Mission
Animal Clinic and Arthritis
Located in the San Fernando Valley, 16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills Ca, 818-363-8143
ARTHRITIS is also known by the medical term “Osteoarthritis.” It is
a disease resulting in degeneration of one or more joints of the body.
Reasons
joints become affected with arthritis include injury, birth defects resulting in
malformation, and aging.
As
a result of whatever the cause, the slick surface of the bones in the joint
(cartilage) is worn away exposing the underlying bone which is much rougher.
As inflammation from the roughened edges rubbing within the joint, the
joint capsule (lining of the joint), ligaments, and adjacent muscles become
irritated and scarred.
The
above description of the development of arthritis makes it easy to see why your
pet may not want to do simple ordinary things such as running, jumping, or even
walking in severe cases. The pet may
first appear stiff on the afflicted leg. As
it progresses over time, a limp may become noticeable and eventually your pet
will have difficulty in rising from a lying or sitting position.
Signs
of Osteoarthritis include:
1.
Lameness
2.
Hot, swollen joints
3.
Pain, especially with exercise
4.
Decreased “range of motion” (shorter steps)
5.
Decrease in muscle size
Treatment
of Osteoarthritis attempts to:
1.
Reduce pain
2.
Prevent or slow down degeneration of the bone
3.
Restore function as much as possible
Diagnosis
of Osteoarthritis includes:
1.
History
2.
Physical examination
3.
Radiographs (x-rays)
4.
Joint fluid analysis
Treatment
for Osteoarthritis may include the following:
(
) Rest;
keep warm and dry; use soft bedding, such as “egg crate mattress”
(
) Weight
loss to decrease overall pressure on joints
(
) Anti-inflammatory
drugs
(
) Drugs
to increase joint fluid
(
) Non-weight
bearing exercise (such as swimming) to maintain muscle strength
and
range of motion.
(
) Surgical
correction (knee replacement, joint
removal, joint replacement, etc.)
There is NO CURE for Osteoarthritis--BUT Life CAN be Made MORE
COMFORTABLE!!!!
It is important to RE-EVALUATE regularly to evaluate effectiveness of treatment and progression of disease.
Arthritis is a condition resulting in painful joints. It is extremely common in older pets, especially the larger breeds of dogs. Any joint can be affected with arthritis. The most commonly affected joints include the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, and vertebral column (back). It is estimated that arthritis affects one in five adult dogs—or more than 8 million in
the
Arthritis
may be a result of an injury or may develop for unknown reasons.
Frequently it is progressive (worsens with time).
It may develop slowly or quickly. Often
it begins with occasional sore days, often associated with weather changes or
strenuous exercise. Clinical signs
in most pets are often worse when they first get up and start to move. Overweight
pets are most susceptible.
Many clinical signs may be a result of arthritis and the related pain it causes. Signs may include lack of appetite, reluctance to walk, climb stairs, or play, limping, lagging behind on walks, difficulty in rising from a resting position, personality changes, or even crying aloud when the pain is severe. Animals don’t moan or whimper until the pain becomes very severe.
Other diseases must be ruled out before a diagnosis of osteoarthritis can be made. Potential rule-outs include disc disease, ligament tears, bone infections, and nerve damage. X-rays are often necessary to obtain the correct diagnosis.
There is no need to let your pet suffer the intensive pain that can be attributed to arthritis. Strategies for treatment of arthritis may be either proactive or reactive. Proactive involves therapy, which increases the body’s ability to cope with the problem. Such things as drugs to improve and strengthen body mass and drugs to increase the joint fluid (lubrication) within the affected joints are available. Reactive treatment includes such things as drugs designed to minimize pain. Pets do not tolerate human painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and Tylenolä as well as people. Recent advancements in drugs for treating arthritis in pets have greatly enhanced our ability to control the pain of osteoarthritis. One such new drug is Rimadylä.
It is important to work closely with your veterinarian to minimize side effects of these drugs. Periodic comprehensive physical examinations and laboratory screening is necessary to monitor the body’s response to any long-term medication.
EXERCISE HELPS. Regular, moderate exercise is very important in keeping joints working properly. Over-exertion can make the condition worse. Swimming is great exercise for arthritis pets.
PREVENT OBESITY. The number one cause of malnutrition in pets is OBESITY. Overfeeding, either too much food or food too rich, is the major culprit. Older pets may need no more than 50% of the calories of a young, growing pet.
16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills, Ca. 91344 818-363-8143
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