DODGY JOINTS!
Arthritis ( more accurately “degenerative joint disease” or “Osteoarthritis”) is one of the most common ailments we see at Lennox Head Vet Clinic. Dogs are frequently affected but cats are also regular victims. Even birds and “exotic” pets can be affected. Most often the animals involved are of a “certain age” (i.e. old geezers), but not exclusively. In fact its quiet usual to find dogs only three or four years of age with signs of arthritis. These signs are often noted at the time of surgical repair of ruptured cruciate ligaments in the knee, in which case the arthritis is a significant factor in the injury.
Signs of arthritis in various animals may differ. Dogs, typically, may show the following.
· Reluctance to exercise, climb stairs or play
· Limping
· Lagging behind on walks
· Difficulty rising from lying or sitting (and difficulty getting down)
· Yelping in pain if touched
· Licking affected joints
· Personality changes e.g. cranky or withdrawn.
Not all of these signs may be obvious. Crying out in pain for example is more a feature of humans than the stoic canine mate.
Cats can be different and more difficult to pick. Common signs of painful joints in cats include
· Decreased interest in jumping or playing
· Decreased grooming behavior and “knotty” far.
· Increased time spent sleeping
· Personality change
· Avoiding jumping up or down or climbing stairs
· Cats can have significant joint disease and still not limp
Often people just assume a cat is ageing. However it may be that puss is in pain.
In dogs and cats the main cause of arthritis is “wear and tear.” And like Indiana Jones say’s “it’s not the years……it’s the mileage.” So a dog or cat that has had a hard life, is overweight, has “poor conformation” (i.e. bow legs, dislocating knees, inherited defects like hip displaysia etc) or has old injuries coming back to haunt them, is a much more likely candidate.
Diagnosis by your vet is often possible at the time of consultation. However, for some specific problems (such as elbow and hip abnormalities due to genetic and growth factors), x-rays or other diagnostics may be used. Once a diagnosis of degenerative joint disease is reached, approaches to treatment include
· Weight loss in those pets of porky persuasion. This can make a huge difference to their quality of life and is probably the major long term aid .
· Encouraging light regular exercise including swimming if appropriate. Avoid high impact activities e.g. beach sprints.
· Environmental changes e.g. ramps, lower beds, lower litter trays, easy access to food bowls, avoiding cold draughts and cold hard surfaces.
· Assisted grooming, especially with cats.
· Ruling out other disease (e.g. heart disease, thyroid deficiency, Cushing’s disease, spinal disease.)
· Pain relief and joint mobility treatment.
Your vet can advise you on these strategies and help get a plan of attack formulated. To assist in mobility, joint damage and pain relief, your vet will also be likely to advise you of various medical aids which can make an enormous difference. Medication generally falls into two groups
1) Anti-inflamatories- Mainly so-called NON-steroidal drugs (or NSAIDs). These are available for both dogs and cats. For that matter, they are also used in birds, reptiles and other exotics. NSAIDs are generally very effective, and may be used short-term or long-term by themselves, or in combination with Chondro-protective medications. NSAIDS are given as daily liquid or tablets. For dogs only, a monthly tablet has recently become available
2) Chondro-protective medication- i.e. medicines that encourage the regrowth of damaged joint cartilage and the decrease of ongoing destructive joint processes. These work best over long-term periods and are best started before the pets joints are a disaster. The old “shark cartilage” or Chondroitin/Glucosamine is familiar to many and may help occasionally. Most trials however report a low success rate that probably reflects wishful thinking rather than therapeutic success..
Much more effective and less expensive generally is a course of injections using Pentosan” (for short) given under the skin. These products have few if any side effects, but are best used for managing long-term joint problems or reducing the need for other treatments.
There is good evidence to support the use of Omega 3 and Omega 6 Fatty Acid supplements in the diet can aid joint function. Effects are variable and may takes weeks to be obvious, but its cheap and has little risk of side effects.
If your pet requires any long term treatment, then blood tests are necessary to ensure that no pre-existing kidney or liver disease exists that may restrict the use of some drugs.
Ancillary care such as massage and heat pads are also helpful, as is occasionally acupuncture.
Bye for now,
Evan Kosack,
Lennox Head Vet Clinic.