Greenbriar Animal Hospital

Dogs and cats show arthritis very differently. If you see any of the following changes in your pets, please let us know. An arthritis consultation exam can help us to develop an effective treatment plan; your pet may need blood tests and x-rays to help us determine what is going on. Once treatment is begun, expect to begin to see improvement in as little as 3 weeks, and continued improvement over 6 to 12 more weeks.

Dogs (check any appropriate boxes):

• Hesitates/slow on stairs
• Uses both back legs together on stairs
• Sits crooked (hips to one side)
• Slow to sit/slow to lie down
• Slow to get up, stiff after getting up
• Troubles getting up on slippery floors
• Tires on walks/reluctant to walk as far
• Walks stiffly
• Hesitates/needs help getting into the car
• Rarely jumps around during play
• Muscle tremors (like shivering)
• Excess panting, even when at rest
• Restlessness, can’t settle down and relax
• Limping, even occasionally

Cats (check any appropriate boxes):

• Not as good about using the litter box
• Leaves stools uncovered in the litter box
• Spends most of the time lying or sitting
• Coat is poor (greasy, unkempt, knots)
• Hesitates/slow/stops to rest on stairs
• Moves slowly and carefully
• Avoids/walks carefully on slippery floors
• Spends time hiding/in private
• Restless, especially at night
• No longer wants to be petted/touched
• Doesn’t want to play much at all
• Rarely jumps onto furniture/counters
• Acts like he wants to jump but hesitates
• No longer climbs up to higher perches

If your dog or cat shows any of the above symptoms, he may have arthritis and should be evaluated. Notice that symptoms in cats are mostly changes in behavior, while symptoms in dogs tend to be more measureable and physical. Cats practically never limp with arthritis, because their arthritis is usually on both sides (cats also take it easy on arthritic joints where dogs push). Many of these symptoms develop gradually. Eventually they will worsen, but many pets suffer in silence for a long time. For dogs, signs of pain include muscle tremors (shivering), especially in one body part. Also excess panting, restlessness, and limping. Dogs and cats only limp for one of two reasons: the leg is painful or it will not support his full weight.

Treatment can make your pet happy and much more comfortable – you’d be surprised at how much more they’ll be able to do! Treatment plans usually include weight loss, exercise therapy, vitamin supplements, medications, and modifications of your pet’s home environment. There are even special prescription foods that have all the vitamin supplements for arthritis right in the food – especially helpful for cats.

Plus, keep in mind that a common symptom of chronic tick-borne disease is that elderly pets seem to be aging faster, deteriorating in their mobility and attitude. Some older pets do not have arthritis at all – they have chronic tick-borne disease which is almost always temporary and treatable. Call us today for an appointment – there is so much that can be done for our creaky, arthritic pets – let us help yours!