Osteoarthritis in Pets
If your pet no
longer appears interested in playing with her favorite
mouse toy for hours on end, 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.
Early warning signs of osteoarthritis:
- Difficulty in walking, climbing
stairs, or getting in and out of the litter box
- An overall decrease in activity,
especially play
- Resting more than usual
- Slowness in getting up from a lying
position
- Failing to groom themselves or eating
less, with a resulting loss of weight
- 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.
Osteoarthritis falls into two main categories: - Abnormal stress on normal joints
- An injury that damages a joint
- “Wear and tear”: joints are subjected to
repeated loads or stress
- Obesity: an excessive load is put on joints
- Normal stress on abnormal joints
- Developmental defects that alter the shape or
stability of a joint
- Poor limb conformation: bow legs or knock
knees can cause an uneven load on a joint
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. How is
osteoarthritis treated?
Treatment
includes three main components, each equally important.
- Weight
Control:
Pets 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 cat.
- 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 and cats can profit
from play that keeps them moving without excessive
jumping. Consult your veterinarian about what amount and type of
exercise would be best for your pet. Also, be aware that
your pet’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, chondroitin and MSM 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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