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Medicines, therapies ease suffering for pets with arthritis

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Published: September 18, 2011

Tahlula started life as a victim of bad breeding and will end it as a victim of arthritis.

The Rottweiler had hip dysplasia and ruptured knee ligaments when she was adopted in 2006 at age 4. Ligament surgery followed, then a diagnosis of a dislocated spinal disc and arthritis so bad that the dog would cry in pain and sometimes stumble and fall. Her owner, Lea Jaratz of Cleveland, wondered at times if she was putting her through unnecessary pain and should be putting her down instead.

But after trying assorted therapies, Jaratz hit on a combination of an over-the-counter supplement, glucosamine, and a prescription drug, Tramadol, that seemed to help.

Although 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 percent to 80 percent of cats over age 15 have arthritis, Baltzer said. She 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. 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.

Be wary if your cat slows down, is irritable, doesn't want to step in its litter box, doesn't want to be petted near a joint, or stops hopping on the couch or climbing its cat tree.

The Associated Press

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