Introduction
Arthritis is a condition that causes chronic inflammation, and often weakening, of the joints in the body. In dogs there are a number of conditions which can cause arthritis including inherited conditions, immune conditions such as lupus, or arthritis can develop as a consequence of age or obesity.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs
The clinical signs of arthritis can include slow mobility, limping, walking in a position where the back legs are tucked in, showing pain when touched or petted, shifting lameness, lameness on the back legs, holding the head at an awkward or unusual angle, and swollen or painful joints. A classic symptom looked for when checking a dog for arthritis is that they tend to "warm out of the lameness". For example, consider 2 dogs - one has arthritis and one has a broken bone in his foot. Both dogs are a sleep. Both dogs get up after a long period of lying down, and go for a walk. The arthritic dog will be very stiff at first, but after walking for 15 minutes or so, he will start to move more freely, and "warm out of the lameness." The dog with the broken bone will NOT improve at all, and will probably get more lame as the walk goes on.
Diagnosing Arthritis
Arthritis is diagnosed based on a physical examination, x-rays, and blood tests. The blood tests are performed to rule out any underlying immune condition that could be causing the disease. Your Veterinarian may also need to conduct a "joint tap" (especially if the joints are swollen and there is excess fluid in them). This procedure involves aseptically putting a needle into the joint to take a sample of the fluid for analysis, and will determine if there is infection in the joint, or if the problem is immune mediated.
Treating Arthritis in Dogs
The treatment for arthritis includes weight management for overweight dogs, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and dietary supplements such as glucosamine chondroitin which may help to strengthen the joints and decrease the symptoms of arthritis. In severe cases, steroidal therapies may be used to suppress the immune system if an immune related cause of the arthritis is present.
Helpful Tips
- Give your pet a comfortable sleeping area and decreasing any jumping activities
- Get your dog swimming. This is a low impact activity and will help build muscles to support the joints, and burn calories.
- Make a warm compress for the dog. You can do this by placing a small wet towel, folded into a zip-lok bag (unzipped!) and heating it for about 2 minutes in the microwave. Remove and press all the air out. Make sure it is not too hot! This can then be wrapped in a dry towel and placed over the arthritic joints
Outlook for Dogs with Arthritis
The prognosis depends on the cause of arthritis. If the arthritis is caught early and occurs due to age or obesity, the prognosis is usually excellent as long as pet owners follow the treatment plan. Arthritis caused by immune conditions and inherited conditions tend to progressively worsen with time, however medication therapies and life style changes can extend the dog’s quality of life.