Arthritis Care

Arthritis is a degenerative disease that your pet can develop at any time. Most senior pets will develop some form of arthritis. The disease can affect pets in their elbows, ankles, hips, and other bones. The cartilage between the bones wears down, causing inflammation and unbearable joint pain. If treatment is not sought, the pain can cause extreme discomfort in pets. Unfortunately, arthritis is incurable, but our veterinarians can provide different types of treatment to help ease your pet's pain. If you think your pet might be affected by arthritis, call us today at 416-538-8387.

How do I know if my pet has arthritis?

Pets can hide their pain in the initial stages of a disease. This means you need to pay attention to changes in their behaviour to notice signs of arthritis. Some signs may include the following:

• Irritation
• Limping and/or difficulty in moving limbs
• Difficulty using stairs and the litterbox
• Swollen and stiff joints
• Inflammation and discolouration around joints

What kinds of treatments are available for treating arthritis?

Veterinarians will build a treatment plan to help ease the pain and discomfort in pets. A treatment plan is usually a combination of treatments such as:

• Medications, nutritional supplements, and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Change in diet and exercise regimen
• Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for inflammation and pain
• Surgery
• Laser therapy
• Hydrotherapy and other pain management therapy sessions