Pain management and arthritis

Arthritis is a condition causing damage to the joints of the body. There are different forms of arthritis, each with a different cause. In dogs and cats, the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA) which is also known as degenerative joint disease.

OA causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints. In dogs, it occurs mainly in medium to larger breeds. Although it is typically associated with older dogs (7 years or more), it can occur in younger dogs who have suffered from an orthopaedic condition such as hip dysplasia or a ruptured cruciate ligament. OA may also result from an old injury, such as a road traffic accident. In dogs, the most commonly affected joints are the hips, elbows, knees and backbone. In cats, OA has proven to be far more common than people had previously thought. This is because it can be difficult to detect the subtle symptoms of OA in cats.

The clinical signs of OA centre around PAIN. Very often, an owner will not appreciate that their pet is in pain because it is not crying or screaming. The pain of OA can show itself in four main ways:

• Reduced mobility - difficulty jumping into the car/chair or climbing stairs, limping or stiffness, difficulty in getting up
• Reduced activity - reluctance to walk or play, sleeping/resting more, lethargy
• Difficulty with grooming - unusual licking sometimes leading to bald patches, chewing at joints, poor quality coat in cats
• Changes in temperament - less tolerant towards children or other animals in house, reduced interaction with you/family, increased anxiety/clinginess

The diagnosis of OA is generally made on the basis of the signs and findings on examination. Sometimes, x-rays are taken to assess the condition of the joints. However, it is often only after the pain of OA has been relieved and your pet has improved mobility and quality of life, that you come to realise how much pain he/she had been feeling.

It is important to appreciate that OA is irreversible and progressive but these days, there is a number of very effective strategies for the management of OA. Very often, vets will prescribe an anti-inflammatory/painkilling medication for your dog or cat such as Metacam or Norocarp. This may need to be given on a long term basis to control pain. These drugs are generally very well tolerated. Period check ups will be needed to ensure the medication is helping and not causing any adverse effects.

Many humans with OA take various joint supplements. We commonly prescribe a glucosamine & chondroitin supplement (Seraquin) to help improve the condition of the cartilage and joint fluid within the arthritic joint(s). Some diets have these products added to them such as Hills j/d. Cod liver oil may have some benefit too.

Since pets with OA may be less mobile, they are prone to becoming overweight. Weight control is absolutely essential in the management of an arthritic pet. Joint problems are aggravated by excess weight. The more excessive the weight, the more the aggravation increasing pain and the amount of damage to the joint. Feeding your pet smaller portions of a less fattening food, such as a senior or light diet, as well as cutting out tit bits, are important ways of reducing calorie intake to manage bodyweight.

It is important to establish a suitable exercise regime for a dog with OA. Regular gentle exercise helps to maintain mobility - joints that do not have regular movement may stiffen up leading to reduced activity. Swimming (hydrotherapy) is an increasingly popular exercise for dogs which helps to build up muscle mass to support the joint. It is a low impact exercise so won't aggravate joint pain. Physiotherapy exercises can also be beneficial.