OSTEOARTHRITIS

Obesity is a complex disease with influences of genetics,  environmental factors, and other diseases. The Association for Pet  Obesity Prevention estimates that 54% of the pets in the United States  are overweight or obese. Why does this matter? Pets that are overweight  or obese are at risk for several diseases, including osteoarthritis  (OA). Obesity is ultimately caused by consuming more calories than  needed. The excess calories are stored are then stored as fat. Hormones  and chemicals related to inflammation are released from this fat,  causing chronic diseases such as OA. Cartoon cats with a fancy for pasta  are not aspirational for our pets. Just like people, a weight loss  journey is never all that simple and easy. However, in the end will lead  to a more enjoyable life for your companion.

How Do I Know If My Pet is Overweight?

One of the first steps to evaluating a pet that is overweight or  obese is a thorough physical examination and laboratory tests. Your  veterinarian will help you evaluate your pet’s Body Condition Score  (BCS) which evaluates body fat by observation and palpation. There is a  5-point scoring system and a 9-point scoring system. For most pets a  body condition score of 3 on a 5-point system and 5 on a 9-point system  is a good goal.

Some signs your pet is at a healthy weight are:

• Dogs: Ribs are easily felt with little fat covering. When viewed  from above a waist can be seen. From the side, a stomach tuck is  present.
• Cats: Ribs are easily felt with little fat covering as well. The  lower spine can be clearly seen. There is an obvious waist behind the  ribs with minimal stomach fat.

Tips for Weight Management

Below are some ways that can help make your pet’s weight management more beneficial and easier for the both of you:

• Weight loss foods high in protein will help encourage weight loss  and a lean body while those high in fiber will keep your pet feeling  full while consuming fewer calories.
• Be sure to calculate treats within your pet’s diet plan, save 10% for treats.
• Some good options are: low calorie treats and certain fruits and vegetables.
• Supplements may also be used for treats to simultaneously reward you  pet and create healthier joints (Examples: Flexadin Advanced, Flexadin  Plus, etc.)
• Incorporating an exercise plan is important to help your pet lose  weight and relieve joint pains. Walking is always a convenient and  inexpensive way to exercise. Duration, frequency and intensity can all  be adjusted based on the individual pet’s needs.
• Typically a pet needs to eat 20% to 30% fewer calories than it would need to maintain weight.
• Monitor weight loss. Weigh your pet every week or so and write down  the number. If weight loss stops, reevaluate what you’re doing.
• Underwater treadmill walking has also been successful for many obese  cats and dogs that have a difficult time walking on their own. (Check  for availability in your area.)
• Don’t expect a rapid drop in weight, but slow and steady weight  loss. Pets will gradually lose weight overtime with the slowest being in  cats.

Feeding a weight loss food, using supplements to maintain healthy  joints, and exercising several times a week are all key parts to a good  weight management program. However, the most important step each pet  owner needs to take is recognizing that there is a problem and to take  action. We sometimes use excuses of “she’s just fluffy” or “he’s big  boned” but honesty is needed to recognize positive changes that will  better the quality of your pet’s life. It isn’t easy but helping your  pet lose weight and maintaining an ideal weight will make them feel  better in the long run.

Aches and pains; feeling a bit creaky getting out of bed. Sound  familiar? We’re not the only ones who may experience stiff and achy  joints – our dogs and cats can too. Osteoarthritis (OA), sometimes  called degenerative joint disease (DJD) is a common condition in pets  that occurs when the cartilage protecting the bone is damaged. Similar  to humans, OA is most common in older dogs and cats. Unfortunately, this  is not just due to simple wear and tear but it can also be due to  injuries your pet has gone through over the years. Animals can suffer  from and be diagnosed with OA at any age, and certainly the more active  the animal is the higher the likelihood for injury.

Possible risk Factors of Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats:

• Breed
• Obesity
• Injuries
• Infectious Disease

Signs My Pet Has Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes changes in the affected joints that are  painful. Clinical signs of OA in dogs and cats may be subtle or more  obvious depending upon the individual pet’s pain tolerance, or the  extent of the damage to the joint.

• Your pet is a little slower to get up in the morning, or reluctant  to climb the stairs or jump from heights that were easy before.
• Sometimes your pet may limp, or favor one or more of their legs. The  limp may be worse when they first get up and gets better after they  move around a little bit.
• Another tell-tale sign is hesitancy to do some of the things that  previously were easy for your pet to accomplish. They may have  difficulty jumping into the car or onto the couch. It may be difficult  getting into or out of the litter box, and/or jumping onto furniture.
• The pain of osteoarthritis may make some pets irritable. They may  not like to be petted or groomed because it is painful to be touched or  moved.
• You know your pet better than anyone. If something seems off, it’s probably time to call the veterinarian.

The Important Role Your Veterinarian Plays

As part of evaluating your pet’s overall health, your veterinarian  will conduct a thorough physical and orthopedic exam to help pinpoint  the cause of your pet’s pain. Painful joints can usually be discovered  by touching and feeling the joint and through a range of motion  exercises. Radiographs may be taken to get a better look at the  musculoskeletal system of your pet and, in some cases, joint fluid  analyzed to determine the cause of pain.

The plan your veterinarian develops will be based on those mentioned  exams combined with your pet’s health history. Keep track of changes you  see to add to the discussions with your vet.

• Has there been a recent injury?
• Is the stiffness or lameness only in the morning or throughout the day?
• Is the lameness in the same leg all the time or different legs?
• Is the stiffness worse in cold weather?
• Does it seem difficult for your pet to reach certain areas when grooming?
• Is there a lapse in litter box habits?

As your pet’s best advocate, talk to your veterinarian about what you  have observed. It’s a good idea to take a video of your pet moving to  show your veterinarian.

