What is arthritis in dogs?
I’m not a vet but like most owners, I love my dogs. I have worked with rehabilitating dogs for some 10 years with a great success rate and the biggest reward is seeing a dog get better. I hope this is not too boring and that this information helps. Please feel free to leave comments. Arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects one or more joints.
Most cases occur in dogs with an inherited orthopaedic disease such as osteochondrosis or hip dysplasia, or those with a joint injury.
Osteoarthritis is a common disease that affects one out of five dogs during their lifetime. The problem isn’t confined to older dogs. Hip dysplasia, ruptured cruciate ligaments, patella luxation, joint trauma, and other joint conditions can cause degenerative arthritis, even in young dogs. Some cases of arthritis are related to an immune-mediated joint disease or a joint infection. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a progressive, debilitating disorder characterized by a loss of cartilage and the death of cartilage-producing cells. It can lead to permanent loss of function. You do find that large-breed dogs are affected more often than small dogs. Heavy dogs are more likely to experience symptoms because of the extra strain placed on ligaments and joints.
The diagnosis is made by joint X-rays that show bone spurs at points where the ligaments and the joint capsule attach to the bone. There may be varying degrees of joint space narrowing and increased density of bone around the joint.
What breeds/ages are prone to dog arthritis?
Arthritis doesn’t discriminate. In most cases, DJD occurs secondarily to trauma, nutritional disorders or infections. It is prevalent in middle-aged to older dogs (and sometimes in cats). DJD may also occur in young dogs who suffer from canine hip dysplasia, a common developmental disorder of the hip joint found primarily in the larger breeds. Some of the breeds include Labradors, Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Collies and Kelpies
What medications are used to treat canine arthritis?
The goals of drug therapy for DJD are to control pain, increase mobility, slow down the destructive process in the joint and encourage cartilage repair. The drugs most often prescribed to control pain and inflammation are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Aspirin, a NSAID, is probably used more often than any other medication to treat DJD in dogs. Although effective in most dogs, aspirin does have gastrointestinal side effects.
- Carprofen (Rimadyl®) is significantly more potent than aspirin and has a very wide margin of safety. Rare instances of liver toxicity have been reported in dogs receiving carprofen.
- Etodolac (EtoGesic® has potent analgesic activity. At the recommended dosage, Etodolac presents little potential for development of stomach ulcers.
Chondroprotective agents are drugs that help protect cartilage as it attempts to repair itself. They have become increasingly popular in treating DJD.
– Two such drugs are Cosequin® and Glyco-flex®. They consist of glucosamine and purified chondroitin sulfate, major building blocks of cartilage. Cosequin and Glyco-flex are neutraceuticals, i.e. dietary supplements or food additives that do not require FDA approval.
-Adequan®, on the other hand, has been approved by the FDA for the management of DJD in dogs. It works by inhibiting some mediators of inflammation, as well as enzymes that contribute to the destruction of cartilage. This chondroprotective agent is given to dogs by intramuscular injection. Successful treatment is more likely if the drug is given early in the development of DJD. For example, when puppies diagnosed with hip dysplasia were given Adequan before arthritic changes occurred, their radiographs showed significant improvement and development of DJD was delayed.
Because the drugs work in different ways, NSAIDs and chondroprotective agents can be given simultaneously to dogs who are severely affected.
Are there other ways, besides drug therapy, to treat dogs with canine arthritis?
Drug therapy is effective when combined with appropriate exercise and weight management such as non-strenuous exercise, such as swimming or walking. This is a must for dogs and may enhance the nutrition of cartilage. Exercise should be on a regular basis, and strenuous, high-impact activities should be avoided. You can find out more about canine hydrotherapy at www.hydrofordogs.co.uk. Overweight dogs should be placed on an appropriate diet. Dogs with DJD may benefit from being somewhat underweight. Furthermore, there is a dog mobility harness available from www.dogaids.com that allows the walker to support and bear some of the weight; thus allowing the dog to walk further. This can help the muscle build up.
Is surgery an option for dogs with canine arthritis?
If medical management fails to reduce pain and improve function, there are many surgical options for hip dysplasia. The most common is femoral head ostectomy, where the head of the thighbone is removed to resolve the pain of the thighbone grinding against the hip socket. Triple pelvic osteotomy is a corrective surgical procedure that reorients the hip socket to realign it with the head of the thighbone, thus stabilizing the joint. If all else fails, total hip replacement with a prosthetic device can be performed.
The following information is to help you understand various aliments that your dog can suffer from and is not intended to replace seeing your vet on a regular basis. If you think your dog may have a problem, i recommend that you see your veterinarian immediately. And remember, please do not give any medication or buy online without first talking to your veterinarian.
