By:
Heather Edwards

If your cat or dog is showing signs of stiffness or pain when moving, is not eager to get up from her bed on a cold morning, or is not as active as she once was, you should consider the possibility that your pet may have arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. Most senior dogs and cats suffer from some degree of osteoarthritis. As a pet ages, the cartilage that cushions her joints wears down and the bones may start to rub against each other. As the condition progresses, the friction can also wear down and damage the bones themselves. This can occur in any joint in the body although it is most likely in weight-bearing joints such as the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, and ankles. Less commonly, arthritis can also be caused by a bacterial infection inside a joint, an autoimmune disorder, or hip or elbow displasia. Your first step if you suspect arthritis should be to take your pet to your veterinarian. If your pet does have arthritis, your veterinarian will first find out what type of arthritis it is, using a medical history and physical exam, x-rays, blood tests, and sometimes tests on the fluid inside the joint or MRI imaging.

If your pet is diagnosed with osteoarthritis, there are a number of steps you can take to manage this disease and to help your pet stay comfortable. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and inflammation as much as possible, and hopefully allow the joints to heal. Conventional therapy for arthritis often includes medication. The two primary types of conventional medications for arthritis are corticosteroids such as prednisone and non-steroidal anti-inflamatory medications (NSAIDS) such as Rimadyl. These medications should be used cautiously due to the risk of side effects. Steroids can be useful to control pain but are best for short-term use. They can suppress the body’s immune system and lead to increased thirst and urination. Steroids often lead to weight gain, which puts further stress on the joints. NSAIDS can be very useful in controlling pain and inflammation, but can potentially produce dangerous side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, seizures, paralysis, or even death. If your dog or cat is taking steroids or NSAIDS, you and your veterinarian should be closely monitoring him or her for negative effects.

My Doberman mix Max, who is now 8 years old, and my cat Jackson, who I recently had to put to sleep at age 20 plus, have both suffered from arthritis. I have been able to manage arthritis symptoms for both of them without the use of conventional medications. In order to manage pain, both Max and Jackson take Zeel. Zeel is a homeopathic medication made by Heel Corporation (www.heel.com). Zeel combines a number of homeopathic medications designed specifically to address arthritis pain and to flush toxins from the body and strengthen the immune system. 

Nutritional supplements have also been an essential part of their arthritis management. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the most popular supplements for pets with arthritis. Be careful of the brand that you buy since there are lower-quality brands of glucosamine and chondroitin out there that will not be as effective; I like the supplement Cosequin. Both glucosamine and chrondroitin work to inhibit enzymes that destroy cartilage in pets with arthritis. Glucosamine also helps stimulate the synthesis of synovial fluid to lubricate the joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation can help relieve pain and decrease inflammation, as well as repair damage to cartilage, without the side effects of medication. Other supplements that might be helpful to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation include Vitamin C, shark cartilage, perna mussels, and yucca. You can usually find one supplement that will include all the ingredients you decide to give your dog or cat. Don’t forget to take a look at your pet’s diet as well. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is important in order to avoid putting extra stress on the joints. A natural diet free of preservatives and by-products is essential at any time, but particularly when your pet is fighting an illness.

Acupuncture has also been an important part of arthritis management for my animals. Acupuncture involves inserting tiny needles into points in the pet’s body that will stimulate acupuncture points. The treatment is not painful and seems to be relaxing for most animals. Even Max, who does not easily tolerate most veterinary procedures, stands relatively still when he is receiving an acupuncture treatment. Jackson had a gold wire implanted into his hip area to permanently stimulate the acupuncture point and give him long-term pain relief.

Chiropractic and Tellington TTouch are two other methods that have helped Max and Jackson with their arthritis. Chiropractic adjustments seem to be helpful in maintaining spinal alignment and flexibility. When Jackson first got adjusted I could immediately see a dramatic improvement. He was running around the house for the first time in years, and he was able to climb the stairs normally instead of hopping with his back legs to avoid moving his hips. Tellington TTouch, a type of bodywork developed by Linda Tellington-Jones, uses a variety of circular touches and methods of lifting and stroking the skin in order to stimulate cellular function and to promote healing. For pets with arthritis, TTouch can relieve pain and suffering and also help calm the animal so he or she can rest more comfortably.