Achy Joints - the "OW" in Bow-Wow

Unfortunately, our four-legged friends aren’t spared from achy joints caused by arthritis or other degenerative joint disease (DJD). It’s easier to spot the signs sooner in dogs, which tend to have no qualms about seeking our comfort. In fact, some canines put on Oscar-winning performances when they feel the least bit of pain. Cats, however, are masters at masking their pain and often do their best to not show any clues that joints are aching. Their clinical signs are also milder or appear later because they are smaller and more lightweight than most dog breeds.

In a normal, healthy joint, cartilage acts to cushion bones and offer a smooth gliding surface. But, its ability to regenerate is limited and during normal aging, wear is inevitable. Once that happens, symptoms of degenerative joint disease or arthritis appear.

Be On The Lookout For Early Warning Signs

Both cats and dogs rely on us to spot the early warning signs and take them to the veterinary clinic to ease aches in their tendons, cartilage and joints. Early treatment increases the chance to restore flexibility and mobility.

Play pet detective and look for such signs as:
•  Shifting weight
•  Limping
•  Taking a long time to get up after a nap
•  Hesitation to climb stairs or jump on the bed
•  Crying out when you attempt to pick up and cuddle
•  Walking with a “bunny-hopping” gait

There are many types of joint diseases. Topping the list for dogs are hip dysplasia and arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease). Any dog can develop hip dysplasia, but large breed dogs (like Great Danes and many Retrievers) and even some of the short-legged dogs (like Pekingese and Lhasa) are especially prone.  As with people, there is no cure for arthritis – yet.

Radiographs are used to identify and evaluate degenerative joint disease, but the use of MRI and CAT scans are also being used more these days.

How You Can Ease the Pain and Control the Condition

While there is no magic pill to make these joint conditions disappear, there are ways to slow down the progression and tame the pain. Keeping your pet at his ideal weight through proper diet (cut out fatty table scraps) and exercise goes a long way. So does the use of supplements (such as glucosamine and condroitin sulfate) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).  Carprofen (Rimadyl), Deracoxib (Deramaxx), Firocoxib (Previcox) and Meloxicam (Metacam) are medications frequently prescribed by veterinarians for joint pain and swelling. Acupuncture is also becoming increasingly popular to help ease arthritis pain and inflammation. Here’s a homemade tip: apply warm, moist towels over your pet’s joints once or twice a day when he is resting.  

In some cases, orthopedic surgery may be required to help relieve pain, correct deformities and try to recapture lost range of motion.

If your dog has a joint condition, go easy on him. Don’t over exercise him or force him to jar his joints by jumping a lot. If you take him on a long walk or out for a short jog or engage in a game of fetch, allow him to rest. Even better, select joint-friendly exercises like swimming in a safe lake or pool because doing the “dog paddle” places less stress on the weight-bearing joints.

Insights into Feline DJD

As mentioned, cats can be sly about showing signs of joint disease. These amazing athletes are capable of leaping up to and from high places, like the top of the refrigerator. When they land, most of the force is on the forelegs, placing stress on these joints.

What we do know is that DJD is cats is symmetrical, meaning that paired joints, not single ones, are more likely to be affected.

DJD tends to affect cats past their 10th birthdays and radiographs show evidence of this disease especially in the elbows, shoulders, hips and knees.

Aging, Ain't it a Bummer?

We all have a lifecycle, and all of us, sooner or later, will have to reckon with the body’s breakdown as it ages. When your pet starts to exhibit signs of aging, consider it an opportunity to assess his or her overall systems. Ask your veterinarian about running a senior panel on blood and urine, taking radiographs of the chest, abdomen, spine, and joints, checking the heart via an ECG and blood pressure testing, and even doing a thorough eye exam. Think about the quality of life you want for your best friend and make necessary adjustments to accomplish your goals. More time and attention from you will certainly make up for restrictions necessary to accommodate the aging process and help insure that your pet’s senior years are golden.


Article by Dr Jeff Werber, DVM