Dog Arthritis

Between twenty and thirty percent of dogs will develop arthritis during the course of their lifetimes. Arthritis is a painful condition that results from the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage protects the bones in the joints. When it begins to wear thin, the bones start rubbing against one another. This results in pain and stiffness, and if left untreated, can lead to muscular atrophy and increasing immobility.

Treatments for Dog Arthritis

The most common treatments for arthritis in dogs are steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for the inflammation and buffered aspirin for the pain. Unfortunately, all these treatments have side effects ranging from mild to lethal. Because of this, many concerned pet owners are opting for more natural treatments.

Lifestyle Changes

Most dogs who develop arthritis are also overweight. If such is the case, the first step to successful treatment must be weight control. Any extra weight just puts more demands on already aching joints. A well-balanced diet and moderate exercise can usually bring a dog?s weight under control relatively quickly. Consult with your veterinarian about how best to achieve this.

Even if your dog?s weight is normal, exercise is always a good idea. Dogs with an arthritic joint will often attempt to take weight off that joint. This can lead to the muscles around the joint becoming atrophied. As the muscles atrophy, they shorten and cause more pain. Exercise can help prevent this. Stronger muscles also provide better support for inflamed joint, holding the bones properly aligned and preventing secondary damage.

Many dogs with arthritis no longer move around much and resist going out for walks and the like because it is very painful for them. Gently playing with your dog for a while or doing some other form of warm-up can make exercise easier. Exercise should not be too strenuous, since this can further damage the joints. Instead, go for short walks with your dog, keeping her on the leash the entire time. Swimming is another good activity. Swimming will allow your dog to stretch out and use her muscles while the water buoys her up so that she doesn?t have to put weight on her aching joints.

Natural Supplements

Nowadays, it is common to give dogs natural supplements to help treat and prevent arthritis. The most effective, and therefore most common, are glucosamine and chondrotin. Glucosamine is a precursor to many of the proteins used to make cartilage, and chondrotin helps in cartilage formation. Chondrotin also blocks certain enzymes that destroy cartilage from reaching their target. This gives the body time to heal itself, and many dogs improve dramatically when they are put on glucosamine and chondrotin supplements. When taken throughout life, these supplements may prevent dogs from developing arthritis.

Massage Therapy and Acupuncture

Massage therapy has been shown to be effective in alleviating the pain of arthritis in dogs. There are licensed massage therapist for dogs that can help, or, if there are none nearby, you can ask your veterinarian about showing you some basic techniques to use at home.
Acupuncture has never been clinically studied in dogs, but many people claim to see results. Acupuncture is not harmful, so if it?s within your means, it?s certainly worth trying. Just make sure that the acupuncturist has experience working on dogs.

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Arthritis is a common health complaint in older pets. While there are many prescription medications available, many people prefer to use less invasive methods to help their pets. Some of these include making changes in the home to make it more accessible to a sick animal, others involve natural supplements and diet changes. Some people even advocate massage therapy and acupuncture to help ease the suffering of afflicted animals.

Making Life Easier for Your Pet with Arthritis

Arthritis makes it difficult for your pet to move around. To make her life easier, keep everything she needs on the first floor, so she doesn’t need to climb any stairs. Try to eliminate slick surfaces. Make sure your pet has a comfortable bed that will support her joints. Cold and drafts can worsen arthritis. Keep your pet, and your home, warm. Reduce drafts by keeping windows and doors closed and changing out your insulation.

Exercise and Diet

Exercise is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Any extra weight will put extra pressure on the joints, so weight management is key. Regular exercise is a good way to keep your pet’s weight at a good level. Exercise also strengthens the muscles, making them better able to support aching joints. Frequent activity keeps the joints from becoming too stiff and can help keep your pet limber. However, be careful not to do too much. Exercise that is too strenuous can do more harm than good by causing more damage to the joints.

Feeding your pet a good diet is also essential. While it helps with issues of weight control, a balanced diet will give your pet what she needs to heal naturally and keep her energy up.

Supplements

Some veterinarians also recommend that you give your dog supplements. Glucosamine and chondroitin are especially popular for treating osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is one of the main components of cartilage. The theory holds that extra glucosamine makes it easier for the chondrocytes (cartilage-forming cells in the joint) to make more cartilage. Chondrotin augments this process, as well as inhibiting certain enzymes believed to be involved in the destruction of cartilage.

