Arthritis is a disease of the joints that connect the bones of the body. The most common form of arthritis in dogs and cats appears on an Xray as a thickening and overgrowth of bone adjacent to the joint. Less visible is the degeneration of the cartilage surface inside the joint. Arthritis is often the result of the bumps and small injuries that happen over a lifetime, including repetitive motion injuries from exercise.
The pet may appear stiff, sometimes with swelling or a change in shape of the joints. The joints may feel “gritty” when they move back and forth under your hands, and they don’t move in as wide a circle of motion as they did previously.
Does my dog have arthritis?
The signs of arthritis in dogs may appear to be limping, or perhaps just stiffness that is worse after sleeping, or after exercise. They may “warm out of it” but still have difficulty with stairs, or rising, or sitting. This can start as just occasional, but worsen over months and years.
Does my cat have arthritis?
Cats are always special. They could have all the signs seen in dogs, but usually cat owners are more surprised that their cats have arthritis, because they are more likely to think their cat is “just getting old”. Cats may hesitate to climb stairs or jump up and down off the couch, and could seem more sensitive when being petted. Severe arthritis may make it difficult to get in and out of their litter box, so loss of litter box training could be a signal they have arthritis in the hips or spine.
What is Multimodal Arthritis Treatment?
We’ve come to understand that helping dogs, and cats with arthritis requires management rather than cure. Multiple types of treatment are the current recommendation. The additive effect of different approaches provides significantly greater effect than reliance on a single drug or supplement.
What Are the Available Treatment Options for Arthritis in Pets?
- NSAIDs – Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Other drugs; Gabapentin, Amantadine, Adequan, Cartrophen, Librela, Solensia
- Joint Supplements; Green-Lipped Mussel, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Astaxanthin, Boswellia, Egg Shell Membrane, Foretropin, CBD, Glycosaminoglycans.
- Weight Management
- Controlled activity; Rehabilitation therapy
- Targeted Pulsed Magnetic Field devices (tPMF); Assisi Animal Health (Assisi Loop, Assisi Loop Lounge, Assisi Loop Clinica), Respond Systems (PEMF bed), and MagnaWave
All of these have their pros and cons. They should be considered in discussion with our vets at Chippawa Animal Hospital to get the best all-round management and comfort for your furry family. If you have questions, please contact us to get an assessment and advice. This is a very active area of investigation, with new treatment modalities regularly offered.