Arthritis in cats and dogs is one of the most common conditions we treat. With pets living longer than every before, we will see arthritis affecting most pets before the end of their lives.
What Causes Arthritis?
We actually divide arthritis into several groups. Arthritis can be classified as:
- Osteoarthritis – this is the form which affects dogs and cats due to age and “wear and tear”
- Infectious arthritis – this may be bacterial, viral or fungal
- Immune mediated arthritis – this is where the body reacts against tissues in the joint
For the purpose of this article, I will be talking about osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear, joint strains/sprains, fractures affecting the joint, or growth abnormalities such as hip and elbow dysplasia.
The basis process is caused by the cartilage wearing away, which means the joint becomes two bones rubbing on each other. This in itself is uncomfortable, but it also causes more bone to form in the joint, creating rough surfaces which don’t glide well on each other. This perpetuates the problem and the disease progresses.
What are the signs of arthritis?
Dogs and cats present very differently with arthritis, so we will talk about them separately.
Cats
The main signs we see in cats are poor grooming and being less active. We rarely see cats because of limping due to arthritis.
Dogs
In dogs, limping is the most common sign we see. We may also find the dog is less inclined to jump up onto beds and couches, not as keen on walks as before, or sitting abnormally.
If your dog is limping, it is in pain. Dogs don’t limp from habit, or to gain sympathy. A dog will need to be VERY sore to yelp due to pain, so a dog that is limping but not yelping is still in pain and needs treatment.
How do we diagnose arthritis?
The diagnosis is normally based on a thorough clinical exam, and possible xrays. Xrays are the best way to confirm a diagnosis and ensure there is no other cause of pain or lameness (such as tumours, soft tissue injuries, etc).
In some cases, we may also do a “therapeutic trial”, where we place the animal on some anti-inflammatory medication and assess their response.
How to treat arthritis?
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Correct underlying problems:
Where present, we will try to address any underlying or contributing issues. We will ensure the pet is the correct weight (obesity puts a lot of pressure on joints), and if growth abnormalities are present we will consider surgical correction of the problem.
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Disease Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMODS):
These medications are normally given as a course of 4 injections at weekly intervals, repeated every 6 months. The injections are given under the skin and help with most joints. These injections work by helping lubricate the joints, repair cartilage, and slow erosion of the joint surface.
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Non-steroidal Anti-inflamatory Drugs (NSAIDs):
NSAIDs are the mainstay of arthritits treatments. As the name suggests, they are anti-inflammatory and also pain killers. These are the dog and cat equivalents of Neurofen (please note, Neurofen is very toxic to dogs and cats, so NEVER give them to your pets). NSAIDs can be liquid or tablets, and can be given once or twice daily as directed. There is also a NSAID which can be given once monthly.
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Exercise:
Moderate amounts of low-impact exercise is needed to maintain muscle strength, flexibility and weight. High impact exercise like chasing balls needs to be stopped. Swimming and walking on lead are the best types of exercise.
As a guide to the amount of exercise recommended, your pet should be no more sore when they finish the exercise than when they started.
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Neutroceuticals:
Neutroceuticals are a broad range of products that are effectively “food medicines”. These include glucosamine, chondroitin, fish oils, green lip muscles, etc. Some specialised diets have high levels of these products, such as Royal Canin Mobility CP2+.
If you are concerned that your pet may have arthritis, talk to your vet. There is a lot we can do to help and we can potentially add years to your pet’s life, and add life to your pet’s years.