Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Just like humans, dogs can develop joint problems and chronic osteoarthritis. Here you can find out everything about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs.

SOS: First Aid Tips for Dogs with Osteoarthritis – What Helps with Dog Osteoarthritis?

Light massages: Light massages promote both blood circulation and the dog’s mobility. They also give the four-legged friend a feeling of calm, security and generally ensure greater well-being.

Patience: Be patient with your four-legged friend. If he suffers from osteoarthritis, you cannot expect the same speed from him as from other dogs. He needs more time to run, climb stairs, and respond when you call him. Give him the time, encouragement, and support where you can.

Sleeping place: If you have osteoarthritis, your dog should sleep on soft materials or in a special bed for dogs with osteoarthritis. There are special waterbeds for dogs or hammock beds.

Avoid slippery surfaces: Slippery surfaces often cause anxiety in dogs with osteoarthritis and, in the worst case, lead to injuries. To avoid this risk, it is advisable to lay carpets on wooden floors or tiles. Another option is non-slip dog socks.

Wrap up warm: To keep your dog’s muscles from getting cold and stiff, you should put a coat on your dog on cold days.

Mobility Aids: Special ramps or blocks can help your dog climb stairs or jump on furniture.

Quiet: Dogs with osteoarthritis are more sensitive to loud noise and chaotic environments. Allow your four-legged friend a quiet retreat – especially when children or visitors are there.

Grooming: Dogs with osteoarthritis often have trouble keeping all parts of their body clean, as some are difficult to reach. Help your four-legged friend with grooming by cutting, brushing, and washing their fur.

Diet: Overweight dogs put additional strain on their bones and joints. Arthrosis symptoms can be alleviated by reducing weight. The vet can help you create a special diet plan for your dog.

What is Arthritis in Dogs?

Osteoarthritis in dogs is a chronic joint disease. The articular cartilage is regressed or even destroyed and the joint structure changes as a result. This joint wear or joint atrophy can occur in any joint, which means unpleasant pain and restricted movement for the dog. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in the dog’s elbow, hip, and ankle.

On average, every fifth dog now suffers from joint wear and tear.

If you notice the first signs of movement pain in your four-legged friend, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. The earlier osteoarthritis is recognized and treated, the greater the chance of slowing down the progression of the disease.

Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Causes – How Does the Disease Come About?

Osteoarthritis in dogs can have a variety of causes. Joint wear and tear occur in many dogs as they get older. However, young fur noses can also be affected. Arthrosis can result if a dog’s joints are already under too much strain as a puppy.

Obesity can also be the cause of osteoarthritis in dogs. The weight puts strain on the joints and can thus cause the disease. There are also a number of pre-existing conditions that can promote the development of osteoarthritis. These pre-existing conditions include, for example, hip joint dysplasia, growth or metabolic disorders as well as injuries or inflammation of the joint (ruptured capsules, fractures).

Another decisive factor can be the diet of the four-legged friend. If it lacks essential amino acids, for example, this can have a negative effect on the joints.

The main causes of osteoarthritis in dogs include:

• Hereditary deformities of the limbs (e.g. hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patella);
• Accelerated growth due to poor nutrition during puppyhood;
• Genetic cartilage changes;
• Overloading of the joints in the growth phase or even afterward (e.g. through excessive climbing of stairs, running next to the bike, fetching balls, or dog sports);
• Accidents, injuries;
• Arthritis (joint inflammation);
• Lack of exercise leads to stiffness;
• Malnutrition.

Arthrosis: Symptoms – How is Arthrosis Noticeable in Dogs?

The sooner you identify osteoarthritis in your dog, the better. So consult a veterinarian as soon as possible if the symptoms indicate arthrosis.

The following symptoms can occur with canine osteoarthritis:

• The joint is visibly thickened.
• The dog bites the painful area.
• The four-legged friend has problems getting up and lying down.
• The urge to move decreases significantly.
• Climbing stairs or jumping into the car is tedious.
• The dog no longer wants to go for long walks.
• The dog is especially lame after long walks.
• He often changes lying positions to relieve aching joints.
• When the affected joints are touched, the dog reacts sensitively.
• Sudden aggressiveness or anxiety can be an expression of joint pain.
• The four-legged friend is often looking for warm and soft surfaces.
• The dog plays less or not at all.
• He avoids hard, cool, or drafty places to lie down.
• He is stiff and immobile, especially in the morning or after long periods of rest.
• The gait is stiff.
• The dog can no longer stretch out as well because its joints are less flexible.

