Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a painful inflammatory condition of joints that is the result of damage to a joint due to an injury (e.g. fracture), developmental disorder (e.g. luxating patella, hip dysplasia), or chronic disease (e.g. cranial cruciate ligament disease/tear) that has a negative impact on joint stability and mechanics. The original cause leads to cartilage destruction and the release of molecules in the joint that interfere with the normal balance. The cells needed to repair the cartilage become unhappy and cause a breakdown of the protective matrix in the joint, leading to more damage and loss of these cells. A negative cycle develops where cartilage continues to be damaged and the cells to replace it are dying. This catabolic disorder affects more than just the joint where it originates. The pet, as a whole, becomes painful and therefore, less mobile and less active, leading to reduced muscle and cardiovascular strength and increased weight, which exacerbates the condition further. It also affects the family because they are no longer able to play go for walks or participate in many of the activities they used to share and enjoy together.

• OA is not just a disease of senior/geriatric animals. Dogs and cats of all ages can be affected by OA.
• OA is not just a disease of large/giant breeds or obese animals. Small dogs, cats, and animals in good body condition can be affected, too. The main cause of OA is developmental.
• OA can affect any purebred or mixed-breed dog.
• OA and obesity are the number 1 cause of death in Labrador Retrievers.
• OA affects at least 2 in 5 dogs or 40% of all dogs!
• OA is the #1 cause of chronic pain in dogs. Restoration of mobility and quality of life requires a pain-free state.
• One study showed 61% of cats over 6 years old and 82% of cats over 14 years old had OA.
• Dogs and cats are very good at masking their pain and often will not appear to be in pain until they are in extreme pain.
• The pain of OA is maladaptive, meaning that it serves no physiological purpose.
• Chemical mediators released with OA decrease an animal’s pain threshold and even normal activities become painful.
• AGE IS NOT A DISEASE. If you find yourself saying that your pet is “getting old”, he/she is likely in pain and should be taken to your vet for an assessment and/or referral to physiotherapy.
• OA is a TREATABLE disease. Treatment of OA is MULTIMODAL, meaning that there is no single thing that will manage your pet’s pain and restore its quality of life. It requires a complete program that includes proper nutrition and supplements, weight management, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical pain management, and activity modification.

• Isolation, less interested in family activities or interacting with their people
• Hiding (cats, often)
• Restlessness at night, inability to settle or get comfortable
• Lagging on walks
• Slow to rise
• Hesitation to climb or jump, not able to jump as high, or missing their target
• Stiffness
• Missing the litterbox or intentionally going outside of it
• Changes in posture (e.g. crooked sit, not lifting leg to urinate)