Everyone loves puppies and kittens. Bringing them home for the first time is such a happy and exciting time! However, no one stops to think about that pet’s future. No one stops to think about the fact that those animals will get old someday. Chronic diseases will develop and your fun and rambunctious household will quiet down.
The number one cause for decreased activity in older pets is arthritis pain. Unfortunately, a large number of pets suffering from arthritis pain are left untreated. The symptoms are brushed off by many pet parents as signs their pet is “getting older”. Other pets are left on long-term NSAIDS requiring routine bloodwork to monitor liver function and once the liver values start to elevate, the NSAIDS are stopped or switched and the pet is left in pain. There are other options!
Arthritis refers to chronic inflammation of the joints causing pain. The most commonly diagnosed form of arthritis in pets is osteoarthritis (OA). OA is when the joint cartilage begins to deteriorate and bone spurs develop within the joint, causing pain and inflammation. Older pets suffering from arthritis pain will seem sluggish. Their mobility becomes limited over time and they become reluctant to participate in most activities due to pain. If your cat is suffering from arthritis, you may notice they no longer jump onto your countertops or have stopped using the high-sided/top loader litter box. Your arthritic dog who used to love long walks, may only want to walk for a few minutes at a time now. The pet may even walk with an arched back and pace through the house, indicating discomfort.
The good news is there are things to help!
First, schedule an exam with your veterinarian. They may be able to pinpoint the problem area. Your pet may only have arthritis in one joint and treatment can be focused on that joint.
Second, take a look at your pets diet. If your pet is eating a higher carbohydrate diet, then now is the time to switch to a more species appropriate diet. Carbohydrates can fuel the inflammatory processes in the body. Low carbohydrate diets have been proven to reduce inflammation in pets.
Lastly, consider your treatment options. Conventional medications can be prescribed to immediately reduce inflammation and pain. Supplements can be started to help support the joints to allow the body a chance to heal. While alternative therapies are also available and work wonders for arthritis pain, they are often left as a last resort. In my experience they should be a first line of defense.
Daily Supplementation
- Omega 3 fatty acids have been associated with reduced inflammation and increased mobility in both dogs and cats
- Glucosamine/Chondroitin with MSM has been proven to inhibit cartilage degeneration, decrease inflammation, and decrease signs of pain. These three supplements work great in conjunction with one another.
- Green Lipped Mussel has been associated with reduced joint inflammation.
- Blueberries have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Studies suggest that blueberries have the ability to reduce pain and joint stiffness. So add blueberry bushes to your gardening list. You can harvest fresh organic blueberries for yourself and your pet!
- Curcumin/Turmeric is an effective anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic that most households have on the spice rack. You can also purchase a convenient tablet form for pets.
Alternative Therapies
The most important thing you can do for a pet that is suffering arthritis is to keep them moving. While your walks may slow and shorten, they shouldn’t stop. Inactivity will cause muscle wasting, joint stiffness, and will increase pain. Think “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it”. You should also be mindful of what your pet is comfortable with and be sure to not stress the joints with a long exhausting walk. Add in a gentle muscle massage after exercise to help relax your pets muscles and stimulate blood flow.
Daily passive range of motion exercises are fairly mild exercises that will help increase joint mobility and you can perform this on your own at home. Another great thing to do with your old arthritic pet is acupressure. Acupressure uses the gentle pressure of your finger to stimulate certain points on the body. Fantastic guides to keep handy are Acu-Dog and Acu-Cat.
Many veterinarians also offer laser therapy sessions. Veterinary laser therapy uses light waves to alter the physiology of damaged tissues. The laser will help to stimulate cells within the tissues and allows for faster cellular regeneration. If you have an integrative veterinarian in your area that practices acupuncture and chiropractics, these alternative therapies can work wonders for your pet. Believe me, it sounds like voodoo, but it’s not!
Be on the lookout for future posts on acupuncture and chiropractics. My husband and I have seen, first hand, how these therapies can drastically improve quality of life.
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