Let’s Talk Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the gradual degeneration of the structures within a joint.
In a healthy joint, the bones have a smooth surface and pads of cartilage so they glide past each other. In an arthritic joint, the bone surfaces are worn or uneven and rub against each other, leading to swelling and pain.
Over time, this action produces new bone growth which causes further inflammation and stiffness. In addition, the body compensates by moving weight away from the painful limb(s), with the resulting changes in gait and loss of muscle causing more strain elsewhere in the body.
It is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs, affecting as many as 80% of dogs over the age of eight.
Identifying Signs of OA:
- Depression/low mood
- Difficulty getting comfortable
- Pacing at night
- Physique or muscle changes
- Sleeping more than usual
- Weak hind limbs/difficulty going to the toilet
- Lameness
- Unwillingness to walk
- Licking their joints
- Altered grooming in cats
- Temperament changes
Diagnosing OA
A thorough approach to accurately diagnosing arthritis in your dog might be as follows:
- Identify changes in energy levels, behaviour, gait and mobility
- Consultation and full physical examination with your vet
- Further investigations at your vets – such as Blood Tests, Urine Samples and xrays
- Assessment of response to treatment on anti-inflammatory medication
Treatment Options:
- Anti inflammatories
- Rehabilitation
- Home/ Routine adaptations
- Adaptations to diet and nutrition
- Modifying exercise
- Weight management
Klaser
The Klaser machine has been a great asset to treating animals at our practice. Used alongside other therapies and medication, owners have reported an improvement in mobility and quality of life after a course of 6 treatments.
Please call and speak to a member of our nursing team if you would like more information on how we can assist you and your animals with the long term management of arthritis.
There are so many positive changes that you, the owner, can make which are low cost and easy to implement. We want your pets to live a healthy and active life for as long as they can.
Further reading and information can be found here: www.caninearthritis.co.uk
