Arthritis means inflammation of the joint. The most common form of arthritis in dogs and cats is osteoarthritis (OA), and osteo means bone. This is a degenerative joint disease where the cartilage of the joints deteriorates progressively. Osteoarthritis is often seen in older pets, although pets at any age can develop such a condition. The damage starts with a previous injury to the joint, for example, cruciate rupture or microfracture of the acetabulum secondary to hip dysplasia in large breed dogs. As the animal ages, the cartilage and bone begin to wear down causing chronic pain.
Arthritis is a nonspecific term denoting inflammation of a joint. The function of cartilage is to resist compression, provide resilience and support at sites where flexibility is required. Over time, this degeneration causes discomfort and pain. That pain can have a big impact on mobility leading to chronic lameness if the problem is not addressed.
What Causes Arthritis?
For most cats and dogs, arthritis develops as a result of joint damage that causes joint instability. One of the most common injuries in dog is rupture of the CCL (cranial cruciate ligament). It is an injury to an important ligament in the knee joint resulting in partial or complete joint instability, lameness, and pain. Other trauma and injuries, such as fractures, can eventually lead to arthritis as well.
Sometimes joint abnormalities begin during the developmental stage and progress over time. Joint instability can lead to other common joint problems as well.
- Hip dysplasia is a multifactorial abnormal development of the hip joint
- Elbow dysplasia can occur in the first year of life when the bones during bone development. Larger breed dogs are more prone to the problem.
- Patellar luxation is one of the more common conditions affecting toy breeds, causing the patella, or the knee cap, to luxate from its normal position. Surgery is indicated if the disease progresses.
Untreated infection after an injury can also result in arthritis. Certain autoimmune disorders (that are rare in pets), such as immune-mediated polyarthritis can also lead to arthritis. Cartilage abnormalities, like osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), can cause thickening of the cartilage and increased risk of injuries which may also lead to arthritis.
What Are the Symptoms if my Pets suffer from Arthritis?
Their symptoms usually progress gradually. Instead of developing an acute pain, majority of the patients develop more subtle signs. These symptoms include exercise intolerance, difficulty getting up or hesitating to perform their normal physical activities. As the problem progresses, you’ll see more obvious signs of pain and lameness such as lifting the affected limb up or non-weight bearing lameness. You might also notice fatigue, stiffness and swelling of the joints.
Common Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs and Cats include:
- Limping or favoring one side of the body or leg
- Difficulty moving, stiffness
- Fatigue
- Loss of interest in exercise
- Failure to use the litterbox
- Muscle atrophy
- Swelling in the joints
- Licking or biting affected area
- Irritability or aggression
How Do We Treat Arthritis?
There are many ways to treat it. What your veterinarian recommends depends on the individual and the severity of the problem. Here are some potential treatments:
- Arthroscopic cleaning
- Joint replacement
- Weight loss
- Physiotherapy
- Change in food
- Supplements
- Anti-inflammatories
- Analgesics
- Pain relievers
- Acupuncture
How Can I Prevent Joint Issues?
Do not breed from pets with arthritis. Certain breeds are predisposed to conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, and osteochondrosis which cause secondary arthritis. Check if there is any family history of arthritis or other joint diseases. Weight management is also very important. Appropriate exercise and a balanced diet are a great way to keep your pet at an optimal body weight.
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