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Summery :

1. General information
2. Things
3. Cause
4. Symptoms
5. Diagnosis
6. Therapy
7. Prognosis

1- General information

Osteoarthritis in dogs is a progressive condition that affects the joints, causing the cartilage to degenerate.

This is a fairly common disorder, especially prevalent among older and large-breed dogs.

The joints most affected are those of the limbs and the spine.

The exact causes are unknown; however, the literature reports numerous risk factors, including: advanced age of the animal, genetic predisposition, large breeds, hip or elbow dysplasia, abnormal conformation, obesity, stress resulting from repetitive activities, etc.

Arthrosis in dogs manifests itself with pain, lameness, reluctance to move, changes in behavior, difficulty finding the right position to defecate or urinate, irritability, etc.

Physical examination (with palpation and assessment of range of motion), anamnesis and X-rays are the three fundamental investigations for diagnosing osteoarthritis in dogs.

Currently, there is no cure that can cure arthritis in dogs; however, there are several symptomatic treatments available that can improve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

2- Things

Arthrosis in Dogs: What is it?

Osteoarthritis in dogs is a progressive joint condition characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage.

The joints typically affected are those of the limbs and those of the spinal column.

Arthrosis in dogs is a fairly common disorder, which mainly affects older and large-sized animals.

What is articular cartilage and what is it for?

Articular cartilage is a sort of shock-absorbing cushion, located on the bone surfaces involved in mobile joints, which serves to limit friction and ensure a wide range of motion.

It protects the bone surfaces from rubbing against each other, a phenomenon that induces inflammation and pain.

With age, articular cartilage tends to physiologically deteriorate; the degree of deterioration, however, varies from person to person and depends on numerous factors, some of which cannot be modified (e.g. genetics).
Filaria is a potentially fatal disease, with a very slow progression.

3- Cause

Arthrosis in Dogs: Why Does It Happen?

Arthrosis in dogs is due to a deterioration of the articular cartilage.

This phenomenon undermines the functionality of the cartilage itself, which is why the bone surfaces become more sensitive.

Then the parts involved become inflamed; the inflammation causes pain, a reduction in joint mobility and, sometimes, swelling.

Causes of Arthrosis in Dogs

The exact cause of osteoarthritis in dogs is unknown .

However, there are numerous factors that, based on data in literature, would seem to favor the onset of this condition; here they are:

• Advanced age;
• Genetics;
• Large breeds (e.g. German Shepherds, Labradors , Golden Retrievers);
• Obesity;
• Stress from repetitive activities;
• Ligament injury;
• Clinical history of hip and/or elbow dysplasia;
• Infections such as Lyme disease;
• Improper nutrition;
• Genetics;
• Poor physical conformation.

It is worth pointing out that it would be advisable to subject dogs predisposed to arthrosis to regular check-ups, in order to promptly implement, thanks to the advice of the veterinarian, all those strategies useful for keeping the animal healthy and reducing modifiable risk factors.

4- Symptoms

Arthrosis in Dogs: How Does It Manifest?

In the early stages, arthritis in dogs is difficult to detect, because it is often asymptomatic.

Unfortunately, symptoms begin to manifest themselves unequivocally when the degenerative condition is in an advanced stage; this complicates the therapeutic management of the disorder.

Typical manifestations of arthrosis in dogs are:

• limping;
• Difficulty getting up from a sitting position at rest;
• Joint stiffness, with loss of some range of motion;
• Reluctance to run, jump and/or play;
• Weight gain;
• Irritability and/or changes in behavior;
• Pain when caressed or touched near the affected joints;
• Due to the pain, difficulty finding the right posture for defecating or urinating;
• Accidental falls even in familiar environments, such as the home.
• Loss of muscle mass in the limbs and/or spine.

It is also worth noting the possible presence of osteophytes, that is, new bone formations, similar to small protrusions, inside the affected joints; osteophytes are visible on x-ray.

Some dogs are particularly resistant to pain, which delays diagnosis; the later the diagnosis, the more difficult the therapeutic management of osteoarthritis becomes.

5- Diagnosis

How the Vet Recognizes Arthrosis in Dogs

The physical examination , including palpation and assessment of range of motion, is a fundamental investigation in the recognition of osteoarthritis in dogs.

The anamnesis is also important : age, size, past injuries and joint pathologies, activities carried out by the animal, family history, etc. are all information that can help the vet identify the origin of the symptoms.

Finally, X-ray images provide crucial details about joint health : an X-ray is a quick test that shows degeneration of the joint surfaces and the possible presence of osteophytes.

6- Therapy

Dog Arthrosis: How to Treat It?

Currently, there is no cure for osteoarthritis in dogs; this means that there is no remedy that stops the progression of the disease and restores the health of the affected joints.

On the other hand, however, it is possible to control, sometimes satisfactorily, the symptoms, using various strategies that reduce inflammation and indirectly symptoms such as pain and joint stiffness.

It is important to underline that the therapeutic management of osteoarthritis in dogs is typically multimodal, that is, it leverages multiple resources to obtain better results.

Below are the various symptomatic treatments useful in case of canine osteoarthritis.

Joint Protective Supplements

Veterinarians often prescribe chondroitin and glucosamine supplements to dogs with arthritis : these two substances, in fact, seem to have positive effects on joint function and on the reduction of inflammation; they also seem to improve cartilage health.

Supplements of this type are also used in humans, for the same reasons.

Another interesting supplement is the one containing the green – lipped mussel ; this ingredient contains beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids , glycosaminoglycans and antioxidants, and appears to have an anti-inflammatory effect, capable of reducing pain and improving joint function.

Joint protective supplements are indicated already in the early stages of arthrosis and can be used long-term, since they do not have particular adverse effects.

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Pain control with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) is a crucial aspect in the management of canine osteoarthritis, especially when the condition is in the mid-to-advanced stage.

NSAIDs reduce inflammation; less inflammation means fewer inflammation-related symptoms, such as pain, joint stiffness, etc.

It is important to remember that the use of NSAIDs must be agreed with the veterinarian, especially in the case of dogs with liver and/or kidney problems.
Precisely because these are medicines with potential adverse effects, during their use, periodic monitoring of the animal’s health conditions is recommended.

Weight control

The dog with arthrosis should follow a healthy and balanced diet , aimed at controlling body weight.

Excessive weight, due to an inappropriate diet, can represent a significant stress for the joints, especially if they are already suffering from joint damage.

Maintaining a normal weight means relieving the joints of an unnecessary and counterproductive load.

Physical exercise

Regular and balanced physical exercise undoubtedly helps to control body weight, together with a correct diet, of course.

A dog with arthritis may have difficulty performing activities that are too intense, which is why gradualness is needed and, if possible, the consultation of an expert in the field of rehabilitation and physiotherapy related to dogs.

Surgery

In some cases, there is the possibility of surgical intervention ; there are essentially two therapeutic options: the removal of the damaged cartilage tissue or the implantation of a prosthesis .

Surgery is usually reserved for selected cases, characterized by severe osteoarthritis and in which conservative treatment has had little success.

7- Prognosis

Osteoarthritis in dogs is a chronic, painful condition, but it can be managed satisfactorily if diagnosed and treated promptly.

There is no cure, so the dog is destined to live with the problem.

There are forms of arthrosis that progress more rapidly than others, which is why each case must be considered on its own merits.

How Long Does a Dog Live with Arthrosis?

Dog osteoarthritis does not affect the life expectancy of the animal; rather, it affects the quality of life, as it is the cause of chronic inflammation and pain.