Arthritis in Dogs: How Can We Prevent and Treat It
Canine arthritis is something that impacts many dogs throughout their lifetime. Sometimes, it can be easy to miss arthritis, so understanding the signs and what to look for can save your dog a lot of pain.
Because osteoarthritis is the second leading cause of humane euthanasia, we must take it seriously. Most people do not know that it can impact dogs younger than one year old. One of the best things we can do for arthritis is prevention. If your dog already has arthritis, there are things we can do to lessen their discomfort and help them live full lives.
What is osteoarthritis?
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. It is known as osteoarthritis when the cartilage wears thin and changes to the bone of the joint occur. Osteoarthritis is a chronic, common and painful disease in dogs.
The main concern of osteoarthritis is the pain it causes. Unfortunately, it is the second leading cause of humane euthanasia in dogs (the first is cancer). Because this disease is ultimately life-threatening, being proactive in its diagnosis and treatment is our goal.
Who is affected?
Arthritis can be secondary to an injury, which is the most common cause. However, it can also be a primary disease with no known cause. Approximately 20% of dogs over the age of 1 year old have osteoarthritis and approximately 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old. That’s a lot of dogs!
Why does it happen?
Osteoarthritis can be caused by normal forces on an abnormal joint (i.e. congenital diseases — diseases from birth — such as hip or elbow dysplasia) or abnormal forces on a normal joint (i.e. traumatic injuries or overweight pets). Most dogs develop arthritis after a previous injury.
How can we prevent arthritis?
The prevention of arthritis in young and healthy dogs is limited. The majority of pet guardians are already doing their best to prevent traumatic injuries including broken bones or dislocated joints.
But, there are a few things we can do. One way to prevent harmful forces on the joints is to avoid high-impact activities including exercising on hard surfaces (such as asphalt or concrete), activity with concussive forces on the joint (such as fetch), and activity on slippery or steep surfaces. Avoiding these activities can avoid injury and arthritis.
Keeping dogs lean with a healthy weight and regular activity can also stave off arthritic changes. Pets that are overweight are at risk of metabolic, endocrine or inflammatory diseases, and this weight can put more strain on already hurting joints.
How can we treat arthritis?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These are the heavy lifters in arthritis management. They are proven to reduce inflammation and therefore pain and are typically well tolerated by most dogs, despite concerns over liver and kidney disease. NSAIDs can be used daily.
Weight management: Less weight to carry means a decreased load on the joints. Keeping your pet in a good body condition can alleviate pain associated with arthritis. The best way to do this is often targeting increased low-impact exercise and decreased caloric intake — weight loss is not always easy though. Ask your vet how to do this safely!
Changes to the home environment:
Non-slip surfaces should be prioritized in high-traffic areas including:
Slippery surfaces
Areas with a change in height
On and at the bottom of the stairs
In front of the furniture where pets dismount
Ramps and stairs can also be used for your dog to gain access to furniture, such as beds, couches or the car.
Orthopedic beds can also relieve pressure on joints.
Raising water and food bowls can reduce stress or sliding when eating or drinking.
Physical therapy: Studies show that movement and exercise can relieve pain effectively. Physical therapy can include exercises including stretching, targeted movements, and massage, as well as hydrotherapies including underwater treadmill and swimming. These therapies are targeted to conditioning and ensuring range of motion, as well as maintaining muscle tone associated with the affected joints.
Acupuncture: This evidence-based practice can be a great add-on therapy for pain management. Often well-tolerated by dogs, acupuncture can help with the pain associated with osteoarthritis. It is important to remember that response to treatment will not be seen until about three treatment sessions.
Librela: This is a once-monthly, injectable monoclonal antibody therapy for the control of canine osteoarthritis (OA). It targets nerve-growth factor (NGF) associated with joint pain and inhibits the NGF effect on the pain pathway to the brain. Studies on the effectiveness of Librela are based on two injections administered one month apart.
New science: New medications continuously pass approval in the USA. Your vet should be continuously learning through lectures, seminars and conferences to find out what new products and treatments may help your pet!
It’s important to remember that dogs can show signs of arthritis at any age. If you suspect that your dog is experiencing arthritis or you worry they may be showing signs of it, please reach out at hello@gentlejourneyvetcare.com. We specialize in providing care for pets that need extra attention and supporting caregivers. You can learn more about palliative care and how acupuncture can help your dog with arthritis.
