Overview
Arthritis, an inflammation of the joints, affects dogs and cats the same way that it does humans. If left undiagnosed or untreated, the disease can cause irreversible joint damage, leading to pain and restrictions on a pet's mobility and overall quality of life.
States with the highest prevalence of Arthritis are:
Signs
Arthritis is likely more common than currently reported for two reasons:
- Signs of arthritis can be hard to distinguish from those of other diseases
- Pets are very good at hiding signs of discomfort—especially cats
Signs of arthritis in dogs:
- Mild decrease in activity level
- Stiffness when standing up
- Limping
- Muscle loss
- Abnormal gait and sitting positions
- Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
Signs of arthritis in cats:
- Very subtle, even in severe cases
- Decreased activity
- Changes in normal behavior
How to Manage Arthritis
For mild arthritis:
- Lifestyle changes like weight loss
- Medications for pain and inflammation
- Moderate exercise
- Physical therapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Nutritional supplementation
For moderate to severe arthritis:
- Regular checkups and nutritional counseling with a veterinarian
- Medications for pain and inflammation (often a combination of two or more)
- Surgery
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