Arthritis care for your pet

You may have noticed your frail-looking Siberian Husky taking longer to get up in the morning or your 12 year-old Persian having difficulty walking up the stairs. Just like people, pets can have arthritis too! Arthritis is a condition in which one or more joints become inflamed. This inflammation results in pain, swelling, stiffness and limited movement.

As your pet gets older, look for some of these signs of arthritis:

Pain
Difficulty moving
Limping
Difficulty with stairs
Less interest in walking or playing

What do you do if you suspect your furry-loved one has arthritis?

1. Time to go to the vet. Your veterinarian will diagnose the symptoms and type of arthritis using the physical exam, medical history, x-rays and blood work. Once your veterinarian has properly diagnosed the type of arthritis, then s/he will place your pet on a treatment plan to keep your little one comfortable and happy. It’s very important that you do not medicate your pet’s arthritis on your own. Some human anti-inflammatory medications can be toxic to pets.

2. Modify their lifestyle.

Keep food and water bowls at comfortable heights.
Find a shallow litter box that has lower sides to make it easier for your senior kitty to get in and out.
Place non-slip surfaces such as a rubber mat or non-skid runners that will help with your pets with traction in slippery areas of the house.
Buy a soft cushy bed to cushion your pet’s joints while they sleep.
Use hot water bottles wrapped in towels to keep their joints warm through the night.
If you have a large dog, invest in a car ramp to help them into the car when it’s time to go buy more of their favourite treats.

3. Light activity to keep joints flexible. A little exercise will keep ligaments and tendons flexible and prevent obesity, which is a cause for more discomfort. Obesity increases stress on your pet’s joints and makes arthritis hard to manage. Watch for signs of exhaustion or pain! Stop the activity immediately if you notice any signs of discomfort.

Pet arthritis is a manageable condition. Your pet can be comfortable living with arthritis with proper diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle modification.

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Arthritis care for your pet

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