What owners need to know if their dog has been diagnosed with arthritis.
Struggling with stairs? Reluctant to jump into car? Slowing down on walks? Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs.
Osteoarthritis is a debilitating and progressive condition which causes breakdown of the cartilage in load bearing joints. As a result of pain and altered limb use, the surrounding muscles become weak and the dog compensates in other parts of their body. Unfortunately its a major cause of euthanasia due to loss of quality of life. At The Dog Wellness Centre we want to do everything we can to minimise the effect this disease has on your dog’s life.
It’s important for owners to understand that arthritis will affect many dogs in their senior years. Knowing the signs and symptoms is very important so you can discuss treatment options with your vet sooner rather than later. From a holistic point of view its important to know how to optimise your dog’s lifestyle to limit the onset and severity of this debilitating condition.
Some dogs may be genetically predisposed to joint abnormalities such as hip or elbow dysplasia which over time can develop into arthritis. Its important to note that owners cannot prevent these developmental issues from happening but they can limit the severity of the end result by correct management early in life such as strict weight control and appropriate amounts of exercise.
In many cases, osteoarthritis is acquired which means the dog was not born with it but circumstances have caused it such as traumatic injuries at the park, excessive ball chasing or too much exercise as young pups.
Signs of arthritis:
Decreased energy levels
Reduced enthusiasm to exercise
Normal stretching habits become less frequent
Struggling with stairs
Reluctance to jump into car or on/off furniture
Slowing down on walks
The signs mentioned here are some of the more frequent things I hear owners of arthritic pets talk about. The symptoms can be very intermittent to begin with and as a result are often overlooked. I feel its important for all owners to understand how arthritis may affect your pet and what it might look like. By taking a proactive approach we can ensure your dog is on the best management plan to support a long, happy and healthy life.
If you suspect something is up, your first port of call is to the vet as an accurate veterinary diagnosis is essential to guide you. Often medication will be prescribed. Anti-inflammatory medications, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are frequently used to manage a dog’s condition and can offer a dramatic improvement in mobility and quality of life.
However, drugs are not the only piece of this puzzle and it’s important to put lifestyle changes in place so that you avoid aggravating this complex condition.
There is clear evidence in human and veterinary medicine supporting the idea that carrying excess weight exacerbates osteoarthritis. So weight control is an important consideration and if your dog is overweight, weight reduction alone may significantly improve their condition. Be honest with yourself about your pets weight and make the necessary changes to improve their condition. At The Dog Wellness Centre, we have regular weigh ins which is a great incentive to hit your targets and stay on track.
Quite often there is a need to change the way a dog is exercised. Sometimes they end up doing too much which exacerbates the condition. Other times a dog may be reluctant to exercise because of painful joints and as a result their muscles become weaker. Both scenarios lead to a viscous circle of pain and discomfort which negatively affects a dog’s wellbeing and quality of life. At The Dog Wellness Centre, we will educate you on the correct amount of exercise for your dog bearing in mind the severity of their arthritis.
Modifying your house such as putting down non slip mats or blocking access to the stairs will help decrease your dog’s discomfort, reduce the frequency of flare ups and slow the progression of their disease.
Choosing a premium dog food is also important. There is little regulation amongst brands but Hills have performed controlled clinical trials on their JD mobility diet so it’s an option that is frequently recommended by vets. I often get asked about supplements and I feel they are an important addition to your dog’s diet if they suffer from arthritis. There are many on the market but please be aware that some companies give misleading claims about their benefits. So its important to discuss options with your vet or veterinary professional to ensure your dog is on the most appropriate supplement for their needs.
