Dragging behind her

Night before last my kitty went from her normal (demonic) self to crouching oddly as if she was trying to defecate. She is eight years old, diabetic but healthy. My husband got her in to see the Vet yesterday and was told, after a lengthy exam, that she has developed arthritis. I’m extremely anxious about this diagnosis because when it comes to my cat she is like my child and I wasn’t with my husband during the exam to hear for myself what the vet said. Hubby has a way of losing things in translation. After spending some time on the Internet looking up Feline Arthritis and treatments I’m more anxious than before. The vet prescribed a drug called Metacam which is (according to what I read on the net) only for canines. I read many warnings regarding felines and this drug.

So, Monday I will call the vet myself to gain more clarity and hopefully reduce my anxiety. Until then, could all cat lovers unite and either email me or comment if they have any knowledge on the subject of felines with arthritis? What I’ve noticed in behavioral changes in my cat is that she is dragging her tail, she moves around much more slowly and can’t seem to find a comfortable position, she is eating less and she appears to be in pain. Also, as I said before, once in a while she crouches as if she is trying to have a bowel movement. The dosage of Metacam the vet prescribed is 0.3 mg once daily for three days and then 0.7 mg daily as needed for pain.

I care deeply for this creature that has given me so much more than I have her and if I seem abnormal in my love for her so be it. If any one of you dear bloggers can enlighten me or just tell your story I would be eternally grateful!