Ricardo, a.k.a. Ricky, is a 17-year-old Siamese cat that needs some extra attention in his advanced age. That’s why his family carries him around in a medical sling.
Ricky’s family absolutely adores him. So, they make sure to keep him as comfortable as possible now that he has arthritis.
Being pet helps to ease his pain and make him more comfortable. So, Ricky is constantly meowing to get pet.
All eyes on Ricky
His cries have only grown louder and more persistent as his condition has progressed. Osteoarthritis, also known as OA, is characterized by the inflammation and degeneration of one or several joints.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, cats who have OA can experience pain and swelling in various joints which can affect their day to day living.
About 90 percent of cats over the age of 10 will get OA in at least one joint. While there isn’t a single cause of OA, experts believe that the following conditions could contribute to the development of OA:
- a cat’s build
- obesity
- abnormal joint development
- injury
- nutritional history
OA is not considered a condition that “just happens” when a cat gets older. Cats with OA may have trouble getting up and down, walk stiffly, become lame in one or more legs, and be reluctant to climb or go downstairs.
Our 17 year old cat has arthritis but still wants cuddles and strokes so my mum has made him a sling slash papoose for when she is doing the housework pic.twitter.com/TQfgiCVer5
— Felicity Morse (@FelicityMorse) April 7, 2019
In worst cases, they’ll have stiff, swollen, or sore joints which may make them reluctant to be touched and/or aggressive toward others. So, making sure that Ricky is comfortable and being pet constantly was a top priority. It was also a bit of a challenge.
So, Ricky’s family got creative. They now carry Ricky around in a sling that was made for an arm injury. Ricky spends his days comfortably cradled against mom’s chest like a little baby.
“He follows my mum around the house miaowing till she strokes him so she thought this would help,” Felicity Morse, Debbie Morse’s daughter, said on Twitter.
Welcome to my new cat-based followers. I am mainly trying to post sage coach style advice to make life feel better but my animals get the most attention. And who am I to deny an audience? So here is the same cat (Ricardo) getting a bath during the hot weather pic.twitter.com/DkT5xVWf5T
— Felicity Morse (@FelicityMorse) April 7, 2019
Mom’s creative contraption is successful. Ricky absolutely loves it. And mom can actually get things done around the house now.
“[My mom] invented this sling so he feels comforted and less lonely,” Felicity Morse told The Dodo. “The warmth and cuddles really help his arthritis.”
House prince
Ricky being pampered is nothing new. He’s been getting pampered his entire life, which is basically how long he’s been with his family.
So, Ricky’s family was more than happy to up their pampering game now that Ricky was getting on in his age. They are willing to do anything they can to make their sweet Siamese boy happy.
“He’s so gentle and chilled,” Debbie Morse said. “He’s worth his weight in gold.”