Pain in the Joints: What Does Osteoarthritis Mean in Dogs?

Osteoarthritis in dogs is a common cause of lameness and limited mobility. Not only older dogs are affected – what sounds like a “senior disease” can also occur in young dogs. But if you recognize the symptoms and act in time, you can also do something about it.Almost every one of us who has ever been allowed to accompany a dog of advanced age knows the diagnosis: arthrosis. This umbrella term covers a whole range of diseases that involve degenerative changes in the joints and the associated pain when moving them. But to think that this condition would only affect old and/or large dogs is fundamentally wrong. Strictly speaking, osteoarthritis is not a sign of aging. Even very young dogs can be affected. That is when, for example, overloading, injuries, or congenital malpositions make it difficult for the joints to move “smoothly”. About 20% of all dogs suffer from osteoarthritis – that’s about every fifth quadruped.

Wear & Tear of the Joints

Articular cartilage is a smooth layer at the ends of bones that allows two bones to slide easily against each other in joints. If these layers become thin and cracked due to joint misalignment or incorrect loading, the underlying bone tissue reacts. It forms deposits, especially along the edges of the cartilage, which cause problems from now on – like sand in the gearbox. In addition, painful inflammations develop in the joint, the protective joint capsule thickens and the synovial fluid increasingly loses its “lubricating” property. Gradually, the articular cartilage wears away – and at some point, bone rubs against the bone with every movement, which causes great pain. A distinction is made (depending on the cause of the joint change):

• primary arthrosis (cause of joint misalignment unknown)
• secondary arthrosis (the cause of joint misalignment is trauma after incorrect or overloading)

In addition to the initially pain-related reluctance to move affected four-legged friends, there is gradually an actual restriction of movement of the joint. The consequences are lameness and, in the worst case, a restriction or loss of the dog’s entire ability to move.