Signs of osteoarthritis pain may be mistaken for ‘normal’ signs of aging
Zoetis Inc. today announced that a survey commissioned by Zoetis, and conducted by YouGov, highlighted that whilst the majority of dog (89%) and cat owners (80%) are aware of osteoarthritis, many could be confusing the symptoms for general aging, or other health issues. With 27% of dog owners and 28% of cat owners unlikely to take their pet to the vet when they display common signs of osteoarthritis, many could be missing an opportunity to improve how their pets are feeling.
Ensuring that dogs and cats are happy and healthy is very important to their owners, with around nearly three quarters, of cat (72%) and dog (73%) owners saying that their pet's health is equally as important as their own, and around one in ten saying their pet's health is more important than their own (10% for cat owners and 12% for dog owners respectively).
"Just like in humans, osteoarthritis is a very common problem in dogs and cats – around 30-50% will be affected at some point in their lives," said Matt Gurney, Vet and President of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia. "Osteoarthritis can be very painful for your pet, negatively impacting their physical health and their emotional wellbeing. But there is hope, as there are ways your vet can help reduce the pain and improve their wellbeing. The first step is identifying the condition using the checklists we're sharing today."
There are common signs of osteoarthritis to look for, such as, in dogs tiring earlier on walks and in cats, difficulty jumping up and down from high surfaces. Treatments are available from veterinarians for osteoarthritis pain for cats and dogs.
Pet owners who are worried that their dog or cat might be suffering with osteoarthritis pain can use the Zoetis online checklists to find out more:
"The power of the human-animal bond is at the heart of what we do at Zoetis," said Jamie Brannan, Executive Vice President and President, International Operations. "We know how much pets mean to their owners and understand the strong connection between the health of people and animals. This is why we are committed to advancing pet care to improve the lives of dogs and cats who might be living in pain. Like people, pets can also suffer from osteoarthritis, and we are proud to offer solutions that can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from the condition."
