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"Arthritis" means inflammation of a joint. Dogs are affected by several types of arthritis-infection (septic arthritis, degenerative change and auto-immune disease - ie rheumatoid arthritis).
Septic Arthritis
This is a very severe and painful disease. It is an uncommon condition and presents with usually just one joint being sore, swollen, hot or painful. The treatment includes anti-biotics but may also require surgery to flush infection from the joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is also uncommon. It tends to affect multiple joints and may be accompanied by ill-health and lethargy. Dogs who have had other immune-related diseases may be more susceptible. The disease causes proteins to be deposited into the other joints creating pain and swelling. Diagnosis may be tricky and sometimes requires blood sampling, joint tapping and taking biopsies from the affected joints. The treatment is medication which reduces the unwanted immune response.
Degenerative Joint Disease
This is extremely common and occurs wherever there is increased wear and tear on a joint. Dogs and cats are both affected. Most animals show subtle signs of joint changes as they get older but young animals can be affected as a sequel to injury or poor condition.
Common signs
Our pets show only subtle signs that they have discomfort - they don't usually yelp or cry out. The signs to watch for are:
- Altered gait (walking pattern) - eg swinging hips is a classical pattern for hip pain.
- Altered posture.
- Reduced willingness to exercise or move normally.
- Reduced appetite.
- Over grooming or chewing on a particular area.
- Aggression or discomfort on handling.
- Reduced muscle mass or weight changes.
Arthritis starts with inflammation of the structures of the joint. It is followed by a process called remodelling - the production of extra bone arund the inflamed areas. These boney changes cannot be reversed and are not usualy helpful in controlling pain.
Treatment
The treatment for degenerative joint disease is usually aimed at minimizing the causative factors. If these cannot be resolved then the aims are to reduce the progression of the boney changes, reduce inflammation and reduce pain.
If your pet has a specific jint injury your vet will advise on the most appropriate treatment for this to reduce future problems.
Treatment for general degenerative joint problems include:
Maintaining appropriate body weight - Obesity significantly increases the rate of deterioration of the affected joint. Fit and strong muscles can help support weak joint.
Appropriate exercise - Small walks often, increasing graduallywith fitness, is a much better pattern that intermittent long walks. Complete rest is often unelpful due to reducing fitness and weight gain. Swimming can be extremely helpful as it is a non-weightbearing exercise. Parkvets' staff can advise on how to set up hydrotherapy sessions at our affilated centre.
Pain relief - Various options are available for reducing the pain associated with joint disease. Anti-inflammatory and opiate drugs are commonly used. Your vet will advise you on which of these are appropriate and how to use them. Human medications are not used as there have been increased toxicity problems in pets - for example, paracetamol causes is fatal for cats.
Glucosamines and chondroitin products - These are reported to reduce the progress of the boney changes. They are used as long term supplements and are available for cats and dogs.
Omega 3 fatty acids - These work in a similar way to anti-inflammatories in that they reduce the chemicals available to trigger inflammation. They can be administered as a food supplement or we can use a special food produced by Hills (Hills J/D joint support) which contains medicianl quantities of Omega 3s.
Massage - Muscle massage can increase the circulation to affected areas and reduce pain.
Heat Packs - To reduce pain. (Never apply materials which are too hot to hold against your own skin.)
Cold Packs - To reduce inflammation.
Physiotherapy - To help strengthen weakened muscles and provide analgesia.
Althernative therapies such as acupunture and magnetic collars - The jury is out on how much benefit they provide but some clients find them helpful.
