Recognizing and treating signs of arthritis in your pet at home
Although some of the older statistics indicate that arthritis will affect 1 in 5 older pets, most veterinarians would agree that the numbers are likely higher than that, and arthritis can affect younger pets as well. The earlier that signs of arthritis are identified in our pets, the more options we have for treating them and even delaying the progression of arthritis in some cases.
Recognizing the signs of arthritis in your pet
Many pets will show subtle signs of pain long before they develop a limp. Keep an eye out for one or more of the following, and if you think that your pet could be experiencing signs of arthritis, book an appointment with your veterinarian for an assessment.
Limping
Difficulty lying down or getting up
Loss of interest in going on walks, lagging behind or lying down on walks
Difficulty posturing to urinate and/or defecate
Sleeping more
Pacing
Licking a particular joint or limb
Loss of muscle mass along the spine and/or hind limb(s)
Changes in behaviour (loss of appetite, growling or other aggressive behaviour, etc)
Managing your pet’s arthritis pain
Although medications are often a mainstay in the management of the later stages of arthritis in pets (think non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), there are many things that you can do at home to manage your pet’s discomfort, and possibly even delay the progression of disease if caught early.
Heat and cold therapy
Often overlooked, heat and cold therapy is one of the most effective and inexpensive treatments for joint and muscle pain. Cold should be applied during the acute phase of pain and inflammation (usually the first 2-3 days), whereas heat is more effective for chronic pain (more than 5 days). Start with 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily or more…..it is hard to overdo it with heat and cold.
Massage
Anyone else enjoy a good massage? Well, our pets are no different, and especially for those with tight or strained muscles, regular gentle massages at home can go a long way in maintaining their comfort and flexibility. Start with long, sweeping strokes and light pressure (otherwise known as effleurage, if you want to get fancy), adjusting your pressure to your pet’s level of discomfort and sensitivity.
Weight loss
Even a small amount of weight loss can make a big impact on the strain that is placed on our pets’ joints. One of my favourite things to empower pet owners to do at home is to assess their pet’s body condition score on a regular basis (check out this link for more on body condition scoring in dogs and this link for cats). If your dog or cat falls into the overweight or obese categories, talk to your veterinarian about how to implement a safe weight loss program for your pet.
Modifying your pet’s lifestyle and environment
One of the best things about being a mobile veterinarian is that I get to assess animals in their everyday environments to really get a feel for any obstacles or barriers that may be hindering their mobility at home. Here are things that you can do to make life easier for your furry companion in their humble abode.
Moderate activity
If you are sedentary all week it probably isn’t a great idea to go out and run a 10K on the weekend, and the same goes for our pets. Although they will run and play fetch for hours if you let them, this type of high pace, high impact activity can predispose the average pet to injury and is especially risky for pets with underlying joint issues and arthritis. Hands down the best exercise that you can do with your pet is regular, controlled leash walking at their natural pace (i.e. you’ll need to slow your pace for small breeds). And PS…..it’s good for you too!
Non-slip surfaces
What isn’t there to love about yoga mats? In addition to being synonymous with Zen relaxation, yoga mats are also the ultimate portable non-slip flooring. As arthritic animals age and lose muscle mass, they also lose balance and proprioception (the ability to know where their limbs are in space), which makes slips and falls much more common in older pets. Although having a patchwork of yoga mats throughout your home may not land you in an interior design magazine, it can provide your pet with some added traction to reduce the risk of muscle or joint injury.
Assistive devices
There are a number of options out there to help our arthritic pets get around more easily. From stairs and ramps to harnesses and wheelchairs, there is a solution for every stage of arthritis ranging from mild to more debilitative. Supportive beds, stairs and ramps are easy things for most owners to implement on their own; when it comes to specialized harnesses and wheelchairs it is best to enlist the help of a professional.
As a pet owner, take comfort in knowing that there is a lot that you can do at home to contribute to the management of your pet’s arthritis, in addition to the treatment protocol recommended by your veterinarian.
Leave me a comment below…….how do you manage your pet’s arthritis?