Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.
- Journal:
- Topics in companion animal medicine
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Rychel, Jessica K
- Affiliation:
- jessicarychel@gmail.com
Plain-English summary
Osteoarthritis is a common condition in older dogs and cats that often goes unnoticed and untreated. While it can't be completely cured, there are many ways to help manage the pain and improve your pet's quality of life. Pain medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and others, are important for easing discomfort. Additionally, keeping your pet at a healthy weight and providing nutritional support for their joints can make a difference. Physical therapy can also help your pet stay active and mobile as they age. Overall, with proper management, pets can lead more comfortable lives despite having osteoarthritis.
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in aging dogs and cats but frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. Although OA cannot be cured, long-term management of the disease can be very rewarding for the veterinary medical team as well as pet owners. Managing pain with pain medications is an essential first step. There are a wealth of pain medications available, including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, gabapentin, amantadine, and tramadol. There are also physical modalities available for pain reduction. Weight management and nutritional joint support are also important in aspects of managing OA in dogs and cats. Finally, physical rehabilitation is a great way to improve mobility and keep pets active as they age.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20188335/