Introduction

As we get older, it’s only natural that our joints suffer wear and tear. However, did you know that joint problems are also extremely common in cats and dogs, with these problems affecting not only older, but also younger pets? In fact, it is common for dogs and cats to develop a joint problem which can significantly affect the pet’s day-to-day life such as walking or playing; maintaining good joint health is a lifetime commitment.

The most common reason joint supplements are given is because of a condition of the joints called arthritis. Like us humans, this is most common in older dogs and cats, as joint function deteriorates with age, however it is possible for younger dogs to get arthritis.

It is essential to give cats and dogs the right joint supplement that contains the right ingredients, in the right composition, which they will effectively absorb. When this happens the pet will get the full benefit from the supplement which will help to support their joints.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition which causes inflammation in the joints, making movement painful and difficult. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the term used to describe the progressive deterioration of the joints due to inflammation.

Arthritis can affect any bone joint in the body. Inside the animals joint the bone surface is normally covered with a thin layer of smooth cartilage which is lubricated with a small amount of joint fluid. This joint fluid allows the bone to glide quite freely over one another with minimum friction.

Cats and dogs with arthritis can suffer pain as the cartilage within the joint undergoes a major change and can also be damaged – this makes the cartilage less smooth and results in the bone rubbing together. Arthritis can cause discomfort to the pet and cause further damage to the cartilage.

When there is an increase in friction between the bones, new bone starts to form around the joint which makes the joint stiffer, limiting movement and causing further degenerative joint disease. This increase in friction can be caused by abnormal rubbing within the joint due to joint instability, i.e., after ligament damage, damage to or abnormal cartilage development or by a trauma, such as a fracture.

Joints are filled with fluid, known as synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint. When the joint becomes inflamed the synovial fluid becomes less viscous, which in turn reduces the pet’s ability to feed the joint; this then causes the pain receptors in the joint to feel pain. In response to pain the animals body tries to stabilise the joint by building new bone around it – this leads to the cat or dog suffering from further pain and stiffness. It is a vicious cycle.

What are the signs of arthritis in cats and dogs?

Arthritis is a progressive disease with symptoms that gradually develop and worsen over time. The first thing clients are likely to notice is their pet starting to slow down; they may take it easier on walks, be reluctant to play as much, or they may no longer go up the stairs or jump onto chairs.

It is strongly recommended that should clients notice any changes in their cat or dogs’ behaviour, or their pets may “not seem themselves” they should book an appointment with their veterinary surgeon for a clinical examination.

There are a number of arthritis symptoms that can be seen in cats and dogs:• 

• Limping/lameness/seem stiff – this is the most common sign.

• Stiff gait (how they move), likely to be worse after exercise and when

first waking up

• Groaning or caution when laying down or getting back up

• Wary of you touching the joints affected

• Muscle wasting

• Tiredness

• Irritability

• Licking or chewing on areas that may be painful

Some animals that are in pain can also go off their food, so remember that although arthritis is a common reason for the above symptoms, there could be other conditions which may need different treatment.

What causes arthritis?

Most commonly, arthritis affects older dogs and cats and is caused by wear and tear on the joints. But other reasons why arthritis could occur are:

• an injury such as ligament damage or broken bones in the past

• hip dysplasia, which is a deformity of the joints.

• under-development of joints, caused by too little or too much exercise during puppyhood.

Causes of arthritis in dogs can be broadly divided into developmental or acquired.

Developmental means that they were genetically predisposed to have abnormally formed joints which become apparent as the dog grows. There are certain breeds which are more prone to arthritis like Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

Acquired means that they were not born with likelihood to develop the disease, but circumstances have caused it.

The main causes of acquired arthritis are a traumatic injury to the joint, an immune medicated disease or an injection in the joint.

How can arthritis be diagnosed?

It is the role of the veterinary surgeon to diagnose arthritis (remember as SQPs we are not allowed to diagnose!). Diagnosis of arthritis is usually based on a clinical exam alongside consideration of the symptoms the cat or dog is showing. The veterinary surgeon may also perform an x-ray or scan to confirm whether arthritis is present.

Where arthritis is suspected in younger dogs, or if there is a possibility of joint surgery that could be helpful, x-rays or other scans may be done to establish the underlying cause.

How can it be treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis in dogs or cats but the pain can be managed with anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the veterinary surgeon. Anti-inflammatories give pain relief which should help to improve mobility. There are a wide range of anti-inflammatory medications on the market which can be discussed with the veterinary surgeon.

Weight control is vital in managing symptoms. An overweight dog or cat carrying more weight may be placing unnecessary, additional pressure on the joints.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease with an estimated 50 per cent of all dogs and cats in the United Kingdom considered being above their ideal weight; this means they are putting excess pressure on joints. Obesity is when pets have excessive fat in the adipose storage areas of the body and involves an increased mass of body fat produced either by an enlargement of fat cell size alone (hypertrophic obesity) or by an increase in both fat cell size and fat cell number (hyperplastic obesity).

