Before we start this week's column, allow us to introduce our new little brother, Black Jack Davy! Say hi, Davy.

Davy: purr Hi, everybody. purrrrrrr How are you? purrrrrrrr Wanna play?

Not right now, Davy. We're a little bit busy. But thanks for saying hi to the readers.

Davy: purrrr You're welcome! Hey, what's that? I'm gonna pounce on it! purrrrr

Davy's still a kitten -- he's only 12 weeks old -- so we're not going to ask him to write with us just yet. Mama adopted him from one of our local animal shelters. He's black, just like Sinéad and Siouxsie, and he's got copper-colored eyes. We all know we're never going to replace Sinéad, but our house felt so empty with only two cats ... so we gave Mama permission to adopt another cat (as long as it was a kitten, so we could teach him or her the house rules).

We have graciously allowed Mama to post a photo of Davy in our blog, so if you want to see him, go visit our LiveJournal. Now, on to this week's letter.

Dear Siouxsie and Thomas:
My cat, Yum-yum, is 11 years old and has recently been diagnosed with arthritis and muscle degeneration in her hind legs. I know I can't give her any human painkillers, so I'm wondering, what kinds of things can be given to a cat to ease her pain and make her more comfortable. Also, I've heard that you can give glucosamine and chondroitin to a dog; can it also be given to a cat? I appreciate any advice that you can give, she is my baby.

Thanks,
Missy

Siouxsie: Arthritis isn't all that common in cats, Missy. And unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of research into pharmaceutical pain relievers that are safe for cats.

Thomas: The reason that most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin, acetaminophen and the like, are toxic to cats is because our bodies lack an enzyme that breaks down most of the common NSAIDs.

Siouxsie: Dogs have the necessary enzyme, so NSAIDs like aspirin can be used safely -- under a vet's guidance, of course -- in dogs.

Thomas: Some veterinary pain relievers have been used successfully with cats. Vets have used the medicine Metacam off-label for cats, but again, some cats develop severe toxic reactions including stomach ulcers and the like, so vets tend to be hesitant to prescribe Metacam for long-term use.

Siouxsie: Ketoprofen is apparently the most commonly used analgesic in cats. It is used off-label, too, but many vets and cat caretakers have seen good results with this medicine.

Thomas: There are some things you can do to help make Yum-yum more comfortable. You could get her a heated cat bed or put a hot water bottle in her bed. Heat tends to ease the pain of arthritic joints.

Siouxsie: Don't use an electric heating pad, though. For one thing, the pad could get too hot and she could be burned. Also, it's just not very safe to leave a heating pad on for long periods of time because it can be a fire hazard.

Thomas: Feeding a diet free of additives and preservatives can help reduce the pain of arthritis.

Siouxsie: We recommend that you consult with a holistic veterinarian for information about a program of nutrition and vitamin/mineral supplements that will help Yum-yum feel her best.

Thomas: Glucosamine and chondroitin can, in fact, be used in cats. There is a nutraceutical called Cosequin that contains glucosamine and chondroitin, and this has been used successfully with cats.

Siouxsie: Omega-3 fatty acids and remedies containing green-lipped mussel extract are also used to treat arthritis in cats.

Thomas: Some holistic veterinarians have also reported good results with sea cucumber extract; one in particular is known as SeaCuMax, which is made right here in Maine and also contains chondroitin sulfate. It's available in powder form for sprinkling on food and in a "jerky treat" form.

Siouxsie: Dr. Richard Pitcairn, in his book Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, recommends the homeopathic remedy Rhus toxicodendron 6X for arthritic animals. Rhus tox is recommended for the cat with chronic arthritis, pain or stiffness which is most apparent when the cat gets up after a long rest. When the cat first starts to move, she appears stiff and sore, but after a few minutes she seems to loosen up and feel better. If Yum-yum also has any problems with itchy, red skin, Rhus tox will help relieve those symptoms as well.

Thomas: Give one pellet by mouth, once a day, for four weeks. Do not give her food or water for ten minutes before or after giving the remedy. In theory, you're not supposed to touch the pellets, but Mama has given them to us just as she would a regular pill and homeopathic remedies work just as well.

Siouxsie: If the remedy is working, you will see one of two results within a week. Either Yum-yum will start feeling a lot better, or she may appear to actually feel worse for a day or two.

Thomas: This temporary worsening of symptoms is called an aggravation, and it should pass within a couple of days. If she doesn't get better after a couple of days, stop giving the remedy and try a different treatment.

Siouxsie: Acupuncture has also resulted in pain relief for cats. You would need to seek out a veterinarian trained in doing acupuncture on cats, of course. Mama says she's had acupuncture treatments, and they really do wonders for all sorts of things.

Thomas: I'd like to reiterate that any of these holistic treatments should be given under the guidance of a veterinarian. There are holistic veterinarians, and standard vets who are open to nutraceuticals and other forms of holistic treatment, all over the US and Canada. If you're in North America, we suggest you visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website and look in their practitioner directory to locate one in your area.

Siouxsie: Mama also says Reiki, a method of energy-based healing, can bring relief. Practitioners can give Reiki to animals as well as people, and since it is completely non-invasive, it doesn't do any harm. Mama's given us Reiki before when we've been sore or under the weather, and it really does help.

Thomas: So, Missy, there are several things you can do to help Yum-yum feel better. Good luck to you both, and please give Yum-yum some pettin's and skritches from us.

Davy: purrrrr And me too! purrrr I want to be your friend! Can we be friends? purrrrr

Siouxsie: He is kind of cute, isn't he?

Thomas: I touched noses with him a couple of times. He's just got to learn to put those claws away, that's all.

Siouxsie: Oh, my! Davy just presented his butt to Mama, and Mama just found out that he's a she! Of course, Thomas and I knew that all along, but we humored Mama when she called Davy a boy ... tee hee hee!

Got a question? Need some advice? E-mail us at advice@paws-and-effect.com. None of the material in this column is meant to be a substitute for regular veterinary care.