Arthritis, more properly called osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is an extremely common disease in dogs.
Approximately 25% of dogs are diagnosed with arthritis in their lifetime, and as many as 60% of dogs have evidence of arthritis on x-rays.
We may associate arthritis with older dogs, but contrary to popular belief, age does not necessarily lead to arthritis, and in fact it can strike even the very young.
The reason for this is that most arthritis in dogs is secondary DJD, caused by congenital abnormalities such as hip dysplasia or elbow joint incongruity, joint trauma, or cranial cruciate ligament injury (similar to ACL tears in humans).
Primary DJD, caused by wear and tear on joints, is seen in older dogs and is in fact much less common.
Cats are another story, but I’ll save that for a separate article.
Regardless of the cause, DJD is characterized by a progressive and irreversible loss of joint cartilage, new bone formation around the joint, and thickening of the joint soft tissues.
This leads to pain, a change in gait, and decreased range of motion.
Dogs don’t usually cry or whimper when they are in pain; usually pain is appreciated as lameness, stiffness, or trouble rising and/or jumping.
Dogs may be slower on walks, or have trouble walking as far as they used to.
The pain and mobility changes may wax and wane – some days or weeks may be good, and then a flare-up can occur, leading to a temporary or permanent worsening of symptoms.
Diagnosis:
Your veterinarian may be suspicious of OA based on your description of your dog’s symptoms, as well as a thorough orthopedic examination.
However, radiographs (x-rays) are usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.
The x-rays will also help to look for underlying causes of the arthritis, such as hip dysplasia, and will rule out other malignant causes of pain such as bone cancer.
Treatment:
Treatment is aimed at controlling both pain and the inflammation associated with the degenerative changes in the joint. We also want to prevent further damage to the joint if possible, and maintain mobility and muscle mass to the best of our ability.
Joint supplements can help promote joint health starting in the early stages of arthritis. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are chondroprotective agents that promote joint fluid formation and protect the cartilage.
Some forms, such as Dasuquin Advanced® and Glycoflex Plus®, also contain green-lipped mussel, which has also been shown to help maintain joint health as well as other nutraceutical ingredients.
Omega-3 fatty acids, EPAs and DHAs in the form of cold water fish oils, are antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the joints and may allow for reduction of NSAID pain medications.
Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan (say that three times fast), commercially sold as Adequan®, is also a chondroprotective agent that works by increase the joint fluid viscosity and reducing the inflammatory enzymes that break down joint tissues.
Adequan is given as injection, and can be done by owner’s in their own homes.
NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, are the cornerstone of treatment for osteoarthritis.
In the more advanced stages, these medications can be given daily and long-term for dogs who need stronger pain control. They can have side effects, and bloodwork should be monitored by your veterinarian to ensure that your dog’s body is tolerating these medications.
Despite this, they are widely used, generally very well tolerated, and are proven to be effective.
Make sure you give only veterinary NSAIDs. and don’t share your medicine cabinet stock with your pets – human-approved NSAIDs can be toxic to pets.
Analgesics such as Gabapentin or Amantadine can be added to NSAIDs to increase pain control, or used alone when NSAIDs are not tolerated.
Exercise and Weight Control. Exercise in the form of low-impact, mild to moderate intensity is recommended to maintain muscle mass.
I tell my clients to “use it or lose it!” but during times of flare-up, stricter rest may be encouraged.
In addition, maintaining a lean body weight will reduce impact on the joints, and is an absolutely essential piece of the “arthritis-management” puzzle.
Physical therapy is highly encouraged during all stages of arthritis. Guided physical therapy can improve mobility, decrease pain, and slow the progression of muscle atrophy and disuse/disease.
We are very fortunate to have a state-of-the-art animal physical therapist in town – Atlas Rehab for Canines (ARC). Karen Atlas and her team are very experienced in helping dogs recover from both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic conditions.
Acupuncture has gained wide acceptance as an adjunctive treatment for arthritis, and can lead to marked improvements in pain and mobility. Ask your veterinarian if they offer acupuncture or whether they can refer you to a local veterinary acupuncturist.
Other therapies and modalities are also used to treat arthritis. These include joint injections, stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma, laser therapy, shock-wave therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and cannabinoid oil.
In summary, while there is no cure or neat fix for osteoarthritis in dogs, we do have quite a few tools in our toolkit to manage the disease, and to help dogs maintain their best quality of life despite their joint disease.
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