What is arthritis in pets?

Arthritis is a complex condition involving inflammation of joints. There are many causes of arthritis in pets. In most cases, the degree of arthritis is related to the age of the animal.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA), which is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). This can be primary, the cause of which is unknown, or secondary, following conditions involving joint instability leading to damage of the subchondral bone that line joints. Some common causes of DJD include hip dysplaysia, cranial cruciate ligament rupture, and so forth. Other causes include joint infection, often as a result of bites or injuries, or it may follow joint trauma and damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune mediated, erosive, inflammatory condition. Cartilage and bone are eroded within affected joints and the condition can progress to complete joint fixation (ankylosis). It may affect single joints, or multiple joints may be involved (polyarthritis).

How do we treat arthritis?

Treatment will depend on the cause of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually treated with high does of corticosteroids which often lead to a dramatic response. The maintenance of this condition often involves the long-term use of corticosteroids and other drugs such as immunosuppressive or cytotoxic agents.

The treatment of septic arthritis involves determining the type of micro-organism involved and its antibiotic sensitivity. Antibiotics are usually administered for a minimum of one month and analgesics are also necessary to combat pain and inflammation.

Analgesics are the most common form of treatment for osteoarthritis. It is important to select these medications with care since some dogs are more sensitive than others to the potential side effects. The most common side effects include decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Most pets will have pre-medication blood tests to make sure that they can safely metabolize and excrete the medication. Periodic blood tests are then performed to ensure continued safe usage.

If you have any concerns following the administration of any medication your veterinarian has prescribed discontinue use and contact them immediately.

Some products recommended for arthritis are Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and ProMotion.

Rimadyl and Deramaxx are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) that are used to treat the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and other conditions in dogs.

Promotion is a supplement that contains glucosamine, hydrolyzed collagen, and bioflavanol (antioxidant) that is used to reduce the damage to joints and maintain joint health for both cats and dogs. The glucosamine increases the production of joint lubricant, the hydrolyzed collagen provides collagen and amino acids to the cartilage to enhance in joint repair, and the bioflavanol is an antioxidant that fights the free radicals, inhibits degenerative enzymes, and helps reduce pain and inflammation.