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As summer approaches, you might find that your pets suffering from arthritis are having a hard time. Luckily, there are different types of arthritis treatment for dogs and cats to make summer more comfortable.
Hooray! Summer is almost here (or firmly here, depending on which part of the United States you live in). It’s time for lounging around outdoors, family barbecues, long hikes in state parks, and plenty of camping.
Most of us look forward to adventuring out in the warmer months, and we’re all too happy to take our furry friends with us. Even if we don’t venture far, it’s still a joy to sunbathe with them by our side.
But there’s a catch: Arthritis.
Dogs, cats, and other animals who are older and suffering from arthritis can find hot weather a real drag. They may be unable to keep up due to mobility challenges or just plain sore after long walks, but either way, you know something is off.
It isn’t that your dog (or cat…or bird, whatever you prefer) doesn’t want to spend the time adventuring with you. They just need a little help to do it comfortably and safely, and certain arthritis treatment for dogs, cats, and other pets do exactly that.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs
Not sure if your pet is suffering from Arthritis? You should always start with a visit to the vet. Your local animal hospital can run x-rays and examine your pup to determine whether or not their joins are experiencing:
- Degeneration
- Pinched nerves
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Pain
Dogs, and even more often, cats, all have a tendency to hide their symptoms when feeling pain. Doing so is instinctual; in the wild, showing signs of weakness can be downright dangerous or even lead to being ostracized from the “pack.”
This is why you should never assume your dog is okay just because he seems relatively okay later in life.
That said, there are a few “telltale signs” that might reveal a potential problem. Monitor your pet for:
- Limping
- Weakness in any limb
- Reactivity on touch (such as snapping when you pet a certain area of the spine)
Suddenly refusing to go for a walk, eat, or go potty can also be a sign of health issues, although they aren’t always tied to arthritis specifically.
Dogs who are struggling with arthritis also often refuse to climb stairs. They may seem to sleep a lot, constantly shift around in their sleep, or even cry when they lay in certain positions.
A sudden resurgence of potty problems and/or bad behaviors may also be her way of telling you “ouch! I’m too sore.”
Differences in Symptoms for Cats
Cats have many delicate bones in their body, especially along the spine. While this is exactly what allows them to do those long, lazy stretches, having so many surfaces padded with collagen and cartilage raises their risk for osteoarthritis.
Cats who are suffering from arthritis don’t always show clear symptoms; in fact, they may start hiding or retreating away from people instead. As with dogs, this is instinctual; in the wild, a weak cat becomes easy prey.
Watch your cat carefully for other unusual signs of a problem:
- Inappropriate peeing
- “Caving in” around the hips or spine (a sign of muscle wasting)
- Limping
- Excessive grooming
- Refusing to jump up onto cozy spots like they once did
The symptoms may be subtle, but they are almost always there.
Arthritis Treatment for Dogs
Let’s say you know your pet has arthritis. You’ve been to the vet – good job on making a start! The good news is that you have many options for relieving pain and improving quality of life for your pet.
You might be surprised to hear this, but in the case of dogs, vets often prescribe some of the the same medications given to humans – like Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
Arthritis Medication
Drugs like Rimadyl and Meloxicam are often used as arthritis treatment for dogs by reducing inflammation and swelling, which has a protective effect on the affected joint. Many dogs do very well on just one or two daily doses.
For advanced cases, and when injuries produce acute pain, steroid drugs like dexamethasone and Prednisone are common.
These drugs work in similar ways to NSAID drugs, but carry a lower risk for gastrointestinal upset. They also produce relief much, much faster, but should only be used short-term.
Other drugs, like Adequan (which is a chondroprotective) and glucosamine prevent further damage and heal pre-existing damage. Results may be mixed; these drugs are often far more useful preventatively than reactively.
However, arthritis treatment for dogs can be difficult. Just like humans, every dog is different and may require specialized compounded pet medicine from your pharmacy.
Natural Remedies
There is also some evidence that natural treatment for arthritis in dogs is available as well. Food supplements like omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may improve symptoms of arthritis.
Researchers don’t yet fully understand exactly why or how they work, but it is generally believed that a deficiency of omega-3 leads to poor circulation and/or a lower production of lubrication in and around the joints.
This, in turn, leads to inflammation and degeneration, as the joint no longer retains and effective cushion.
Treating Arthritis in Cats
Admittedly, treating arthritis in cats can be much more difficult than treating the condition in dogs.
Cats are highly specialized with unique body chemistries; nearly all human medications are at least subtly toxic to them.
Furthermore, the doses needed to treat cats is generally very, very small – meaning it’s possible to overdose them.
Add to this the fact that feline liver and kidney systems frequently struggle to process most pet medications and you have a really uncomfortable situation for you and your cat.
Medications
Still, there are some “front-line” medications vets often try. Meloxicam can be given to otherwise healthy cats for extremely short-term dosing (a bad day, for example), but should not be given consistently as it can damage the kidneys.
Some vets turn to the narcotic buprenorphine when cats are experiencing low quality of life due to arthritis. While this is a narcotic drug, most cats tolerate it relatively well, even if given for months at a time.
The goal should always be to find a longer-term solution that allows them to come off of the narcotic eventually.
Steroids can be used in cats, too, especially after injuries or in acute pain flares. They should be given sparingly and never in combination with NSAIDs if they are given at all. Cats in palliative care may be permitted to stay on steroids for life.
However, care must be taken with cats in end-stage renal or liver failure.
Gabapentin, a nerve drug often used to treat seizures and fibromyalgia in humans, can also help cats who suffer from compressed nerves or neuropathic pain due to arthritis. Cats should be given the lowest possible dose to achieve results or else sedation can occur (which is admittedly sometimes preferred in end-of-life care).
What to NOT Do for Arthritis in Pets
Last but not least, here’s what you should never do under any circumstance: Do not assume arthritis treatment for dogs and cats includes OTC human medication.
Never give your pet an OTC medication without a vet or pharmacist’s go-ahead. The same is true for self-diagnosing and ordering medications online.
Just because some human medications are safe to use doesn’t mean others are, too.
Instead, speak with your local compounding pharmacy. Because they have the ability to create medications from scratch, they can custom-tailor your pet’s medication to best suit their needs with fewer side effects along the way.
Your pet is worth it!