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Arthritis in Pets Arthritis is one of the most common but most under-diagnosed conditions in our pets, especially as they age. The symptoms can be very subtle and animals can seem more or less fine. In fact some of the most common signs of arthritis, such as moving around less and sleeping more, are just what you expect from an older pet anyway and so it is easy to dismiss them. However, arthritis is a painful and debilitating condition which can significantly affect quality of life, so understanding the disease, its symptoms and its treatments is a vital part of being a pet owner. What is arthritis?Arthritis occurs in the joints and develops when their smooth surface becomes roughened and inflamed. The underlying causes will vary but can include poor conformation, obesity, breed predisposition and injuries. It can strike any joint in the body but the most commonly affected are the hips, elbows and stifles (knees). The disease can strike at any age but it mostly affects older animalsAlthough all animals can be affected, there is a strong breed predisposition for the problem, particularly in dogs. Labradors, Rottweilers and German Shepherds area all prone to the problem. This is why for some breeds, the Kennel Club runs schemes to assess the health of a dog's joints before they are bred . Cats also suffer greatly from arthritis and 90% will be affected in some way once they are over the age of twelve. It can also affect rabbits but it is rarely diagnosed as they are very good at hiding the symptoms. What are the symptoms of arthritis?The symptoms of arthritis can be variable and they can be very subtle in the early stages. The most common signs include;
90% of cats over the age of 12 years will suffer with arthritis to some degree but it is rarely diagnosed because cats are very secretive about being in pain. So, owners of older cats need to be vigilante for changes, which can include;
It is important to remember that the pain of arthritis is a low grade, chronic discomfort. So your pet may not show any outward signs of being sore but may become grumpy in themselves or quieter than usual. This is why it is important to always be vigilant for changes in older pets, particularly in their personality. How is arthritis diagnosed?Vets will usually consider arthritis a likely diagnosis in an animal who has the appropriate symptoms and with their joints being abnormal on a clinical examination. In some cases your vet may chose to x-ray your pet. This is helpful in identifying exactly which joints are affected and how advanced the disease is. This is particularly important for younger animals as some can respond well to surgery on their joints, if it is performed in time. However, often one of the best ways to confirm the presence of arthritic joints is to trial a course of treatment and see how they respond.How is arthritis treated?There are many different ways to treat arthritis and different things work best in different animals. Often vets will trial combinations of medications and supplements to find the most effective for each individual.The mainstay of treatment in arthritis are Medications. These are anti-inflammatory pain relievers that reduce both the soreness and the inflammation in the joint. They are generally very safe, can be used over long periods and most pets only need small doses to keep them comfortable. Neutraceuticals, can also be very helpful, especially in mildly affected animals. These are supplements which help to maintain the joints in as healthy state as possible. They are most useful in the early stages of the disease, or as an adjunct to medications where they can reduce the doses required. The most helpful of these are Omega 3 oils, Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These all come in animal specific preparations, the best of which are available from your vet. As they are supplements and not drugs, there can be quite a significant individual variation in how effective they are but they are in general useful and are very safe. There are other Complementary Treatments which can be used to help. The most common of which are Acupuncture and Hydrotherapy (swimming). These are becoming more and more popular and now many vets offer accupuncture as a service and most towns and cities will have at least one pool specifically for pets. Surgery can also be helpful in some cases of arthritis, although it is usually reserved for younger animals. In some cases small pieces of bone can splinter inside the joint, which causes a lot of pain, and removal of these fragments can alleviate the symptoms. Joint replacement is also becoming more common in pets, particularly hip replacements. However, these are only performed by specialists and can be expensive. Arthritis is a very common condition, affecting a small proportion of younger animals but the majority of older pets will suffer to some degree. If the signs are spotted early and treatment started, it can make a real difference to your pet’s quality of life and help keep them pain free and happy. If you are concerned about your pet regarding this, or any other problem, you should contact your vet. Other Articles that may be of interest: General: |
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