As nights draw in and the weather gets colder, our focus turns towards osteoarthritis (OA). This is common in both man and animals, but our pets tend to suffer more from the degenerative, ‘wear and tear’ type rather than immune mediated forms such as rheumatoid seen in man. As far as our pets are concerned it may occur as a progression from a developmental disorder such as hip or elbow dysplasia, or as a result of repetitive trauma or an injury to a joint.
All breeds, sizes and ages of dog may be affected by OA. However, the larger breeds, overweight and elderly dogs are more likely to show clinical signs. As dogs tend to go out and about with their owners, any change in mobility can be picked up quite quickly.
For many years it was thought that cats did not suffer from OA but recent studies have shown that they do but the clinical signs are just more subtle. The cat is a master of disguise and may just alter its behaviour to disguise its pain. Does your cat spend more time sleeping and less time grooming? Has he / she either stopped jumping onto the windowsill or found an easier route to scaling the garden fence. These could indicate discomfort.
History from the owner and a full clinical examination may lead to a presumptive diagnosis of OA. Further imaging – radiography or CT, or the use of arthroscopy to look into the affected joint may be recommended.
As yet there is no cure for OA. However advances are being made in the field of regenerative medicine with the use of platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy so the situation may change.
If OA is recognised early and with appropriate management many pets can remain comfortable and lead happy, active lives. However, regular check ups are necessary to assess the progression of this condition and to make appropriate alterations to each animal’s management.
There is no 'one size fits all'. This is particularly important regarding medication; some pets require lifelong medication after diagnosis whilst others only need it intermittently to control painful flare ups.
Whatever the species, our overall goal for OA is to preserve mobility and thus function so that quality of life is maintained. This may be achieved through a combination of
1. Pain management – may involve a combination of medication, acupuncture, manual and electrotherapies ( eg laser, shockwave, magnetic fields, TENS ). Some animals are very stoic, so careful observation is required to accurately assess the level of pain experienced. Unlike acute pain, which may be protective, chronic pain serves no useful purpose to the animal and will compromise function. If we can preserve mobility and thus function, quality of life is maintained.
2. Weight management – excess weight makes sore joints worse. Actual bodyweight is only part of it, body condition score is a simple but more useful tool for monitoring progress.
3. Controlled exercise – low impact regular exercise is important for joint health. Several short walks are far kinder to our arthritic dogs than lying about all week with a 2 hour hike at the weekend. Encouraging the elderly cat to amble about and search for food is better than sleeping 23/24 hrs a day.
4. Lifestyle modifications - simple measures, for example raising feed bowls off the floor or providing carpet runners, on slippery floors in the home, can make a huge difference to an arthritic dog. Similarly, a stool as an intermediate level to that sunny windowsill can be a great help to our cats.
5. Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy
If you have any concerns, regarding your pets comfort, please call the surgery and make an appointment - 01363 772860
