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 For
your dog pets to enjoy time with you, they must always be in good health. Like
you, if the pets are feeling pain they are unable to feel the mood of having
fun!
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 If
your dog doesn’t jump to greet you on your return home each evening
there may be a good reason—osteoarthritis. A chronic, degenerative
joint disease that makes movement difficult and painful, osteoarthritis
mainly strikes pets in their middle and senior years. However,
younger animals can also be affected. In fact, studies show that
approximately 20% of dogs have the condition in some form and,
even though they are less prone, cats can also suffer from it.
It can be heartbreaking to
see your once lively, always active best friend begin to limp, or
notice his or her obvious pain when moving around. There is no cure
for osteoarthritis. However, if it is treated promptly, there is
a great deal that you and your veterinarian can do to decrease your
pet’s discomfort and increase his or her mobility.
- Difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and
out of the car
- An overall decrease in activity, especially play
- Resting more than usual
- Slowness in getting up from a lying position
- “Bunny hopping” with the hind legs, rather than running normally
- Slow or stiff movements upon waking, after a rest, or in cold
weather
- Beginning to limp
- Swollen joint(s) that is warm to the touch
- Licking or biting at a joint
- Personality change—your pet no longer likes to be touched
- If you notice any of the signs above, don’t just think that
your pet is “slowing down with age.” Take him or her to see your
vet! The faster osteoarthritis is first diagnosed and treated,
the better your pet’s quality of life will be.
What
causes osteoarthritis?
There
are many causes, but practically all can be grouped into two
main categories:
- Abnormal stress on normal joints
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An injury that damages a joint
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“Wear and tear”: joints are subjected to repeated loads
or stress
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Obesity: an excessive load is put on joints
- Normal stress on abnormal joints
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Developmental defects that alter the shape or stability
of a joint
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Poor limb conformation: bow legs or knock knees can cause
an uneven load on a joint
-
Genetic predisposition: some breeds of dogs are just more
prone to osteoarthritis than others
Whatever
the specific cause, stress on a joint can begin a destructive
cycle of inflammation of the joint area and damage to the cartilage
that leads to pain for your pet.
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How
is osteoarthritis treated?
Treatment includes three
main components, each equally important.
- Weight control Dogs that suffer
from chronic pain caused by conditions like osteoarthritis often
become inactive, which can result in obesity. Controlling your
pet’s weight will lighten the load on arthritic joints and make
it less difficult to move around. Just as for humans, weight
loss for animals involves both a well-balanced, calorie-reduced
diet and regular exercise. Ask your veterinarian for advice on
the proper diet for your dog.
- Exercise is essential because it contributes
to strengthening the muscles that support joints. Daily, moderate
amounts of low-impact exercise also improves joint mobility and
can help get a lethargic, arthritic pet active again. Dogs will
benefit from such activities as walking and swimming.
Consult your veterinarian
about what amount and type of exercise would be best for your
pet. Also, be aware that your dog’s osteoarthritic pain may be
more severe at certain times than others. If this is the case,
let your pet take a break from his or her exercise routine for
a few days, until the painful flare-up subsides.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs combat inflammation
in the joints, thus relieving pain, increasing mobility, and protecting
the joint from further damage. As joint pain may vary according
to the amount of exercise, the weather or season, or for other,
unknown factors, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatory
medication such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
as treatment. Newer NSAID drugs are proving to be especially effective
in reducing inflammation and pain to improve mobility without
the significant side effects - including gastrointestinal problems
- previously associated with NSAID use. Ask your veterinarian
for more information.
In addition to the above,
your veterinarian may also suggest physical therapy, cold or hot
packs and baths, massage or acupuncture as well as glucosamine and
chondroitin to help control pain. In extreme cases surgery may also
be indicated.
What’s the outlook for a pet with osteoarthritis?
 Osteoarthritis
may progress very slowly (over several years) or very quickly (you
might notice a major change in just a few weeks or months). It all
depends on your pet’s age, his or her activity level, the joints
involved and the underlying cause. Some pets’ pain and loss of mobility
can be kept to a minimum for long periods of time with a simple
regimen of weight control, moderate, regular exercise and the occasional
use of anti-inflammatory drugs if flare-ups occur. For others, severe
damage to the joints may occur rapidly and require long-term medication
and other therapy. In either case, your veterinarian can determine
the best course of treatment for your pet’s particular condition.
There is no reason why, with your loving attention and committed
care, as well as your veterinarian’s guidance, your osteoarthritic
pet cannot have a happy, healthy and comfortable life for many years
to come.
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