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OSTEOARTHRITIS in Animals - What You Should Know by Dr. Deborah Hay
We’re all familiar with arthritis; it is one of the more prevalent human diseases. And it strikes animals too. One study showed that it affects 20% of our canine population over one year of age. 1 Cats are less likely to suffer from arthritis but they too can be affected, and their treatment has to be closely regulated because of the way they metabolize drugs. In fact, cats may be in more danger from improper medication than from the disease. The information I share with you here can help you recognize and treat the condition.
Read the Warning Signs
Arthritis can be caused by several things, including immune disorders secondary to infectious diseases such as heartworm or lyme disease; trauma or injury; congenital disorders such as hip dysplasia; or changes brought on by aging. Be alert to signs that your pet may suffer from it.
What are the signs? Your pet may show stiffness after getting up from a good nap. S/he may limp when out for a walk or a run. A pet may become grumpy when someone tries to pet him or her in the affected area, like the hip or shoulders. If your pet is tired, not eating well, or feels hotter than normal it can be a warning sign of disease. Your job is to find out why your pet is in pain.
Heed the Warning Signs
Call Your Vet
If you notice any of the clinical signs contact your veterinarian. S/he should perform a complete physical exam. If your pet is sick s/he may do bloodwork and/or joint taps, to determine whether your pet has an immune mediated disease, lyme disease or other diseases that can cause lameness and lead to arthritis. If your pet seems healthy but is having trouble walking and getting up your vet will want to take x-rays of the joint and surrounding structures. The x-rays help differentiate arthritis from other diseases such as cancer, and help determine the right treatment, for example, indicating whether lameness can be corrected by medical therapy or requires surgical intervention.
Don’t Treat Your Pet Yourself
Because pets can’t tell us they have a stomach ache or feel faint or dizzy, and can’t metabolize drugs the way we do, over the counter medications can be very dangerous for them. It doesn’t take much to make your pet seriously ill. So proceed with caution.
A word on anti-inflammatories: NEVER give your pet Ibuprofen unless directed by a veterinarian; it is safe for dogs only at very specific doses. It can cause kidney failure and sufficient bleeding in the stomach to kill your pet. NEVER give Tylenol to cats. Their livers cannot metabolize the drug and a very small amount will likely be fatal, especially if left untreated. Aspirin is best given in the enteric coated form so as to protect your pets stomach; your veterinarian will give you the correct dosage. The new drugs in the NSAID category that are safest for dogs are called rimadyl and etogesic and can be acquired from your vet. But they cannot be given to cats.
Treatment Options-
Wait for your vet’s diagnosis. If it’s arthritis there are several products to help ease your pet’s pain and slow progression of the disease. Your vet will recommed drugs that address the cause and best suit your pet’s health and the sensitivity of his or her stomach. Drug therapy includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as rimadyl, etogesic and aspirin; chondroprotective agents; and glucocorticoids. All medications have side effects and that’s why it’s best to be under the close supervision of a vet while your pet is taking them. If your pet is on these medications you will want to monitor the stool for a black tarry appearance, blood in the vomit, lack of appetite. These are all indicators that your pet may have an ulcer.
I have found that for degenerative joint disease associated with injury or aging the chondroprotective drugs in combination with anti-inflammatories work well. Examples of chondroprotectives are glucosaminoglycans with chondroitin sulfate and Vitamin E and Vitamin C. The vitamins scavenge free radicals that are released when there is inflammation, which can further damage the joint. The glucosaminoglycans with chondroitin sulfate are thought to prevent further erosion of the joint and inhibit some of the enzymes that are released during an inflammatory response. There is controversy over whether this group of medication works but pet owners report improvement in their pets’ attitude and gait on an anecdotal basis. And this product type is one of the few that can be used in cats as well as dogs. Adequan, a product given by injection, also has been shown to improve arthritis. Be sure to ask your vet what to expect from any medication that s/he prescribes.
Prevention and Control-
Diet plays an important role in arthritis. To help prevent bone disease in puppies, it is best not to overfeed them. This can lead to disease secondary to very rapid growth rate, such as hip dysplasia. Diets high in calcium also can interfere with normal growth and cause bone diseases. If your pet has arthritis keep him or her on the slim side. Feed your pet so that s/he reaches only the desired weight, and use the"meal feeding" approach, i.e. give the daily reccommended food in one or two feedings. Talk to your veterinarian about what diet would best suit your pet’s needs, age and health.
Our pets can’t talk and unfortunately they hide their illnesses well. By the time we see the indicators I’ve discussed they are usually in big trouble. So keep alert to your pet to minimize disease. And rest assured that what you can’t prevent you can help control and treat.
Remember, your pet and your concerns are dictated by individual and specific needs. Please do not substitute the above recommendations for the advice of trained professionals who can examine and treat your pet after a thorough examination.
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