As our pets get older, it is important that we acknowledge the changes in their lives. Our pets love us and try not to create worry. Unfortunately, that means they don’t always like to show us when they are hurting, especially if they think they can deal with it by stopping activities they used to enjoy.

At Southern Trails Vet in Evans, GA, we often see pets living with arthritis and chronic pain that goes unnoticed. This month we are focusing on how to recognize these signs and what you can do to help.

Aging Pets and Pain: What Pet Owners in Evans, GA Need to Know

The most important takeaway is this: old age is not a disease. Our pets do not slow down, get stiff, or stop jumping/taking stairs just because they get old. Dogs and cats change these behaviors because it hurts when they do it. It is a sign of pain. In my experience, dealing with chronic pain is the number one way I can improve the quality of a pet’s life.

In our experience serving Evans, Martinez, and Woodbridge, managing chronic pain is one of the most impactful ways we can improve a pet’s quality of life.

Arthritis is one of the most common conditions we diagnose:

80% of dogs over the age of 10 have bony changes consistent with arthritis on x-rays.

90% of cats have similar changes over the age of 12.

50% of large breed dogs showing signs of arthritic change by 6 years old.

How to Recognize Signs of Arthritis in Dogs and Cats in Evans, GA

Identifying chronic pain in animals is much harder to do than sudden, acute pain. Most of these pets are not limping or holding up a paw. They are doing much more subtle things, like shifting their weight around or just hesitating to do the same actions they have always done. They change their behaviors in anticipation of pain and it is important that we note and acknowledge these changes. Because of this, pet parents are much more sensitive in noticing chronic pain than many veterinarians can be as you are the ones that are around them all the time. You see the subtle changes in behavior. When you notice something, it is important to say something to ensure timely treatment.

Identifying Pain for Dogs:

Identifying chronic, subtle pain in dogs can be tricky. They still tend to do the same things you know and love, but with slight differences. In the mornings, you need to look out for them being a bit slower to get up and get going. Typically, these dogs seem to get better as the day progresses, a result of them warming their joints up.

They can show hesitancy to take stairs, hills, or jump. They still tends to do it, but you see them hesitate to determine if it is worth the pain or not. Keep a lookout during these “challenges” to see if it seems effortless or not.

Similarly, basic activities can start to be affected. Walks can start to become more limited or they can seem more reluctant to play with their favorite toys. They will still seem excited, but it will take more out of them or they will want to do it more often.

Lastly, sometimes our pets are very subtle with their expressions of pain. They can be as subtle as facial changes such as lip licking to changes in their sleep schedule. Just like for people, it can be difficult for pets to sleep through the night if they are in pain.

The important take away is if you notice changes in your pet’s life and are unsure of the reason, talk with us at Southern Trails Vet so we can give you and your pet some piece of mind.

Identifying Pain for Cats:

Many of the signs of pain in cats are similar to those in dogs. They can be slow to get up in the morning, hesitate to take challenges, and show a decreased interest in play. Some more specific changes for cats I recommend owners look for surround jumping. Cats are a vertical species and will continue jumping until they physically can’t any more so it is important we acknowledge when they start changing their efforts to account for pain. Cats that jump and catch the surface with their front paws and then lever themselves up tend to have hip pain. Similarly, if they are bridging all the way down before jumping down it means they are trying to minimize the impact on their joints. These are early indicators that we may be able to help.

Arthritis Treatment Options for Dogs in Evans, GA

At Southern Trails Vet, we approach pain management as a layered plan, addressing different parts of the pain pathway. We think of pain control as a “pyramid” where we gain a nice base and slowly add things on if the pain gets worse. If we’re adding other treatments or therapies, we need to make sure they target different parts of the pain process so we get the best results from each one.

Anti Inflammatory Treatments for Dogs

–NSAIDs– Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory medications are by far the most common way we treat chronic and acute pain in pets. These are daily, oral medications that we can give to keep our pets comfortable. It is the equivalent of people taking high strength ibuprofen for their own pain. They are very safe for long-term use in healthy pets. However, dogs with kidney or liver disease have problems processing the medication correctly, leading to potential complications. Some NSAIDs are safer than others for these patients, like galliprant. At Southern Trails Vet, I recommend bloodwork once every 6 to 12 months to check on organ function and ensure everything is working normally. Overall, it is a low cost, oral option that is convenient and effective in keeping in our pets comfortable.

–Omega-3 fatty acids (Fish Oil)- This is the only supplement that has proven to be effective. Similar to NSAIDs, Omega-3 fatty acids can be added to the food to attack inflammation at the local level. It has a different target than NSAIDs, so they are commonly used together. The dosing for joint health is very specific and quite high. Because of this, we carry a concentrated form of Omega-3’s called Welactin Advanced so we can simplify dosing and limit the amount of oil we need to add to your pet’s diet. Omega-3’s are my favorite supplement as they also have proven benefits for both skin and cognitive health in our aging pets. Just like with other supplements it can take up to 1 month to see full results.

