Arthritis Prevention and Treatment
Just like their owners, dogs and cats develop arthritis with age. There are a few things that increase the risk of arthritis including injuries to joints, large size and being overweight, as well as some breeds being more prone to arthritis.
Signs or arthritis in dogs include difficulty getting up and down from sitting or lying down, decreased enthusiasm for walks and exercise, getting sore and stiff after exercise and limping. Please note that not all dogs with arthritis limp. Dogs are very good at hiding pain, which is a basic instinct from their wolf ancestors. They will almost never yelp in pain and will still try to carry on with normal activities, even when they are very sore.
Cats can be much harder to diagnose with arthritis. A poorly kept coat due to difficulty grooming and generally decreased activity are often all we see.
Treatment of arthritis in dogs has come a long way in recent years. We have the new generation of anti-inflammatories which are very safe and effective, as well as new pain killers that work in entirely new ways. One of the most exciting treatments we now have is an injectable treatment, which is given once weekly for 4 weeks, followed by booster injections every 6 months. This injection can even be used to prevent or delay the onset of arthritis in dogs with joint injuries as well as dogs that may be at increased risk due to their breed or size. This is the first time we’ve had a medication that can be used as a preventative for arthritis, rather than just a treatment.
Our knowledge of arthritis treatment in cats has also improved radically in the last few years. We can use the same injection in cats as is used in dogs to help slow the progress of arthritis, and the use of anti-inflammatories has changed. We used to believe that cats with mild-moderate kidney failure couldn’t have anti-inflammatories. A recent study has now shown that even with quite advanced kidney failure, these anti-inflammatories are safe and effective.
If you are worried that your pet may have or is at risk of developing arthritis, please chat to your vet. With winter on its way, now is the time to prepare your pet.