Arthritis can be painful for your pet, especially as they age or their joints experience more wear and tear. Our veterinary team is here to support your pet’s pain management by providing individual care that meets their unique needs. If you’re interested in discussing ways to treat your pet’s arthritis, please contact us at 604-464-6666.
What causes arthritis?
Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease, which means the wearing away of the cartilage between your pet’s joints gets worse over time. As they lose more of this protective cartilage, they experience pain and inflammation, which also impacts their mobility and quality of life. Larger pets are more prone to the condition since their weight creates more strain on their joints. Furry friends who’ve had multiple injuries or ones that didn’t heal properly are also at risk of developing arthritis. Though we see it more in older pets in their golden years, younger pets can still be affected.
Can you cure arthritis in pets?
Unfortunately, it is not curable but early detection can support your pet in managing the condition. There are a few signs you can look out for:
- Weight gain
- Limping
- Tiredness
- Changes in behaviour like irritability
- Shying away from physical activity
How is it treated?
Based on your furry family member’s unique needs, we’ll create a care plan that focuses on helping them maintain a high quality of life. This could include modifications to their diet, introducing regular exercise and using joint supplements. Weight management helps get your pet to a healthy weight, which lessens the strain on their joints. You can expect a combination of treatments to support your pet, like therapies including physiotherapy, acupuncture as well as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs work by helping decrease joint inflammation and pain.