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between the intake of food and what energy the dog uses – as excess energy is stored as fat, which is laid down in the body tissue, resulting in weight gain, which leads to obesity.

Any excess body fat is not good for the pet’s quality of life and being overweight can affect their overall health. Overweight dogs are at greater risk of developing other serious conditions, not just joint problems but also conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

It isn’t always possible to determine the cat or dogs’ weight by looking at their size as it is very easy to underestimate the true weight. Overweight cats and dogs are usually described as having over fifteen per cent over their ideal body weight. The term obese is used when a cat or dog is over thirty per cent their ideal weight.

There are a couple of simple tests you can perform to see if the cat or dog is gaining weight.

Weighing the dog or cat: Not always an easy task but the most reliable way. Weighing a cat or dog every few months will show if they are gaining weight or staying at a consistent size.

Appearance of the ribs: How visible are the ribs? A cat or dog that is a healthy weight won’t necessarily have prominent ribs, but you should be able to feel the ribs by gently pressing along their sides. If you cannot feel them properly, this may be an indication that there is excessive fat covering them.

Waist definition: Looking at the cat or dog from above, you should be able to see an obvious “waist” that narrows between the chest and hips. This is not usually present in overweight cats and the “waist” area will probably be a similar proportion to the abdomen.

Tucked-in abdomen: Looking at the cat or dog from the side, can you see evidence of a tucked-in abdomen? An overweight cat will often show a bigger abdomen.

It is worth remembering that some medical conditions in dogs and cats can cause weight gain. Should your customer notice that their pet has gained weight (or lost weight) then they should be strongly advised to seek veterinary advice to ensure there are no underlying issues.

Just like us, feeding your dog a balanced diet with the right amount of nutrients is the key to a happy lifestyle, so it is best to stick to a reliable pet food that includes everything a dog or cat needs to stay fit and healthy.

A joint supplement – known as a nutraceutical – can be given to help support the joints. Nutraceuticals are substances that are required for the normal body structure and function. They are usually given orally in a purified form which can help improve the health and the well-being of the cat or dog.

Remember, this is not medication but a feed supplement, which is designed to support the healthy function of a joint. This can be used as a stand alone or in combination with other medications like NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) which are prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.

However, a nutraceutical can be safely prescribed by a Veterinary Surgeon, Pharmacist and SQP!

What can SQPs advise re joint supplements?

Giving dogs and cats a joint supplement can help maintain healthy joints by stimulating the joint cartilage.

Joint supplements normally have no side effects; however, it is advisable to point out to clients that should they notice any irregular signs, then they must contact their veterinary surgeon. It is recommended that (as SQPs) we check the package of the supplements for a full list of ingredients.

Joint supplements contain different ingredients which can help support the joint, including glucosamine. This is one of the most recommended supplements as it has good properties for the prevention and the treatment of joint health.

The best form is glucosamine hydrochloride; this is of the highest quality and in the purest form, giving the dog the greatest benefit. Glucosamine is one of the main substances involved in the joint cartilage, acting as a stimulant for the formation of new cartilage whilst helping to promote the production of collagen in the cartilage. Glucosamine also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect with many companies pairing glucosamine with chondroitin, as the two substances provide complementary benefits.

In joint supplements, it is chondroitin sulphate that is used; it forms a base component in the formation of joint cartilage. Chondroitin sulphate contributes to the elasticity of the joints and gives the cartilage (in the joint) its shock absorbing properties. The action of chondroitin perfectly complements the actions of glucosamine to help joint health.

Other ingredients which can be found in joint supplements are green lipped muscle. Green lipped muscle extract contains many active substances which can help relieve stiffness in pets and can improve joint mobility.

Joint supplements can also contain omega 3 fatty acids, these can aid in providing an anti-inflammatory action to help soothe stiff joints.

Vitamin E can be added in the joint supplement as this can help and support the normal structure of the joint’s cartilage.

Zinc can also be important in joint supplements as it has properties to heal the body and is required to produce collagen, which is the main supportive protein found in the cartilage, ligaments and tendons in the joint.

Some joint supplements will also contain vitamin C; this helps produce collagen in the body that forms the matrix of the connective tissue.

Joint supplements for cats and dogs come in many different forms, such as a chewable tablet, liquid or powder in a capsule. These can be given as a treat, be mixed with food or given directly into the mouth. We must advise clients on the recommended amount and ensure they follow the correct dosage.

Some joint supplements need a loading dose to ensure that the active ingredient in the supplement reaches a beneficial level in the pet’s system, before the pet goes down to a maintenance dose for long term use.

As SQPs we can advise customers on joint supplements which could benefit the pet’s overall health. There are many supplements to choose from so make sure you know the key ingredients contained in the ones your business stocks and how each are of benefit. Remember that joint problems like arthritis cannot be reversed but the discomfort the dog or cat feels can be managed to continue to give them a good quality of life and we – as SQPs we have role to play in that!