Arthritis
Arthritis is a generic term used in veterinary medicine
to define joint degeneration. Joints are parts of the body where
bones come together, allowing bending and movement. In the joints
the bones are held together by ligaments and muscles. In between
the bones there is a cushion that absorbs the shock caused by
weight of the body as the animal walks. This cushion is made
of a sack (joint capsule) filled with a viscous (slippery) fluid
called synovia. In the joint, the bone surface is covered with
cartilage, a tissue softer than bone that creates a very smooth
surface.
A joint may become damaged (arthritic) because of trauma,
aging, birth defects (conformation) and rarely, because of
infections. The disease involves damage to the cartilage, which
looses its smoothness; loss of viscosity of the synovia; and increasing
pain that restricts joint movement.
Most commonly, joint degeneration in domestic pets occurs in the spine (disk disease). Here the intervertebral
joints degenerate, causing stiffness in the movement of the
spine. Inflammation and deposition of calcium in the intervertebral
spaces also affect the roots of the spinal nerves, causing
deficiencies in the organs that depend on the nerve conduction.
This may translate into urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence
or constipation. At times the nerves are badly inflamed, causing
pain along the nerve. Thus the animal may become lame without
actual damage occurring in the affected limb.
Standard therapy for arthritis involves the use of
Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These are drugs that inhibit an enzyme called
cyclo-oxygenase, which mediates the synthesis of prostaglandins – mediators of pain and inflammation (COX 2)
as well as protection of gastro intestinal mucosa (COX 1). Meloxicam is the most commonly used NSAID for animals.
Meloxicam is very well tolerated by all types of dogs but because it is a COX 1 inhibitor it may cause ulceration in
the gastro intestinal tract, and it should be avoided in dogs with known gastro intestinal sensitivities (chronic
diarrhea, IBS, food intolerance). Newer NSAIDs that are COX 2 selective are being developed. NSAIDs cause renal
failure and possibly liver damage.
However, acupuncture is very effective in the treatment of arthritis. Acupuncture restores the function
of the joint and affected nerves by stimulating circulation. In some cases acupuncture is combined with NSAIDs to reduce the dose of
the drug and the frequency of acupuncture treatments.
