What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition which affects approximately 30% of Australian dogs.
Your pet’s joints give the skeleton flexibility and allow him to walk, trot, run, jump, climb and move his head and neck to better see things.
Your pet’s body has three types of joints: 
- Ball and socket such as the hip and shoulder joints
- Hinged joints such as the knees
- Gliding joints such as the ankles.
The joints are lubricated by synovial fluid to help them move smoothly and are stabilised by tendons and ligaments. When the joints are damaged by age, injury, obesity or disease, arthritis (joint inflammation) can occur.
When we think of arthritis in dogs, we often have the misconception that it is a condition associated with age. Osteoarthritis is a common problem in all dogs, in particular the large breeds especially where obesity is a problem.
There are two kinds of arthritis that affect dogs and cats:
What are my options for treating/helping reduce arthritis?
Treatment for your pet will depend on the cause and severity of the arthritis. Veterinary-prescribed treatment for established arthritis normally includes:
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Degenerative joint disease in dogs
This is commonly referred to as osteoarthritis. It happens when the cartilage that protects the bones of the joint is destroyed. The destruction of cartilage can happen two ways:
1) Normal stress on abnormal joints - an example is hip dysplasia resulting from malformation of the hip sockets.
- 2) Abnormal stress on normal joints - an example is constant jumping over objects or injuries sustained in an accident.
This is why the degenerative form of arthritis is most often seen in older animals. Degenerative arthritis is a painful joint disease that affects 30% of dogs The condition may not make itself known until your pet has had years of abnormal stress. Since the cartilage has no nerve supply, the damage can progress with no outward symptoms until the joint is severely damaged and the lubricating fluid has lost its ability to protect the bone surfaces.
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Dog Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is the most common cause of rear leg lameness in dogs. The highest incidence occurs in large-breed dogs, including Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs and many others. Smaller breeds are also affected, but are less likely to show symptoms. According to statistics compiled by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, the risk of hip dysplasia in many of the large-breed dogs presented to them for certification over the past 25 years ranged from 20 to 40%.
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Inflammatory joint disease in dogs
This form of arthritis is far less common. It is usually caused by an infection, e.g. bacterial or fungal infection, tick-borne diseases and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (occurs only in North and South America) or by an underlying defect in your pet’s immune system, which may be hereditary.
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Injectable disease-modifying analgesic (pain-killing) products
Cartrophen
Cartrophen is an injection administered by your veterinarian. A series of 4 shots are given over 4 weeks, each more than a week apart, and very often have favourable results with negligible side effects. The entire course costs around $240 and usually takes 6 weeks to see results. The effects last 3-6 months, at which point the dog returns for a further course of injection. The cost and the inconvenience of weekly injections are a deterrent to some owners, especially since the oral nutraceutical products are so effective. Cartrophen works to retard the progression of arthritis in your pet. It relieves pain and lameness, and increases the range of pain-free movement by treating the underlying disease processes - not just the symptoms. It has multiple pharmacological actions that affect the immune and tissue cell systems.
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Anti-inflammatory medications
These are a short-term fix. The main group of drugs used to control the inflammation and pain associated with osteo-arthritis are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As a group they can be very effective but they do have potential adverse side effects, the most common of which involve irritation to the gastro-intestinal tract. Any dog taking NSAIDs should be monitored closely for signs of loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. The cost of NSAIDS starts at $55 for a two-week course.
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Nutraceuticals or supplements
The products that improve the health of the articular cartilage are not considered drugs, but are termed nutraceuticals. This is a rapidly growing area of interest in veterinary medicine as the concerns about the side effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have veterinarians and their patients looking for other options.
These nutraceuticals consist mainly of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, both essential ingredients of supplements that have become widely used in treating both animals and humans for osteoarthritis. Due to the overwhelming success in treating patients with osteoarthritis, these products have come to the forefront of therapy and are becoming the most popular products for managing arthritis today. The cost for these types of supplements equates to an average of 80 cents per day.
It is important to realise that these nutraceuticals do not provide instant relief to arthritic dogs in the same way as anti-inflammatories. In some cases they need to be used for at least 2 months before any beneficial effect is noticed. Initial supplementation with injection treatments such as Cartrophen renders the best result.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is an important component of joint fluid. Including it in the management of osteoarthritis may protect the joint by increasing the viscosity of the joint fluid, reducing inflammation and scavenging free radicals. Most of the research on hyaluronic acid has been done in people and horses, but it may also be effective in dogs. This is an injectable product which is administered directly into the joint. The cost ranges from $20-$30 for 60 capsules, which is approximately average of $1 per day for an average dog.
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Dietary and exercise management
While medications may help your pet overcome pain associated with arthritic conditions, it is important that he or she maintain a healthy lifestyle. Leading an active life will ensure your pet’s joints are kept in motion and remain able to work efficiently.
Dietary Management Weight control is an important component of any treatment for arthritis. (Excess weight puts more pressure on the joints, impeding healing.) Your veterinarian will recommend a suitable diet for your pet and you should make every effort to stick with it (as tempting as it may be to give your pet more treats to compensate for his/her pain).
Exercise Management Exercise is an important component of healthy living. Frequent exercise can help reduce pain, prevent further joint damage and can help your pet maintain a healthy weight level. Leash walking, swimming, walking on treadmills, slow jogging and going up and down stairs are excellent low-impact exercises. An exercise program should be customised based on the severity of the osteoarthritis, weight and condition of your pet. Too little exercise can be more detrimental than too much; however, the wrong type of exercise can cause harm. Remember, it is important to exercise daily; only exercising on weekends, for instance, may cause more harm than good if the animal is sore for the rest of the week and reluctant to move at all. Warming the muscles prior to exercise and following exercise with a "warm-down" period are beneficial. Consult with your veterinarian regarding an exercise program appropriate for your pet.
Adequate rest Some pets and many working animals do not get adequate rest for optimum healing. (Young children, for example, may interrupt pets excessively, impacting their rest.) Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on how much rest your pet requires during the healing period.
Warmth and good sleeping areas
Most people with arthritis find that the signs tend to worsen in cold, damp weather. Keeping your pet warm may help him be more comfortable. A pet sweater will help keep joints warmer. You may want to consider keeping the temperature in your home a little warmer, too.
Providing a firm, orthopedic foam bed helps many dogs with arthritis. Beds with dome-shaped, orthopedic foam distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure on joints. They are also much easier for the pet to get out of. Place the bed in a warm spot away from drafts.
Massage and physical therapy
Your veterinarian or the veterinary staff can show you how to perform physical therapy and massage on your dog to help relax stiff muscles and promote a good range of motion in the joints. Remember, your dog is in pain, so start slowly and build trust. Start by petting the area and work up to gently kneading the muscles around the joint with your fingertips using a small, circular motion. Gradually work your way out to the surrounding muscles. Moist heat is also beneficial.
Making daily activities less painful
Going up and down stairs is often difficult for arthritic pets, and for dogs, it can make going outside to urinate and defecate very difficult. Many people build or buy ramps, especially on stairs leading outdoors, to make this easier.
Larger breed dogs can especially benefit from elevating their food and water bowls. Elevated feeders make eating and drinking more comfortable for arthritic pets, particularly if there is stiffness in the neck or back.
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