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Osteoarthritis in dogs

Osteoarthritis is the progressive wear and tear of the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in a joint. This cartilage cushions and makes it slide; when it is damaged, the bones rub together, the joint becomes inflamed and small bony gro...

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

It is a chronic, progressive and painful disease, very common in older dogs, but which can appear much earlier when a joint is abnormal or has been injured.

We cannot cure it, but we can slow down its progression and give the dog real comfort of life. Many owners mistake the signs of osteoarthritis for simple “aging”: it is actually pain.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Lameness Pain Fatigue Unusual aggression Swelling

Stiffness upon rising, especially in the morning or after a long nap, which subsides after a few minutes of walking.

Intermittent lameness, often aggravated by cold, humidity or unusual exertion.

Difficulty getting up, going up stairs, jumping in the car or on the couch.

Shorter walks, the dog drags, stops, refuses to go any further.

Less play, more sleep, change in mood: dog who growls when touched or moved, even though he has never done so.

Insistent licking of a joint.

Joint thickened, sometimes warm, with limited movement.

Wasting of the muscles of the less used limb.

Panting breathing at rest or nighttime restlessness, which can indicate pain.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Osteoarthritis is most often the consequence of a pre-existing joint problem: hip or elbow dysplasia, dislocation of the patella, rupture of the cruciate ligament, fracture affecting a joint.

It can also result from age-related wear and tear, without an identifiable initial anomaly.

Chronic infection or inflammation of the joint can destroy the cartilage.

Once started, the process continues: damaged cartilage releases inflammatory substances which further damage the joint.

Overweight and obesity: they increase the load on the joints and maintain general inflammation. This is the most important and changeable factor.

Advanced age.

Large format and heavy breeds.

History of joint growth disease or joint injury.

Intense and repeated sporting activity, frequent jumps, slippery floors.

Sedentary lifestyle, which weakens the protective musculature of the joint.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The veterinarian begins by listening to the description of daily life: this is often where the pain is noticed, because a dog with arthritis adapts and does not complain.

He observes walking, palpates each joint, looks for cracks, thickenings and limitations of movement, and assesses muscle mass.

X-rays confirm the damage and specify which joints are affected.

A blood test is often carried out before starting long-term treatment, to check the liver and kidneys.

Pain assessment grids completed at home help measure the effect of treatment over time.

Treatment

Support always combines several levers; none is enough on its own.

Weight loss is the most effective measure: a few hundred grams less really relieves a small dog. The veterinarian sets a goal and a food plan.

Physical activity should be regular, daily and moderate: several short walks are better than a long weekend outing.

Painkiller and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by the veterinarian help break the flare-ups and make exercise possible. They require monitoring, particularly renal and hepatic.

Physiotherapy, massages, water work and certain pain treatment devices complete the treatment.

Specific foods and joint supplements are frequently offered as long-term support.

Surgery still has a place when a correctable cause is identified, or in very advanced damage to a single joint.

Arranging the house helps a lot: non-slip mats, thick and warm bedding, raised bowls, ramp for the car, elimination of jumping.

Never give your dog a human anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol are toxic to him and can cause ulcers, digestive bleeding, kidney failure or liver damage, sometimes fatal. Even one shot can be enough.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Keep the dog slim throughout its life: this is the best known joint protection.

Treat joint diseases in young dogs early, which are the main gateway to osteoarthritis.

Feed large breed puppies with a suitable food, without added calcium.

Maintain regular physical activity rather than intense and occasional ones.

Avoid slippery floors and jumping from furniture or the trunk of the car.

Have the dog examined once or twice a year from middle age, to identify pain before it limits its life.

Possible complications

Chronic pain that impairs sleep, appetite and behavior.

Loss of mobility and muscle wasting, which makes the dog more and more dependent.

Weight gain through reduced activity, which aggravates osteoarthritis: a vicious circle.

Injuries related to compensation on other limbs.

In severely affected dogs: difficulty getting up alone, bedsores, soiling, loss of autonomy.

Adverse digestive or renal effects of long-term treatments, hence the importance of controls.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog takes time to get up in the morning or after a nap.

He limps, even intermittently.

He refuses stairs, no longer jumps, cuts his walks short.

He growls or shy away when touched: pain can make a dog irritable.

He keeps licking a joint.

He moans at night, often changes position, cannot sleep.

A sudden worsening of lameness in a dog with osteoarthritis should prompt consultation: it may indicate a new lesion.

Prognosis

Osteoarthritis does not cure and progresses over time, but it is well controlled.

A dog maintained at its ideal weight, properly treated during outbreaks and exercised regularly maintains an active and comfortable life for years.

The prognosis depends above all on the early treatment and regularity of follow-up, more than on the appearance of the x-rays: some dogs with very radiological scars suffer little, and the opposite is also true.

Frequently asked questions

My dog is getting older, it's normal for him to slow down, right?

Slowing down with age is commonplace, but having trouble getting up, refusing stairs or grunting at touch is not old age: it's pain. It can be treated, and many owners rediscover a dog that plays again once relieved.

Can I give him aspirin or paracetamol?

No, never. These human medications are dangerous for dogs and can cause digestive ulcers, hemorrhages and serious kidney or liver damage, sometimes fatal. Only medications prescribed by the veterinarian for your dog are suitable.

Should you run it or leave it idle?

You have to make it work, but in a different way: short, regular outings, on soft ground, every day. Complete rest melts the muscles that support the joint and makes the situation worse.

Are joint supplements helpful?

They are frequently offered as long-term support and are generally well tolerated. They do not replace weight loss, appropriate exercise, or pain treatment prescribed by the veterinarian.

Does cold worsen osteoarthritis?

Many dogs are stiffer in cold, wet weather. A thick bedding, sheltered from drafts, and a little warm-up before the walk improve their comfort.