Osteoarthritis in cats and dogs

What is osteoarthritis (OA)?

It is an irreversible and progressive disease of the joint cartilage. As the disease progresses,

the cartilage thins, causing the bones to rub against each other within the joint. This leads to

inflammation, pain, and lameness, and causes the animal to redistribute its weight to other

limbs, thus accelerating the disease throughout the body.

OA can begin quite early in an animal’s life, as it can be influenced by the animal’s

conformation, weight and abnormalities in its appendicular skeleton. Certain diseases or

traumas can also accelerate the onset of the disease (e.g., cranial cruciate ligament

rupture).

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is mostly made through the physical exam and the chief complaint for the

consultation. Radiographs of the limbs may be performed, but they may not be conclusive

and might not reflect the severity of the disease. Radiographs however, allow us to rule-out

any other myo-skeletal diseases.

Here are some images that could help you identify signs of OA in your pet.

Dogs:

Treatments

The multimodal approach is prioritized when treating OA (osteoarthritis). This means using

treatments from several categories that act differently and, together, provide better pain

management. In doing so, we can help keep the animal active, maintain a healthy weight,

and improve their quality of life.

Maintaining a healthy weight, diets and physical activity

Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce stress on an animal’s joints. As a result, the

animal can stay active and move around more comfortably. Weight loss diets (e.g., Hill’s

Metabolic, Purina OM, and Royal Canin Satiety) can be used to help bring an animal back to

a healthy weight and maintain it.

Veterinary weight loss diets should always be monitored by the veterinary team to ensure

safe and healthy weight loss.

Physical activity is important for patients with OA (osteoarthritis). It helps maintain good

muscle mass to support the joints. Stairs, for example, can promote good hip extension.

What matters most is avoiding repeated high-impact activities for your pet (e.g., playing Frisbee). Regular, low-impact exercise is therefore recommended, while remaining within the

animal's comfort zone. Gradually, you can work your way up to an ideal of three 20-minute

exercise sessions per day.

Joint-support diets and omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that help arthritic patients. It takes

about four weeks for omega-3s to accumulate in the body and provide their full effect. Your

veterinarian can calculate the appropriate daily dose of omega-3s for your pet.

There are also joint-support diets (e.g., Hill’s j/d, Purina JM, and Royal Canin Joint Care) that

contain higher levels of omega-3s than standard diets and contribute to joint health.

Cartrophen

Cartrophen is an injectable medication that helps protect cartilage from degeneration by

preserving a substance called proteoglycan. In doing so, Cartrophen helps the cartilage

maintain its strength, shock-absorbing ability, and slows the progression of OA

(osteoarthritis). It also has anti-inflammatories properties. The injections are given once a

week for four weeks, followed by monthly maintenance injections.

Monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are molecules that have the ability to bind to specific target antigens.

In the case of OA (osteoarthritis), these antibodies bind to nerve growth factor (NGF), a

protein released by the body during chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis. By attaching

to NGF proteins, the medication blocks the transmission of pain signals.

Solensia is the medication used for cats, while Librela is used for dogs. These injections

are typically administered monthly at the clinic. In some cases, they may be used during

flare-ups for a few months, and then given only as needed afterward.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are given as needed, usually alongside

another treatment. Their fast-acting effect and short duration make them useful during

arthritic flare-ups. A blood panel is recommended to assess kidney and liver function before

starting NSAID therapy.

Painkillers (usually combined with an NSAID)

Pain relievers are often added to NSAIDs during arthritic flare-ups, as their effectiveness is

limited when used alone. They help manage pain but do not address inflammation.

Gabapentin is the most commonly used pain reliever, as it targets nerve-related pain by

altering the transmission of pain signals to the spinal cord. It can be given 2 to 3 times a day,

depending on the veterinarian’s prescription.

Keep in mind that an animal suffering from osteoarthritis may be uncomfortable without

showing it. Sometimes, changes in behavior such as irritability or grumpiness may be

noticed. It is important to be on the lookout for signs of OA (osteoarthritis) in your pet. The

earlier you act, the better the control over the disease!

Myriam, cAHT Lasalle Veterinary Clinic