Arthritis Services

Arthritis affects your pet’s joints, causing inflammation and pain that gets progressively worse over time. This can be painful for your pet, impacting their mobility and quality of life. Our veterinary team can support your pet throughout their diagnosis to ensure they get the care to ease any discomfort. If you’d like to book an appointment to discuss treatment options, please contact us at 613-634-7474.

What are the signs of arthritis?

Depending on your pet’s age, breed or activity level, arthritis can manifest in different ways. No two cases look the same but some general signs you can look out for are:

• Pain like wincing or yelping
• Stiffness or difficulty moving around
• Avoiding activities such as playing or running
• Changes in behaviour like aggression
• Difficulty moving up or down stairs

How can I tell if my pet is in pain?

Pets aren’t able to tell us how they feel in the same way we can. They often communicate their feelings through their behaviours and actions. Even subtle changes can be an indication of your pet’s pain level, especially since they are experts at masking any discomfort. Examples include sudden changes in your pet’s behaviour like wincing, growling, or seeming more agitated than usual. If you notice any of these signs with your pet, it’s important to share them with our team. Since there is no cure for arthritis, early detection allows us to create a pain management plan to support their wellbeing.

How do you treat arthritis?

Based on your pet’s unique needs, we’ll create a plan to support their needs. Since arthritis is a degenerative joint disease, your pet could need surgery if their joints are more deteriorated. Other options include a combination of therapy treatments, diet modifications and pain medication. Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs commonly used to treat arthritis in pets.