Some researchers believe that giving your pet a supplement of glucosamine and chondrotin can not only halt the progression of osteoarthritis, but actually reverse the damage that?s already been done. In order to keep the condition from returning, a life-long regimen of these supplements is required. Fortunately, they have very few side effects. However, you should always consult with your physician before giving your pet any supplements.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be very beneficial to arthritic pets. However, it must be performed correctly so as not to cause pain. Ask your veterinarian about proper technique or take your pet to a licensed animal massage therapist.

Acupuncture

There is some evidence to indicate that acupuncture may be beneficial to arthritic pets. If you decide to explore this option, make sure the acupuncturist has experience working with animals.

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Signs of Pet Arthritis

The signs of arthritis depend on the age of the pet, the size of the pet, the type of arthritis, and which joints are affected.

The initial symptoms of arthritis in a pet may be subtle. A slight change in gait as the animal tries to avoid putting weight on the joint, trouble getting up in the mornings, and less enthusiastic play behavior may be the only indications that something is wrong.

As the condition worsens, symptoms become more pronounced. They include marked limping, stiffness, muscular atrophy in the limb or limbs which the animal is not using, lameness, and apparent pain when the animal tries to use the limb. Many times, the animal will stop doing things that she enjoyed before. The pet will no longer jump up on furniture or people and tends to avoid stairs.

Sometimes, pets will lick or bite the painful area. Other times, they will avoid physical contact such as touching and petting that they used to seek out, because even this light contact can be painful.

In some cases, pets also exhibit marked personality changes. Constant pain can result in sadness, anger, and aggressive behaviors. Some pets also become depressed. They may stop eating, go off on their own, and lose interest in the world around them.

These signs and symptoms can also be an indication of other serious conditions such as cognitive disorders, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), or cancer, so it’s important that you take your pet to the veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms.

Types of Pet Arthritis

The most common type of pet arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can be due to genetic predisposition combined with the regular wear and tear of aging. However, in animals osteoarthritis is more commonly the result of joint damage caused by trauma. This form of the disease has a sudden onset and often occurs in younger animals.

Other types of arthritis seen in pets include knee, hip, and elbow dysplasia, osteochondrosis, and hypertrophic arthritis. Dysplasia is a painful condition that occurs when the ball and socket of the joint don’t fit together well. Osteochondrosis is similar to osteoarthritis but generally involves more swelling and inflammation. Hypertrophic arthritis is a genetic condition in which bone production is too rapid and bony protrusions form on the joints. It is very painful and debilitating.

Diagnosing Pet Arthritis

If you suspect your pet may have arthritis, promptly bring her to a veterinarian. The veterinarian can rule out other possible causes for your pet’s discomfort, as well as determine which type of arthritis she has. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis, so this information is important to have.

Your veterinarian will consult you about your pet’s health history, so make sure you have access to all this information. Diagnosis is primarily based on medical history and a physical examination of the joints. In ambiguous cases, MRIs and tests on the fluid from inside the joints may be required. Finally, X-rays and blood tests may be necessary to eliminate other possibilities.

Some forms of arthritis are caused by bacterial infections or autoimmune disorders, and these types require very different medications from those prescribed for osteoarthritis. No matter what the ultimate diagnosis, there are many effective treatments to try, so don’t give up!

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How Do I Know My Pet Has Arthritis?

If your pet suddenly stops engaging in the activities she used to love, no longer jumps up on furniture, avoids the stairs, and has trouble moving around, there is a good chance she might have arthritis. Some pets also become very moody and avoid being touched or petted, since this physical contact has become painful.

What Types of Arthritis Affect Animals?

Animals, like humans, can suffer from many different types of arthritis:

• Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in animals. It causes the gradual breakdown of the cartilage in the joints.
• Degenerative joint disease. Similar to osteoarthritis, this condition also results in the breakdown of parts of the joint, usually the cartilage.
• Osteochondrosis. Osteochondrosis also involves the breakdown of cartilage, but unlike the previous two conditions, usually it is also accompanied by inflammation and swelling.
• Hip, elbow, and knee dysplasia. In these disorders, the ball and socket of the joint are malformed and do not fit well with one another.
• Dislocation of the kneecap. Poorly formed bones allow the kneecap to pop out of position.
• Wrist degeneration. Degeneration of the wrist is due to excess wear and tear and is usually only found in very active pets.
• Hypertrophic arthritis. This type of arthritis is genetic in origin and involves the growth of too much bone. This extra bone mass often takes the form of spurs on the joints, resulting in extreme pain.

