Search

Search

Stages of osteoarthritis and conservative management

Stages of osteoarthritis and conservative management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease, which means that it gets progressively worse. How advanced is osteoarthritis in your dog, cat or rabbit? Your pet’s stage of arthritis will determine the steps you can take to alleviate their pain.

Monday 21st August 2017

It’s not just older pets who get arthritis. Pets of all ages, particularly larger breeds and obese pets, are more likely to develop it.

Healthy Knee Joint

Your dog can walk, run, play and climb freely.

  1. Bone is strong and dense
  2. Cartilage is intact
  3. Ligaments and tendons are resilient

Early OA

Your dog has some pain and may start lagging behind on walks.

  1. Bone Deterioration begins
  2. Cartilage starts to breakdown
  3. Ligaments and tendons weaken

Moderate OA

Your dog is slow to rise and climbs with difficulty.

  1. Bone deterioration worsens
  2. Cartilage erodes
  3. Ligaments and tendons inflamed

Advanced OA

Your dog needs help rising and has trouble walking.

  1. Bone to bone contact
  2. Cartilage breaks off
  3. Ligaments and tendons lose elasticity and are severely inflamed

Mild / early Arthritis

Signs and symptoms of mild arthritis include:

  • Slower to get up from a sitting or lying position
  • A more ‘careful’ attitude when standing, sitting, or walking upstairs
  • Less interest in exercise or playtime
  • Weight gain due to a decrease in physical activity

Mild arthritis can be very difficult to detect. Dogs, cats & rabbits have evolved to hide their pain, so you are unlikely to even notice the symptoms. If your pet has mild arthritis, an exercise programme and supplements support to slow this progression. Veterinary physiotherapy will include tailored exercises to support the affected joint(s) and supplements. We recommend veterinary products with glucosamine & chondroitin in appropriate levels and high dose Omega 3 essential fatty acids from fish source.

Moderate Arthritis

Mild arthritis eventually deteriorates to moderate arthritis. In general, this is the stage when the pain and/or lameness become visible to the owner. Your pet may be reluctant to run, jump on the sofa, or go upstairs. He may even hop a bit to avoid flexing the joints. Other symptoms of this stage include:

  • Limping or lameness, particularly first thing in the morning or after a nap
  • Joint sensitivity
  • Irritability
  • Increased pain and stiffness in cold or damp surroundings

Moderate arthritis can impact your pet’s quality of life. He seems less energetic, more listless, and doesn’t enjoy his old activities. When your pet is in this stage, light exercise such as swimming in dogs, is beneficial. Make sure he is comfortable by providing stairs or ramps where needed, and a warm and cosy bed. Veterinary physiotherapy may include pain management such as therapeutic laser, Assis Loop and a review of therapeutic exercise and supplements.

Severe / advanced Arthritis

A pet with severe arthritis can be in a lot of pain if not treated appropriately. Your veterinarian should be able to help you develop a medical and diet routine to minimize the pain. Pets with severe arthritis may:

  • Have a pronounced limp
  • Avoid walking on hardwood floors or hard surfaces
  • Be unable to go up or down staircases
  • Move as little as possible

Pain medication may be needed alongside Veterinary physiotherapy – regular massage, thermotherapy, therapeutic laser with exercise modification in addition to supplements. Acupuncture (or acu-laser-puncture) may also help improve pain management in pets with severe arthritis.

Related Products

If you would like to receive regular content like this then please sign up here.


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Read More

Reviving Hiro's Joy: The Healing Power of Shockwave Therapy for a Spirited Samoyed

Read how the introduction of shockwave therapy, a non-invasive treatment utilizing high-energy sound waves, became a turning point in Hiro's recovery

Understanding iliopsoas muscle injuries to safeguard your dog's well-being

Understanding the iliopsoas muscle and its potential for injury and pain is super helpful for you to recognise any changes in your pet. By spotting the signs, preventing overuse, and seeking timely treatment, we can ensure our furry friends remain active, healthy, and free from the discomfort of iliopsoas injuries.

Paws in Motion Announces New Clinic Opening & Founder Dr. Jane McNae Recognised as Finalist in 'The Woman Entrepreneur Award'

Hot off the paw-press!! New clinic announcement.