What is canine osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative joint disease that affects both the soft tissues and bones of a joint. It causes pain and decreased flexibility in the affected joint(s). It can affect any joint in your dog’s body but the most commonly affected joints are the stifle (knee), the elbow, the carpus (wrist) the spine and the hips.

What are the main causes of canine osteoarthritis?

The most common form of osteoarthritis is “secondary osteoarthritis” which can be related to trauma, inflammation, age, obesity and other factors…

What is the prevalence of canine osteoarthritis? Are there breed predispositions?

It is estimated that osteoarthritis affects 1 out of 5 dogs over the age of 1 year.
Mixed breed dogs and dogs of any breed, size, weight and age can show signs of osteoarthritis.

There is a greater incidence of osteoarthritis in older dogs, as well as larger breeds such as Labradors, German Sheperds, Rottweilers, Great Danes and St Bernards. However osteoarthritis may also occur in small and toy breeds.

What are the signs of osteoarthritic pain in dogs?

The signs are not easy to see. Indeed, dogs (as well as cats) are “genetically programmed” not to show pain.  In addition, the way individual dogs respond to pain can vary depending on age, health status, species and breed.

When dogs do express pain, they may do so via changes in behaviour, including: lethargy, crankiness, stiffness, reluctance to move, aggressive or defensive reactions when touched, abnormal vocalisation, hiding when they do not normally hide.

Signs also vary according to the severity of the disease. The most common signs are summarised below:

What can you do if you think your dog has osteoarthritis?

Ask your veterinarian for a physical examination and further information on treatment options.
Follow their recommendations thoroughly for physical exercise and weight control programs

How will your veterinarian make a diagnosis for your dog?

There are several diagnostic tools available to your veterinarian, including:
• an orthopaedic exam can confirm the presence of joint pain, swelling and tenderness,
• radiographs may be done to help with the diagnosis.

How can your veterinarian help relieve your dog from osteoarthritic
pain?

Although further research is underway, the disease cannot actually be cured.
Treatment focuses on reducing pain and inflammation, slowing the progression
of the disease, facilitating the repair of damaged tissues and maintaining or
improving joint function.

Your veterinarian will most probably recommend a combination of the following
To provide comfort and an acceptable level of function to your dog:

WEIGHT CONTROL

While the veterinary profession has not reached consensus regarding whether
or not obesity causes canine osteoarthritis, there is agreement that it
contributes to osteoarthritis. Indeed, joint problems are aggravated by excess
weight. The more excessive the weight, the more the aggravation. If a joint is
not working efficiently, carrying excess weight causes both additional pain and
increased damage to the joint. Therefore it is important that your dog maintain
its ideal weight.

PROPER DIET

Correct nutrition in young dogs may lower the incidence of orthopaedic
diseases, thereby reducing the potential for development of osteoarthritis. You
should refrain from over-feeding young dogs and should avoid over
supplementation with calcium and protein. Feeding your dog smaller portions of
less-fattening foods and cutting out “extras” is the best way to control dietary
intake and bodyweight.

CONTROLLED DIET AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

Appropriate physical activity may assist the management of osteoarthritis by
helping to:
• prevent obesity and maintain muscle mass
• improve strength and range of motion and
• reduce the need for the use of analgesics

Regular, gentle exercise helps maintain mobility, as joints that do not have
regular movement may stiffen, causing your dog to become less active.
Exercise may take the form of walks on the leash or more extensive types of
recreation. Frequent gentle walks may be of more benefit than highly energetic
activities.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC DRUGS

Untreated pain can actually increase sensitivity to further pain and produce
cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and renal effects, as well as
weight loss and aggressive behaviour.
Treatment is aimed at reducing pain and increasing joint mobility, thus
improving quality of life. As in humans, non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
are now commonly used to achieve this, since they reduce the formation of
substances in the body which give rise to both pain and inflammation. Early
intervention is important to reduce the likelihood of more severe pain
developing.

Should anti-inflammatory treatment stop as soon as you see a slight
improvement in your dog’s mobility?

No, continuing the treatment over a longer period of time will have two main
benefits. Indeed, as osteoarthritis is a continuous degenerative process, it will
help prevent relapses. The newer treatments may also allow your dog to
benefit from a more sustained improvement when used over the long term.
Ensure you comply with the duration of treatment recommended by your
veterinarian.