How many times have you heard it? “She’s just getting older” “That’s what happens when they get old” “Slowing down at his age is normal” “It is probably just arthritis, part of getting old” “All old dogs walk like that”
As a veterinarian it makes me sad to hear these things. While we can’t prevent aging and arthritis does occur more often in our aging pets, reduced mobility and slowing down does NOT have to be their new normal.
But I am getting ahead of myself, let’s start with the basics.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a degenerative condition found in joints and is sometimes called degenerative joint disease and/or osteoarthritis (OA). It causes cartilage loss, extra bone formation (called bone spurs) and in some cases thickening of the soft tissue structures supporting the joint. OA occurs often as a result of an injury that leads to abnormal joint kinetics but it can also develop with wear and tear of joints over time.
What does it look like?
OA is a painful inflammatory condition. Obvious signs in our pets are limping and not wanting to do activities they previously enjoyed. See our newsletter on spotting pain in our pets. And if you think your pet is in pain, reach out to your rehab provider to chat about it!
Why does Rehab help?
Rehabilitation therapy is about improving movement and helping the body feel more comfortable. OA can be a vicious cycle. Our pet is painful, so they move less, lose strength and confidence, and lose mobility which leads to more pain. Rehab helps to interrupt that cycle through targeted weight bearing and strength building exercises to help our pets move more comfortably. Our pets need more than their daily walk at ANY age but especially in OA cases.
A note on weight
Another VERY common problem is obesity. If our pets are not moving normally they do not burn the same amount of calories which leads to weight gain. This dramatically increases the stress on their joints and can exacerbate underlying problems or speed up OA development. Encouraging functional mobility in the aging pet can help prevent (or even treat) obesity!
Most importantly – PAIN management
Another important part of rehab is management of pain. In order to start working on weight bearing and strength building we need to address pain. Most pet owners have given their pets pain medication, and while this can be an important tool it is not the only option. Rehab providers use a variety of techniques and modalities to help reduce inflammation and associated pain in your pet. Some techniques we even teach you to do at home!
Bottom line is that mobility can be improved in cases of OA. Accepting that our pets are “just getting older” or “just slowing down” does not have to mean the end of things they love. Helping our pets live active and pain free lives is rehabilitation therapy’s core goal!
Canine Arthritis Resources & Education | Dog arthritis tips and resources
Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: What Can be Done? – Veterinary Partner – VIN