(Part 2) Managing DJD for a Happier, More Comfortable Life
Seeing your pet uncomfortable or in pain can be heartbreaking, but with the right combination of treatments and environmental adjustments, you can help them live a comfortable and pain-free life for as long as possible.
If you’d like to learn more about what DJD is and how it develops, first read Understanding Degenerative Joint Disease in Your Pet – Part 1.
Your vet can help you determine the best combination of approaches for your pet, which may include some or all of the following:
- 1. Weight Management
When a pet is overweight, there is a lot of extra weight and therefore extra stress on the joints.
Weight management is one of the most important steps you can take to help prevent the development of DJD, slow the progression, and reduce the symptoms.
Weight management is best achieved through a combination of the appropriate diet and appropriate exercise. Speak to your vet about the best approach for your specific pet, and the best choice of pet food for them.
For more information on weight management in your pet, keep an eye out for our upcoming blog on weight management.
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2. Exercise
Exercise is an important part of managing existing DJD. Appropriate physical activity helps maintain muscle strength, joint mobility, and a healthy body weight, all of which can reduce pain and improve quality of life. The key is to choose low-impact, consistent exercise and avoid activities that place excessive stress on the joints.
Examples of appropriate exercise:
- Gentle play – Slow-paced games that avoid sudden stops, twisting, or jumping
- Controlled leash walks
- Swimming or underwater treadmill
- Therapeutic exercises – Pet rehabilitation therapist
3. Environmental Modifications
Dogs and cats with DJD have special needs when it comes to their environment. Jumping and climbing can become more difficult or painful, aching joints need soft, supportive surfaces to lie on, and slipping on hard floors can become a problem as the condition progresses.
Environmental modifications to consider:
- Ramps or stairs – to help your pet climb onto higher surfaces
- Soft, supportive bedding
- Raised bowls
- Non-slip flooring
4. Appropriate Diet for Growing Large and Giant Breed Puppies
Large and giant breed puppies have special dietary requirements to ensure that they do not grow too quickly, which places too much stress on developing joints and bones. Large breed puppy foods are formulated for slow and controlled growth, as well as providing balanced calcium and phosphorus ratios to promote healthy skeletal development.
Speak to your vet to choose the best diet for your large or giant breed puppy.
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5. Prescription Joint Diets
Prescription joint diets are specially formulated to support joint health and function while helping reduce the symptoms of DJD. Prescription joint diets can be used therapeutically (to help treat pets diagnosed with DJD), or preventively (to reduce the chances of DJD developing if your pet is at an increased risk of developing DJD). It can also help to slow the progression of the disease.
Speak to your vet to determine the best food for your dog or cat.
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6. Joint Supplements
In addition to feeding an appropriate diet, adding a well-formulated joint supplement can help to maintain joint health as well as assist in reducing the symptoms of joint disease. A prescription joint diet or a joint supplement can each provide benefits on their own, but together they may offer more comprehensive support for joint health through complementary mechanisms.
In some pets, joint supplements may reduce the reliance on pain medication by helping to reduce inflammation and improve joint function. In addition, they can also help to slow the progression of DJD and ensure that the joint tissues stay as healthy as possible.
Speak to your vet to determine the best joint supplement for your dog or cat.
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7. Pain Relief
If your pet has been diagnosed with DJD, your vet is likely to prescribe pain medication for your pet, either on a continual basis, or on an as-needed basis. Discuss the best option for your pet with your vet, as well as possible side effects that you may need to be aware of with long-term use. Your vet knows your pet, their diagnosis, and any other health conditions they may have, and can help you choose the most appropriate treatment.
8. Other therapies
Other therapies that may be of benefit in some cases:
- Surgery (where appropriate)
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Laser or red light therapy
Key Points
- Early recognition and treatment of DJD can make a significant difference to your pet’s long-term comfort and mobility
- Managing Degenerative Joint Disease requires a multimodal approach
- Limiting unnecessary stress on your pet’s joints, through feeding an appropriate diet during growth, ensuring they are not overweight, and ensuring your pet gets sufficient low-impact exercise is crucial
- Joint-specific diets and supplements can go a long way in reducing symptoms and slowing the progression of DJD
- Consult your vet for the appropriate treatment for your individual pet