Arthritis is a common joint disease in dogs. It's typically seen in older dogs, but younger dogs can also develop arthritis secondary to developmental joint problems. There’s no cure, but long-term medication and appropriate management will help dogs remain active and reduce painful flare ups.

If you notice any signs that your dog is in pain, or has started limping before or after walks, book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is important so dog arthritis treatment can be started, and the symptoms managed.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition where there’s inflammation of one joint or multiple joints. The bone surface in a joint is covered by a thin layer of cartilage and lubricated by a small amount of joint fluid. If the cartilage becomes damaged and thin, the bone surfaces then rub together causing discomfort and pain.

It's a degenerative joint disease so the condition progressively gets worse over time. This can mean that symptoms may only become apparent as the dog gets older.

While arthritis is usually associated with an older dog, some dogs develop arthritis at a young age. In these cases, canine arthritis is secondary to a developmental joint disease like hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia, or trauma (ligament damage or bone fracture). Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, but arthritis can also develop secondary to an infection. Immune-mediated arthritis is another form of the disease.

Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to developing arthritis so if your breed is predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia or patellar luxation, they may be more likely to be affected.

How Do I Know if My Dog Has Arthritis?

Acute onset of lameness is often the first sign of arthritis in dogs. Before this late presentation stage, the early signs that a dog is in pain may have gone unnoticed. Dogs that are quieter and more subdued than usual may be hiding their pain.

An arthritis flare-up or acute flare happens when a dog has overdone an activity and has a sudden increase in pain. They may struggle to walk or be unwilling to stand due to pain. This is often the first time that owners may be aware that their dog has arthritis and seek veterinary advice.

Lameness, pain and swelling in one or more joints are signs to look out for. Dog arthritis symptoms can also include an abnormal gait, stiffness, thickened joints with limited range of movement, and loss of muscle mass (as the dog stops using a particular limb).

A change in behaviour is another sign of dog arthritis and in some dogs, this may be the only sign that they’re in discomfort. Arthritic dogs may be irritable and less tolerant of being touched or cuddled and may repeatedly lick or chew at a sore joint.

If you notice any of these changes in your dog, make an appointment with your vet. They’ll examine your dog by gently manipulating their joints to check for range of motion, pain and any abnormalities. X-rays may be taken to confirm diagnosis. A small sample of joint fluid may sometimes also be taken for analysis.

How to Treat a Dog With Arthritis

Treating arthritis in dogs involves multimodal management. Several treatments and strategies may be used depending on which joint or joints are involved, the severity of the symptoms and the owner’s circumstances.

Medication for dogs with arthritis includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control pain and reduce inflammation. Other pain-relieving medications may also be given, as well as newer drug therapies like monoclonal antibodies.

Regular monitoring is needed to make sure your dog has enough pain relief and there are no side effects from the arthritis medication. If there’s no improvement, a different type of anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed by your vet.

While arthritis tablets or liquid medications are the most common form of treatment, your vet may also consider giving your dog an intra-articular arthritis injection (an injection into the joint). These injections target the affected joint and reduce the risk of systemic side effects.

Your vet may also recommend surgery, either to manage the primary musculoskeletal condition or to manage cases where there is severe pain. There are various options to manage your dog’s arthritis and your dog’s management plan will be regularly reassessed and modified. 

How to Ease Arthritis in Dogs

In addition to drug therapies, your vet may also recommend one or more of the following to manage your dog’s arthritis:

• Weight control: as excess weight puts pressure on joints, weight control is important so a weight management plan may be given for your pooch to follow.
• Diet: your vet may recommend a specialist diet for your dogs with arthritis.
• Exercise modification: regular exercise that’s gentle will help to keep your dog fit and in good condition without putting too much strain on their joints.
• Complementary therapies: these include physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, laser therapy and acupuncture. Your vet can advise you which type of therapy would be best for your dog and recommend a practitioner.
• Joint supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin and glucosamine - always ask your vet before giving your dog arthritis supplements or nutraceuticals as the quality can vary.

How to Help a Dog with Arthritis at Home

Here are some simple changes that can help to reduce pain and make arthritic dogs more comfortable:

• Orthopaedic beds - a comfortable bed with a memory foam mattress that can reduce pressure on joints.
• Raised food and water bowls.
• Steps and ramps to make getting into car, and on/off the sofa easier.
• Non-slip flooring and non-skid mats.
• Stair gates to prevent climbing of stairs and other areas where falls and slips are likely.
• Walk using a harness – provides support and stability if arthritis in dog’s back legs.
• Trim nails to reduce pressure on paws.
• Encourage your dog to move around and go out to toilet. Avoid long periods of inactivity and vigorous exercise.

Arthritis is a life-long, progressive condition and a dog with arthritis will need regular monitoring at the vet surgery to check if any changes to their medication is needed. Drug therapy along with an appropriate exercise programme and some lifestyle adaptations can help dogs with arthritis to remain independently mobile and reduce their pain.

If your dog is slowing down, don’t just put it down to old age - with appropriate arthritis management, your dog can still maintain a good quality of life. 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/

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