Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

What is arthritis?

Arthritis (sometimes called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease) is the inflammation of joints and their surrounding tissues. It is often characterized by joint pain, cartilage damage, and bone spur formation. Arthritis may affect any joint, but is most commonly found in the hip, elbow, shoulder, knee, wrist, ankle, and spine. Arthritis is extremely common in cats and dogs, with increasing frequency in older pets. One study found that 90% of cats over 12 years of age have evidence of arthritis on radiographs (x-rays).

What causes arthritis?

Arthritis is caused by damage to the cartilage of the joint. This damage may be the result of trauma (e.g. fracture of the joint), joint infections, autoimmune disease, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears, poor conformation, and obesity.

What are the signs of arthritis?

Pets with arthritis may display any combination of the following signs. However, be aware that signs may be very subtle and easy to miss.

1. Less interest in usual activities

2. Behavior changes, such as sleeping more, decreased alertness, or increased grumpiness

3. Lagging behind during walks

4. Difficulty getting up or laying down

5. Stiffness after resting (may get better as pet “warms up”)

6. Weight gain (from decreased activity)

7. Reluctance to climb stairs, get up on furniture, or jump

8. Limping (not usually seen with cats)

9. Pain associated with joint movement

10. Inappropriate elimination (going potty outside the litter box for cats or in the house for dogs that must climb through a dog door)

11. Decreased grooming (cats)

12. Reluctance to be brushed

13. Hiding, not greeting owner, withdrawing from interaction

How is arthritis diagnosed?

Radiographs (x-rays) can show the arthritic changes in joints, but the degree of arthritis on radiographs does not always correlate with the degree of discomfort the pet experiences. For example, some pets may have only mild changes on radiographs but be very painful. Observation of the pet’s behavior at home and a good physical exam is also critical to diagnosis and treatment planning.

How is arthritis treated?

There are many ways to help slow down arthritis and make your pet more comfortable. Such strategies may be used alone or in combination and include:

1. Environmental control: There are many ways to alter your home to make getting around easier for your pet. Examples include providing traction on slick floors with area rugs, runners, or special pet socks with traction grip pads; providing a litter box with low sides for cats; providing steps up to the couch or bed so they don’t have to jump; providing soft well-padded beds; providing safe temperature controlled heated pet beds (K&H pet beds).

2. Weight loss: Reversing and preventing excess body weight is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your pet with arthritis. Excess weight adds more stress to the joints and contributes to arthritic pain. As these pets are often reluctant to engage in long periods of exercise, calorie control is often key to maintaining a lean body weight. Please work with your veterinarian to develop a diet and weight loss plan.

3. Exercise: Low impact activity, such as walking and swimming, can be beneficial in maintaining your pet’s muscle mass and joint range of motion. Care must be taken not to overdo activity, so be mindful of your pet’s endurance and do not force them to exercise after they are tired. Physical therapy, such and water treadmills and specific exercises, may also be recommended.

4. Joint supplements: Glucosamine, chondroitin and other supplements are believed to be beneficial in protecting cartilage and slowing arthritic damage. Not all supplements are alike, so be sure to ask your veterinarian for their recommendation. Dasuquin and Cosequin are two examples of joint supplements commonly recommended for dogs and cats with arthritis.

5. Essential fatty acids: DHA and EPA fatty acids (fish oil) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in cats and dogs and are often used with other therapies to help treat arthritis. Antinol is one example of a veterinary specific fatty acid supplement shown to help pets with arthritis.

6. Laser therapy: Laser therapy is gaining popularity as a treatment for arthritic pain. A specific wavelength of light energy is directed to the affected joint to reduce inflammation on the cellular level. Treatments are pain free and side effects are nearly nonexistent. Roughly 80% of patients will have a positive response of some degree to laser therapy.

7. Pain medication: Most pets with arthritis benefit greatly from the addition of pain medication to their treatment protocol. Pets should ideally have blood work performed prior to starting therapy and every 6-12 months afterward to ensure they are healthy enough for some medications. For pets with existing health problems or pets that cannot tolerate certain medications, there is a broad range of options available to fit their needs. Ask your veterinarian what medications would be best for your pet. NEVER give over the counter NSAIDs (e.g. Tylenol, Advil, Naproxen, etc) to your dog or cat without first consulting with your veterinarian for advice. These drugs are rarely used in dogs, and never used in cats, due to the high risk of serious side effects.

8. When available, therapies such as acupuncture and therapeutic ultrasound may also be beneficial.

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