Living with Osteoarthritis: Jane and Fizzi’s Shared Story
For Humanimal Trust supporter Jane, arthritis isn’t just a personal challenge, it’s something she and her beloved Toy Cockapoo, Fizzi, face together. Jane has experienced first hand how osteoarthritis can affect both people and their companion animals, and her shared journey with Fizzi has given her a deep appreciation of One Medicine’s vision: that by taking one approach to understanding and treating osteoarthritis across humans and animals, we can improve the wellbeing of both.
This is Jane and Fizzi’s story
“I first noticed a year or so ago that I was really starting to struggle with my left hip. It was becoming painful and lame and it was really wearing me down and making me feel quite low. At the same time, I noticed that my dog, Fizzi, who is now 13 years old, was also lame in both her front right and back left leg. She seemed quite depressed and I could certainly sympathise because I was feeling it myself.
Two Appointments, One Diagnosis
“In the same week, I went to my GP, who referred me to their physiotherapist and suggested taking some anti-inflammatory tablets and gave me some exercises to do in the meantime. My GP suspected Osteoarthritis.
Fizzi also went to the vet, who after a thorough check, diagnosed her with Osteoarthritis. She was already on joint supplements, but now she has a 4 weekly injection( Librela) to help with pain management. This has helped her a lot.
My physiotherapist has since diagnosed me with suspected Osteoarthritis, although without a scan, it is hard to know for sure.
Shared Symptoms, Shared Treatments
“What I do know is that both Fizzi and I share the same ailment and we try to help each other out. She helps me out by just being herself and making me smile every day. I help her out with her exercises, diet and pain relief.
- We both have to have a long stretch when we wake up in the morning.
- We both have exercises that we have to do to try and improve the joint flexibility.
- We both have to have pain relief to help manage the pain.
- We both take supplements to support our joints.
- We both feel stiffer in the winter and less so in the summer (this is our happier time).
- We both have to be careful with our diets to ensure that we are not putting extra stress on our arthritic joints.
Why Isn’t There One Approach?
I have often wondered why there isn’t currently a joined up approach to support both myself and Fizzi. Why can’t I have her 4 week injection which gives her such relief?
Dogs in particularly have so many biological similarities to humans.
I am glad that Humanimal Trust exists to find a common One Medicine approach for both humans and animals.”
Jane and Fizzi’s story is a powerful reminder that osteoarthritis doesn’t recognise species. By advancing One Medicine research, Humanimal Trust is working towards a future where discoveries benefit every member of the family – whether they walk on two legs or four.
Jane is a regular monthly donor and volunteer – find out more about why she supports Humanimal Trust here.