ARTHRITIS AND THE GERIATRIC PET

Pets rarely show pain the way we’d expect. They usually don’t grimace, groan, yelp or even limp unless they incur a sudden injury. For chronic pain, such as arthritis in an older pet, the signs are more subtle. The classic signs of arthritis in an older pet are:

• Slowness to rise, especially if the pet has been lying down for a while

• Slipping on hard surfaces

• Muscle loss in affected legs

• Reluctance to go on walks, or falling behind when on walks

• Reluctance to jump on or down from elevated surfaces like beds or sofas

• Lameness may be present if a pet can no longer hide its discomfort

Our pets have a good reason for trying to hide their pain. In the wild, a dog showing signs of weakness will be shuffled down the hierarchy; a cat will be displaced from its territory and will struggle to survive. Cats really don’t like to show signs of pain or illness.

We can’t stop the aging process, but we can make older pets more comfortable. Among the steps we can discuss with you are:

1. Weight Management:   Gravity is the enemy of compromised joints. Maintaining a healthy weight, or even being slightly thin, is the single most important item for controlling arthritic pain.

2. Controlled Exercise: Not every arthritic pet can tolerate exercise. For those who can, however, a low-impact exercise regimen may help maintain muscle mass and mobility.

3. Omega-3 fatty acids: These fatty acids, found predominately in fish oils, have an anti-inflammatory effect that may reduce pain and inflammation. At the least, they may slow the rate at which arthritis worsens over time.

4. Glucosamine:   Glucosamine is a building block for proteins found in joint fluid and in cartilage. Some studies suggest that glucosamine supplementation can maintain joint fluid viscosity and cartilage elasticity.

5. Pain medicines:   Pain medicines can offer significant benefit to arthritic pets. Dogs have a variety of medicines at their disposal. Sometimes one medicine is sufficient, while other patients may benefit from a multimodal approach. Cats are a bit trickier, as their livers and kidneys are sensitive to many pain medicines; still, treatments are available that may help. Do NOT give your pet over-the-counter pain meds without first consulting your vet. Some are quite toxic!

6. Physical therapy:   One of the benefits of living in the Triangle is that we have so many medical options. At least two veterinary physical therapy facilities operate in our area.

7. Acupuncture:  Alternative medicine therapies may be of benefit to arthritic patients, particularly if the pet is unable to tolerate prescription pain medicines.

8. Surgery:  Some arthritic conditions, such as degenerative hips, may best be treated with surgical correction of the affected area.

Our geriatric pets do not have to live in pain. Let us work with you to develop a regimen that best fits the needs of your pet.

Dr. Charles H. Livaudais