Osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD) is the deterioration of the cartilage on the end of the bones. This causes reduced joint motion and pain, which leads to decreased activity, weight gain, and loss of muscle mass.
Some signs of OA/DJD:
- Stiffness upon rising
- Reluctance to go up/downstairs or jump up/down on furniture or in/out of the car
- Refuses to go on walks or play ball
- Difficulty posturing to toilet
- Decreased activity level
- Change in appetite or temperament (i.e., grumpy)
- Restlessness (paces a lot, won’t lie down)
Pain Management Treatments:
- Condroprotectants
- Weight control and nutrition management
- Rehabilitation
- Hydrotherapy (i.e., walking in our underwater treadmill)
- Deep Tissue Laser Therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- Environmental modification (i.e., eliminating slippery surfaces, adding padded bedding, clipping nails and hair on footpads, adding doggy steps, raised dishes, etc.)