Bark if it hurts!
 Pfizer's PetNet.com

By Steve Fox, MS, DVM, MBA, PhD, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Companion Animal Division, Pfizer Animal Health.
Prior to joining Pfizer, Dr. Fox wrote his PhD dissertation on pain management.
He is considered to be among the experts on pain management in companion animals.

Osteoarthritis: Identifying the Disease and Managing the Pain


Dog owners and their veterinarians can work together to identify and alleviate the pain of osteoarthritis in dogs. The key is to look for a change of behavior. If you see signs of pain, stiffness and lameness, you should seek consultation from your veterinarian.

Unfortunately, because pets can't tell their owners if and where they hurt, it can be difficult to know when an animal is in pain. However, we do know that the physiological mechanism of pain perception is common to both humans and animals, so a guideline to follow is that, if you think the disease, injury or procedure would cause you discomfort, you can assume it will do the same to your pet.

Dogs display a wide variety of responses to pain. They may be violent and vocalize — or quiet, withdrawn and inactive. They may be aggressive when approached, as they try to protect themselves from further pain, or they may be subdued or withdrawn. Their ears may lay flat against their head. They may lick the affected area.

The Signs of Osteoarthritis

A key to recognizing that something is wrong is a change in your pets behavior. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that progressively manifests itself over time. Pain, stiffness and lameness increase as the condition worsens. The associated behavioral changes become more apparent as the condition becomes more severe.

It is important to observe pets closely for the signs of osteoarthritis, including:

  1.     Decreased activity

  2.     Reluctance to walk, run, climb stairs, jump or play

  3.     Stiffness

  4.     Limping

  5.     Difficulty rising from a resting position

  6.     Lagging behind on walks

  7.     Soreness when touched

  8.     Yelping or whimpering in pain

  9.     Acting aggressive or withdrawn

  10.     Exhibiting other personality changes

If you notice any of these changes, see your veterinarian. The sooner the condition is recognized, the sooner the pet can be helped.

The Importance of Pain Relief

Because osteoarthritis progresses over time, the signs of the disease usually proceed from "mild" and "moderate" to "severe." As the disease advances, so does the responsibility to address the pain, lameness and discomfort.

Providing pain relief is the compassionate response. People are adverse to pain, as are pets. However, your pet's comfort is largely in your hands. Instinctively, an animal will seek comfort (for example, avoiding painful movements and protecting injuries), but pain relief through medication can only be provided by human caretakers, whether it be the veterinarian or an owner acting on a veterinarian's advice.

In addition to providing comfort, pain relief fills another important role. Pain is a form of stress, and pain-induced distress can have a variety of negative effects on the overall health of the animal.

An animal with chronic pain-pain that is long-term, resulting from a disease, injury or degenerative condition-often becomes inactive and no longer wishes to play or romp. The lack of activity can cause weight gain which exacerbates the arthritis. An animal in untreated acute pain may actually be dangerous, because of its natural response to protect itself.

Just as no two people feel exactly the same level of pain from a broken leg, surgical procedure or arthritis, pets also vary greatly in how they experience and express pain. As a result, the treatment program, especially the type and dosage of medication needed to alleviate painful signs, may also vary between animals.

Pain Relief Medication

That's why it's essential that your veterinarian be involved in prescribing the appropriate pain relief medication and treatment program for osteoarthritis in dogs. Only a veterinarian can properly diagnose osteoarthritis; and he or she will know best how to determine the proper medication and dosage. While some human medications may be used in dogs, animals react very differently to many of these drugs than people, especially in terms of side effects.

Until now, most of the treatment options were human medications. It's important to note that aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and an number of other human pain medications are licensed for use in humans and are not approved for use in animals. That's why Pfizer Animal Health invested in a new drug-RimadylŪ (carprofen)-specifically for the safe and effective treatment of pain and inflammation in dogs.

 

Rimadyl is the first modern non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug of its class cleared for use in dogs to effectively relieve pain and inflammation, proven to be safe for both first-time and long-term use.

1 Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative condition affecting an estimated 20 percent of all adult dogs.

2 Through extensive testing, it was proven that Rimadyl is both highly safe and effective 1 in alleviating the painful signs of osteoarthritis, thus making it possible to restore quality of life to America's best friend.

By Steve Fox, MS, DVM, MBA, PhD, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Companion Animal Division, Pfizer Animal Health. Prior to joining Pfizer, Dr. Fox wrote his PhD dissertation on pain management. He is considered to be among the experts on pain management in companion animals.

1. Freedom of Information Summary, Rimadyl. 2. Proprietary market research, 1996; veterinary sample size: 200. Data on file, Pfizer Animal Health.

Rimadyl is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.