Osteoarthritis is a disease that primarily affects joints. It is an inflammatory disease that causes damage to joints, leading to cartilage and bone changes that result in pain. Although arthritis cannot be cured, many things can be done to minimize the pain and even slow down the progression of the disease.

As osteoarthritis advances the cartilage becomes soft and wears unevenly. In more advanced cases it may wear away completely exposing the underlying bone. The course of osteoarthritis may involve osteophyte formation (bony irregular growths), bone remodeling, inflammation and deterioration of joint tissues.

Osteoarthritis is a common problem in older pets. Even youngsters (juvenile osteoarthritis) and middle aged pets can have some degree of problems, especially if an injury has occurred to set the damage in motion.

Why does it seem like so many older pets have this problem? Is osteoarthritis on the upswing? Actually the answer is yes! With medical advances, pets like people now live longer. The aging process progresses further and so more problems occur.

Actually, osteoarthritis has always been a problem with our pets, it was just not commonly recognized in the early stages. Our pets tended to suffer in silence, allowing changes to occur in the joints more rapidly. Most pet owners thought that “Fluffy’s” slowness in getting up or favoring a leg was just part of the aging process. Just ‘getting old’ no longer means nothing can be done to help. That is usually the farthest from the truth in any situation involving our pets. If something seems wrong, it probably is wrong. Once diagnosed, joint pain often can be helped, if not actually cured. Many pets suffer much more than they should because the average pet owner simply doesn’t recognize the early symptoms.

Be sure to contact Ojai Pet Hospital for an evaluation if your pet shows signs of joint discomfort or stiffness.