Have you noticed your dog showing signs of discomfort or pain, specifically in the joints? Your pet may have arthritis or osteoarthritis. This is even more of a risk if the animal is on the older side.
Let’s learn about dog arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as dog arthritis and osteoarthritis symptoms.
What is Canine Osteoarthritis/Arthritis?
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Like the same conditions in humans, canine osteoarthritis and arthritis are chronic and get worse the longer they go without treatment. Arthritis, and especially osteoarthritis, is found primarily in elderly dogs. Without treatment, it will get worse and worse.
We sometimes hear canine osteoarthritis called degenerative joint disease. With this condition, the joint cartilage degrades and slowly disappears. This is protective connective tissue, and when it wears down, bones grind against each other.
Also, the joints end up developing fluid inside them. There will also be new bone that grows around each affected joint.
Signs of Arthritis in Dogs
Of course, dogs can’t talk to us and let us know when they’re in pain. That’s why we have to observe our pets to see if there are any changes in behavior that may point to a problem. Below we’ll discuss several common dog arthritis symptoms.
Reluctance to Move
Too many pet owners assume that dogs always get lethargic as they age, but that’s dangerous. No matter how old your dog may be (in fact, especially if it’s elderly), a reluctance to move is something to worry about.
It may well mean your dog has osteoarthritis or arthritis. In fact, this is one of the most common symptoms of dog arthritis.
Limping/Lameness
Have you noticed your dog limping or does one or more of his legs seem lame? Bring your dog to the vet to rule out an injury. If there hasn’t been any accident of some kind, your dog may have osteoarthritis or arthritis.
When arthritis is allowed to progress and has reached the spine, lameness becomes a real risk.
Yelping when Touched
Your dog yelping when you touch him is often one of the most noticeable symptoms of arthritis or osteoarthritis in dogs. In fact, if this happens, the condition may have progressed alarmingly.
Irritability
In a lot of ways, our canine companions are just like us. You know you’ve been grouchy sometimes when you don’t feel well or are in pain. If your dog suddenly seems annoyed when you come near him or touch him, get him checked out for arthritis and osteoarthritis at the vet.
Changing Behavior
As well as irritability, changes in how the dog acts, such as constantly attending to one of his joints, can be a symptom of arthritis. For example, a dog with arthritis might constantly chew on one or more of his leg joints.
Licking, Chewing & Biting
Chewing and biting often accompany biting as a dog obsesses about painful parts of his body. If you let this go on too long, your canine companion could end up with skin inflammation and even hair loss. All of this can result in hot spots and infections.
Tiredness
Your pet will get tired from all the worrying about his arthritis or osteoarthritis pain. That’s why dogs with this condition will often end up sleeping all the time.
Muscle Atrophy
If your pet has had arthritis or osteoarthritis for a long time, his muscles may atrophy because he’s not moving around and exercising as much. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, deteriorating muscle is a common result of untreated arthritis in dogs.
Early Detection of Arthritis in Dogs
Arthritis is a common condition that affects dogs, seizing up their joints and leading to inflammation and pain that degrades their quality of life. Just like humans, arthritis is a tough disease to manage, and early detection is the best way to manage it properly.
Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that directly affects your dog’s mobility and comfort. An observant owner can notice changes in their dog’s behavior, noticing important warning signs that can help slow down the degenerative disease’s progression.
Stiffness, a reluctance to walk, and the refusal to climb stairs are all signs of arthritis. Early symptoms include limping, lameness, a loss of activity, and behavioral changes. If you notice these signs, schedule a vet visit immediately to begin treatment.
Common Symptoms
Indicators of dog arthritis include prolonged rest periods, hesitation when climbing the stairs, or clear signs of struggle after periods of inactivity. Stay aware of signs of lameness and stiff movements—your dog may favor one limb over the other, be less flexible, or have difficulty standing.
For example, your dog may have difficulty getting up after a nap. They might even hesitate or outright refuse to jump up on the couch like they used to. These early symptoms will look like laziness or exhaustion, but these are tells of joint stiffness and pain.
Behavioral Changes
Arthritis is a painful, frustrating disease that can cause behavioral changes in your dog. Your dog might become irritable, and certain areas can cause discomfort when touched. They also might lose their energy and enthusiasm, no longer playing with the toys or games they once loved. If you notice these or any other dramatic mood changes, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
Physical Examination Signs
Certain signs indicate joint pain and severe arthritis, such as swelling of the joints and overall bodily soreness. Your dog might seem more tired than usual, and won’t respond as quickly to stimuli.
Managing Arthritis in Dogs
If you suspect your pooch has arthritis or osteoarthritis, bring him to the veterinarian right away. This isn’t something you want to delay. With arthritis treatment always remember, the earlier, the better.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for arthritis and osteoarthritis in dogs. The name of the game is catching the condition early and putting together an appropriate treatment plan. Here are the common elements of arthritis or osteoarthritis management plans for canines.
Pain Management
Pain management is one of the pillars of arthritis management. For example, his veterinarian may prescribe NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to bring down the inflammation in the joints.
Ask your veterinarian about holistic approaches, too, such as aqua therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy. Certain supplements could help your dog as well. Examples include chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Weight Management
Not sure if your pet is overweight? There are certain things to look for. If you notice any of these things on your dog, he might have a weight problem. Overweight pets with arthritis will have more strain and pain than pets with arthritis at a healthy weight.
Ask your veterinarian for advice on how to modify your canine companion’s diet to help them lose weight when necessary.
