MERIDIAN VETERINARY PRACTICE LTD
11 Edith Avenue, Peacehaven
East Sussex BN10 8JB
Tel: 01273 585386
Fax: 01273 580874
vets@meridianvets.co.uk
www.meridianvets.co.uk
ARTHRITIS
This leaflet is designed to give you information about arthritis and how to
take the best care of a pet suffering from the problem. For the purpose
of this sheet where we say arthritis we mean osteoarthritis. There are
other less common types of arthritis which are not covered.
What arthritis means
Arthritis means inflamed joints. It is often just part of the ageing
process in dogs and cats (and people!). It can also happen following a
previous injury or if the animal has poor conformation (make up) of a
joint.
What you may notice
Some of the signs of arthritis are

Slowing up on walks

Limping or stiffness

Struggling to get up after rest

Trouble jumping up
It is important to realise that arthritis is painful. People often think that
animals will cry or whimper if they are in pain. Actually our patients
rarely do this. Limping and stiffness are signs of pain.
Diagnosis
In some cases, especially in older patients, we may be able to make a
diagnosis of arthritis in the consulting room, based on the symptoms your
pet is displaying at home and by examining him or her. In other cases and
especially in younger patients we will need to take x-rays under sedation
or anaesthesia to be sure of exactly what the problem is.
Treatment
One important point to realise is that arthritis cannot be cured. Once
the changes have started in the joint, they are there for life and will
progress. However, modern drugs and lifestyle changes can help to
control the symptoms of arthritis for many years.
Treatment often includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. These
drugs are strong painkillers and also reduce the inflammation in the joint.
People often notice a big improvement in their pet within a few days of
starting treatment. In many cases your pet will need daily tablets or
liquid. Sometimes, in the early stages of the disease, treatment only
needs be given only on bad days or during bad periods.
Modern anti-inflammatory drugs are generally safe and effective in
controlling pain and inflammation. There are some potential side effects
which we will discuss with you. We would advise you not to use human
drugs for your pet. We may find that one drug will suit your pet while
another won’t and we work hard to find the right drug for each patient.
If a patient is on permanent medication we will arrange a consultation
with the vet to monitor progress at least every 6 months.
Weight control is a massive part of arthritis treatment. When a pet is
overweight the extra weight causes immense extra strain on painful
joints and just aggravates the problem. We have had cases where a
patient has been able to stop long term medication after losing weight.
Our specially trained nurses run free clinics where your pet’s weight can
be monitored. The nurse will also give you advice on how much to feed
your pet to help him or her to lose weight.
Exercise is important. Dogs with arthritis need to
exercise to help keep their joints moving and
muscles strong. Getting out several times each
day is also good for general well-being. However,
arthritic patients will really struggle with long
walks, uneven ground or vigorous exercise like chasing a ball. We
recommend that arthritic dogs have 3 or more short walks each day on
even ground if possible. Long walks that the dog is not used to should be
avoided.
Other treatments
Cartilage protecting drugs can be used in conjunction with antiinflammatory drugs. They can also be useful on their own in the early
stages of osteoarthritis. We can discuss these with you as part of the
overall care of your pet.