What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a term used when a joint becomes inflamed or when abnormal changes occur in a joint.
What Causes My Dog's Arthritis?
There are several causes of arthritis. Infection within an joint, injury to a joint, congenital structural defects that can cause joint surfaces to wear unevenly, resulting in the erosion of the joint cartilage. When the cushioning effect of joint cartilage is lost, the bony surfaces within the joint are exposed, leading to bone rubbing on bone. Some types of arthritis are caused by immune mediated disorders and there are occasions when joints become inflamed for reasons that are not well understood.
As the joint becomes inflamed, the tissues around the joint thicken and become less elastic. Movement of the joint is painful and the range of motion of the joint is reduced.
How Can I tell if my Dog has Arthritis?
As a general rule, it is difficult to tell that your dog is in pain. Animals are naturally very stoical. It is a survival tactic to not show outward signs of pain. The signs of joint pain are often subtle and may become only visible over time or to the trained eye of a veterinarian. Affected dogs are often slow or reluctant to get up or to lie down. They may hesitate to go up or down stairs. They may be reluctant to go for a walk or may want to return home early in the walk. Occasionally, they will seem a bit stiff early in their walk but appear to improve as they "warm up". Perhaps, you will only notice that they hesitate to jump up to the couch or let out a little cry when they jump off the bed.
Arthritis is a term used when a joint becomes inflamed or when abnormal changes occur in a joint.
What Causes My Dog's Arthritis?
There are several causes of arthritis. Infection within an joint, injury to a joint, congenital structural defects that can cause joint surfaces to wear unevenly, resulting in the erosion of the joint cartilage. When the cushioning effect of joint cartilage is lost, the bony surfaces within the joint are exposed, leading to bone rubbing on bone. Some types of arthritis are caused by immune mediated disorders and there are occasions when joints become inflamed for reasons that are not well understood.
As the joint becomes inflamed, the tissues around the joint thicken and become less elastic. Movement of the joint is painful and the range of motion of the joint is reduced.
How Can I tell if my Dog has Arthritis?
As a general rule, it is difficult to tell that your dog is in pain. Animals are naturally very stoical. It is a survival tactic to not show outward signs of pain. The signs of joint pain are often subtle and may become only visible over time or to the trained eye of a veterinarian. Affected dogs are often slow or reluctant to get up or to lie down. They may hesitate to go up or down stairs. They may be reluctant to go for a walk or may want to return home early in the walk. Occasionally, they will seem a bit stiff early in their walk but appear to improve as they "warm up". Perhaps, you will only notice that they hesitate to jump up to the couch or let out a little cry when they jump off the bed.
If your veterinarian suspects your dog has arthritis, radiographs and blood tests will be recommended. Arthritic changes are generally seen readily on xrays.
What Can be Done to Help My Dog with Arthritis?
There are several medications available to help reduce the discomfort that your dog feels with arthritis. Generally the newer anti-inflammatory agents used to treat arthritis in dogs are both safe and effective. However, as with most medications that are given for prolonged periods of time, periodic blood tests will be needed to monitor the effects of these medications on your dog.
The most useful class of drugs to treat canine arthritis are NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are powerful drugs. Their effects will be overwhelmingly good for your dog but occasionally there may be some adverse effects, so regular monitoring is required. Occasionally, corticosteroids (cortisone like drugs) may be used but their use is limited because of side effects.
Not all NSAIDS are safe for dogs. Naproxen (Alleve©) is broken down very slowly in dogs and therefore must never be given to dogs. Ibuprofen (Motrin©) has been reported to cause bleeding within the digestive tract. Acetominophen (Tylenol©) may cause liver damage. ASA is generally safe at low levels but doses high enough to give relief may cause bleeding in the digestive tract.
So, if your dog needs medication for arthritis, rely on your veterinarian to guide you as to the choice of drug, its dosage and frequency of administration. Your veterinarian will also speak to you about what blood tests will be needed to monitor the safety of the drugs for your dog.
There are a group of compounds referred to as "chondroprotectives". These are classified as "nutraceuticals" and are naturally occurring supplements. The most popular among these are glucosamine and chondroitin. While some claim efficacy with these compounds, their usefulness is disputed by others. It is generally true that at recommended doses, they are safe, so they are often used on a "try it and see" basis. They are however unlikely, by themselves, to provide much relief to most dogs with arthritic pain.
