Does “Spot” need a walking stick?

At last it’s starting to get a bit cooler and we can finally, justifiably, start snuggling up on the couch with hot chocolate and a warm blanket surrounded by our darling ‘fur kids’ – even those cats that are often aloof and not into ‘that cuddling business’, may allow you a pat when they come to curl up nearby… The down side to this cooler weather is that it tends to affect our senior pets, especially those that have joint issues and arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) has a wide range of clinical signs that slowly progress, very often at a rate that owners don’t notice or think is ‘just part of the ageing process’. For this reason, it’s probably one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in dogs and cats. It is estimated that at least 20% of the dog population are affected, with around 50% of them going undiagnosed; even more so in cats… That’s an awful lot of sore pets wishing they had a walking stick to lean on….

What is Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease?

Osteoarthritis is painful inflammation that occurs inside joints, often as a result of instability in the joint either because of wear-and-tear or trauma. As the disease progresses, the inflammation gradually increases resulting in damage to the cartilage surface resulting in pain. In an attempt to stabilise the joint, the body may start laying down new bone around the edges of the joint capsule, which results in a reduced range of motion. In order to remain healthy, cartilage actually needs a certain amount of movement, so if the dog moves less because of pain and more bone being laid down, the joint actually deteriorates at an even faster rate. The associated pain leads to even less exercise, further loss of muscle tone and strength, increased weight and more stress on the damaged joint, which leads to further cartilage damage… a vicious cycle.

So what are the signs of OA/DJD?

• Slowness to rise – does your pet struggle to get up after he’s been lying down for a long time?
• Stiffness – even if it’s just for the first few steps after getting up
• Reluctance to go up or down stairs
• Reluctance to jump up or down from things that they used to do without effort
• Limping after exercise
• Inability to keep up on walks
• Lying down rather than sitting or standing
• Reduced interaction with family members and other pets
• Not spending time in places that they used to love spending time in because they find it difficult to get there now
• Grumpiness
• Discomfort/growling/whimpering/snapping when touched
• Decreased appetite

Is my pet at risk of OA/DJD?

Any pet can develop OA/DJD. However, they have in increased chance of developing it if they:

• are overweight or are inactive.
• they belong to a breed that is predisposed e.g. large breeds that are at higher risk for developmental joint problems.
• have had an injury to a joint.
• they have an unbalanced/inadequate nutrition.

So what can be done for OA/DJD?

Treatment is aimed at multimodal management i.e. several things can be done to improve your pet’s joint health and quality of life. There are a number of treatment options which your vet will tailor to your pet’s needs and medical situation.

• Good nutrition and weight management: Having your pet at a healthy weight is the best way to reduce excessive strain on painful joints. If your pet is overweight, speak to your vet about a plan that will help him safely reduce his weight and become more healthy.
• Regular, gentle exercise: As mentioned above, keeping joints moving is essential for helping cartilage stay healthy. Low impact exercise like swimming or gentle walks are good for improving muscle strength and maintaining joint motion.
• Joint Health Supplements: Omega 3 Marine Oils, Cartrophen, Chondroitin Sulphate, Glucosamine and Hyaluronic Acid are available as supplements to aid in cartilage healing and reduce joint inflammation. Not all supplements work equally well though, so speak to your vet about the most effective way to improve your pet’s joint health.
• Pain-control medication: There are a number of different pain control medications which may or may not be appropriate for your particular pet. Your vet will discuss these options and choose a plan for helping your pet feel more comfortable.

So, what do I do if I think my pet may have Osteoarthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease?

If you or someone you know suffers from arthritis, you know it’s not pleasant and chronic pain affects every day living. If you think your pet may be showing some of the signs mentioned above, you should get him checked out by a vet. The sooner it can get under control, the better it can be managed and the happier your pet will be. To book an appointment call 0481 527 678 or email us at vet@healthypetmobilevet.com.au.