Arthritis is one of the most common ailments facing our pets, so it’s important to be able to recognise the symptoms. Kristie Bradfield shares the signs you should be looking out for in your dog or cat.
Have you noticed that your dog or cat is starting to slow down? Perhaps they look still or awkward, or they are carrying themselves differently. Maybe they are not as keen to go for walks or perhaps they are crankier than usual. Just like humans, as dogs and cats age they become more susceptible to different ailments and diseases. One of the most common is arthritis. So what is arthritis and how do you treat it?
Arthritis 101
Arthritis is a disease that causes painful in”ammation and sti#ness in the joints, and it can make even the simplest act, like walking, tough. While there are a number of different forms of arthritis, the most common is degenerative and it is brought on by overuse, genetics and, more commonly, age. While arthritis usually presents in middle age, Dr James Crowley, a veterinarian from Sydney’s northern beaches, says that certain conditions can bring it on sooner. “Arthritis can occur in young animals if a joint has been injured, or if they were born with a joint abnormality, such as hip dysplasia,” he says.
What are the signs of arthritis?
How arthritis presents in one dog will be different than in another, but some of the classic clinical signs of arthritis include:
- Limping
- Chewing/biting at body parts
- Sleeping more
- Hunched posture or arched back
- Less interest in playing or exercise
- Caution climbing stairs
- Reluctance to jump in and out of the car
- Stillness on rising
- Diffculty going through the cat flap
- Sleeping in di#erent spots that are easier to access than regular sleeping spot
- Over-grooming of painful joints — cats especially
- Eliminating outside the litter tray or in the house
- Reluctance or aggression when handled. Unlike dogs, cats are very good at hiding pain and discomfort, so it might be trickier to see defnitive signs of arthritis in them.
Five things you can do to help your pet
While there are genetic conditions that predispose animals to arthritis, there are some things you can do to give your pet the best chance of early diagnosis and treatment. Dr James suggests keeping these five things in mind:
- Keep your pet in a healthy weight range.
- Avoid over-strenuous exercise.
- Don’t ignore the symptoms of arthritis.
- Consult your vet if your pet appears to be slower with their movements.
- Don’t give your pet human medications without speaking to your vet first.
It’s estimated that one in five dogs suffer from arthritis. While it is a very common condition, Dr James says that for the long-term health of your pets it’s not one that should be taken lightly. “Arthritis is a disease that cannot be cured,” he says, “but it can certainly be managed to give your dog or cat a more comfortable lifestyle.”
The original article was published in PETS issue 57. Click here to subscribe to the magazine and never miss a paw-some story again!
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