Arthritis

It is estimated that 1 in 5 dogs suffer from arthritis.

Overview

Arthritis or osteoarthritis is the irreversible and progressive deterioration of joints that causes pain and a reduction in joint motion. It affects dogs of all ages but predominantly pets greater than 10 years of age.

Arthritis affects dogs of all sizes but large breed dogs are more commonly affected by arthritis than smaller.

Breeds commonly affected:

• Newfoundland
• Saint Bernard
• Rottweiler
• Labrador Retriever

Risk factors:

• Genetic predisposition
• Intense activity as seen in athletic or working dogs
• Trauma
• Joint surgery
• Excess body weight
• Senior pets

Signs

Common signs of arthritis in a dog:

• Stiffness
• Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
• Difficulty rising from lying down
• Vocalisation
• Lack of interest in exercise and games
• Poor coat from decreased grooming
• Long nails from less movement

Osteoarthritis staging

Stage	Description
0	Clinically normal. No OA risk factors.
1	Clinically normal. OA risk.
2	Mild clinical signs
3	Moderate clinical signs
4	Severe clinical signs

 

Management

Arthritis management is based on decreasing pain and clinical signs, slowing disease progression and improving the quality of life.

Keys to successful arthritis management involves:

• Pain management
• Controlled exercise
• Weight control
• Nutritional supplements such as Antinol or 4-Cyte
• Joint stabilisation
• and physiotherapy and massage options may help as well

Pain management

Veterinary medicines such as pain control, neutraceuticals or joint protective drugs such as injectable polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG) may be prescribed.

Pain control is important in managing the later stages of arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are prescribed based on the health and weight of the pet. They offer both anti-inflammatory effects and pain control. Pets that are prescribed this medication must be closely monitored for side effects such as vomiting or diarrhoea, increased drinking or bleeding. Routine blood tests are needed to assess safety, especially with more chronic use.

Other medications include disease-modifying agents such as PSGAG, glucosamine, Tramadol etc.

Controlled exercise

Controlled exercise that decreases joint strain and builds muscles to support joints such as swimming or walking on flat surfaces can help improve mobility.

There are two forms of exercise that are important in the management of arthritis:

• Low-impact, therapeutic exercise that keeps the joints in motion such as massage, swimming, stretching
• Aerobic exercise to improve strength, fitness and maintain a healthy weight such as leash walking, swimming

Tips to help prevent further joint and muscular injury:

• Warm up before exercise - start with leash walking followed by leash jogging before running off the leash
• Avoid sudden variation in exercise intensity
• Consider muscle stretches and joint rotations for 1-2 seconds before exercise, as long as this doesn't stress out your pet.

Weight control

It has been estimated that 40% of dogs with arthritis are also overweight. This causes further stress on the weight-bearing joints, and fat tissue has inflammatory properties as well. A strict weight optimisation plan can help reduce pain and improve mobility. If you struggle controlling your pet's weight, please don't hesitate to contact our friendly team.

Nutritional supplements

Diet control such as foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil or flaxseed oil) or veterinary prescription diets that have the correct balance of Omega-3 fatty acids can be useful.

Joint stabilisation

Surgical options such as joint replacements, excision arthroplasty or arthrodesis may be required if pain cannot be controlled by conservative means.

Physiotherapy and massage options

Physiotherapy is a relatively new support option for animals with arthritis. We are lucky to be able to refer you to  a local physiotherapy centre for pets in Sutherland, called Animal Rehab Klinik. For more information check out https://animalrehabklinik.com.au.

For home visit massage options, Deborah Martin provides Canine Myofunctional Therapy, more information can be found at https://www.unwoundhounds.com.au.

Home care

Tips to help manage a pet with arthritis:

Weight control	Keeping your pet at a healthy weight loss may help relieve the pressure on the joints
Home care	Provide a warm environment as cold weather can worsen symptoms Place beds away from cold draughts Provide ramps instead of stairs to avoid jumping or falls Avoid slippery areas such as tiles or place non-slip surfaces down to aid in mobility Provide assistance in and out of the car
Exercise	Be consistent with exercise that is tailored to your pet - exercising just on the weekend may leave your pet feeling stiff and painful Avoid rough terrain and uneven surfaces as this can be very hard on the joints Avoid rough play
Grooming	Regularly groom with a soft brush as your pet may not be as flexible as before to reach those hard-to-reach areas Trim nails more often as less active pets have less opportunity to wear down their nails
Parasite control	Regular parasite control is important to prevent irritating parasite infections
Supplements	There are many supplements on the market that claim to help arthritis symptoms. Not all of them have been scientifically proven to be useful. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's needs.

If your pet appears to be in pain and does not eat or drink, seek veterinary attention. Your vet will be able to assign an arthritis management program to help improve the pet's quality of life.