Arthritis is extremely common in aging pets but the disease affects each pet differently. Some pets develop mild joint changes that have little apparent effect on their quality of life, while some suffer debilitating mobility issues and pain. Arthritis is progressive, but if your pet begins treatment when the disease is in its early stage, our Veterinary Medical Center of Indian River County team can slow disease progression and reduce the condition’s impact on your pet’s quality of life. To learn how to recognize arthritis signs and proactively maintain your pet’s joint health read our guide to arthritis in dogs and cats.

What is arthritis in pets?

Arthritis is a slowly progressive inflammatory disease that can affect one or many joints throughout a pet’s body. Joint malformations, such as hip dysplasia or luxating patellas, and previous injuries, can predispose a pet to arthritis onset early in life, but many senior pets develop arthritis with no known underlying causes. 

Arthritis begins when the cartilage lining the bones inside a joint degrades, causing a chain reaction of inflammation, pain, and subsequent disuse. Pets favor the painful joint and avoid using it, which causes muscle atrophy, weakness, and worsening disease. Many arthritic joints develop bone spurs that limit their range of motion. Arthritis is not reversible, but treatments can significantly slow disease progression, and reduce a pet’s pain, and improve their quality of life.

Common arthritis signs in pets

You may not see any obvious arthritis signs when the disease first begins, but eventually, your pet will display behavior or mobility changes. Arthritis signs vary between dogs and cats, because each species has a different lifestyle and uses their body in different ways. Dogs’ arthritis signs may include:

  • Limping
  • Weight shifting
  • Stiffness after resting
  • Difficulty with stairs or jumping
  • Joint swelling
  • Reduced activity
  • Muscle loss

Cats’ arthritis signs are usually more subtle than those of dogs. Cats’ arthritis signs may include:

  • Reduced grooming
  • Awkward sleeping positions
  • Hesitancy to jump or use stairs
  • Accidents outside the litter box
  • Muscle loss
  • Hiding
  • Reduced appetite
  • Irritability

Arthritis diagnosis in pets

Veterinarians diagnose arthritis using a combination of history, physical examination, and imaging tests. During your pet’s physical examination, our Veterinary Medical Center of Indian River County team may detect joint laxity, stiffness, pain, swelling, or cracking. Range of motion may be reduced, and your pet may guard the affected joints when they are touched. X-rays can confirm the changes occurring inside the joints.

We may diagnose your furry pal’s arthritis during a routine wellness examination, when taking X-rays for another problem, or if you bring your pet to the hospital with concerns about their joints. Routine wellness examinations can facilitate early diagnosis and initiate treatment interventions that will slow progression and help your pet feel better.

Pet arthritis treatment options

Many treatment options are available for dogs and cats with arthritis. The best treatment approaches are multimodal, using multiple treatment strategies together to create a synergistic effect. The most effective treatments for your pet will depend on their temperament, whether you can administer daily medications, your pet’s disease severity, and your goals. Pets’ arthritis treatment options include the following:

  • Oral pain medications
  • Oral anti-inflammatories
  • Injectable monthly pain medications
  • Injectable joint protectant medications
  • Oral joint supplements
  • Prescription therapeutic diets
  • Laser therapy
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Stem cell therapy
  • Platelet-rich plasma therapy
  • Joint replacement surgery
  • Joint fusion surgery

Pet arthritis prevention and management

In addition to the medical or surgical treatment plan our veterinary team prescribes, you can make changes at home or to your pet’s lifestyle to help manage their condition. Consider the following interventions:

  • Keep your pet at a lean weight — If your pet is obese or overweight, their arthritis can become worse and hinder your furry pal’s mobility. Ask our team for nutrition recommendations to help manage your pet’s weight.
  • Make daily exercise a habit — Controlled, light exercise is helpful to lubricate arthritic joints and reduce pain. Avoid allowing your pet to overexercise: A little goes a long way.
  • Modify your home — Place nonskid mats on slippery floors, add cushioned pet bedding around the house, and ensure your furry pal has easy access to food, water, litter boxes, and other necessities to make their life more comfortable. Install pet stairs to help your four-legged friend reach their favorite spots on the sofa or comfy chair.

Your pet’s joint health and mobility significantly impact their quality of life. You can help your pet remain active well into their senior years by monitoring them for arthritis signs and visiting our Veterinary Medical Center of Indian River County team at least once annually for wellness care. Schedule your pet’s appointment to learn more about arthritis and the condition’s treatment options available at our facility.