Omega 3 fatty acids have been recommended for dogs with arthritis but only appear to have any affect at very high dosages.
You can try the nutraceuticals and the Omega 3 fatty acids, but it is mostly likely that your dog is going to get real relief only when you give one of the newer anti inflammatory drugs (Rimadyl© and Metacam© are two of the more common), at the dosage recommended by your veterinarian.
There are some other common sense things that you should be aware of that will help your arthritic dog. When your dog is less active as a result of arthritic pain, your dog will burn off less calories and can easily gain weight. So reduce the amount of food accordingly, and if your arthritic dog is already overweight, ask your veterinarian about a low calorie reducing diet. Arthritic dogs who lose weight are often able to move around much easier.
Make sure your dog has nice soft and warm surfaces on which to sleep.
Arthritic dogs appreciate carpeted floors.
Try to enourage your arthritic dog to maintain some activity so that some range of motion is maintained in the joints.
Don't give up hope just because your dog is diagnosed with arthritis. Your dog may not be able to do some things as before, but with diet control, reduced exercise, a warm soft bed, non skid surfaces and the right medications, your dog will be still be able to have enjoyment in its life and provide lots of enjoyment for you.
What Can be Done to Help My Dog with Arthritis?
There are several medications available to help reduce the discomfort that your dog feels with arthritis. Generally the newer anti-inflammatory agents used to treat arthritis in dogs are both safe and effective. However, as with most medications that are given for prolonged periods of time, periodic blood tests will be needed to monitor the effects of these medications on your dog.
The most useful class of drugs to treat canine arthritis are NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are powerful drugs. Their effects will be overwhelmingly good for your dog but occasionally there may be some adverse effects, so regular monitoring is required. Occasionally, corticosteroids (cortisone like drugs) may be used but their use is limited because of side effects.
Not all NSAIDS are safe for dogs. Naproxen (Alleve©) is broken down very slowly in dogs and therefore must never be given to dogs. Ibuprofen (Motrin©) has been reported to cause bleeding within the digestive tract. Acetominophen (Tylenol©) may cause liver damage. ASA is generally safe at low levels but doses high enough to give relief may cause bleeding in the digestive tract.
So, if your dog needs medication for arthritis, rely on your veterinarian to guide you as to the choice of drug, its dosage and frequency of administration. Your veterinarian will also speak to you about what blood tests will be needed to monitor the safety of the drugs for your dog.
There are a group of compounds referred to as "chondroprotectives". These are classified as "nutraceuticals" and are naturally occurring supplements. The most popular among these are glucosamine and chondroitin. While some claim efficacy with these compounds, their usefulness is disputed by others. It is generally true that at recommended doses, they are safe, so they are often used on a "try it and see" basis. They are however unlikely, by themselves, to provide much relief to most dogs with arthritic pain.
Omega 3 fatty acids have been recommended for dogs with arthritis but only appear to have any affect at very high dosages.
You can try the nutraceuticals and the Omega 3 fatty acids, but it is mostly likely that your dog is going to get real relief only when you give one of the newer anti inflammatory drugs (Rimadyl© and Metacam© are two of the more common), at the dosage recommended by your veterinarian.
There are some other common sense things that you should be aware of that will help your arthritic dog. When your dog is less active as a result of arthritic pain, your dog will burn off less calories and can easily gain weight. So reduce the amount of food accordingly, and if your arthritic dog is already overweight, ask your veterinarian about a low calorie reducing diet. Arthritic dogs who lose weight are often able to move around much easier.
Make sure your dog has nice soft and warm surfaces on which to sleep.
Arthritic dogs appreciate carpeted floors.
Try to enourage your arthritic dog to maintain some activity so that some range of motion is maintained in the joints.
Don't give up hope just because your dog is diagnosed with arthritis. Your dog may not be able to do some things as before, but with diet control, reduced exercise, a warm soft bed, non skid surfaces and the right medications, your dog will be still be able to have enjoyment in its life and provide lots of enjoyment for you.