Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD).  This is defined as progressive and permanent long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints.

This differs from Arthritis.

Arthritis is the medical term for inflammation of the joints.  Osteoarthritis is used for when your pet has chronic joint inflammation caused by deterioration of joint cartilage.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis.  However, if you can recognize the signs early enough, it is treatable.

You can ask yourself these questions to see if your dog needs to be screened for osteoarthritis:

1. Is your dog less interested in participating in usual activities?
2. Does your dog seem less alert?
3. Does your dog lag behind during walks?
4. Is your dog sleeping more?
5. Does your dog have difficulty getting up or lying down?
6. Has your dog gained weight?
7. Does your dog seem less interested/harder to greet you when you get home?

We, at Day and Evening Pet Hospital, choose Galliprant® to help your dog manage osteoarthritis and so they can be more active.

Early management with Galliprant® is important.  Once pain sets in, your dog will move less and can even gain more weight.  More weight can put even more pressure on their joints which can lead to more problems.

Galliprant® is a tablet that has been proven to be safe and effective.  It’s usually given once a day (see one of our vets for the prescription for your dog).  It has been proven to target the pain and inflammation caused from osteoarthritis.