Arthritis and your pet



"Approximately 25% of dogs are diagnosed with arthritis in their lifetime,

and as many as 60% of dogs will have radiographic evidence of it." - Dr Willem Vergeer





Coco struggled with her weight and mobility, she could hardly get off the couch without limping and we couldn’t take her on long walks without causing her pain. 

Since we started feeding Coco Hills Canine Metabolic Weight and Mobility food she is doing much better and is able to go on daily walks. 

She struggled to walk on the beach and now she runs on the beach! She lost weight initially on the food and has been stable since and her skin is doing a lot better too. We are really happy we chose to feed her this food.


Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a degenerative, progressive, and irreversible condition of the joints. It is characterized by the progressive loss of joint cartilage, bony spurs/growths, and the thickening and scarring of connective tissue around the joint, usually as a result of injury.

Arthritis is classified as primary or secondary

"The overall outcome of osteoarthritis is cantered on destruction of the articular cartilage and breakdown of the joint. Because of this, OA must be thought of as a global disease process rather than an isolated disease entity."




Diagnosis is based on what is found in the physical examination, diagnostic imaging – radiographs, computed tomography, joint taps, cytology, therapeutic drug trials, and other tests.

Diagnostic Imaging

Radiographs and CT scans may show the excess fluid in the joints; the bony spurs; signs of an underlying disorder, such as elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, hip dysplasia, or cruciate ligament rupture; and so forth.

Therapeutic Trial

In some cases, a therapeutic trial of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help confirm the diagnosis if the lameness is less noticeable after taking them and also helps to pinpoint specific locations of pain if more than one joint is involved. 

 

"It is important to accurately diagnose the condition as well as the specific joints involved, and to develop a multimodal approach towards the management of the condition."  



"It is crucial to understand that it is not possible to cure arthritis. The goals are to alleviate your pet's discomfort, to minimize further degenerative changes to the joint, and to restore the joint's functionality. Multiple treatment modalities are usually necessary to relieve pain, stiffness, and discomfort."

 


Monitoring and Prognosis

Your veterinarian may need to do periodic physical examinations every 1-4 months to monitor your pet's response to therapy and the progression of the disease. In addition, if your pet is on an NSAID, blood tests including complete blood counts and biochemistry profiles, should be done every few months to ensure there are no side effects impacting the liver or kidneys.

With therapy and careful monitoring, arthritis can be managed in many dogs and cats, resulting in a good quality of life that you and your pet will appreciate. 



"Although it is disheartening to see a beloved companion slowing down, there are many ways to ensure their happiness, quality of life and continued role in your family. Keeping an eye out for the signs of arthritis in your pet and to know what to look out for, and remember that there are a number of things we can do to help your pet stay in good health for as long as possible."

Article written by : Dr Willem Vergeer



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