Arthritis management for dogs: Steps & Predicted Outcomes, as per Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, reviewed by Catherine Barnette, DVM, and updated on March 6, 2024.
Dogs Diagnosed with Osteoarthritis: Navigating a Treatment Plan for Canine Arthritis
There's no need to despair if your dog has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA). With the emergence of multimodal treatment options, it's possible to manage and alleviate arthritis pain while enhancing your pet's quality of life.
Understanding the Treatment Approach: A Closer Look
Upon diagnosis, your veterinarian will typically propose a multimodal treatment plan. Essentially, this involves using multiple modes of arthritis treatment for a synergistic beneficial effect. Historically, veterinarians would only prescribe pain medication for arthritic dogs, but now they recognize the value of combining therapies such as pain medication, joint supplements, weight management, surgery (if necessary), a supportive sleeping surface, appropriate exercise, and complementary therapies.
Effective treatment for dogs with OA generally focuses on:
- Early intervention
- Quality of life enhancement
- Pain reduction
- Minimizing arthritis flare-ups
- Encouraging movement through daily exercise
The success of the treatment can vary from dog to dog, requiring some trial and error to determine the best combination for your pet.
An Overview of Treatment Costs: What You Might Spend
The financial aspect of treating canine osteoarthritis depends on factors such as dog size and recommended treatments. For instance, larger dogs tend to have higher medication costs. Here is an estimated breakdown of treatment costs for different arthritis treatments for dogs:
- Pain medication: Approximately $30 to $100 per month (depending on dog size)
- Joint supplements: $15 to $50 per month (depending on product and dog size)
- Annual blood work (required for chronic pain medications): $200 to $400
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy (if needed): $200 to $400 per month
- Photobiomodulation or piezoelectric therapy: $60 to $100 per month
- Therapeutic foods (for OA or weight loss): $40 to $90 per month
- Orthopedic mattress: $300 to $400
- Surgery (hip replacements, for example): Starting from $5,000 per hip
Treating Canine Arthritis with Medications: Key Information
To address pain, most dogs with OA are started on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as:
- Grapiprant (Galliprant)
- Carprofen (Rimadyl)
- Meloxicam (Meloxidyl)
- Etodolac
- Deracoxib
- Tepoxalin
These drugs serve to reduce pain and inflammation associated with OA. They are generally well-tolerated by dogs, with a low incidence of side effects, and can be administered long-term. Regular blood tests are needed if dogs take these medications for pain management to monitor their impact on internal organs.
Apart from NSAIDs, additional pain medications like amantadine, amitriptyline, gabapentin, or tramadol may be prescribed to provide more complete pain control.
Managing Arthritis Pain in Dogs: Lifestyle Modifications
Supporting your dog's wellbeing with lifestyle modifications can significantly improve their response to treatment:
- Provide ramps for access to furniture and cars
- Use non-slip rugs on hard surfaces to prevent slipping and falling
- Offer a supportive sleeping surface proven to reduce pain and improve mobility
- Trim nails regularly to alleviate paw pain and deformity
- Perform appropriate stretching of tight muscles
- Apply appropriate heat and cold therapy on achy joints and muscles
- Explore complementary therapies such as massage, photobiomodulation, piezo-electric therapy, and acupuncture
Dietary Considerations: Weight Management and High-Quality Food
Did you know that obesity in dogs is a primary risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis? Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help both reduce pain associated with OA and slow its progression. Certain diets containing L-carnitine can facilitate weight loss.
Incorporating High-Quality Food and Joint Supplements in Your Dog's Diet: A Closer Look
- High-quality food: Feeding your dog a nutritious diet can contribute to overall health and help manage OA. Some dogs may benefit from a therapeutic diet designed to improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Joint supplements: Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil (100 mg/kg of combined EPA and DHA) have been shown to reduce pain in arthritic dogs. Some other clinically helpful nutraceuticals include Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASUs), Glucosamine hydrochloride, Chondroitin sulfate, Boswellia serrata, and CBD oil. Always consult your veterinarian for supplement recommendations.
Arthritic Dog Exercise Plan
Regular, daily movement is essential for dogs with OA as it strengthens muscles and improves flexibility. Work with a canine rehabilitation specialist or veterinarian to learn how to safely perform exercises that offer maximum health benefits for your dog. Ensure that your dog's pain is controlled before starting any exercise program.
Effective exercises for dogs with arthritis should:
- Be daily and consistent
- Condition both front and rear legs and strengthen core muscles
- Include both cardio and strength training
- Be low impact, such as walking and swimming
- Be engaging and enjoyable for your dog
Consult this helpful video for additional exercise options for dogs with OA.
Starting Your Dog on an Arthritis Treatment Plan: What to Expect
Upon starting your dog on an arthritis treatment plan, you should see immediate improvements in pain management, mobility, happiness, sleep quality, and overall quality of life. If you are not seeing improvements within a few days, reach out to your veterinarian. Continue striving for improvements in strength, endurance, and overall health by combining pain management with weight reduction or control, high-quality food and supplements, a supportive sleeping surface, and daily appropriate exercise.
[References]
- Rausch-Derra LC, Huebner M, Rhodes L. Evaluation of the safety of long-term, daily oral administration of grapiprant, a novel drug for treatment of osteoarthritic pain and inflammation, in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2015;76(10):853-9.
- Kirkby Shaw K, Rausch-Derra LC, Rhodes L. Grapiprant: an EP4 prostaglandin receptor antagonist and novel therapy for pain and inflammation. Vet Med Sci. 2016;2(1):3-9.
- To support the overall health and well-being of dogs with osteoarthritis (OA), it's important to consider mental health as well. Various stress-reducing techniques such as aromatherapy, music therapy, or even basic training exercises can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.
- In addition to physical well-being, focusing on science-backed health-and-wellness strategies can greatly benefit dogs with OA. For instance, studying the influence of cognitive behavioral therapy on canine mental health could potentially aid in managing stress related to chronic pain, further enhancing the pet's quality of life.
