Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage: as it disappears, bone rubs on bone and produces pain and inflammation. It mainly affects the knee, elbow, wrist, spine and hip, and worsens with age. There is no cure, but it is manageable: moderate, regular exercise and weight control are the two most effective measures. In cats there is no limping — they stop jumping and grooming.
Key facts:
- What it is: destruction of joint cartilage, stretching of the ligament and loss of viscosity in the synovial fluid.
- Joints most affected: knee, elbow, wrist, spine and hip.
- Signs (dog): stiffness, lameness, pain, difficulty getting up; in the severe stage, crepitus, whimpering, lethargy and loss of appetite.
- Signs (cat): no limping; it stops jumping onto furniture, struggles to groom and to reach the litter tray, and becomes irritable.
- Predisposed breeds: German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever, among others.
- Treatment: weight control, moderate exercise, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories and chondroprotectors; surgery or a prosthesis in severe cases.
Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest joint diseases in dogs, and one of the most quietly disabling. Catching it early changes the outlook considerably.
What is osteoarthritis?
It is characterised by the degeneration of the cartilage that covers the ends of the long bones in the joints. That cartilage prevents friction between the bone ends; when it disappears, the bones rub together and pain and inflammation follow. In degenerative osteoarthritis there is also new bone formation in the areas near the joint, which causes still more pain.
It can affect any joint, but the most commonly affected are the knee, elbow, wrist, spine and hip. It appears and worsens with age.
What causes osteoarthritis?
Primary degeneration is the wearing of the joint as the animal ages. Secondary has many possible causes: trauma; abnormal wear from overexertion (intense, excessive exercise); congenital defects such as hip dysplasia or shoulder dysplasia; osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), in which bone and cartilage develop abnormally; obesity; and diabetes. Some breeds, such as the German Shepherd and the Labrador Retriever, are genetically predisposed.
What are the signs?
They depend on the joint affected, the age and the severity:
| Severity | Signs |
|---|---|
| Mild | The joint stiffens, activity falls and lameness appears. |
| Moderate | As well as lameness: pain, stiffness and difficulty getting up and exercising. |
| Severe | Lameness with loss of mobility; the joint creaks. The animal whimpers, loses appetite and becomes lethargic. |
How does it show in cats?
Unlike the dog, a cat with arthritis does not limp. What you will see is that it struggles to groom, no longer jumps onto furniture, or has trouble getting into the litter tray. It may also be more irritable and less inclined to move. These signs are easily put down to “just getting old”, which is why feline arthritis is under-diagnosed.
How is it treated?
Treatment is aimed at controlling and relieving the signs and improving quality of life, not at curing the disease. Surgery includes joint reconstruction procedures and even replacement with a prosthesis in the most severe cases. Medical treatment combines:
- Physical rehabilitation: a tailored plan with superficial heat and cold, ultrasound, electrostimulation, passive joint movement and stretching.
- Moderate, controlled exercise: it reduces pain, improves joint function, maintains weight and builds muscle.
- Treating obesity: excess weight overloads the joints. Feeding the pet correctly from birth is the best prevention.
- Medication: non-steroidal anti-inflammatories relieve pain and inflammation.
- Chondroprotectors: nutritional supplements that help maintain the integrity of the cartilage.
How do I improve its quality of life at home?
You must keep monitoring the animal for the rest of its life and adapt treatment to the progression of the disease. Limit activity to a level that does not worsen the signs. Feed a healthy, balanced diet. Soft bedding and warm cushions are ideal. Use ramps or steps to help it reach high places (getting into the car, for example). And remember: frequent, regular, moderate exercise is what keeps the joints mobile.
Frequently asked questions
What is osteoarthritis in dogs?
A chronic inflammation of the joints caused by the deterioration of the joint cartilage. It progresses with age.
How do I know if my cat has arthritis?
It will not limp. Watch for whether it has stopped jumping onto furniture, struggles to groom or to get into the litter tray, and is more irritable.
Can arthritis be cured?
No. Treatment controls the pain and slows the progression: weight control, moderate exercise, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories and chondroprotectors.
What exercise suits it?
Moderate, frequent and regular. Intense, occasional exercise makes the joint worse.
Arthritis is chronic: medication, rehabilitation and check-ups over years, and sometimes surgery. Petplan España (Petplan Ibérica, S.L.) reimburses 100% of the vet bill up to €3,100 a year, with a €45 excess, at any vet you choose, provided it is not a pre-existing condition. See the policy terms.
