Could Your Pet Have Osteoarthritis?

This checklist will help our veterinary team identify your pet’s activities and behaviors that might be signs of osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease that can be painful. 
Type
Is your dog showing signs of OA-related pain?
Think about your dog’s activity in the past week. Check all of the signs that you’ve observed in your dog.
Do you think your dog shows any signs of pain?
Have you noticed any changes in your dog’s behavior?

OA has both physical and emotional aspects.

For a dog, OA can be very painful. And, just like in humans, pain can negatively impact dogs not just physically, but also emotionally. The good news is that this pain can be managed. In a recent study, dogs showed significant improvement in both their emotional and physical well-being with the pain under control. Think about your dog’s behavior in the past week. This scale helps measure your dog’s pain based on how your dog is feeling. For each statement, circle the number that you think most accurately describes your dog.
1 = Not at all Energetic or Enthusiastic
5 = Very Energetic & Enthusiastic
1 = Not Happy or Content
5 = Very Happy and Content
1 = Not active or comfortable at all
5 = Very Active & Comfortable
1 = Not calm and relaxed at all
5 = Very calm and relaxed
Additional history that can help our veterinary team help your dog.
Has your dog ever been injured?
Have you ever given your dog medication for pain, such as aspirin?
Has your dog gained weight in the past year?
Osteoarthritis pain can be a serious problem for your cat’s quality of life and health. Without treatment, the pain will continue to get worse. Helping your cat begins by talking with your vet and coming up with a medical treatment plan to relieve your cat’s pain. Use this checklist to identify your cat’s activities and behaviors that may be signs of osteoarthritis. 
Please check all that apply to your cat:
Do you think your cat shows any signs of pain?
1 = Not at all Energetic or Enthusiastic
5 = Very Energetic & Enthusiastic
1 = Not active or comfortable at all
5 = Very Active & Comfortable
1 = Not Happy or Content
5 = Very Happy and Content
Have you noticed any changes in your cat’s behavior?
Has your cat’s personality or sociability changed?
Has your cat’s urination or defecation habits changed?
Is your cat hiding more? OR does your cat seem to be “slowing down”?