Pain in the Older Dog and Cat - Arthritis and How it Works

Many of our pets start to slow down as they get older. They become reluctant to walk long distances and lose interest in their favorite games.   A decrease in energy can be due to aging but there are many other factors that play a role.  Arthritis also known as Osteoarthritis is a common factor which causes lameness, decreased energy and limits movement.  Although, arthritis is irreversible there are many different options for medical and surgical treatment.  Also, there are some cheap and safe drugs that decrease pain, slow down and can prevent cartilage destruction.

What Causes Arthritis?

The most common cause of arthritis is due to degenerative joint disease (DJD).  Degeneration of the cartilage in the joint is responsible for pain and inflammation of the joints.  Cartilage is a substance that coats the surface of bones that are connected in joints. It allows movement without friction while acting as a shock absorber.  Cartilage damage may result from hip dysphasia or if too much weight is placed on joints. 




Is Arthritis Painful?

Arthritis can be very painful when there is destruction of cartilage allowing the nerves to be exposed.  Pain receptors are most concentrated in the joint capsule underneath the cartilage. When cartilage is damaged or lost, the nerves alert the body with a severe pain response to protect the bones from further damage.

The best medications for arthritis focus on stopping the inflammation and replacing nutrients vital for cartilage repair. 




How do I Tell if my Pet has Arthritis?

Some common signs to look for are: 

Pain response on local manipulation of the joint
Decreased energy
Popping of joints (crepitus)
Weakness
Lameness

Testing for Arthritis:

Radiographs are commonly used to look for signs of arthritis, however this is not a very reliable method to diagnosis arthritis.  Radiographs look for changes in the bone density of the joints.  However, these changes are often not visible on x-rays. 

A good history and physical exam by a veterinarian are often the best way to diagnosis arthritis.   

Treatment of arthritis- There are many different approaches to treating arthritis. Below are a list of good articles describiong both treatments and life style changes.

See related articles:

Treatments for Pet Arthritis

Cruciate Disease in Pets