Degenerative arthritis can be a debilitating disease for dogs. Osteoarthritis can restrict movement, cause pain and discomfort for your pet.
There are ways to improve your pets quality of life living with this chronic disease process.
Cartrophen is an anti-inflammatory injection that acts to helps maintain joint health, including preserving joint cartilage. Initially treatment regime is four weekly injections then an assessment is made depending on the severity of your pets osteoarthritis to determine how often the treatment frequency leading continuing onwards. It is essential that your dog complete all 4 injections to ensure optimal benefit and modification of the disease process. 80% of pets respond quickly to the initial course with a reduction in lameness and pain and a subsequent increase in activity and well-being. After this time monthly booster injections are administered to preserve results.
After initial consultation from a vet, we can organise our vet nurse to administer injections at your home for your convenience.
There are other strategies you can adopt to improve your pets quality of life.
A lean body condition score is essential when managing arthritis symptoms as excess weight causes increased stress on inflamed joints. Our vets suggest Royal Canin Satiety prescribed dry food to assist in safe weight loss. If you pet meets optimal weight range for its breed and size we recommend Mobility diet from Royal Canin as it is comprised of tumeric extract, hydrolysed collagen and green tea polyphenols, nutrients known to support joint health and mobility.
Low impact, moderate exercise is important to be maintained. ‘Moderate’ exercise is subjective and will need to be discussed with your vet to determine appropriate activity levels for your dog. Exercises that support joints are hydrotherapy in pools, but not at the beach.
There are a variety of medications that can provide further comfort. The most trusted and commonly used being Loxicom, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which relieves inflammation in joints. Other medications include opioids and nerve pain. Complimentary therapies that can provide benefits your pet include massage and acupuncture. Acupuncture is offered by our acupuncture veterinary practitioner at Supervets.
If you’d like to know more about arthritis management and how you can better your pets life living with this chronic disease see our blog.
