-- The Arthritis Season --
For many people “ of a certain age ,” winter can be a painful season - as this bookseller knows all too well . Arthritis is the culprit , and it ’ s the malady that runs in my family . But few over the age of 45 are immune . And winter , with the cold and damp , is a sure trigger for all kinds of twinges . But people are not alone in suffering that disease . Most mammals , including our beloved pets , can get it . Jasper , our lovely tuxedo boy , has suffered with the disease for several years .
In both our cases , early injuries are the locations where today we have pain . I ’ m a bookseller , so it is more acute in my shoulders from heavy lifting over 40 years . For Jasper , the worst pain is in his paws , where his claws were removed , leaving him to walk on the nearly exposed first joints of his feet for years . It ’ s hard to watch him as he limps - sometimes one paw , sometimes the other , and once in a great while , both at the same time . When both paws are that sore , it is usually accompanied by crying . Limping and reluctance to jump down from a perch are hallmarks of a cat in pain due to arthritis .
What to do ? People have several options , starting with acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory medications . We then also have opioids for more severe pain . All these medications have side effects in humans . Cats have far fewer options , as we know little about cat pain . Some of this is because it ’ s difficult to get a cat to accept the wires of an electroencephalogram , or EEG . Seeing how the brain changes with pain helps researchers find solutions . But cats will play and chew the wires , so until recently , all research has been done with the cats under anesthesia .
But , no longer , thanks to little crocheted caps ! Researchers from the University of Montreal have created a first-of-its-kind electrode-lined crochet beanie that can be used to measure a cat ’ s brain activity . Aside from being adorable , the custom-made wool caps also let researchers , for the first time , conduct EEG brain scans on felines without having to sedate them . These electrode-filled winter caps are already being used to help determine how cats experiencing chronic pain may respond when exposed to pleasant sounds and smells . The findings were published September 2024 in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods .
It took a YouTube video on how to crochet a little beanie for a cat that allowed this breakthrough in feline research . With a method to record stimulation in a cat ’ s brain , scientists can look for ways to help our feline friends as they age .
Here , both Jasper and I have our own coping skills . He loves to get under the covers when the paws are painful , and both of us love to sit in the easy chair and share a heating pad . Hector , who is less bothered by arthritis likes to join us as well , adding warmth and purring . He knows it won ’ t be long before both of us are back to taking care of the bookshop .
- by Linda Roller , Bookseller , Writer , & Owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis , PA .
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP Linda Roller
Hours : Thursday & Friday 10-6 , Saturday 10-3 , or by appt .
“ Where yesterday ’ s books are today ’ s treasures .”
LibertyBookShop @ comcast . net www . thelibertybookshop . com
570-753-5201
Pawsitively Pets -- March 5