Bow-ow-ow! Joint pain & arthritis in dogs

Osteoarthritis (OA) - more commonly referred to as “arthritis” is inflammation of a joint, resulting in pain and reduced mobility. Over time the smooth cartilage that covers the surface of the joints, will break down over time, causing the exposed bony surfaces to rub together.

Certain triggers that can predispose a dog to OA, include;

• Genetics, breed and body shape - including development disorders such as hip or elbow dysplasia
• Age related wear and tear
• Obesity - abnormal weight/stress on the joints
• Previous injuries - joint injury or previous surgeries to affected joint

What are the main symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The clinical signs are often influenced by the extent of the disease.

The most recognisable signs of OA include;

• Stiffness, difficulty getting up and down
• Slow or reluctant to move (exercise intolerance)
• Limping and lameness
• Muscle wastage / atrophy
• Change in personality - aggressive/snappy, anxiety/hiding away
• Licking affected joints

Early detection and intervention is essential, in order to maintain a good quality of life for your dog. It is actually reported that 40% of dogs, under the age of 4, had incidental evidence of OA on radiographs, whereas only half of these were detectable on a physical exam. This means, many cases are going undetected, and we as owners and vets need to be aware of this.

Prevention is key, therefore if you have a predisposed breed, or your dog is overweight, it is time to consult with one of our vets to see how we can help.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

If you detect any of the above mentioned symptoms in your pooch, we advise a consulting a vet, to see if we can diagnose the cause of pain and restricted mobility. Through Vetsy we can perform a video gait assessment, to review your dogs mobility levels and detect subtle signs of discomfort.

We may suggest x-rays to determine the extent of joint disease. Blood tests can also be valuable to rule out concurrent medical concerns, which may influence our medical management.

Alternatively, we can perform a pain trial on a particular medication to review what effect this has on your dogs daily activities and overall mobility.

How can we treat joint pain?

Sadly, there is no cure for OA, however our aim is to alleviate the symptoms, by reducing pain, improving mobility and attempting to slow the progression of the disease.

This could include the following suggestions from our vets;

• Exercise management - short, regular walks, on a gentle flat terrain
• Weight loss - weight management or joint diets are beneficial
• Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can help maintain muscle mass and improve joint range of motion
• Laser therapy
• Myotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Nutraceuticals - joint supplements are suggested to have adjunctive benefits in slowing down the progression of the disease.
• Environmental modifications - orthopaedic bedding, ramps, non-slip mats or carpeted flooring.
• Medication - There are an array of medications available to address joint pain, target inflammation and alleviate symptoms. Some cases respond well to one particular medication, whereas others require a concoction of remedies to find comfort, including the following;
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
  • Monoclonal antibody injections
  • Pain killers
  • Joint injections
• Surgery can be considered for certain types of OA - to help improve joint stability, such as arthroplasty or replacements of affected joints, Eg Total hip replacement.

During a Vetsy consultation our vets can weigh up the pros and cons of each option available, and tailor a pain management plan for your pet, that suits both them and you long-term.

Through our on-site messenger app, we can regularly check in with your pet’s progress after instigating any treatment, but equally should you have any further questions or concerns, we are always on stand by ready to help.

So, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment today, to have a gait and mobility assessment performed, and a valuable discussion regarding the future of your dogs comfort levels.

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