How To Help Your Pet That Has Arthritis

Everything gets older, including our pets.  Sometimes this can lead to arthritic pain in their joints. Depending on the breed and size, arthritic changes can occur at an early age or later in life.  No matter when symptoms start occurring, we as owners want to limit the pain and slow down the progression of the arthritic changes so that our pets can have a long, relatively pain-free life.

The joints maintain their ability to function because of the joint fluid that is produced by the cartilage that lines the joints.  If the cartilage is damaged, it heals and repairs itself, but it is replaced by bone.  And bone does not secrete joint fluid.  So as the bone is replacing the joint cartilage, there is less joint fluid. With less joint fluid, there is more pain.

So when we get to the point where there is arthritic changes, what can we do to ease the pain and maintain relatively pain free function?  There are many options for us to explore that will aid in slowing the progression of the arthritic changes which might range from supplements to surgical replacements or procedures.

Sometimes a supplement like glucosamine can help by reducing the inflammation of the cartilage of the joint. This product is relatively inexpensive and is available at pet stores along with being supplemented in the pet’s food.  A product that I use called Adequan also assists the joints by slowing the breakdown of the joint fluid to provide better viscosity and lubrication.  Here at Olsen Veterinary Clinic, I routinely will use a therapeutic laser to aid in the reduction of inflammation and pain in the joints.  I have found that it can benefit the pet.

A lot of times, we will prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory like Deramax or Previcox that will reduce the inflammation in the joints and ease the pain that the arthritic disease causes.  There are numerous NSAID’s out there that we use with some being once or twice daily dosing.

Recently, medical and surgical procedures have been developed that can assist your pet with arthritis.  These may include Stem Cell Therapy, joint replacement, or other procedures that will alter the joint itself for better pain free articulation.

Arthritis in pets is very common and we have many options at our disposal that won’t break the bank for the owners.  Please give us a call at 618-656-5868 or contact us here for some options that may be available for you and your pet.