Nerve Pain Management Options

–Librela– Librela is a great, once a month, injectable treatment for chronic pain in dogs. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets a specific part of the pain pathway, meaning it is a very specific treatment with very little chance for side effects. It is safe for pets with other medical conditions and has the largest amount of evidence that supporting pain control of any of the nerve-based options. The only downside is that your pet needs to come into the clinic once a month, which can be stressful depending on the pet.

–Gabapentin– Gabapentin is a very common oral medicine that both people and dogs. At lower doses, it is great for chronic pain and we use it a lot for situational anxiety at higher doses. It can target the nerves directly responsible for chronic pain and greatly decrease overall discomfort. It is a very safe medication that still works well even if your pet has other medical issues. It can be given 2 to 3 times a day for pain control and most dogs tolerate it very well. It does give some initial sedation/drunkenness, but that typically resolves after the first week. It is a low cost oral medication that can really help keep your pet comfortable.

–Amantadine– This medication is similar to gabapentin as it is an oral medication that targets the nerves responsible for chronic pain. It has few side effects and works better for some pets. I typically use this as a second option in my toolbox because it is a little more expensive and can be difficult to dose for smaller dogs.

Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Support

-For non-pharmaceutical related options, physical therapy can be a great way to keep your pet moving as they get older. From chronic pain to progressive neuropathies, physical therapy is a critical resource to maintaining comfort. Unfortunately, there is not a physical therapist in town, but there is one just outside of Aiken. We regularly refer to them when it is needed and they have their own process of determining the best methods to treat your dog’s needs. They have a host of alternative therapies, including low laser therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy.

Even if you can’t go see the physical therapist, I highly recommend some basic husbandry practices to promote good health. Daily, controlled exercise is an important way to help maintain your dog’s mobility. Going for regular walks allows them to not only maintain muscle and keep their joints working, but also gives you a qualitative assessment of when things are getting worse. Similarly, swimming is a great, low stress exercise that can keep them active and healthy without stressing the joints. Adding ramps or stairs to either beds, couches, or cars is another great way to ensure your pet can be with you in their later years. If you have any questions about what you can do for your older pup, book an appointment with us so we can discuss ways to improve their lives.

Arthritis Treatment Options for Cats in Evans, Martinez, and Woodbridge

Anti Inflammatory Care for Cats

–NSAIDs– Similarly to dogs, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory medications are a common way we treat chronic and acute pain in cats. Typically, this is a once a day liquid that is easy to give. It is the equivalent of people taking high strength ibuprofen for their own pain. They are very safe for long-term use in healthy cats. Unfortunately, our older feline friends commonly get chronic kidney disease, so it is important to regularly check blood work every 6 to 12 months to ensure proper organ function while on these meds. Overall, it is a safe, low cost, oral option that is convenient and effective in keeping in our cats comfortable.

Advanced Pain Relief Options at the Nerve Perception Level

-Solensia– Solensia is a great, once a month, injectable treatment for chronic pain in cats. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets a specific part of the pain pathway, meaning it is a very specific treatment with very little chance for side effects. It is safe for pets with other medical conditions and has the largest amount of evidence that supporting pain control of any of the nerve-based options. Anecdotally, it is a favorite option for many of a clients and patients as it takes the stress out of daily meds and greatly improves the overall quality of life. The only downside is that your pet needs to come into the clinic once a month, which can be stressful depending on the pet.

-Gabapentin– Gabapentin is a very common oral medicine that both people and pets. At lower doses, it is great for chronic pain and we use it a lot for situational anxiety at higher doses. It can target the nerves directly responsible for chronic pain and greatly decrease overall discomfort. It is a very safe medication that still works well even if your pet has other medical issues. It can be given 2 to 3 times a day for pain control. It does give some initial sedation/drunkenness, but that typically resolves after the first week. The major downside is that the commercially available option doesn’t taste the best, but flavored options are available via compounding pharmacies. It is a lower cost oral medication that can really help keep your pet comfortable.

When to See a Veterinarian for Pet Arthritis in Evans, GA

If you notice any change in your pet’s behavior, it is worth a conversation.

Pet owners in Evans, Martinez, and Woodbridge are often the first to notice subtle signs. Trust that instinct.

At Southern Trails Vet, we can:

Evaluate your pet’s mobility and comfort

Recommend a personalized pain management plan

Help your pet stay active and happy longer

Schedule an Arthritis Evaluation at Southern Trails Vet in Evans, GA

Chronic pain is common, but it is also treatable.

If your dog or cat is slowing down, hesitating, or just not acting like themselves, let’s talk. Together, we can find the best way to keep them comfortable and improve their quality of life.

Arthritis and Chronic Pain in Pets in Evans, GA