Have you noticed that your pet has been more careful getting up and down, limping, or just moving more slowly? It could be a result of a number of ailments, but one in particular could be a form of osteoarthritis. Like humans, our furry family members are susceptible to joint changes and destruction from trauma, congenital defects, and infection to name a few. Arthritis is a common but complex condition, and can be difficult to diagnose.

If you’ve noticed your pet exhibiting some of the symptoms below, and suspect that they may be suffering from arthritis, please consult with your veterinarian. Your vet can perform a thorough physical examination which may include palpating joints and assessing range of motion. They can also order x-rays to determine the extent of your pet's condition. Your vet will then work with you to create the best plan for you and your pet.

Common Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

icon-limping-f

Stiffness or limping

icon-arthritis-stairs

Reluctance to climb stairs

icon-arthritis-sore-joints

Swollen or sore joints

icon-arthritis-lethargy-cat

Loss of stamina, lethargy


icon-arthritis-aggression-cat

Unusually aggressive behavior

icon-arthritis-lameness

Complete or partial lameness

icon-arthritis-getting-up

Difficulty getting up and down

icon-arthritis-squatting

Trouble posturing to defecate

Common Causes of Osteoarthritis




Abnormal Joint Development

Often seen in some specific breeds of dogs.

 
icon-arthritis-hip-dusplasia

Hip Dysplasia

icon-arthritis-elbow-dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia

icon-arthritis-luxating-patellas

Luxating Patellas

 

Steps Toward Prevention

icon-arthritis-diet-blue

Diet

Reduces joint inflammation.
icon-arthritis-exercise

Exercise

Keeps joints supple.
icon-arthritis-weight-management-a

Weight Management

Prevents cartilage breakdown.
icon-arthritis-joint-supplements

Joint Supplements

Glucosamine, Chondroitin, GLM

Managing Osteoarthritis

While there isn’t a “cure” for arthritis, there are several things that you can do to make your pet’s pain more manageable and improve their quality of life.

icon-arthritis-weight-pain-meds

Pain Medications

icon-arthritis-suppliments

Joint Supplements

icon-arthritis-physiotherapy

Physiotherapy

icon-arthritis-accupuncture

Acupuncture

icon-arthritis-treadmill

Underwater treadmill

icon-arthritis-laser

Cold laser therapy

icon-arthritis-change-diet-blue

Dietary changes



Environmental Changes

icon-arthritis-raise-food

Raise food and water bowls to shoulder height

icon-arthritis-bedding

Provide soft and supportive bedding

icon-arthritis-ramp

Use a ramp for getting in and out of cars

icon-arthritis-rug

Utilize rugs to improve grip on slippery floors