Have you noticed a change in your dog’s behaviour, such as being less social with family members or less patient of other dogs, slowing down on walks or scratching their nails on the pavement? These little signs could be caused by the pain related to osteoarthritis and, as dogs can’t tell us that they are uncomfortable, we may assume that slowing down and becoming stiff is just part of getting old.
Which dogs get arthritis?
Although arthritis is often linked with large dogs, any arthritis in dogs can affect any breed and despite it being more likely in older animals, the leading cause of osteoarthritis is developmental joint disease. Developmental joint disease in dogs is present from a young age and may be seen as occasional hopping, swaying of the hindlimbs when walking, or sitting with one back leg sticking out. Injury to the joint and joint instability caused by poor conformation are other common triggers for arthritis. Overweight dogs really struggle with arthritis because not only are their joints being put under more strain due to the extra weight they are having to carry but also, the fat in their body can produce hormone changes that may increase the amount of inflammation in the joints.
How is osteoarthritis in dogs diagnosed?
Spotting the signs in your dog is the first step to diagnosis, these signs can then be entered into the symptom checker here. If this points towards arthritis as a cause of the signs then it is best to be examined by a veterinary surgeon. A thorough clinical examination will be performed, checking muscle mass, range of motion of the joints and any thickening, swelling or pain associated with them. Your vet can also choose from a range of techniques to confirm or assess the condition of your dog’s joints. This may include diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and fluid samples of the joints may also be taken.
What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs?
Because pain is complex, there is no one size fits all dog arthritis treatment and each dog requires an individual approach. However, the first-line treatment is usually a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDS for dogs show different results between patients, so if your dog doesn’t seem to show much improvement, it is worth discussing this with your vet and changing to a different medication rather than stopping treatment. Many cases of arthritis can be managed with NSAIDs alone but, due to the ongoing nature of the disease, often further medications are required, either long-term or for flare-ups of the condition.
Although medications are important, it is not the only tool that can be used in the management of arthritis. Regular, controlled exercise is essential, ensuring that the dog only walks on non-slippery, flat and even surfaces, ideally using a harness to provide more stability for the dog. In the home, providing non-slip surfaces such as rugs, mats or rubber matting can help the dog move around without the worry of slipping, tripping or falling. The dog should be prevented from jumping onto the sofa or running up stairs as this will aggravate the joints and could lead to a flare-up of their clinical signs. Weight loss should be encouraged through diet and a gentle increase in exercise if the dog can manage it. Help should be sought from a physiotherapist as they are well trained in using rehabilitative techniques, allowing for therapies such as hot and cold treatments, laser, massage, myofascial release, joint mobilisations and therapeutic exercises. Acupuncture is another technique that can be used to manage arthritis, many dogs are suitable to undergo this treatment and it is more accessible now, with many more vets becoming trained.
Check your pets symptoms
Surgical treatments can also be used in the treatment of arthritis. Operations which have been common in human medicine for many years, like hip replacements, are now more widely available to dogs too. In severe cases of hip arthritis, this can allow enormous improvements in quality of life. In younger dogs where arthritis may be the result of a developmental problem in a joint, surgery may be recommended. Not all veterinary practices carry out these sorts of procedures so your dog might need to be referred to a local specialist in orthopaedics.
Check your dog for signs of arthritis
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Check your dogWhat else can be done?
Although medications are important, it is not the only tool that can be used in the management of arthritis. Regular, controlled exercise is essential, ensuring that the dog only walks on non-slippery, flat and even surfaces, ideally using a harness to provide more stability for the dog. In the home, providing non-slip surfaces such as rugs, mats or rubber matting can help the dog move around without the worry of slipping, tripping or falling. The dog should be prevented from jumping onto the sofa or running up stairs as this will aggravate the joints and could lead to a flare-up of their clinical signs. Weight loss should be encouraged through diet and a gentle increase in exercise if the dog can manage it. Help should be sought from a physiotherapist as they are well trained in using rehabilitative techniques, allowing for therapies such as hot and cold treatments, laser, massage, myofascial release, joint mobilisations and therapeutic exercises. Acupuncture is another technique that can be used to manage arthritis, many dogs are suitable to undergo this treatment and it is more accessible now, with many more vets becoming trained.
Where can I find out more information about arthritis?
There are a wide range of resources and articles available here.
More information can be found at Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) - an organisation that was set up by vet Hannah Capon to increase the awareness of arthritis in dogs. After practising as a vet for 14 years, Hannah became saddened and frustrated by the fact that a large proportion of animals seen by her for euthanasia were dogs with poorly controlled arthritis. She started to think about what could be done to improve the early diagonosis of arthritis as well as providing information about the various treatment options available. Their website provides a wealth of information, helping owners to understand more about arthritis and what you can do to improve your dog’s quality of life. CAM also hosts regular free live events on Facebook with experts in the field, aiming to explore the disease in more detail, as well as providing a safe, evidence-based social media community for owners to seek support.
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