Arthritis in dogs

Overview/Risks
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of arthritis is “the inflammation of joints.” Arthritis can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, such as infection (especially from a tick-borne disease), immune-mediated disease, trauma, and metabolic issues. The most common form of arthritis in dogs, however, is due to degenerative changes caused by age or overuse.

While all dogs regardless of age or breed can be affected by arthritis, certain factors increase a dog’s risk. Poor conformation, for example, can make a dog much more likely to develop arthritis. Large breeds, such as Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and German shepherds, are more prone to arthritis, and obese dogs are more likely to develop it than are their fit counterparts. Additionally, older dogs are prone to arthritis because of the years of wear and tear on their joints.

Types of arthritis seen in dogs
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD): This is the long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. This cartilage allows the joint to move in pain-free motions. When it becomes inflamed or wears down, your pet will most likely experience pain.

Hip dysplasia: This is a genetic degenerative disease that results in malformation of the hip joint (a ball-and-socket joint). Chronic inflammation of the hip joints occurs because of misalignment, and the cartilage in the joint gradually deteriorates, causing pain and inflammation. There are various surgical procedures available to help dogs with hip dysplasia, as well as medications that can help alleviate the pain associated with it.
If you are considering a purebred puppy that may be at risk for hip dysplasia, consider getting a puppy from a breeder who has had both parents certified against hip dysplasia and other inherited forms of joint disease by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). To learn more about OFA certification, visit their Web site at offa.org.

Elbow dysplasia: This is a degenerative and hereditary disease in which the bones do not develop normally, causing misalignment of the joint, damage to the cartilage, and even chipping of the bones. This is most common in larger-breed dogs and is thought to be inherited. Surgery is often needed to correct this problem.

Knee dysplasia:  Some dogs, especially small toy breeds, will have malformed knee joints. As with hip and elbow dysplasia, this is an inherited conformational defect. Some of these dogs will also have knee caps that pop in and out of position; the medical term for this is “luxating patella.” A dog suffering from this will limp until the knee cap returns to the correct position. Surgery is often needed to correct knee dysplasia.

Signs & Symptoms
Arthritis can be mild to severe; your four-legged friend may experience different signs depending on the severity of the arthritis.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Lameness
• Swollen joints
• Popping and cracking when the joint moves
• Muscle wasting (the muscles by the joint become smaller)
• Licking of the joint area
• Slow to rise up from a resting position
• Loss of appetite or unusual weight gain
• Unwillingness to walk, jump, or climb stairs
• Accidents in the house
• Whining, panting, or whimpering
• Depression or irritation

Diagnosis & Treatment
In order to treat your dog’s arthritis, your veterinarian will want to perform a thorough physical exam and take a complete history of your best friend. Your veterinarian will perform simple motion tests and observe your dog’s movements.

They may recommend the follow additional tests, as well:

• Antibody/Antigen tests to identify if your pet has been exposed to tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease
• PCR testing, if necessary, to confirm exposure to certain diseases
• Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver and pancreatic function as well as sugar levels
• A complete blood count to screen for infection, inflammation, or anemia
• Radiographs (x-rays) of the joint
• Joint fluid analysis to help evaluate the cause

Once your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, your veterinarian will recommend a treatment protocol tailored to your pet’s specific needs. Treatments may include:

• Treating the underlying cause of arthritis, if possible
• Prescribing medications to help decrease the inflammation in the joint and control the pain
• Dietary management, if your dog is overweight
• Nutritional supplements thought to help lubricate the joint and help rebuild joint cartilage 
• Surgery for the various dysplasias, as outlined above

If your dog is put on a medication such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, your veterinarian may recommend routine blood tests to monitor your pet’s tolerance to the medication. Make sure you follow all recommendations from your veterinarian and call them immediately if your dog’s condition worsens.

Prevention
While not all forms of arthritis are preventable, you can help reduce your dog’s risk as well as the severity of the disease by ensuring your best friend gets plenty of appropriate exercise, eats properly, and that you contact your veterinarian early if you think your pet may have arthritis.