervention is often pursued as a salvage procedure and not before diagnosing the source of the osteoarthritis and its effect. I would recommend asking your veterinarian to refer Kairi to an orthopedic surgeon so that they may evaluate her and determine if one or more joints are affected and if surgery or medical management is best for her. Hope this helps and best of luck.

My kitten has osteoarthritis. Vet won't operate. What should I do?

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