CANINE AND FELINE DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE

By: Dr. Joni Kirch

Have you noticed that your furry canine family member may be having some reluctance taking their usual walks, seems stiff when they are getting up from lying down, having some difficulty jumping into the car for that cherished car ride they so much enjoy?  

Maybe they are limping or licking at one of their joints excessively.  Possibly not spending as much time as they used to with the family or they seem sore or even grumpy when touched?  What about your kitty?  Maybe they’re not jumping up on the counters like they used to (even though you tried so hard over the years to get them not to!), they seem a little stiff, resent being held, not grooming themselves as usual, or even having accidents outside their litter box?  Well, these can all potentially be signs of Degenerative Joint Disease (aka osteoarthritis or arthritis) in either your beloved canine or feline friend. 

Both dogs and cats very commonly suffer from arthritis pain. Did you know that degenerative joint disease (DJD), is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs and cats?  DJD occurs when cartilage becomes damaged.  Cartilage is the gelatinous “shock absorber” on the ends of bones that helps decrease joint stress by reducing the impact on these bones.  The damaged cartilage results in inflammation which in turn leads to the destruction of the cartilage and then damage to the underlying bone resulting in discomfort and pain.

DJD is more often associated with older pets due to “normal wear and tear” of a joint over the years, but can also affect many young pets due to congenital joint abnormalities or even trauma.  The degree of wear and tear on a joint over the years can be affected by how athletic your pet is as well as obesity.  Congenital bone diseases that can result in arthritis include such things as canine hip dysplasia and OCD (osteochondritis dessicans, a hereditary defect in the cartilage).  DJD is best diagnosed by your veterinarian with a thorough history, complete physical exam as well as radiographs (x-rays). 

There are several key points to keep in mind when diagnosing and treating DJD.  Keep in mind that there is no cure for arthritis and only control. The goal is to help alleviate patient discomfort, decrease further degenerative changes, and to help keep the joints as pain-free and as functional as possible. Treatment often involves what is termed as a multimodal approach, meaning that several approaches for treatment are utilized to obtain better results than a single treatment option alone.  Your veterinarian can tailor a treatment plan that best meets the needs of your pet by considering any of the following factors or treatment options:

    1.      Signs of arthritis may be subtle and easy to overlook. This is especially true for cats since they may not show obvious signs of lameness.  Many times an owner just thinks their cat is aging.   Clinical signs that your cat may have arthritis are usually in the form of behavioral or lifestyle changes.  As stated above, they may be reluctant or unwilling to jump, may not jump as high, may seem a little grouchier, possibly have accidents outside the box, and may not groom themselves as much because it hurts to twist their bodies in all sorts of angles and directions like they used to when they were young and more flexible (kind of sounds like what happens when we age as well!) 

2.      Early treatment is very important to help slow down the progression of this disease.  Starting pets on chondroprotective agents (such as Adequan) or nutraceuticals (such as glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate) early can help keep the joint healthier by supporting the cartilage structure, prevent further deterioration, and decrease inflammation and free radical damage.

3.      Keeping your pet at a healthy, lean body weight is absolutely critical not only to help prevent the development of DJD but also to help slow down the progression if it develops.  Your veterinarian can give you your pet’s body condition score.  A normal healthy weight to strive for is a 5/9.  They can also give you advice to achieve this goal if your pet has a score of greater than 6/9. 

4.      Proper exercise helps to maintain muscle mass and decrease pain.  Low-impact exercise such as swimming or walking through shallow water is best but if that is not an option, then daily leash walking or controlled jogging can help as well.  Controlled exercise is good but it is also important to rest your pet if they are having any type of flare-up of pain associated with arthritis for a few days until they are feeling better.

5.      Prescription medications to help with inflammation and pain are very useful as arthritis progresses.  There are many options for various non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) such as deracoxib (Deramaxx), carprofen (Rimadyl), etodolac (Etogesic), etc.  These medications are typically used in dogs when arthritis pain advances and your pet appears painful.  Some dogs may respond to one NSAID over another and your veterinarian can decide what may be the best medication for your pet.  Keep in mind that these medications can have potential side effects such as gastrointestinal disorders and liver or kidney dysfunction. It is therefore recommended if your pet is on any NSAID to have blood work done routinely to monitor for any problems and to watch closely for any signs of gastrointestinal disease, changes in appetite, changes in urination or drinking, etc. 

6.      It is very important to note that cats are very sensitive to NSAIDs and many of them can be very toxic or have serious side effects.  Therefore, it is recommended that you never give your cat any type of NSAID and only follow the advice of your veterinarian when considering giving your cat any type of medication.  It is also critical that it is very accurately dosed to help avoid serious, even life-threatening side effects.

7.      Therapeutic diets enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin and glucosamine can also be very  important in helping to manage DJD.  They may help with reduction of inflammation and aid in the management of arthritis.  One example of such a diet is Hill’s J/D. 

8.      Acupuncture and massage can also be alternative therapies that can provide additional pain control to help improve your pet’s quality of life as the arthritis advances.

A cat receiving acupuncture.

9.     Taking radiographs of your large breed dog while they are young (typically when they are under anesthesia for spaying or neutering) is a great time to assess whether they may have canine hip dysplasia or at risk for developing DJD in their hips as they age.  There are also options to have your dog’s hips screened either through the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or via PennHip.  These methods of radiographs allow you and your veterinarian to know whether your dog’s hips are normal.  This is very important to know especially if you have any intentions to breed your purebred dog.

Although arthritis is a very common problem amongst dogs and cats, it is not the only cause of pain or discomfort.   If you are concerned that your pet is experiencing any pain or discomfort, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to set up a consultation with them to determine if DJD is the cause or if there may be another reason for their discomfort.  With a thorough history, a complete examination and possibly radiographs, they can determine what is causing your pet’s discomfort and what options are available for treatment and management to help your pet feel better soon.