Arthrosis: Diagnosis – How Can Arthrosis Be Detected in Dogs?

If osteoarthritis is suspected, the veterinarian will first carry out a lameness examination in which he assesses the dog’s walking movements. Imaging procedures are then used to rule out other causes of the joint problems and to assess the severity of the arthrosis:

• Roentgen;
• Ultrasonic;
• Computed tomography (CT);
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• Endoscopic examination of the joint;
• The last three examination methods are carried out under anesthesia in the four-legged friend.

Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Course – How Dangerous is Arthritis in Dogs?

As the disease progresses, the cartilage in the joint becomes increasingly porous, dries out, and crumbles away. As an attempt to heal itself, the joint surfaces then form bony growths – so-called osteophytes along the edges of the cartilage and the beginnings of the capsule. These bony processes can pinch nerves and cause pain and inability to move.

Inflammation also causes synovial fluid to thin and gradually lose its lubricating properties. As a result, the joint is worn down more and more and destroyed in the long run.

Osteoarthritis in dogs can be treated to improve quality of life, but the disease cannot be cured.

Osteoarthritis: Treatment – When Will My Dog Feel Better?

How can the vet help my dog?

Medication

Due to the severe pain, the affected dog is usually given painkillers with an anti-inflammatory effect, such as e.g. B. carprofen or meloxicam administered. So-called non-opioid analgesics such as metamizol can also be used. Sometimes glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisone) are also used – either to increase the effectiveness of painkillers or to reduce the doses of painkillers. If the dog is treated with these drugs over a longer period of time, regular monitoring of the liver and kidney function is essential.

Since drug treatment usually lasts for the rest of life, tolerability must be guaranteed under all circumstances. The medicines should reliably relieve the pain, improve the dog’s mobility and be as free of side effects as possible. In addition, in most cases, older dogs are affected by osteoarthritis, which often suffers from other diseases at the same time.

It is therefore very important that only those osteoarthritis medications are used that can be easily combined with other medications and do not cause any interactions.

Conservative therapy

The goal of treating osteoarthritis in dogs is initially to relieve the pain and slow the progression of the disease. In addition to drug therapy, there are a number of conservative treatments that can help:

Physiotherapy: Through targeted exercises, physiotherapy helps to relieve tension and build up the dog’s muscles. Physiotherapy should be done twice a month. The duration is usually between 15 and 30 minutes.

Movement training: Regular, light movements, such as dog swimming, maintain the mobility of the joint and also promote muscle development.

Feed and nutritional supplements: There are a number of supplementary feeds that support joint health. ingredients such as B. chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty acids promote joint metabolism.

Weight loss: Being overweight puts additional strain on the joints. Diet can provide relief from osteoarthritis.

Hyaluronic acid: Some veterinarians and alternative animal practitioners treat osteoarthritis in dogs with injections of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is an endogenous natural substance that improves the lubricity in the joint and promotes the supply of nutrients. The injection is made directly into the joint.

Gold acupuncture: Gold has proven itself in acupuncture and as an implant for arthrosis because it delays the progression of the disease. With gold acupuncture, gold balls are inserted into the acupuncture points instead of acupuncture needles and remain there.

Other treatment options: Depending on how severe the disease is, dogs with osteoarthritis may also benefit from radiation or shock wave therapy in some cases.

Depending on the course, the treatment of arthrosis requires adjustments again and again. Your veterinarian will be happy to help and advise you. With appropriate therapies, the quality of life and life expectancy of your four-legged friend can definitely be maintained.

Surgical procedure

If the non-surgical treatment methods are not successful, the affected joint can be treated by means of a surgical procedure.

One possibility is to insert an artificial stiffener. Although this limits the mobility of the dog, it usually ensures freedom from pain. In some joints, the bone can also be partially removed, giving the dog more freedom of movement. The joint is then supported by surrounding muscles.

