Is it "old age" or is it arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that leads to pain and progressive degeneration of the joints.

• There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis, essentially the same chronic condition that humans suffer from.

• Healthy joints are covered by cartilage, a rubbery material that creates a cushion between the bones and provides a smooth surface for movement.

• When arthritis occurs, this cartilage breaks down, causing swelling, stiffness, movement problems and increasing pain

• It’s usually caused by natural wear and tear of the joints, but can also be linked to injuries, as well as joint abnormalities such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

While many cases of arthritis occur in older, overweight and larger breeds of dogs and cats, the condition can affect pets of all sizes, ages and breeds.

Unfortunately, many cases of arthritis go undiagnosed because of the common misconception that slowing down is a natural symptom of getting older. In reality, 80% of dogs over the age of 8 and 90% of cats over the age of 10 suffer from some degree of arthritis.

Recognising the signs will help you determine when your pet may need veterinary attention.

Think about your pet's behaviour in the last month. Check all the signs that you've observed below.

                                                    Sniff out arthritis pain and STOP it in its tracks!

If you have noticed any of these behaviours in your pets, it is possible that your pet is suffering from arthritis pain. While we can't completely stop the disease, one of the ways we can help is to manage the pain and give them a better quality of life.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is the new kid on the block in terms of pain management for arthritic pets. It acts like your pet's immune system whereby it targets and neutralises a protein that stimulates pain. This new technology has been developed for both dogs and cats in the form of a monthly injection, and has a proven and positive safety profile.

What can I expect?

- These medications have been shown to significantly reduce pain and improve mobility in both cats and dogs

- Improve overall quality of life of both pets and owners

- Can be used in conjunction with other common therapies

- Lasting pain relief for a full month with a single injection

They are both available at Burvale Heights Vet Hospital, so come in and have a chat with your vet to see if your pet needs some extra support.