If your dog has trouble getting up, gets tired easily, or seems stiff, then the culprit is arthritis.  Canine arthritis is one of the common types of degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, that affects 1 out 5 adult dogs. It is commonly seen in older dogs, and affects the legs, hips, back and more -making daily movements painful. However, dog owners can look out for symptoms of arthritis in dogs and if it is diagnosed, seek advice from the veterinarian on the treatment options available.

main canine arthritis

What Is Canine Arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joint with secondary changes leading to intense pain and reduced movement in joints. With arthritis, the cartilage gets thinner and fragile, which leads to a vicious cycle of inflammation, joint swelling, thickening of tissue around the joint, wearing away of cartilage and eventually stiffness, muscle atrophy and pain.

Types of Arthritis

There are different types of arthritis, but the most common kind in dogs and cats is osteoarthritis (OA), also known as a degenerative joint disease (DJD), which occurs secondary to:

  • Joint instability
  • Hip dysplasia
  • CCL rupture
  • Joint incongruity
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Osteochondrosis
  • Trauma

Signs And Symptoms

Osteoarthritis can be hard to diagnose in its early stages, and often the symptoms do not become prominent until the affected joint is severely damaged. Some of the signs to observe in middle-aged to senior dogs include:

  • Stiffness, lameness, or difficulty getting up
  • Tiredness
  • Reluctance to run, jump, or play
  • Weight gain
  • Irritability
  • Pain touched
  • Difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate
  • Loss of muscle mass

Diagnosis

If you suspect your pet may be showing signs of osteoarthritis, it is essential to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian, who will conduct a complete physical examination, including palpating the dog’s joints and monitoring their range of motion. Also, veterinarians may suggest X-rays of the affected joints, which will help rule out other problems that can cause similar symptoms and evaluate the extent of damage to the joint.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disorder and there is no complete cure. Preventing the development of canine arthritis through diet, exercise, and with use of protective joint supplements is the best possible way to keep your pet dog healthy. Treatment is mainly aimed at easing pain, and inflammation, enhancing the quality of life and slowing the development of the disease.

Treatment of canine arthritis comprises several therapies that are simultaneously offered to get the best outcome.

Supplements: Joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are prescribed to improve function, lessen inflammation and slow the progression of joint damage.

NSAIDS: Pain control is a mainstay of OA treatment, where Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are given to reduce pain, and decrease inflammation in the joints.

Additional Therapies: A veterinarian may also suggest other treatment modalities like physiotherapy, cold laser and diet modification. In very severe cases, surgery may be recommended to remove damaged tissue from the joint or to replace the joint completely.