Arthritis is a common condition that can affect all our companion animals, particularly as they age. It can cause a lot of discomfort and pain, making it more difficult for them to move around and enjoy their daily activities. As veterinarians we often see pets with arthritis and understand how challenging it can be for their owners to manage this condition. That’s why with the cold weather fast approaching the staff at Warners Bay Vet would like to share some arthritis management strategies that can help improve your pet’s quality of life.
Causes and Risk Factors
Arthritis can be caused by a variety of factors including age, breed, weight, and previous injuries or surgeries. Whilst some breeds are more prone to developing arthritis, such as large breed dogs like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, it can affect smaller dogs and cats alike. Additionally, pets that are overweight are more likely to develop arthritis over time, as the extra weight puts additional stress on their joints. Pets that have conformational issues or have had previous joint or bone injuries/surgeries are also at a higher risk of developing this disease.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that your pet may have arthritis, it’s important to book an appointment with the veterinary staff. During the consultation, the veterinarian can discuss relevant risk factors and evaluate your pet’s gait, joint range of motion, and overall mobility. They may also recommend x-rays or other diagnostic tests to get a better understanding of your pet’s joints and overall health.
Management Strategies
There are a variety of strategies we can employ to help manage arthritis. These may include:
Bedding: Providing a comfortable and warm bedding area during the colder months is a simple, effective and often overlooked first step in managing your pets discomfort during the colder months.
Weight Management: If your pet is even mildly overweight, it’s important to work with your veterinarian to develop a weight loss plan. Losing weight can help decrease the stress on your pet’s joints, making it easier for them to move around and reducing the risk of further joint damage.
Exercise: Regular exercise is important for pets with arthritis as it can help maintain muscle mass, keep their joints mobile and reduce pain. However, it’s important to choose low-impact activities that won’t put additional stress on your pet’s joints. Walking, swimming, and gentle stretching exercises can all be beneficial for pets with arthritis.
Diet: Feeding your pet a healthy diet can help support their joints. Look for pet foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients that can benefit their arthritis without adding undue and unwanted body mass.
Medications: There are several medications that can be used to manage arthritis in our companion animals. Nutraceuticals including food supplements (e.g. chondroitin/glucosamine) or injections (e.g. pentosan) can help support joint health whilst Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to both reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, we are now fortunate to have a new class of pain management medication known as Monoclonal Antibody (mab) Therapy. This medication has the advantage of providing effective pain relief without causing any significant impact to their liver or kidney function.
In Conclusion
It is important to realise that managing arthritis in your pet is an ongoing process that requires a combination of different strategies. By working with the staff at Warners Bay Vet, we can help develop a plan that is tailored to your pet’s individual needs with the aim of improving their quality of life. The best results are achieved with early diagnosis and treatment, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you suspect they may be suffering from this condition.