Arthiritis in Dogs

Overview

Arthritis can also be referred to as osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD). It is a common disease of older dogs. In arthritis, the protective layer of cartilage that covers the ends of bone, facilitating smooth movement in joints is damaged and worn away. This results in the bone being exposed causing pain and inflammation. Arthritis is a progressive disease so will worsen over time but there are ways to slow the progression and keep affected dogs pain free with good mobility and quality of life.

Any animal can show signs of arthritis and it’s estimated that up to 20% of dogs in the UK could be affected to some degree. Some breeds are more prone to arthritis than others and these breeds include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. The most common joints affected are the elbow, hips and knee or stifle. Arthritis can be due to general wear and tear of the joint, known as primary arthritis or it can be as a result of a specific condition such as elbow or hip dysplasia and this is called secondary arthritis.

Clinical Signs

The pain and inflammation in the joints means that dogs will appear stiff, especially when getting up from rest. They may not be able to climb stairs or jump into the car as they used to and will be reluctant to go as far on walks. They can seem lethargic and reluctant to move at all and pain can alter their behaviour and demeanour sometimes making them aggressive or go off their food.

If you notice any of these changes in your dog then you should have them examined by your veterinary surgeon.

Diagnosis

This will be based on the history and clinical examination. The vet may want to see your pet walk to assess their gait and may be able to see or feel reduced muscle mass, especially over the hindlimbs. Radiographs can also be taken to demonstrate arthritic changes in the joint.

Management

This consists of many different aspects that work together to slow progression of disease and keep the affected animal pain free.

Weight Control: This is vital as any excess weight on a dog with arthritis will put extra strain on the joints, exacerbating the damage. Weight control can be achieved with a calorie controlled diet and owners must be strict about not feeding excessive amounts of treats.

Controlled exercise: Some exercise is good for animals with arthritis as it maintain muscle mass and range of movement of the joints. It also helps with weight control. Exercise should be regular and gentle and non impact exercise such as hydrotherapy can be very beneficial in cases of arthritis.

Diet: There are specific prescription diets formulated for pets with arthritis such as Hills j/d and Royal Canin Mobility Support. These diets contain beneficial essential fatty acids and antioxidants as well as being low calorie to control weight. Hills j/d and  Royal Canin Mobility Support are available for dogs and cats in wet and dry forms.

Nutritional supplements: Giving supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphate can really improve arthritis. Glucosamine is one of a group of molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and these are the building blocks of cartilage. Chondroitin inhibits destructive enzymes in the joint and supplementation can help protect the cartilage and slow progression of arthritis. These compounds are available in products such as Synoquin, Seraquin and Cosequin and have become a mainstay of arthritis management. When products such as Synoquin, Seraquin and Cosequin are used in conjunction with the anti-inflammatory drugs discussed below, lower doses of the drugs can be used, minimising side effects.

Anti-inflammatory medications: These are often indicated in the management of arthritis and the most common class of drug used are the Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). There are several available. Meloxicam (Metacam, Meloxidyl), carprofen (Rimadyl, Carprieve), firocoxib (Previcox) and mavacoxib (Trocoxil) are some examples. The NSAIDs act to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain in the affected joints, often resulting in improved mobility and better quality of life. Some, such as Metacam are available in a liquid form and others such as Rimadyl and Previcox are tablets. All should be given with food and the exact dose will be determined by your vet. There are potential side effects on the gut and sometimes kidneys and liver and your vet may wish to do occasional blood tests to monitor these if the drugs are being used long term.

For specific underlying conditions such as hip dysplasia or in very severe disease,not controlled by medical management there are potential surgical treatments such as total hip replacement. These are not usually a first option and would only be considered on a case by case basis after extensive consultation with your vet.