Another possibility is the use of an artificial joint analogous to those for humans, e.g. for the hip, the elbow, or the knee joint.

How can I help my dog with osteoarthritis? – These home remedies help with canine osteoarthritis

Home remedies can provide mild relief for acute osteoarthritis. However, they can never cure the affected dog and in no way replace a visit to the veterinarian.

The best home remedies for arthritis in dogs are:

• Ginger (has an anti-inflammatory effect)
• Green-lipped mussel (rich in omega-3 fatty acids)
• Turmeric (anti-inflammatory and soothing)
• Warm compresses and poultices (provide pain relief)
• Devil’s Claw (anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving)

Homeopathy for dogs with osteoarthritis

Homeopathic remedies can reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs.

Globules or tablets that are used are, for example, Causticum D12 or D6, Thuja D12, Conium D4, Dulcamara D6, Rhus toxicodendron D12, or Bryonia D6. The complex remedy Traumeel can also help.

Homeopathic remedies should always be used in consultation with the treating veterinarian.

Veterinary Costs for Dogs with Osteoarthritis: What Do You Have to Pay for Yourself?

Depending on which treatment method you choose as a dog owner, you have to reckon with several hundred euros in veterinary costs.

Depending on the specialist, a single operation alone can cost over 2,000 euros.

In addition, there are ongoing costs for medication and conservative therapy methods, since arthrosis in dogs usually persists for the life of the animal.

Prevent Arthritis in Dogs

To prevent your dog from developing arthrosis in the first place, you can take the following measures to prevent it at an early stage:

• Healthy joints require healthy growth. Therefore, puppies should be given dog food that is adapted to the growth phase.
• Puppies of large dog breeds or giant breeds should not exercise any joint-stressing movements (e.g. climbing stairs, jumping into the car) during the growth phase.
• Pay attention to your dog’s diet so that it does not become overweight, because excess weight puts a strain on the joints with every movement.
• Adult dogs should get as much exercise as possible every day. Calm, even movements such as swimming are particularly easy on the joints.
• Take your dog to the vet for a health check-up once a year. In this way, diseases can be detected and treated early.
• Adjust your dog’s food to its age and living conditions.
• If your dog has an increased risk of osteoarthritis due to previous illnesses, it should definitely be given a special food enriched with joint-supporting nutrients. The same applies to dogs that are prone to osteoarthritis due to their breed.

FAQs on Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Does Osteoarthritis Reduce Life Expectancy in Dogs?

Even if arthrosis causes severe pain in dogs, this does not necessarily have an impact on life expectancy. Targeted treatment of osteoarthritis makes life as comfortable as possible for the sick dog. For this, he usually receives medication, physiotherapy, and moves to a sufficient extent. There are also dietary supplements that can help dogs with osteoarthritis.

What diet for dogs with osteoarthritis?

In the case of osteoarthritis, the targeted addition of nutrients can help to reduce inflammation. Vitamin C, rose hips, green tea, turmeric, ginger, omega-3 fatty acids, and green-lipped mussels can make a major contribution in addition to classic medicinal plants.

Do I have to put my dog to sleep if he has end-stage osteoarthritis?

Ultimately, every dog owner has to decide for himself when the dog should be put out of his suffering. You can ask yourself a number of questions to better assess the situation:

• Can the dog’s pain be relieved by other means?
• Have I already tried everything?
• Can my dog still walk or stand up on its own?
• Has my dog changed a lot due to pain and medication?

How can I help my dog ​​with osteoarthritis?

If arthritis in the dog is caused by being overweight, a diet is recommended. Physiotherapy also significantly improves the course. In addition to the pain and anti-inflammatory treatment with medication, the affected dog can also be helped with acupuncture, gold wire implantation, and homeopathy. Painkillers can make the symptoms more bearable.

Which medication for dogs with osteoarthritis pain?

Dogs suffering from osteoarthritis and struggling with lameness, pain, and a lack of movement are usually given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These classic arthrosis medications relieve the pain and at the same time inhibit joint inflammation.

How do I know if my dog ​​has osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis can show up differently in every dog. The most common symptoms include pain, especially after periods of rest, problems with weather changes and wet/cold weather, lameness, restricted movement, and atrophy of the muscles.

All statements are without guarantee.