Osteoarthritis in dogs & cats.
Thank you for visiting The Vet Lounge. Please find below the additional information on osteoarthritis as outlined in your treatment plan.
Below are a number of additional treatment options which may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis:
Exercise moderation is an important aspect of arthritis management. Initially, when a joint is painful it is necessary to decrease exercise, often to just short walks on the lead.
In the long term, it is very important to gradually increase exercise as much as possible. This allows pets to remain fit and active and enjoy a good quality of life.
However, excessive activity must be avoided since this cause cause pain to recur.
Supplements
4CYTE: available as a liquid or granules and is made from a plant seed extract rich in fatty acids. There are several studies supporting the use of 4CYTE as a cartilage protectant and natural anti-inflammatory, with pain relieving properties.
Antinol: a natural supplement made from marine lipid oils in a gel capsule formulation. Improves comfort and mobility.
Fish oil capsules: contain omega-3 fatty acids which have a natural anti-inflammatory action. A typical starting dose for fish oil is 1000 mg per 10 kg bodyweight.
Diet
Royal Canin Mobility: innovative synergistic combination of turmeric extract, hydrolysed collagen, and green tea polyphenols, known to support joints.
Weight control diets: a very important factor in the management of arthritis. Pets that are an ideal weight have fewer painful episodes and less progression of osteoarthritis than overweight animals.
Beransa (dogs) or Solensia (cats) – Monthly arthritis injections containing a monoclonal antibody that targets and neutralises a protein that stimulates pain in patients with arthritis.
Zydax – A ‘disease modifying’ osteoarthritis drug for dogs and targets the progression of the disease by reducing cartilage destruction, improving the consistency of joint fluid, and promoting cartilage healing.
These are injections that your pet receives weekly for 4 weeks, with the whole course being repeated every 3-6 months depending on the individual. Some animals benefit from monthly to three monthly booster injections.
Manual therapy, ultrasound therapy, hydrotherapy, laser therapy are rehabilitation methods that are extremely beneficial to maintain fitness, muscle mass and to reduce your pets pain and inflammation. Maintaining strong healthy muscles is imperative to help support diseased and painful joints as much as possible.
For more information on rehabilition, please visit www.caninerehabcentre.com.au.
If you have any further questions about any of the above information, please do not hesitate to contact us.