Has your Pet got Osteoarthritis?

This very common disease affects dogs and cats of any age, but is mostly seen in the geriatric patient. (Geriatric generally means a cat or small/medium breed of dog is older than 10 years, or a large breed dog is older than 8 years.) 

Osteoarthritis is characterised by cartilage degeneration, inflammation and tearing of joint capsules, and joint instability causing extra bone formation around joints leading to pain and lameness. Changes can be very gradual making it difficult for an owner to appreciate the change in their pet. Arthritis in the animal is usually a secondary problem, such as in pets who have sustained injuries to their joints, or who have had conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia. Overweight pets are also more likely to get arthritis, due to abnormal loading on their joints. Cats are also at risk from arthritis, generally in their elbows and hips resulting from many landings from high places!

You may suspect your pet is starting to suffer with arthritis if you have noticed any of the following:

• Being stiff in the morning, but gradually easing off as the morning progresses,
• Reluctance to climb or come down stairs, 
• Reluctance to jump in or out of the car,
• Slowing down on a walk,
• Being a bit stiff after a walk.
• Cats may to sleep a lot more or become more grumpy if handled.

It's always a good idea to get the diagnosis confirmed by radiography, and this will help with deciding a treatment plan. Many options for treatment include painkillers, joint supplements, special diets, exercise plans, weight loss, and sometimes surgery.

New painkillers onto the market mean plenty of safe choices for both dogs and cats, the newest of which is a tablet which lasts for one whole month! Much better for those patients who won't take their medicine! Currently at our practice in Galashiels we are recruiting geriatric cats who are fit and well except for having untreated arthritis. The trial involves a health check, blood sampling and treatment for 3+ months, all of which are free of charge. Please ring us if you think you would like to enrol. (Speak to Iain Gillespie.)

Otherwise please ring any of the practices for an appointment or to speak to a Vet.

 (NM)