Arthritis Services

Arthritis affects middle-aged and older furry friends, but young pets can still be affected by the disease. It impacts your pet’s protective cartilage like a cushion between the bones in the joints. When the cartilage is damaged, the friction of bones rubbing against each other can cause pain and discomfort. Our veterinary team offers a treatment plan to support pain management if your pet is experiencing discomfort. Please contact us if you’re interested in discussing our treatment options at 204-488-1843.

How might arthritis affect my pet?

Depending on risk factors like genetics (some breeds are more predisposed to it), obesity or injuries, your pet might be more likely to have arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type we see in pets, where their bones wear down over time. As the disease progresses, your pet might go from experiencing discomfort occasionally to feeling pain more frequently. It’s important to be aware of the signs of arthritis so your pet doesn’t suffer in silence.

What are the signs of arthritis?

Common areas arthritis might affect your pets are their shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and other joints that carry your pet’s weight. The best way to diagnose it is through physical exams and diagnostic testing, like with X-rays. These are the potential signs of arthritis you can look out for:

• Changes in their movement, like reluctance to go downstairs or jump up
• Changes in their activity level, like playing less or getting tired after short walks
• Changes in their behaviour, like irritability or whining
• Changes in their sleep patterns, like sleeping more throughout the day
• Changes in their posture, like limping or hunching over

My pet seems like they’re in pain. How can I help them?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. The best thing we can do is develop a treatment plan that decreases their pain and allows your pet to maintain a good quality of life. Treatment also helps prevent arthritis from progressively worse over time. Our team will work with you to assess what is best for your pet, which might include a combination of medication and therapeutic treatment, like acupuncture we offer at our hospital.