In the last few week’s we’ve discussed the signs that dogs and cats show when they are living with arthritis. If your pet has been diagnosed with arthritis we will work with you to come up with the best management plan to keep your pet pain free.

The key to success is a multi-targeted approach as this can help reduce the need for large amounts of medication and lessen the potential side effects of any one treatment.

Things YOU can do:

• Keep your pet’s weight in a healthy range – ask Pet Doctors for a diet recommendation
• Exercise your pet in moderation to keep the joints moving and muscles toned
• Think about getting a portable ramp to help your dog in and out of the car
• Provide an additional piece of furniture so your dog or cat doesn’t have to jump so high to reach his favourite spot
• Medical treatments might include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): these help to reduce pain and inflammation quickly and may be used in the short or even long term.

Disease-modifying drugs: given as a regular injection, these help to relieve pain and help to preserve joint cartilage – ask Pet Doctors for more information.

Nutriceuticals: supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin may be helpful in improving your pet’s joint function and may help slow down the progression of arthritis.

Diet modification: a diet high in essential fatty acids (with added nutriceuticals) can help reduce inflammation and improve your pet’s mobility. Ask Pet Doctors about the specific arthritis prescription diets we have available.

Don’t forget, it’s absolutely essential you return with your pet for regular check ups so Pet Doctors can monitor their pain and mobility and adjust the program if necessary.