Arthritis can negatively impact your pet’s quality of life.
When pets age, they may experience joint pain and stiffness that limit their ability to move comfortably.
At PetSmart Veterinary Services: Springfield, our veterinarians diagnose and manage your pet’s arthritis. We have arthritis treatment options for cats and dogs that relieve pain and improve mobility. Come to us for compassionate pet arthritis care in Springfield, PA if your four-legged companion is showing early signs of this condition or has been living with arthritis for some time.
Understanding Your Pet’s Arthritis
Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage and bones within a pet’s joints. Over time, the protective cartilage between the bones wears down, leading to pain, inflammation, and decreased mobility. This condition is more common in senior pets, but it can also develop in younger animals due to injury or genetic factors.
There are several types of arthritis, but the most common form is pet osteoarthritis, which progresses gradually as the joints deteriorate.
While arthritis can’t be cured, it can be effectively managed with the right treatment plan, helping your pet live a more comfortable life.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Pets
Recognizing the signs of arthritis in pets leads to earlier treatment. If you notice any symptoms in your pet, please schedule a veterinary appointment to evaluate their joint health for signs of arthritis. Some common indicators that your pet may be suffering from arthritis include:
- Limping or favoring one leg
- Stiffness, especially after resting or waking up
- Difficulty getting up or lying down
- Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or exercise
- Irritability or changes in behavior due to pain
- Licking or chewing at joints
- Decreased activity or playfulness
How Pet Arthritis is Diagnosed
At PetSmart Veterinary Services: Springfield, diagnosing arthritis begins with a thorough physical examination and a discussion of your pet’s medical history and symptoms. During the exam, we’ll evaluate your pet’s joints for signs of pain, stiffness, or swelling and observe their range of motion.
In some cases, we may recommend X-rays to get a clearer picture of your pet’s joint health. X-rays can be used to identify the extent of joint damage and rule out other potential causes of your pet’s discomfort. Together, these diagnostic tools enable our veterinarians to confidently diagnose your pet with arthritis and come up with a plan to manage this joint disease.
Treating Cat and Dog Arthritis
While arthritis is a chronic condition, there are several treatments available to manage your pet’s pain and improve their quality of life. Some of the most effective treatment options we use at our veterinary clinic include:
- Pain Management: Managing pain is a large part of arthritis treatment. We may prescribe pain-relieving medications such as Galliprant®, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for dogs that targets joint inflammation while being gentle on the stomach.
- Arthritis Injections: Librela™ (for dogs) and Solensia™ (for cats) are innovative arthritis shots created for long-lasting relief from pain.
- Nutritional Support: Maintaining a healthy weight keeps added pressure off the joints of pets suffering from arthritis. We’ll work with you to create a diet plan that supports your pet’s joint health. Nutritional supplements or nutraceuticals may also be recommended to strengthen cartilage and reduce inflammation. Many food and supplement options are available right inside our PetSmart location.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Gentle, low-impact exercises like short walks or swimming can keep your pet active without putting too much stress on their joints. We can also provide tips on creating a comfortable environment at home, such as adding soft bedding and ramps to reduce the need for jumping or climbing.
Our goal is to create a comprehensive arthritis management plan that enables your pet to stay comfortable and maintain their mobility for as long as possible. We will discuss all of your options to make sure that you understand your pet’s arthritis plan and choose the options that are within your budget.
Schedule Pet Arthritis Care in Springfield, PA
If your pet is showing signs of arthritis, they should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
PetSmart Veterinary Services: Springfield has arthritis treatments that manage your pet’s pain and keep them moving comfortably. If your pet is in pain and you don’t want to wait, walk-ins and same-day appointments are available. We appreciate your call in advance of arriving. Schedule a pet arthritis consultation today so that your companion can feel better tomorrow.
PetSmart Veterinary Services: Springfield offers arthritis treatments for pets in Springfield, Clifton Heights, Westbrook Park, Swarthmore, Morton, Drexel Hill, and the eastern Philadelphia area.
