Managing Osteoarthritis Pain and Maintaining Mobility for Cats and Dogs
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Recently, Dr. Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, DABVP, Assistant Professor of Clinical Primary Care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, kicked off our guest blog post series in light of National Senior Pet Month and the importance of pain awareness and pain management as part of senior animal care by walking through why animal owners/caregivers are essential to identifying osteoarthritis and actionable strategies for owners/caregivers to recognize signs of discomfort among cats and dogs. In this next post, Dr. Krebs explains what veterinarians and animal owners/caregivers can do to help manage osteoarthritis pain and maintain mobility for dogs and cats.
When my dog was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, I learned that there are many aspects to osteoarthritis treatment, and the veterinary team recommended a combination of different approaches to improve my dog’s comfort while preserving joint function. Once osteoarthritis has been diagnosed, what can veterinarians and owners/caregivers do to help manage pain and maintain mobility for dogs and cats?
You’re absolutely right, managing osteoarthritis requires a multi-modal approach, and can start before an animal even has a diagnosis of arthritis. The management of arthritis really requires a team approach, between the owner/primary caregiver and their pet, the veterinarian, and other people in that animal’s life.
Even at a young age, there are a number of veterinary-approved joint supplements that can be given to cats and dogs to help promote joint health and to slow progression of arthritis. I always recommend talking to your veterinarian before starting an over-the-counter supplement to make sure it fits within your animal’s health care plan, but even as a doctor, I have both of my middle-aged dogs on joint supplements prophylactically.
“Managing osteoarthritis requires a multi-modal approach, and can start before an animal even has a diagnosis of arthritis.”
This should come as no surprise, but pain management is a cornerstone of managing osteoarthritis, and your veterinarian might recommend various combinations of medications to help with this. Some animals respond better to certain medications than others, so it’s important to communicate with your veterinarian if you don’t think a medication is helping, so that your veterinary team can help to make dose adjustments or add in additional treatments to help keep your animal comfortable.
Implementing a multi-modal approach to managing an animal’s arthritis doesn’t have to be daunting, and even incorporating subtle changes around the house and to the daily routine can help significantly. Helping your dog to get a better grip with yoga mats and rugs can help on slippery surfaces around the house. I put carpet treads on my wood stairs and a mat at the bottom and top of my stairs to help my dogs get better traction on the wood floors. If your animal has difficulties rising or walking/using stairs, using a Help ‘Em Up® Harness* can be a great way to save your back while also helping them with their mobility. The harness supports some of their weight, allowing them to move their limbs and focus on proper paw placement.
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Another key component of osteoarthritis management for both dogs and cats is weight management. Animals who are overweight and obese are putting more pressure on their joints, which can not only lead to the development of arthritis but can worsen an animal’s joint pain. Animals who are at a more ideal body condition (WSAVA, 2020a,b) can still experience arthritis, but tend to have better mobility overall. Working with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to help your animal with a weight loss plan can help to improve their mobility and alleviate some of the stress on their joints.
Physical therapy is another option for owners looking for a more hands-on approach to helping their pets. Veterinary rehabilitation experts can help develop both an at-home plan and in-clinic exercises to help improve mobility. In the clinic, tools such as the under-water treadmill, laser therapy, and other strength training exercises may be utilized. The rehab doctors can also provide at-home exercises and passive-range-of-motion techniques based on the diagnosis and areas affected.
It’s important to note, however, that while it may seem easy to do an online search for at-home exercises to perform with your animal, it’s always important to consult with a veterinarian and obtain a definitive diagnosis first, because it is possible to make the lameness and pain worse without proper guidance.
“Implementing a multi-modal approach to managing an animal’s arthritis doesn’t have to be daunting, and even incorporating subtle changes around the house and to the daily routine can help significantly.”
The management of arthritis in cats features many of the same mainstays as dogs but is a little more challenging due to the nature of cats, and the medications available to use. Pain management medications are often prescribed by veterinarians and may require frequent visits to the vet for redosing. As with dogs, weight management is critical, and helping cats to be less sedentary to lose weight can also help their joints. Alternative therapies, such as laser and physical rehabilitation, can also be used. And finally, making sure your cat is still able to reach places around the house may require modifications, such as adding additional landing spots, so the cat doesn’t have to jump as high, or stairs/ramps to their favorite sun-bathing spots.
In any treatment plan, the owner has to take an active role in noting what is or is not working for their pet. Every animal responds differently, so careful observation of your pet can help to make note of subtle improvements or declines. Communicating frequently with your veterinary team, especially if you think your dog or cat is in pain, can help your veterinary team to adjust the treatment plan for your pet as needed.
*Please note: C+B® does not have any financial, employment, personal, or family relationship with any products named in this guest blog post series including Help ‘Em Up® Harness or Blue Dog Designs.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) (2020a). Body Condition Score Cat. Available at: https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Body-Condition-Score-cat-updated-August-2020.pdf
World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) (2020b). Body Condition Score Dog. Available at: https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Body-Condition-Score-Dog.pdf