Osteoarthritis in dogs

Osteoarthritis may be primary (idiopathic) or secondary in nature. Primary osteoarthritis is rare and is due to some inherited predisposition towards the problem. Certain breeds of dog have a tendency to develop arthritis because of some inherited anatomical problem. For example, some breed lines of the German Shepherd and Rottweiler are prone to hip dysplasia with the subsequent development of osteoarthritis. If you are purchasing a new pedigree dog, it would be worth asking the breeder if they have any problems with osteoarthritis in their breed line, especially in the case of hip–dysplasia, which is hereditary.

Secondary osteoarthritis is very common and tends to occur following a preceding problem or injury to the joint, such as an infection, a fracture, trauma or abnormal stress during movement of the joint.

Osteoarthritis is often noticed when the dog becomes lame. This is much easier to spot when only one joint is affected, because the gait will become noticeably abnormal with the “favouring” of a limb, expressed as a dropping of a hip or the nodding of the head when walking. If more than one joint is affected, the dog may just walk more carefully and slowly or may just become less active altogether; in this case the problem is considerably more difficult to spot. One of the most classic signs of osteoarthritic conditions is that the animal will be very stiff and find movement difficult following rest or sleep, but will improve once it starts to move around. Sometimes the problem comes to light when a dog is less able to jump, or go up stairs. Dogs do not often cry out in pain when affected with arthritis, but they may become irritable, nervous and less active generally, because they are in chronic pain. If your dog shows any of these signs or just seems to be slowing down and getting old, arthritis is a likely cause.

Vets will examine your pet for signs of arthritis if it is suspected and can often diagnose it without X-rays or further tests. We manipulate the joints gently to check for swellings, heat, evidence of pain, range of movement and crepitus (a grating feeling when the joint is manipulated). Sometimes it is necessary to take an X-ray to find out what is going on in the joints, although often the extent of damage seen on an X-ray does not correlate with the signs of pain expressed by the animal!

If your dog has osteoarthritis, it is important that it does not become plump, since fat dogs have much more stress on their joints due to this extra weight. Also, the dog should have a moderate amount of exercise. These two things are extremely helpful, but initially may be difficult for the owner to encourage. A dog in pain with arthritis probably wants to rest much of the time and will probably be carrying too much weight as a result of its inactive lifestyle. Cut back on food first to promote weight loss and then as movement naturally becomes easier, encourage exercise. Walks should be short and easy, on a level non-slippery surface. Short, frequent walks every day are best; don’t take your arthritic dog on long hikes.

Osteoarthritis may be treated with medication. This will only control the signs of the condition; it cannot be cured.

Most of the drugs used in osteoarthritis are analgesics (painkillers), which help the animal to function more normally, but do not change the underlying pathology of the joint. Various pain control regimes can be tried and the drug most effective for your pet can be found.

Steroids are sometimes used to alleviate inflammatory erosive osteoarthritis. They help by suppressing the inflammatory changes on the cartilage of the joint.

Sometimes surgical treatment is possible, but this only applies to specific conditions and where the arthritis is limited to a particular joint. Surgery can be particularly successful in the treatment of severe arthritic conditions of the hip joint (Hip dysplasia).

Osteoarthritis is unfortunately a progressive condition and the severity of symptoms id likely to increase over time.

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