Breaking the silence on senior pet pain - let's talk osteoarthritis

I am incredibly passionate about ensuring our senior pets live their golden years as comfortably and happily as possible. As a veterinarian dedicated to both emergency and senior pet care, it breaks my heart to see pets in pain simply because their owners dismiss the signs as just a normal part of ageing.

When I consult with pet owners, I often hear them say, "Yeah, he's been slowing down, but that's normal for his age. I don't think he is in pain and needs anything for arthritis." This perception needs to change. While it’s true that ageing brings about some natural changes, it's crucial to recognise that stiffness, reduced activity, and other subtle signs can indicate osteoarthritis (OA), a common and often painful condition.

Consider a large-breed dog, such as a 10 year-old Golden Retriever. At this age, they're comparable to an 80 year-old human - would you expect an 80-year-old not to have arthritis? Isn't it better to intervene early with preventative arthritis management, rather than waiting until they require strong pain killers and irreversible joint damage has already set in? This is exactly the message I'm trying to get across to pet owners so we can change the perception of 'it's just ageing' and really step up to make our pet's senior years as comfortable as possible.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, or OA, is a chronic and progressive joint disease that affects both dogs and cats. It leads to the loss of joint cartilage, resulting in pain, inflammation, and difficulty using the affected limbs. OA can develop at any age, though it is more commonly seen in older pets and those with contributing factors such as obesity or previous orthopaedic conditions.

Recognising the Signs of OA

Many pet owners might attribute their pet's reduced activity or stiffness to ageing, but it’s important to recognise the signs of osteoarthritis:

• Pain and stiffness

• Lameness or a change in gait

• Decrease in activity or reluctance to walk, run, or exercise

• Difficulty navigating stairs or jumping on couches

• Difficulty getting up from lying down

• Muscle wasting

• Sudden changes in behaviour, such as irritability or aggression

Dogs and cats are experts at hiding signs of pain. Just because they are wagging their tail, rubbing up against your, purring, eating, and still giving you kisses, does not mean they are pain-free.

The Importance of Veterinary Consultation

Often, what is needed is a conversation with a vet who can identify the subtle (or sometimes obvious) signs of pain, muscle wastage, and creaky joints. Recognising these signs is the first step towards making your pet more comfortable. It's essential to step back and recalibrate your understanding of what is "normal" for your ageing pet. I really want to change this perception and help pet owners see that their pets' comfort and happiness can be greatly improved with the right care.

Causes and Contributing Factors

Several factors contribute to the development of OA, including:

• Orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patella luxation, cranial cruciate ligament damage, and previous fractures.

• Obesity, which adds extra force on the joints and produces inflammatory mediators that worsen OA.

• Repetitive high-impact activities which can cause joint injuries over time.

Managing Osteoarthritis

While there is no cure for OA, there are several strategies for slowing its progression and minimising pain:

• Weight management: Keeping your pet at a healthy weight reduces stress on their joints.

• Exercise: Regular, low-impact exercise helps maintain joint mobility and muscle strength.

• Medications and supplements: Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, arthritis injections and joint supplements can help manage symptoms.

• Physical therapy: Therapeutic exercises and treatments can improve joint function and reduce pain.

• Comfortable living conditions: Providing soft bedding and ramps can help your pet move more comfortably.

Preventative Treatment: Start Early

My preferred approach is to start preventative treatment, especially if you have a pet with an underlying condition that predisposes them to developing arthritis earlier in life or with faster progression. Waiting until your pet is obviously showing symptoms is not ideal, as it takes longer for the medications to work and more medications to control the symptoms. Many owners wait until their pet is really sore or has significant muscle wastage, indicating that the condition has been ongoing for months, if not years!

Exploring Alternative Therapies

In addition to traditional treatments, alternative therapies can play a significant role in managing osteoarthritis:

• Acupuncture: Helps to relieve pain and improve mobility.

• Laser therapy: Reduces inflammation and promotes healing.

• Hydrotherapy: Provides low-impact exercise to strengthen muscles and improve joint function.

• Physiotherapy: Customised exercises to maintain mobility and reduce pain.

• Massage: Enhances circulation and relieves muscle tension.

• CBD oil: May help reduce pain and inflammation and improve quality of life for pets with arthritis.

My Personal Experience

In the next blog post, I will discuss diagnosis, specific treatments and therapies in more detail, along with exactly what I have implemented for my senior Greyhound, Charlie, and his arthritis management regime.

Stay tuned & stay safe!