It’s no secret that regular physical activity is beneficial to the  health of both people and animals. Maintaining mobility is especially  important for pets with osteoarthritis (OA). The great thing about  walking is that the duration, frequency and intensity can all be  adjusted based on the individual pet’s needs. Plus, dogs make great  exercise partners and can help motivate owners to get moving!

• Walking is a great way to bond with your dog.
• Exercise, including walking, helps with weight control. Since dogs  with OA often need better management of their weight, walking is an  important part of a weight loss plan.
• Walking gives you the chance to get in tune with nature! Too little  stimulation can contribute to a number of behavioral problems, and a  daily (or frequent) walk can reduce boredom, provide interesting sensory  interactions and opportunities for socialization. If your dog is not  used to being around other pets use caution if you meet other dogs on  your walk and use a leash when necessary.
• The positive impact of dog walking motivates some people to get  moving themselves. Having a dog as a walking buddy overcomes some of the  barriers of finding an exercise partner. A dog always has time, as  opposed to a friend who might not be able to schedule time. Dogs can  also make walking more fun and help a person stick with the exercise  program. Dogs love routine and once you get into a walking routine, your  furry companion will likely not let you forget your daily walk.
• The key is consistent and controlled exercise. High intensity activities over a short period are more likely to cause injury.

It’s good for you too!

The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation recently  announced the results of a study that explored what happened when  participants were sent emails with incentives to walk. Pet owners were  sent reminders about the benefits to their dogs of walking, and non-dog  owners were reminded of the benefits to themselves. Although both groups  increased their walking times, the dog owners accumulated significantly  more walking minutes per week than the non-dog owners! The powerful  human-animal bond can help change behavior in a positive fashion.*

A positive exercise experience is a happy and healthy one

Walking is a good exercise even for pets with OA, but be sure to keep  the experience a positive one. Some pets will benefit from being on  supplements or pain relieving medication before starting an exercise  program. Make a pledge to take more walks together and reap the benefits  of better health. Talk to your veterinarian about how to get started  and then hit the trail!

*Randomized Controlled Theory-Based, E-Mail-Mediated Walking  Intervention: Differences Between Dog Owners and Non-Dog Owners.  Richards, E. A., N. Ogata, and C.-W. Cheng. Clinical Nursing Research  (2016): 1-21. 1 July 2016

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive condition that causes joint  inflammation, cartilage damage, pain, and disability. Ouch! OA can be  managed though. A well rounded approach to managing OA may include  weight management, exercise, modifying the environment, drugs, and  supplements.

What in the world is UC-II®? 

UC-II® is a proprietary form of undenatured type II collagen* that  works in a completely different way than traditional oral supplements  such as glucosamine and chondroitin. As joints suffer wear and tear,  small bits of type-II collagen can be released from the cartilage into  the joint fluid, triggering the immune system to react, causing pain.  UC-II® targets the dog’s immune system in the digestive tract in a  process called oral tolerization. By exposing the digestive tract to  even more collagen, UC-II® “teaches” the immune cells to ignore the  loose type-II collagen, thus lessening the pain response. The process  works much in the same way an allergy can be treated by exposing it to  small amounts of the allergen over time, building up tolerance.

The efficacy and safety of UC-II was demonstrated in a trial in  dogs with OA. In the study, lameness and pain were evaluated after the  dogs were given UC-II® for 90 days. The dogs receiving UC-II® had  significant declines in lameness, overall pain, and pain during  manipulation. No adverse effects were noted and no changes were seen in  serum chemistry measurements, suggesting that UC-II® was well tolerated.

Other Helpful Supplements for Osteoarthritis 

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Omega 3 fatty acids are a  collection of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They have anti-inflammatory  properties and are vital to healthy joints. They are not produced  naturally in the body and food or supplements are good sources to add  them. Omega 3 fatty acids aid in joint health by lessoning the  inflammation that often accompanies OA. Many over the counter pet foods  add omega 3 fatty acids to the food. However, due to regulatory  restrictions, they are not allowed to add the therapeutic levels of  omega 3’s recommended for osteoarthritis management.
• Glucosamine/ Chondroitin – Glucosamine and  chondroitin are substances that occur naturally in connective tissue and  provide building block material for the components of healthy cartilage  and its structural integrity. They are in many joint health  supplements.
• Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane (MSM) – Methyl-sulfonyl-methane  is a source of sulfur required for the formation of collagen. Sulfur is  found in almost every cell in the body, and higher concentrations are  found in joints, hair, skin and nails. MSM is an antioxidant and  enhances the structural integrity of connective tissue including  cartilage.
• Vitamin C – Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps  protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are reactive  substances created by metabolic processes.

Leverage your veterinarian as a source of information

Your veterinarian is the best person to discuss any questions you  have about managing your pet with OA. Several years ago a study was done  to evaluate the quality of information regarding OA in dogs that was  available online. At that time they determined the quality of  information available on the web was questionable. Although many of the  sites had some conventional information that was reasonably accurate,  the information was often incomplete, of minimal use, and often  considered counterproductive. Your veterinarian and health care team  will be able to provide guidance on the best options for your pet.

Helping your Pet with Osteoarthritis Live Relatively Pain Free

Osteoarthritis can be managed with a multi-modal approach. Work with  your veterinarian to find the best supplement for your pet. Those  recommendations may change as the disease progresses or your pet’s  health changes. In addition to supplementation, weight reduction,  controlled exercise and modifying the environment are beneficial. These  methods along with drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories will  help break the negative cycle and allow your pet to live a long, happy  and relatively pain free life!

*UC-II® is a trademark of InterHealth N.I.

THIS INFO PROVIDED BY VETOQUINOL