Arthritis is more common in our older pets and progressively gets worse over time. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. When the joints are inflamed, the cartilage within them gets worn away and the bones become exposed and can rub together. This results in pain and swelling. Arthritis does seem to be worse in the colder months, but it can certainly affect your pet all year round. Fortunately there are many ways to help a dog with arthritis, but first we have to recognise it. Arthritis tends to creep up over time and your pet won't always show obvious signs until they are in considerable pain.
How do I know my dog has arthritis?
Obviously our pets cannot tell us when they are in pain and so we must pay close attention to their behaviour to discover if they are suffering from arthritis. Classic signs of arthritis (not just aging) include any of the following:
Lameness or favouring of a limb
Stiffness, especially in the morning
Hesitation to climb or descend stairs or jump (eg into car or onto couch)
Being more withdrawn or lacking enthusiasm
Lagging behind on walks
Growling, crying or resenting being touched in certain areas
Preferring to lie or sit down rather than stand
Panting more heavily
A physical exam can help identify which joints may be most affected, and if we are still uncertain whether your dog may be suffering from arthritis as opposed to another more sinister condition (such as bone cancer) x-rays can be recommended.
How do I know if my cat has arthritis?
Cats are even better than dogs at hiding or covering up pain
caused by arthritis. This is because cats spend much of their time sleeping and given that we generally don't take cats for a walk, it is harder to see a change in their mobility.
As well as this, in the wild, they tend to hide and keep to themselves if they are sick or in pain. This is just another reason why it’s vital to keep a close eye on your feline friends and get them checked at least once a year by your veterinarian.
Look out for these subtle signs of arthritis in cats:
Landing 'in a heap' when jumping off furniture
Hesitant when jumping up or down from the furniture and reluctant to climb the fence or trees
No longer using the litter box properly (especially if it has high sides)
Matted or scruffy coat (grooming is painful) and long nails because of reduced activity
How can a visit to the vet help manage arthritis?
Once we have identified arthritis there are many options available to help an arthritic dog or cat.
Anti-inflammatory pain relievers: these may be used temporarily for “bad days” or on an ongoing basis for severe arthritis. There are multiple drugs available which also come in different forms to suit your dog best (ie non flavoured tablets, chewable tablets, liquid formulas).
Cartilage protecting injections: these are not pain killers but treatments that help alleviate the signs of arthritis by targeting the underlying causes of the disease. They are safe and it is very unlikely your pet will experience any side effects. Additionally they're also relatively inexpensive.
Acupuncture and massage therapy: can be a helpful adjunctive treatment provided by a trained veterinarian on a regular basis.
Are there non prescription options that can help my pet?
There are many non prescription treatments that can be used alongside veterinary treatments including
Natural supplements or “nutraceuticals”: studies thus far have shown that green lipped mussel, a plant extract called Epiitalis and fish oil may be the most effective of these, however glucosamine, rose hip and chondroitin also have a role in protecting joints and slowing the progression of arthritis.
Therapeutic foods: diets designed for pets suffering from arthritis are now available (for example Hill/s j/d diet)
How can I help my pet at home?
Considering how your can optimise your pet's lifestyle and environment should always be part of looking after an arthritic pet. Things to consider include:
Weight: is your pet already overweight? If so, just getting the weight off them without any other treatments can make a huge difference for the quality of life. There are even specific diets aimed at making this challenging task easier (for example, Hill's Metabolic Diet). Keeping your pet lean is just as important and this often means feeding them less now that that will not be exercising for as long or as intensely as they used to.
Exercise: just as you wouldn't recommend a person with arthritis attempt a marathon, arthritic dogs thrive best on regular, gentle exercise tailored to their abilities rather than short burst of high intensity exercise which may exacerbate signs of arthritis. This may mean may walking instead of running, going for shorter walks or using a lead instead of letting them run uncontrolled. Short sessions of swimming which takes the pressure off the joints and really works the muscles may suit water loving dogs but be careful to avoid running and jumping on sand, which can be very hard on their joints.
Bedding: it may sound obvious but your pet will thank you for providing a soft, padded bed that is easy to get in and out of. Memory foam beds are a good option. Being cold is a big concern for arthritic dogs so make sure they are protected from the elements and not sleeping in a drafty area of the house or yard. Providing extra warmth in winter for outdoor dogs should also be considered – this may mean getting a jacket, a kennel or just some extra blankets. Be careful if considering hot water bottles as these can burn pets skin if not insulated properly. It's probably best to avoid electric blankets in case your dog decides to chew through the cords.
Stairs and slippery surfaces are tricky for arthritic pets. Adjusting up your pet's environment to ensure they can get to food, water, toileting areas and bed without having to navigate stairs or slippery surfaces is preferred but other options include providing a ramp or adding a non slip path (strip of old carpet, rubber matting etc)
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