Osteofibrosis is a rare disease, but one that requires treatment because its complications are irreversible. Generally due to a lack of food, it mainly affects young cats, whose rapid growth requires an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals. Let's discover the symptoms of osteofibrosis, the most effective treatments and how to prevent it.
Osteofibrosis in cats: symptoms
Osteofibrosis affects cats that are fed a diet that does not meet their needs. It is indeed due to a lack of minerals, especially calcium, but sometimes to an overdose of vitamin D. It is therefore a pathology whose cause is generally dietary.
It should be noted that it can very exceptionally be due to a renal problem or a parathyroid tumor.
The skeleton of the animal suffering from osteofibrosis becomes fragile, the bones become irreversibly deformed and fracture easily. Affected cats are prone to what is known as green wood fractures. This is a fracture that affects only one side of a bone. It is therefore incomplete.
The symptoms of osteofibrosis in cats are mainly:
- Pain on palpation of the limbs and sometimes of the spine,
- Difficulty getting up,
- Lameness in a front or rear limb, or even in several limbs.
It is important to consult a veterinarian when a cat presents these symptoms.
Osteofibrosis in cats: diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis of osteofibrosis in cats can be confirmed by the presence of osteopenia, which is a decrease in bone density, and by imaging (x-rays), the veterinarian can clearly see that the cat's bone growth is abnormal. This osteodystrophy inevitably leads to bone fragility and increases the risk of cracks and fractures.
The treatment of osteofibrosis is based on the prescription of :
- Analgesics (for pain),
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (to reduce inflammation),
- Anabolic agents (to increase muscle mass),
- Calcium supplementation,
- A balanced diet.
Note that if osteofibrosis in cats is not due to deficiencies but to a kidney problem or a tumor in a parathyroid gland, the prognosis is unfavorable.
How can osteofibrosis be prevented in cats?
A cat's diet should not consist solely of meat products. However, this is a mistake that some owners make because they believe that a cat is a carnivore and should only eat meat. This is an aberration! In order for his diet to be balanced, and thus to meet the needs of the animal's body, it must be sufficiently supplied with proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, minerals, trace elements and vitamins, without any excess however.
Fortunately, more and more cats are receiving a well-balanced diet, especially because their owners take care to buy excellent quality cat food, whether it is kibble, pate or a mixed diet. That's why osteofibrosis is so rare today.
Feeding your cat well does not prevent you from having him regularly monitored by a veterinarian. This is essential so that any health problem can be diagnosed as soon as possible and the animal can benefit from an adapted treatment if necessary. It is also necessary to receive sound advice from the veterinarian in terms of nutrition and to be able to protect his little companion against deficiencies that can be the cause of osteofibrosis.
In order for veterinary expenses not to have too much impact on a master's budget, it is in his interest to insure his cat with an animal health insurance. This way, he will be reimbursed, partially or totally, for the expenses incurred and, consequently, take care of his cat's health at a lower cost.