Beyond Pain Relief: A Multi-Modal Strategy for Treating Arthritis in Dogs

Approaching arthritis from all angles

As hard as it is for you to hear, arthritis is a progressive disease that cannot be cured. This means that damage to your dog's joint can't be repaired. If you start your pup on treatment early, however, it is a disease that can often be managed for many years, allowing your dog to continue to live life to the fullest.

Types of treatment for arthritis include:

• Pain medication
• Joint supplements
• Physical therapies
• Diet
• Weight management
• Joint injections
• Surgery

Part of your dog’s arthritis journey will involve regular visits to your veterinarian to reassess your dog's condition. You want your pet to receive the individual care they deserve, so their treatment plan should be tailor-made for their needs. Don't be alarmed if multiple veterinary arthritis treatments are advised, even early on, as this will help keep your pet pain-free and preserve their mobility.

Medication options for managing pain

Coming to terms with your dog starting long-term pain medication for the rest of their life can be upsetting and overwhelming. Medication is, however, very effective at controlling pain when started early. You may feel that your dog is still able to cope without treatment, but it’s important to understand the extent of their pain and the impact it's already having on their quality of life.

There are many different pain relief options including:

• Monoclonal antibodies – This antibody therapy option is injected during regular progress visits at the vet clinic. It targets "nerve growth factor", helping to block pain signals before they reach the brain. Since this is most effective against long-term or chronic pain, it significantly reduces your pet’s joint pain within one or two doses, giving them a new lease of life.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories – These are effective long-term pain medications that are used frequently to treat arthritis. There are several different options available for dogs, so your veterinarian will advise on the best one. Some dogs can develop side effects when taking anti-inflammatories, but these can be minimized with regular check-ups with your veterinarian.
• Additional pain relief – This may include paracetamol, gabapentin or amantadine. When treating an arthritic dog, joint pain relief means additional medications can be added to your pet’s current medication to provide the most effective pain relief.

Physical therapies for treating arthritis

You may ask how physical therapy can help my arthritic dog? Is physiotherapy really going to keep my dog mobile? Can laser therapy really reduce my dog’s pain? The simple answer is yes, physical therapy for dogs with arthritis can have multiple benefits and even reduce your dog’s reliance on medication. For the best results, however, these treatments should be started sooner rather than later.

Physical therapies available include:

• Physiotherapy – This uses specific exercises for dogs with arthritis to improve your pup’s mobility and increase their strength, helping them stay active.
• Hydrotherapy – This uses exercises in water to strengthen your dog’s muscles while minimizing stress on joints and is a great way to increase your dog’s activity levels.
• Acupuncture – Small needles are placed in specific acupuncture points to relieve pain, making your dog feel more comfortable. Only a veterinarian is permitted to perform acupuncture on animals, however, there is now a small but growing body of research into the technique.
• Laser therapy – Laser energy targets specific tissues to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. The jury is still out on exactly how effective it is for arthritis, especially in larger dogs, but many veterinarians are reporting great results.

Why weight management is important

If you only do one thing to help manage your pet’s arthritis, it should be making sure that your dog is an ideal weight or helping your overweight pet lose weight. In fact, studies have found that even a 6% weight loss in overweight dogs can significantly improve their arthritis signs. Weight management for arthritic dogs is essential, but how do you achieve this goal?

We understand how guilty you feel ignoring your pet’s sorrowful eyes when you won’t top up their food bowl and how hard it can be to resist giving them their favourite treat. However, your veterinarian will support you through this process, so don’t feel alone. Some veterinarians run weight clinics where you can get diet advice, find out how much to feed your dog and have regular weigh-ins so you can see your dog’s progress. Your veterinarian can assist you with your questions and will be the first to celebrate with you when your pup achieves their target

What is the best diet to feed my arthritic dog?

Choosing a diet for your dog can feel overwhelming at the best of times. There are lots of options available, so where do you start when trying to find the ideal diet for your arthritic dog?

There are several diet options for dogs with arthritis that you could consider:

• A veterinary mobility diet – This diet is formulated using the latest scientific research to help support your pet’s joint health. It already contains a joint supplement, so you won't need to add anything extra to your pet’s food, making it a convenient option for busy households.
• Your pet’s normal diet with a joint supplement added – There are many different joint supplements for dogs for you to choose from, all with varying ingredients and quality. So, how do you choose? Supplements are not regulated like medications, so you should pick a reputable brand, backed by scientific research. The product should also clearly list the ingredients. Your veterinarian will be able to help you choose an appropriate joint supplement.

Advanced treatment options

Alongside regular arthritis treatments, you may also consider joint injections or surgery to help give your pet longer-lasting pain relief. If successful, they can significantly improve your pup's quality of life.

Advanced treatment options include:

• Joint injections – These need to be performed while your pet is under sedation as it involves injecting medication directly into the joint to provide pain relief. These injections usually need to be repeated for ongoing pain management.
• Surgery – If your dog has joint disease, surgery may be an option to slow down arthritis progression and improve lameness. Your veterinarian will be able to advise if it's an option that can be considered for your dog.

We know that watching your beloved dog develop signs of arthritis can be distressing. Rest assured, however, that there are many treatment options to successfully keep your pet pain-free and mobile, so they can remain the happy, active dog you know and love for many years to come.