Simply put, arthritis is inflammation of a joint.
It can occur in any joint, including the spine, jaw or even the tail.
Signs may include:
- painful or stiff joint movement,
- joint swelling,
- a grating sound or sensation with joint movement.
Arthritis can also cause fever and redness of the skin over the joint.
Polyarthritis is inflammation of several joints at the same time and is
often associated with complex internal diseases.
Causes of arthritis include:
- degeneration from aging,
- inherited problems related to the joints themselves – i.e.
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD), essentially a defect in the growth of
the cartilage of certain joints
- inherited problems related to the animal’s musculoskeletal
configuration, i.e. hip dysplasia,
- infection – such as Lyme’s Disease or general septicemia (blood
infection)
- injury – as potentially severe as with an auto accident, or as
simple as slipping on a slick floor or stepping in a hole.
- metabolic diseases
- allergic or immune-medicated disease – like rheumatoid arthritis.
- cancer – may affect the joint directly, or in some cases affects
calcium or the nervous system to cause problems indirectly.
Diagnosis depends on the stage and type of arthritis. In early
arthritis, only soft tissues may have any significant changes –not
changes that would show up on radiographs (x-rays). Physical examination,
clinical history, response to medications, radiographs, CT Scans and MRI’s
can all be very important in diagnosis.
Laboratory tests,
joint taps (sampling the joint fluid with a needle) and joint surgery may
also be necessary to determine some types of arthritis.
Therapy.
Arthritis is usually a controllable
rather than a curable disease. Therapy is designed to minimize discomfort
and delay or possibly prevent progression of disease.
We will discuss treatment and prevention in general, however each
animal’s situation may be different, and may require a different regimen
– PLEASE CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN before starting any regimen or
exercise program.
Exercise, generally, should be moderated, especially avoiding any
hard or pounding type activity that will traumatize the joint(s) further.
However, since muscles support the joints, keeping muscle tone is also
important. Thus, low impact activities, such as walking (not running or
jumping) and possibly swimming, should be encouraged, although not to
excess. Deep muscular massages and gentle joint flexion may also be
helpful.
Diet. If overweight, generally you should gradually reduce the pet’s
weight by reducing the caloric intake (feed less and / or feed lower
calorie food – it may take both). Excess weight puts additional stresses
on joints and the body in general.
Dietary Supplements. Much has been claimed by many with regards to
nutritive supplements. Scientific studies to prove their benefits have not
been done for most of the supplements. Even with testing, our experience
tells us that a product that seems to help one animal may do nothing for
the next. These products include those containing:
- Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) from fish oils
- Chondroitin sulfate
- Glucosamine
- Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)
- Co-Enzyme Q10
And the list goes on…….
Also, Vitamins C and E have some anti-oxidant properties and may be
helpful for some animals. Check with your veterinarian for recommendations
Medications.
DO NOT GIVE HUMAN MEDICATIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING A VETERINARIAN.
Animals are not small people, even though they do get some of the same
diseases. Some of the over-the-counter medications can do serious harm, or
even be deadly to your pet.
Anti-inflammatory medications we MIGHT consider range from buffered
aspirin to the newer drugs such as Rimadyl® and Etogesic®. and also steroidal medications. In some cases, blood tests must be
run periodically to monitor for potential side effects. And with ANY
medication or nutritional supplement, monitor your pet for adverse side
effects. Again, consult your vet as to appropriateness and dosages for
your pet.
Acupuncture.
Veterinary Acupuncture is more time intensive, and
generally more expensive, but offers the advantage of being drug free.
This does not mean that medications might not be considered or even be
necessary concurrently. Hopefully, drugs would no longer be necessary, or
lesser doses might be more effective when given along with acupuncture. Click
here for more on Acupuncture.
