Arthritis and your pet

Arthritis and your pet

Arthritis: The degenerative, progressive and permanent deterioration of the articular cartilage of joints.

  • 1 in 5 pets (dogs AND cats) suffer from arthritis in their life time. Generally older pets.

Prevention:

  • Weight management is essential.
  • Regular short amounts of low impact exercise – especially for young dogs (<18months).
  • Correct genetics and conformation (ask for breeders for hips score and elbow score of parents)
  • Correct diet – especially for growing puppies

Early symptoms:

  • Reduced activity
  • Stiff gait
  • Intermittent lameness
  • Difficulty rising
  • Unwilling to jump into car / go up stairs

Advanced symptoms:

  • Depressed
  • Aggressive when touched
  • Permanent lameness

Non Surgical treatment:

  • Disease Modifying osteo-arthritic drugs (DMOAD’s)
  • Pentosan Polysulphate injections and Omega 3’s repair damaged tissue and support joint health
  • Weight management
  • Slows progression and lessens clinical signs of disease
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Stronger painkillers to use in conjunction with the above mentioned medications.

arthritis