Determining what type of arthritis your pet has is important in deciding what type of treatment is appropriate. Consult your veterinarian if you think your pet may have arthritis.

How Does Arthritis Cause Pain?

Most of the pain from arthritis is due to the breakdown of cartilage. The cartilage protects the ends of the joints. When it wears thin, the joints began grinding into one another. This is painful in and of itself but can also result in pieces of bone splintering off, further agonizing the area.

What is the Difference between Primary and Secondary Osteoarthritis?

Primary osteoarthritis is a genetic condition, without outside cause. It generally develops with age and progresses slowly. Secondary osteoarthritis, in contrast, is due to trauma. An animal may develop secondary osteoarthritis within a few weeks to a month after an injury, and the progression is generally very rapid.

Should an Arthritic Pet Exercise?

Light exercise can be very beneficial. It helps strengthen muscles, thereby increasing support for painful joints, and also improves mobility and flexibility. Exercise is often painful for pets with arthritis, however, so make sure you warm your pet up before exercise with some gentle playing or walking, and don?t do anything too strenuous. Exercise that is too vigorous can further damage joints.

What Can I Do To Help My Pet?

You can help your pet by making changes in your home to help accommodate her new limitations. Try to eliminate slick surfaces. Reduce drafts with better insulation and by keeping windows and doors closed. Make sure that things your pet might require (water and feed bowl, kitty box, etc.) are easily accessible. Heat your pet?s bed to make it more comfortable.

Changes in diet can also benefit animals with arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce pressure on damaged joints, and proper nutrition may slow the progression of the disease.

What Treatments Are Available to Help Arthritic Pets?

There are several possible treatments for arthritis in pets. Among the most common are steroids and anti-inflammatories. These drugs can be very helpful in many cases.

However, many people do not feel comfortable about prescription medications, and they turn to alternatives like nutritional supplements and herbal remedies, thus far with mixed results. Acupuncture and massage are becoming increasingly popular in treating arthritic pets, often with very positive results. Finally, in severe cases, especially if the animal is still young, surgery may be the best option.

Talk to your veterinarian about how best to treat your pet and improve her quality of life.

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How do you know if your dog is suffering from arthritis? If your dog is experiencing joint pain, which can be osteoarthritis, it is important you recognize the symptoms. Knowing what to look for can increase your chances for helping them. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, and if left untreated, can lead to a total loss of function. Catching the signs early can dramatically slow down the progression of the disease. Large dogs are more likely to get arthritis, but small dogs can fall victim to the disease too. Certain breeds, such as: Retrievers, Labradors, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Collies, are more prone to developing arthritis.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that causes a joint to become inflamed. It affects the cartilage, joint fluid, and bones associated with the joint. The loss of cartilage in the joint can result in “bone on bone” contact. This “bone rubbing” is very painful for your dog! Joint pain is most likely to appear in your dog’s hip, but can also appear in the back, neck, or any other joint on a dog’s body.

Larger dogs are more susceptible to arthritis because they are heavier, and often times, overweight. This puts more pressure on their joints and skeletal system. Osteoarthritis can be caused by a dog’s age and wear and tear, or by another problem with the joints, such as: hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia.
Symptoms

Dog’s can often have joint pain, or osteoarthritis, and not show any symptoms until later in their lives, usually after they are about 6 years old. There are several Signs and Symptoms that your dog may be experiencing problems.

Here are some common signs your dog may have arthritis:

• Reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump, or play
• Limping
• Moving slower than usual on walks
• Difficulty getting up off of the ground
• Noticeable pain when touched
• A change in personality
• Resisting touch
• Sudden gain in weight
• Cracking sounds coming from their joints
• Preference to lye instead of sitting or standing

Another sign that your dog has problems is excessive licking or biting around the area that is causing them pain. It may also be possible to notice a change in the dog’s muscle tone, since they may be favoring certain limbs over others. If your dog becomes less active, and tends to keep to himself, this may also be a sign of joint pain.

Treatment

Don’t worry; there is help for your best friend! Controlling your dog’s weight and giving him the proper amount of exercise are one of the best ways to try and ease their pain and discomfort. You need to make sure you do not give your dog too much exercise, which could make their joint pain even worse. It is also important to give your dog a comfortable place to rest. An old pillow or piece of foam to sleep on will be much easier on their joints and muscles. Massages will help to comfort them and relieve their pain. There are also products available to stop the progression of the disease and make your dog more comfortable.