More than one in five dogs will be affected by arthritis. Just like humans may be affected by this disorder, dogs and cats may be affected also.

Arthritis basically means inflammation of the joints. Most of the joints in the body depend on a layer of cartilage acting as a cushion, which also provides a smooth surface so the adjoining bones can move freely over each other. This is assisted by the lubrication provided by the synovial fluid, the oily liquid in joints.

With arthritis, the cartilage weakens and the synovial fluid loses some of its lubricating properties, so that the movement of the bones becomes less smooth.

Arthritis can affect one or more joints anywhere in the body however the most common joints affected are the shoulders, elbows, knees, and hips.

  
Image 1:Joint before arthritis has settled in: Lining and space shown by purple area

Signs of Arthritis
As dogs are very hardy creatures, and they tend not to complain when they are suffering from pain. There are signs that may indicate your dog is suffering from arthritis. These may include one or more of the following:

Reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump or play.

Limping.

Lagging behind on walks.

Difficulty rising from a rest position.

Yelping in pain when touched.

A personality change.

Licking of the affected joints.

These signs become more obvious as arthritis progresses, and the pain becomes much worse. As a result of the changes that have occurred in the affected joint/s, arthritis in dogs is not a condition that can be cured. But the pain and discomfort can be very effectively controlled and managed. 

Image 2: Advanced arthritis: Showing no lining between the bones

The first step is to schedule an appointment with your vet to diagnose your dog's condition and advise on the best course of therapy.

To help your dog be happy and enjoy life again, there are 6 important areas of therapy

Weight control
Arthritis problems can be greatly eased in pets carrying too much weight, simply by shedding those unneeded kilos.

Exercise
It is important to keep joints moving therefore regular moderate exercise is encouraged, although we don't want these joints to be over exercised, so the tennis ball may have to be retired.
Swimming and hydrotherapy is encouraged in severe cases as the joints are manipulated with minimal pressure.
Passive joint manipulation and massage can be very helpful especially in times of discomfort i.e. First thing in the morning.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Rimadyl, Metacam)
These are similar to anti arthritic drugs in humans but are specially formulated for use in dogs and cats. These medications reduce inflammation and help significantly with pain. They may be given to most patients, without any side effects. Dogs and cats often experience serious side effects with human preparations.

Nutriceuticals
Food products that have pharmaceutical effects e.g. Hills Prescription Diet j/d, and Sasha's blend. A recently released trial showed that 70% or higher of pets with arthritis responded significantly to use of these products. They contain specific extracts of Green Lipped Mussel and Shark Cartilage that mimic the building blocks of the joint lining and thus improve joint function.

Home comforts/ environment change
Keeping our four legged friends warm, especially at night, is important. Ensure your pet has a soft, warm bed, free from draughts. A trampoline bed with extra padding is ideal.

If you answered yes to any of the above mentioned symptoms, or you think your dog may be suffering from arthritis, please speak to one of our healthcare team.

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