Introduction

Arthritis is a painful, progressive and irreversible condition that unfortunately is very common in dogs and in people. Its common definition is inflammation of any joint, and it can be caused by a number of things. Medically, arthritis is the degenerative, progressive and permanent deterioration of the articular cartilage of joints. While most commonly seen in older dogs, arthritis can strike younger pets as well, especially those with a genetic predisposition to developing the disease. There are a number of medical treatments and therapies that can prevent further damage to the joints and can reduce, or eliminate, painful flair-ups from this condition. The clinical signs of arthritis in dogs usually appear gradually and then worsen over time. The first signs of arthritis are often so mild that even the most vigilant of dog owners will miss them. How rapidly the disease progresses depends upon a number of factors, including the breed of the dog, overall nutrition, weight, age and genetics.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The signs that owners may notice in their dogs that are developing arthritis are not specific to this disorder. However, taken together, the various symptoms will be suggestive of arthritis to the observant owner. These include:

Affected dogs may rise more slowly in the morning and take longer to warm up later in the day. They may spend more time resting or sleeping, which can lead to weight gain and exacerbate the effects of the disease. Dogs that suffer from arthritis may be depressed and lethargic. They often become irritable or even aggressive when approached or touched, and they may stop eating. A characteristic stance of dogs with severe OA is walking with their pelvis tucked underneath them, using their hind legs with exaggerated care. If a single joint is affected, the animal may become “three-legged lame,” which will predispose the joints in the other limbs to developing OA, because they will be carrying more weight than normal. Dogs that suffer from severe arthritis may become depressed. They can become aggressive if touched or petted, and they may even stop eating. A characteristic stance of dogs with severe arthritis is walking with the pelvis tucked in, using the back legs with exaggerated care. If the arthritis is restricted to one joint, the dog may limp or hold the leg up, or may walk or run using the other three legs. In these instances, arthritis will worsen in the other limbs because they are carrying more weight than normal.

Dogs At Increased Risk

There is no breed or gender predisposition in dogs to the development of this condition, but it most commonly affects older dogs.