Pet Arthritis

As our pets get older their needs change, and unfortunately this also means that they are more susceptible to certain illnesses such as osteoarthritis, a disorder that can be very hard to identify unless you know what to look for.

This is why it is important to bring your senior pet in for regular check-ups as many age-related illnesses, such as osteoarthritis, are avoidable if a trained Vet or Vet Nurse can identify them before they become a serious issue.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disorder characterised by the loss of the cartilage in the joints between bones, as well as the death of cartilage-producing cells. This basically means that the cartilage between the bones that usually acts as a cushion is worn away or deteriorates and cannot repair itself. This process results in the grinding together or rubbing of bones, which can be extremely painful for your pet, even though it may go to great lengths to hide the pain.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Typically arthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints. However, it can also be triggered by trauma such as a sprain or fracture. For example, if a dog or cat suffers from a cruciate ligament injury it is fairly common for the joint to develop arthritis. Arthritis can also develop from abnormal joint growth, whereby the joint does not properly fit the socket.

How do I know if my pet has arthritis?

In most instances, pets suffering from arthritis seem to lose their “spark” and zest for life. This is not due to the natural ageing process; it is due to the constant pain caused by movement, made worse by cold weather.

Some symptoms of dog arthritis are:

Becoming aggressive when touched
Lagging behind during walks
Hesitation where there previously was none
Reluctance towards exercise
Going to the toilet inside

Symptoms of cat arthritis are more difficult to identify:

An untidy look due to problems grooming themselves
Trouble stepping in and out of the litter box
Quick little steps with the back legs
Reluctance to jump up on furniture where previously there was none.

What can I do at home to help avoid arthritis?

Some things to remember are:

Gentle, low-impact exercise such as swimming
Keeping your pet warm during cold periods (things such as dog coats or extra warm blankets)
Lower any elevated areas such as kennels or pet beds
Cut a hole in the front of litter boxes to allow easy access
Visit your vet for any necessary treatment.

How do I know if my pet has arthritis?

The only sure way to tell if your pet is suffering from osteoarthritis is a consultation and checkup by a veterinarian.

To get an idea of the overall mobility of your pet, try our Pet Mobility Calculator. It works by asking a series of questions, which will give you a score out of 30. The lower the score, the less mobile your pet is. If your pet is scoring low on the mobility calculator, it is important to bring it in for a check-up.

What is involved in the arthritis check-up?

Step 1: We assess your pet’s walk.

Pets experiencing symptoms of arthritis often go to great lengths to mask their condition. We walk your pet around the consult room or outside (if your pet is particularly large) and analyse its movement for any signs of limping or an uneven distribution of weight to indicate pain.

Step 2: Check back legs

Pets experiencing arthritic symptoms will often show discomfort when sitting, due to the angle of their legs and distribution of weight during the sitting process. We use the ‘sit test’ to assess your pet’s ability to sit naturally, without signs of hesitancy or pain, as well as feel the shape and muscle density of your pet’s hind legs to check for any irregularities.

Step 3: Check front Legs

We check the function, movement and muscle density of your pet’s front legs, feeling for any clicking of joints or grinding. Grinding or clicking indicates that the cartilage in the joint may be damaged or degraded. This could be an indication of arthritis in your pet.

Step 4: Check back (spine)

We check along your pet’s spine, making sure that your pet is not experiencing any pain in this area. This check is important because pets can often experience arthritic pain in their back.

These are all the steps in your arthritis check-up. If your pet is showing symptoms of arthritis or any irregularities in behaviour for any reason, your pet will be referred to a vet for further examination.