Treating Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term, progressive condition that affects the joints, leading to stiffness, discomfort and reduced mobility. It’s very common in older pets, but it can also develop earlier in life — especially after injury or in pets with underlying joint conditions such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
While OA can’t be cured, the reassuring news is that it can be managed. With thoughtful, ongoing care, many pets continue to enjoy a comfortable, happy and active life.
At Virtue Vets, we focus on proactive, compassionate management. As your pet’s needs change, we adapt their plan so that mobility, comfort and overall quality of life always stay at the heart of every decision we make together.
How OA Shows Up in Pets
In Dogs
Because dogs tend to be more active, signs of OA are often easier to spot:
Stiffness, especially after rest or in colder weather
Limping or slowing down on walks
Difficulty getting up, jumping or using stairs
Licking or chewing at sore joints
Sleeping more or becoming more reactive due to discomfort
In Cats
Cats are naturally skilled at hiding pain, so their signs can be subtle:
Hesitating to jump or climb
Sleeping more, often choosing lower or easier-to-reach spots
Reduced grooming or matted fur
Avoiding the litter tray or struggling to use it
Changes in behaviour such as withdrawing, becoming quieter or becoming irritable
How We Support Pets with OA
Our aim is to ease pain, protect mobility and enhance your pet’s quality of life through a personalised, multimodal approach. Every pet is different — and their care plan should be too.
• Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most powerful ways to reduce pressure on sore joints. Our nurses run supportive weight-management clinics, and even small reductions in weight can bring significant improvements in comfort.
• Exercise & Physiotherapy
Gentle, regular movement helps keep muscles strong and joints supported. We guide you on appropriate, low-impact exercise and pacing. We also offer hydrotherapy — a fantastic option for building strength without extra strain on the joints.
• Pain Relief & Anti-Inflammatory Medication
If medication is needed, we’ll carry out a full assessment and prescribe options such as NSAIDs or additional pain relief. These help reduce inflammation and stiffness, allowing pets to move more easily and enjoy daily life.
• Joint Supplements
We can recommend evidence-based supplements — such as omega-3s, glucosamine and chondroitin — that support cartilage health and help manage inflammation.
• Injectable Long-Lasting Pain Relief
Librela (for dogs) and Solensia (for cats) are newer monoclonal antibody treatments developed specifically for arthritis pain. They work by blocking NGF, a key pain-signalling molecule.
Given once a month, they provide steady, long-lasting relief and tend to have fewer side effects than traditional painkillers — helping pets move more freely and comfortably.
Call/WhatsApp +44 (0)20 3011 1032 or Email hello@virtuevets.com to find out more
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