Get in touch
555-555-5555
mymail@mailservice.com
Arthritis in Pets
Arthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis (OA). It is a degenerative, progressive, and irreversible joint condition. This means that while arthritis can be slowed down, it cannot be stopped or fixed. This condition is characterized by the loss of joint cartilage that cushions the bones of the joint and the formation of pieces of bone in an attempt to stabilize the joint. Arthritis can develop as a primary condition as part of the aging process and generally involves multiple joints. Alternatively, arthritis can be secondary to some sort of incident like trauma or an improperly formed joint and only impacts the affected joints.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of arthritis is limping. Some animals with arthritis limp all the time, but sometimes it can come and go. Stiffness after rest is very common and after “walking out of it” the stiffness improves or goes away. If a pet with arthritis overdoes it they’re often quite sore the following day. With decreased use of a limb the muscle may atrophy or degenerate. You or your veterinarian may notice changes in the joint - swelling, pain, crepitus or crunchiness, or decreased range of motion.
Testing
Diagnosing arthritis is done with x-rays of the joint. Often pets require heavy sedation for the imaging to reduce patient stress, prevent discomfort associated with manipulating the painful joints, and for appropriate positioning. Further testing may be recommended like arthrocentesis, which is taking a sample of the joint fluid for analysis, or advanced imaging like computed tomography (CT).
Treatment
There is no cure for arthritis, only lifelong management. There are three main aspects for managing arthritis: weight control, low impact exercise, and medications or other therapies.
1. Weight control
Keeping as much weight off the joints as possible is essential for managing arthritis. Overweight pets should lose weight, which is especially difficult for older animals with mobility problems. A strict diet is often necessary. If your pet is already at an ideal weight, it’s important to prevent weight gain.
2. Low impact exercise
Low impact exercise like walking and swimming is essential to maintain and improve muscle mass in addition to joint mobility and range of motion. Exercise can also help weight loss efforts. It’s best to avoid high impact activities like running and jumping, which can be jarring to the joints and cause more pain.
3. Medications and Therapy
There is a wide variety of medications for the treatment of arthritis. The class of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is often a first line treatment and includes medications like carprofen, deracoxib, and meloxicam. Chronic use of NSAIDs requires routine monitoring blood work to keep an eye on the liver and kidneys. Other medications to help with pain include gabapentin, amantadine, and tramadol. Supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine-chondroitin, green-lipped mussel, and CBD products can also be helpful. Lastly, there is an injectable medication that uses polysulfated glycosaminoglycan to help slow down cartilage breakdown.
Alternative therapies include physical therapy and rehabilitation, which should be done under the supervision of a specialized rehabilitation veterinarian or technician. There are special tools like underwater treadmills to help build back muscle and range of motion in problematic joints. Acupuncture is also helpful in the management of arthritis, but tends to be most effective in the earlier rather than more advanced stages. Stem cells or steroids can be injected into joints by an orthopedic specialist.
Long-term Management Goals
Since arthritis can only be managed and not cured, it is a lifelong challenge. It can be difficult to know where to start since there are so many ways to address arthritis, but finding the right combination of medications and therapies to keep your pet comfortable is essential.
Share this article:
