Arthritis is actually a group of conditions rather than a single ailment which involves damage to the joints of the body. The condition is found in many species including dogs, cats and humans. In animals, arthritis most often presents in heavy-loadbearing joints such as the hips, knees and elbows. With many treatment options available and some exciting new advancements in veterinary medicine, veterinary pet insurance can play an important part in getting your pet the help it needs at an affordable price. 

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It can be caused by trauma to the joint, infection or age but, at its root, osteoarthritis is caused by inflammation, breakdown or loss of cartilage in the affected joint. Arthritis can also take the form of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or be caused by autoimmune diseases. Infections in the joint leading to sepsis can result in septic arthritis. 

The one constant in all forms of arthritis is pain to varying degrees. Progressive degeneration of the joint can lead to greater pain. Often, habits and patterns result in discomfort under different conditions. Some patients (human or otherwise) may feel pain in the morning which may subside as the patient gets moving. In humans, even a hot shower can alleviate discomfort. 

Signs and Symptoms: In pets, arthritic discomfort is often noticed by owners as a result of their pet experiencing difficulty standing or walking (particularly after an extended period of inactivity), decreased physical activity in general, decreased interest in play or exercise, lameness or the favoring of a limb. 

Is Your Pet at Risk: Any pet can experience arthritis. Some are more prone than others leading to the reasonable conclusion that some breeds are genetically at greater risk than others. The potential for arthritis in a particular breed of dog or cat should not deter you from adopting them into your family. You should, however, ask a breeder if there is any history of arthritis in your prospective pet’s family tree. 

Important Action: Lameness, limping, favoring of a limb or whining as it tries to stand are all signs your pet needs to pay the vet a visit. If your pet’s discomfort seems to lessen as it becomes active after sleeping, let your vet know as it will aid in diagnosing the possibility of arthritis. 

Treatment: Arthritis can be treated depending on severity. Septic causes may be treated with antibiotics. Developmental or age related arthritis may be treated through physical therapy or pain management. In some cases, nutritional supplements such as chondroitin or glucosamine may be a viable solution. As a rock climber, I can attest to their effectiveness in treating joint pain and speeding recovery. Severe cases of arthritis, particularly in the hip, may require surgery. 

As mentioned in our post on hip dysplasia, there are innovative treatments in development that hold great promise. In particular, Vet Stem Regenerative Cell (VSRC) therapy has had some astonishing results. Its earliest developments were in equine medicine but it is rapidly making inroads to treating our smaller furry friends. In one story, a working dog slated for early retirement due to a joint condition was back on its feet and doing its job after VSRC therapy. This, at a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time it would have taken had hip replacement surgery been its only option (assuming that would have worked at all). For more on this fascinating new alternative to surgery visit Vet-Stem.com. 

The important thing to remember is that arthritis is such a prolific problem, not just in veterinary medicine but in human medicine as well, that it has received a fair amount of attention in both practical medicine and research. There are many alternatives available to you and you should consult your veterinarian for what will work best for your beloved pet. 

How can pet health insurance help with Arthritis: As arthritis is one of the more common pet ailments, many veterinary health insurance providers have good coverage for the treatments that are available. One of the surgical options, hip replacement surgery, is so expensive that a good health plan may be the only thing allowing some pet owners to even consider it. As always, ask questions before you commit to a plan. If your pet is one of those that tends to be prone to arthritis, ensure that you have good coverage for treatments under your plan.

Sources:

  • http://www.vet-stem.com
  • The Original Dog Bible: The definitive source for all things dog. Kristin Mehus-Roe (ed.). Bowtie Press