By Dr. Rebecca MacMillan BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
Most pet parents have heard the term arthritis at some point. After all, it’s a condition that affects 80% of dogs over the age of eight years. This condition causes pain and stiffness and can severely affect the quality of life of our pets.
Read on to learn more about what causes this condition, how it is diagnosed, and how you can provide the best care for your arthritic dog.
What is arthritis in dogs?
There are actually several different types of arthritis in dogs but we will focus on the most common type – osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (commonly referred to as arthritis) is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). This is a progressive condition where the smooth, cushion-like cartilage gradually wears away. Changes to the fluid in the joint and the underlying bones also occur. This leads to pain, inflammation and changes in mobility. The pain causes dogs to use this joint and limb less, which leads to surrounding muscles and ligaments becoming weaker. The dog shifts their weight onto other areas of the body, overloading those and leading to pain elsewhere too.
What causes arthritis?
Arthritis can be caused by a combination of factors including –
Age-related wear and tear
Arthritis can be seen in any age of dog, but it is much more commonly diagnosed in older pets. Cartilage regrowth slows down and joint health starts to deteriorate. As well as general wear and tear, it can be due to worsening osteoarthritis that started much earlier in the pet’s life.
Excessive weight (obesity)
The increased weight carried by an overweight dog puts constant abnormal forces on their joints. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is extremely important for their health.
Underlying joint malformations
When joints don’t fit together smoothly, they don’t move as they were designed to. This leads to abnormal wear, leading to arthritis. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation are all common examples of this. These hereditary conditions can be passed from parents to offspring. Reputable breeders should only mate healthy dogs and carry out the indicated health screening for their breed.
Trauma or infection
If a joint has suffered from previous trauma or infection this will predispose it to arthritis later down the line. A common cause of this in dogs is cruciate ligament rupture.
Genetic predisposition
Certain breeds are genetically more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis than others, including German Shepherd dogs and Labrador Retrievers.
Signs of arthritis in dogs
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms can be subtle or intermittent, but they will progress over time. Dogs with arthritis typically show one or more of the following signs:
● Limping in one or more limbs
● Stiffness especially after rest
● Reduced activity, such as ‘slowing down’ on their walks or reluctance to play
● Struggling to jump up
● Muscle wastage
● Thickened joints
● Becoming more grumpy or tired than usual
● Flinching when painful joints are handled
● Licking or chewing painful joints
● Uneven wear on their claws
● Difficulty settling down and getting comfortable
The majority of dogs will still be eating and don’t cry out in pain, which is why so many owners don’t notice their pets are struggling.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Your vet will discuss your dog’s symptoms and perform an examination. This will include looking at their muscle mass as well as the way they move about. They will also feel your dog’s joints, assessing them for stiffness and crepitus (a grating, crunching sensation). They will watch your dog closely throughout this exam for any signs of discomfort such as tensing, licking their lips or vocalising.
Depending on their findings your vet may suggest diagnostic imaging to assess things further. Radiography (X-rays), CT scans and taking samples of joint fluid can all be helpful.
A medication trial may be suggested to assess your pet’s response to anti-inflammatories. These provide pain relief and reduce inflammation in the joints, so most arthritic dogs will show good improvement. If they don’t, then this could indicate that something else is going on.
What are the treatment options for arthritis in dogs?
While there is no cure for arthritis, there is plenty that can be done to improve your pet’s quality of life. Vets take a multi-modal approach to the management of arthritis, which is tailored to each dog. Treatment options may include one or more of the following –
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs are commonly used to treat arthritis. There are a variety of different products available, so your vet will discuss which might be best for your dog.
Monoclonal antibodies
Anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody can be administered by monthly injection to help block pain messages.
Other medications
Other pain relief may be needed in addition to or instead of NSAIDs. Your vet will discuss these options with you.
Weight management
If your dog is overweight, a weight loss programme will be advised. This will help to reduce excess pressure on your dog’s diseased joints.
Exercise management
We want dogs to continue exercising, but it must be done in a controlled manner. Check out our top tips on exercising your arthritic dog here.
Joint supplements
Supplements can help to reduce joint inflammation and improve cartilage health.
Hydrotherapy or physiotherapy
Professional physiotherapists can help with targeted exercises to improve your dog’s muscle mass, which will help support their joints. Hydrotherapy is similar but takes place in the water, supporting your dog’s weight and providing resistance for muscle building.
Complementary therapy
Other therapies such as acupuncture may be helpful in some cases.
Environmental adjustments
Making some changes to your home can help your arthritic dog. This includes laying rugs on slippery floors, keeping your pet downstairs, providing padded bedding and using a ramp to get larger dogs in and out of the car.
Surgical treatment
It is not common, but some dogs may require surgery to help manage their condition.
Summary
Arthritis is an extremely common condition in dogs, especially as they age. Affected dogs require pain relief and other management strategies to ensure they are kept as comfortable as possible. Your vet will be able to advise you on all your dog’s options so don’t hesitate to book an appointment.
The Happy Joints Quiz
Take the quiz and find out if Pawable is right for your dog