Arthritis Treatment

Many older pets suffer from arthritis, which is a chronic illness that causes joint cartilage to degenerate, resulting in chronic pain. Thankfully, there are many options for treatment that can reduce the pain and therefore improve your pet’s quality of life. If you think your pet may be suffering from arthritis, please talk to your vet.

What are the main signs of arthritis in pets?

Arthritis is inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. This condition can present in various ways and produce a range of symptoms. However, the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Difficulty changing position (standing up, sitting or lying down)
• Difficulty getting up on the sofa or climbing the stairs
• Stiffness
• Limping
• Shaking or trembling
• Avoiding being touched on certain parts of their body
• Loss of interest in physical activity
• Walking or running more slowly
• Isolation
• Etc.

What treatments are available for arthritis?

The best way to manage arthritis is to slow its progress using various treatments. Arthritis management requires a multi-pronged approach, which may include weight management, adapted nutrition, appropriate dietary supplements, chondroprotective injections (Cartrophen), physiotherapy and alternative medicine (acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, etc.).

Since these tools cannot stop the arthritis from progressing completely, it’s very likely that your pet will eventually need intermittent or continuous anti-inflammatory treatment, depending on the severity of the pain in their joints.