Osteoarthritis is a condition that many people have heard of, yet there are so many pets out there still suffering and not receiving the support they need. Why is this? We’re going to explore this joint disease further, but also touch on some of the reasons why animals are going untreated for this health condition.

Table of contents

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes affected animals to have stiff, painful joints. It is progressive, meaning that it cannot be cured and things will gradually worsen as time goes on.

In healthy joints, the ends of the bones have a smooth surface with cartilage and joint fluid sitting between them. This allows them to glide effortlessly as the animal moves.

In animals with osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes worn away and the ends of the bones start to rub against each other. This causes inflammation and pain. Associated swelling may also be seen, as well as the formation of new bone (osteophytosis), which contributes further to the animal’s discomfort. Over time the joints can become thickened, stiff, and uncomfortable.

Osteoarthritis can be seen in one joint, or multiple locations in the body.

What causes cats and dogs to develop osteoarthritis?

Age or wear and tear 

Osteoarthritis is most seen in older animals thanks to the normal wear and tear of life. It is also more of a problem in animals that are overweight, who will be putting more pressure on their joints hastening disease.

Genetics 

Some breeds are more prone to developing joint disease than others such as the Scottish Fold cat. This breed has a cartilage defect which gives them their characteristic folded ears, but sadly severe joint problems too. In dogs, we know that Labrador retrievers, German Shepherd dogs and Rottweilers are all very prone to this condition.

Joint Abnormalities 

Some cats and dogs can have malformations, such as hip or elbow dysplasia. These defective joints can lead to abnormal wear.

Injuries 

Trauma or surgery to a joint can lead to arthritis developing over time or as the animal ages.

Obesity

Some researchers believe that, like in humans, simply being obese and having too high a body fat percentage increases the risk of arthritis, independent of bodyweight.

How common is osteoarthritis?

The statistics vary greatly from different studies, from between 2.5% and 6.6% of the dog population (including all ages and breeds) in the UK, going up to 20% of dogs over the age of 1 year being affected. That means that potentially 1 in 5 dogs over a year of age could have this joint disease, to varying degrees.

These figures are also likely to be greatly underestimated, as not all dogs suffering from the condition will be presented regularly to a vet so will remain undiagnosed, especially in the early stages of the disease. This may be because owners are underconfident in recognising the symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, it is also recognised that some owners may also have concerns about the potential treatment costs for their pets.

The situation is even worse for cats.

A few studies have shown how poor we are at recognising joint disease in our feline companions. One study of 100 cats showed that 82% over the age of 14 years had evidence of osteoarthritis on radiographs (X-rays). Even in the cats aged older than 6 years, 61% had X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. However, only 13 out of the 100 cat owners in this study reported seeing any lameness in their pets.

This is backed by a second study that found 90% of cats older than 12 years had osteoarthritis seen on radiographs, yet only 4% of these had any mention of being arthritic by either their owner or vet.

This tells us two things about feline osteoarthritis. Cats are very good at ‘hiding’ signs of disease, but also that both owners and vets need to get better at recognising some of the more subtle symptoms of this condition in feline patients. We’ll explore these next.

What are the signs of osteoarthritis?

It’s easiest to break this down into cats and dogs, as each has some symptoms that are specific to them. Some animals may have just one symptom from the list, whereas others will have multiple.

Dogs

  • Reluctance to exercise or play
  • ‘Slowing down’ on walks
  • Struggling to jump into the car or onto the bed
  • Being restless, trembling or shifting their weight around when standing on uncomfortable joints
  • Licking or chewing at affected joints
  • Struggling going up or down steps
  • Limping or lameness
  • Stiffness especially after resting
  • Loss of muscle condition
  • Mood changes
  • Reacting when painful joints are stroked or handled

Cats

  • Sleeping more than usual
  • Difficulty jumping up onto things
  • Spending more time indoors
  • Lack of grooming (unkempt fur coat)
  • Overgrown or thickened claws
  • Loss of muscle condition
  • Stiffness especially after resting
  • Reacting when painful joints are stroked or handled
  • Difficulty getting in or out of the litter tray, with possible accidents outside of the tray
  • Mood changes
  • Reluctance to stretch or play

Is he in pain?

Many owners tell me ‘He doesn’t seem to be in pain though’ when we are discussing the possibility of their pet having arthritis.

If your pet is limping, stiff or not able to do the things they used to enjoy (going out, playing or grooming) then it is highly likely that they are in some form of pain.

Most pets will not scream or whimper with osteoarthritis, mainly because it is a disease that has crept on gradually over time. Your pet has learnt to adapt and cope with their discomfort in the early stages, simply putting up with it. However, this doesn’t make it right and we need to improve the welfare of these animals by taking active steps to help them.

This is why it is so important to observe your cat or dog for the subtle symptoms of pain listed above and seek advice from your vet sooner rather than later.

How can you help your pet?

Firstly, don’t ignore your suspicions. If you think your dog or cat could have joint issues, then get them checked out by your vet.

Your vet can then advise you as to whether further investigation is required to confirm a diagnosis. X-rays (radiography) or computed tomography (CT) can be the most useful diagnostic tools in these sorts of cases. Imaging may help to determine how severe the problem is but is also useful to determine if surgical intervention or medical/conservative care is best for your pet.

Treatment options:

For animals that require medical management, treatment options include the following –

  • Joint supplements (nutraceuticals) – these contain things like glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids which are the building blocks needed for healthy cartilage This category also includes prescription joint diets that are fortified with these ingredients. 
  • Pain relief (analgesia) – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, like meloxicam, are commonly used, but other medications may be prescribed. Some may require a combination of different drugs to manage their pain.
  • Monoclonal antibodies – Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that can be used to interrupt the transmission of pain signals, making pets feel more comfortable. These are given via a monthly injection by your vet or vet nurse.
  • Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycans – a type of joint supplement which is given via an injection to help support the cartilage
  • Weight management – Your vet may suggest a weight loss regime for your cat or dog which will help to reduce pressure on diseased joints.
  • Exercise management – being sensible with your pet’s exercise can help them to cope with their arthritis more effectively. For example, regular moderate exercise is preferable for these animals, rather than short walks in the week and a big hike at the weekend.
  • Hydrotherapy – This low-impact exercise is a form of physical therapy that takes place in water. This helps to improve the muscles that support affected joints.
  • Physiotherapy – Another type of physical therapy that helps to improve movement in affected animals. It can be useful in those suffering from joint disease or recovering from surgery

Most pets will benefit from a combination of these, depending on their individual condition. Regular check-ups will be advised by your vet which helps to ensure their joint disease is well managed but also ensures no other health issues are developing (e.g. through regular blood tests and physical examinations).

If cost concerns are putting you off from treating your cat or dog, then tell your vet! They will still want to work with you to find the best possible course of action for your budget. With so many treatment options available, there is usually something that can be done for your pet.

Final thoughts

It can be easy to turn a blind eye to subtle changes in behaviour in our pets, but it is important that we don’t! Both cats and dogs are stoic and good at ‘playing things down’, leading many owners to underestimate the amount of pain they are actually in. If you are unsure whether your pet has joint disease or not, then speak to your vet. They can work with you to confirm a diagnosis and help improve your pet’s quality of life significantly.

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