Osteoarthritis, also known as arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a progressive and irreversible condition affecting the joints of dogs and cats. Arthritis is non curable and affects dogs of any size, breed, gender and age. Some of the signs you may notice your dog doing include:
- Lameness, being the most common sign seen, may be progressive, persistent or occasional
- Stiffness after periods of rest is also common
- Stiffness and lameness may lessen as your dog “warms up” with activity or may get worse after periods of overexertion
Your veterinarian may find that your dog’s joints have pain and swelling or decreased range of motion, your dog may also have muscle atrophy if the arthritis has been going on for some time.
Here are some tips to help keep your dog on their feet:
- Weight loss is crucial if your dog is overweight
- Whole nutritious foods
- Antioxidants
- Chondroprotective agents, these nutraceuticals protect the cartilage and are things such as glucosamine/chondroitin
- Omega 3 fish oils
- Pain medications including herbal remedies or homeopathic
- Supplements and other nutraceuticals for joint health and to decrease inflammation
- Laser therapy
- Acupuncture
- Rehabilitation and low impact exercises
- Joint injections with stem cells or platelet rich plasma
- Pulsed electromagentic field therapy (PEMF)
Some environmental modifications:
- Area mats or yoga mats on slippery surfaces
- Ramps to get into and out of the car
- Soft orthopedic bedding
- Food and water bowls close to where they spend much of their time so that they do not have to travel far
- Baby gaits to block off area of the home where they may slip and fall or to block off stairs
There are many options to help manage arthritis, be sure to ask your veterinarian what options may help your dog feel better. A multimodal approach is best when it comes to managing chronic pain associated with this degenerative disease. One thing alone rarely makes much of a difference but when you combine different therapies, medications and supplements you are able to better manage this disease.
