You can ease pet’s arthritis pain
By SUE MANNING August 29, 2011 5:40PM
A leg massage eases the pain for 9-year-old Tahlula. | AP
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Updated: November 4, 2011 5:33PM
While arthritis in dogs and cats is not curable, it is treatable, and pet owners should experiment with medicines, therapies and lifestyle changes until they find an approach that eases the pain and inflammation, said Dr. Wendy Baltzer, a veterinarian, surgeon and director of the Small Animal Rehabilitation Center at Oregon State University.
One in five dogs has severe arthritis and 75 to 80 percent of cats over age 15 have arthritis, Baltzer said.
“I always tell owners: ‘Yes. Try. Do.’ But if it doesn’t work, it’s OK, it’s just that it’s not going to work for your dog,” Baltzer said.
Baltzer also stressed that overweight, sedentary pets are at higher risk for severe arthritis. Lean should be a lifestyle, exercise a habit and moderation in play a must, the veterinarian said.
“The more weight you have, the more damage you do to the joint,” she said.
Things young dogs do — leaping for balls, screeching to a stop after fetching, trying to stop on slick floors, running on concrete — can take a toll, she said.
Grassy play areas and rugs on wooden floors will ease pressure on young joints. For arthritic dogs, soft beds, raised feeders and car ramps will help. If a flight of stairs becomes a problem, a pet may have to learn to live on one level. Swimming is a good form of exercise because it does not stress the joints, she added.
Therapies — some still experimental in terms of research results but said anecdotally by veterinarians to provide some relief — include acupuncture, laser, massage, ultrasound, water, pulse signal, shockwave and stem cell treatments. Baltzer often recommends glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
AP
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