Exercise Management
Of course, an overweight dog is going to have more joint strain than one at a healthy weight. It can be challenging to help a dog with arthritis lose weight, because of the difficulties with exercising.
There are solutions to this, though, and you should give your dog controlled exercise. Examples include swimming and leash walking.
Home Comforts/Environment Changes
Make sure your home offers canine comforts and modifications for your arthritic canine. Drafts can aggravate arthritis, so make sure the place your pet sleeps doesn’t have any. Warmth and padding are important.
Remember that arthritis can make traversing stairs difficult, and make any necessary accommodations.
Veterinary Treatments
While arthritis and osteoarthritis cannot be cured, they must be managed by a veterinarian. The right treatment and management make an enormous difference in your animal’s quality of life.
Only a veterinarian can know the right course of action. They will take into consideration a variety of factors, including disease progression, symptom severity, and age.
The main treatment types for arthritis and osteoarthritis include:
- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
- Disease Modifying Drugs for Osteoarthritis
- Prescription Diets and Nutraceuticals
- Physical Therapy
- Surgery
- NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are used to treat pain, inflammation, fever, and other conditions in dogs. By blocking the production of prostaglandins (chemical messengers in the body), NSAIDs can prevent the body from initiating inflammation and pain responses. Essentially, NSAIDs can help your dog feel better.
Some prostaglandins are important, as these bodily messengers regulate gastric acid, support blood clotting, protect the stomach’s lining, and maintain blood flow to the kidneys. Dogs are extra-sensitive to NSAIDs and these medications should only ever be delivered according to the strict guidelines of a veterinarian.
NSAIDs help by reducing the pain and swelling in your dog’s joints, but they should be used with care since they can also have side effects like stomach upset or kidney issues.
- Disease Modifying Drugs for Osteoarthritis
DMOADs, or disease-modifying drugs, can slow or alter the progression of osteoarthritis in dogs. DMOADs are commonly used as an injectable medication, and contain the active ingredient polysulfated glycosaminoglycan—a drug used to treat arthritis in dogs and horses. Several effects in this medication can help manage osteoarthritis, by slowing down cartilage breakdown in the joints or outright blocking cartilage destruction.
When used according to the strict directions of a veterinarian, DMOADs can help your dog build back their cartilage, improve the consistency of joint fluid, provide more joint lubrication, increase mobility, and improve the quality of life of a dog with osteoarthritis.
- Prescription Diets and Nutraceuticals
“Nutraceutical” is a combination of the words nutrition and pharmaceutical, meaning a food product that provides health and medical benefits. By adding nutraceuticals to your dog’s diet, you can help protect them against chronic diseases. Nutraceuticals work like other herbal products and dietary supplements, as they fortify food and provide additional health benefits.
- Physical Therapy
Physical therapy remains one of the best ways of treating arthritis and other mobility issues in dogs. Just like with humans, physical therapy can help reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and increase muscle strength.
Massages, stretching, and low-impact exercises can be customized to your dog’s needs. Physical therapy helps manage pain and discomfort and also improves your dog’s overall health. With proper physical therapy regimens, your dog can remain active, engaged, and playful.
Physical therapy can also help prevent further joint damage by strengthening the muscles and preventing deterioration. By adopting physical therapy early on, your dog can avoid surgery and other invasive procedures.
- Surgery
Canine arthritis surgery or hip replacement surgery can restore the range of motion and normal function of your dog’s affected joint. Hip joint surgery or replacement surgery can significantly reduce pain and improve limb function, especially in dogs with secondary conditions such as cranial cruciate ligament ruptures and hip dysplasia.
Surgery does come with its drawbacks, and considerations must be made before committing to canine arthritis surgery. Complications include scar tissue formation, infection, and implant failure. While complications are relatively rare, they can significantly impact your dog’s quality of life and recovery.
Breeds Prone to Canine Arthritis
Several dog breeds are more susceptible to osteoarthritis, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your dog will develop arthritis. Any dog can develop the disease, regardless of breed, but paying special attention to these breeds and looking out for any signs of degenerative disease will greatly increase your chance of treating osteoarthritis in your dog.
Proper exercise, diet, and regular wellness checkups can help manage and prevent arthritis in dogs.
The dog breeds most prone to arthritis are:
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Rottweiler
- Bulldog
- Pug
- Dachshund
- Boxer
- Saint Bernard
- Great Dane
Prevention Tips for Arthritis in Dogs
Preventing arthritis is possible through simple steps.
- Give your puppy a nutrient-rich diet
- Take your dog for regular vet visits
- Exercise your dog regularly and properly
- Ask your veterinarian about dog joint supplements
- Keep your dog trim and healthy
While arthritis in dogs is common, that doesn’t mean your little guy needs to have a life of pain and suffering. Genetics plays a role in osteoarthritis, but so does preventative care. By starting good habits early and developing these important preventative measures in your dog’s life, you can delay or entirely prevent arthritis in your dog.
If you’re worried about your dog’s chances of developing osteoarthritis, you should speak with your veterinarian during your dog’s next regular checkup. There are many treatment options for canine osteoarthritis.
Get Expert Care for Your Dog’s Arthritis
Don’t let your dog suffer in silence. Contact Paoli VetCare today for personalized care plans and advanced treatments that will help your dog stay happy and mobile. We have dedicated decades to proper care and prevention, providing holistic wellness for puppies, senior dogs, and pets of all kinds.
By visiting Paoli VetCare, you can get expert guidance and learn better preventative measures to help you provide your dog with excellent care. Paoli can help diagnose and treat your dog’s arthritis early on and offer personalized treatment plans, advanced care options, and expert preventative advice.
