7 ways you can help your dog with Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. It affects 80% of all dogs over the age of 8, and as many as 35% of dogs of all ages. 

Arthritis is often considered to be a disease of old age, however unfortunately it can occur in dogs of any age. This is due to the fact that developmental joint disease (DJD), which is a condition that affects younger dogs, is the leading cause of arthritis in later life. DJD results in imperfectly-fitting joints and the subsequent early onset degenerative changes. These changes progress to arthritis, resulting in painful, immobile, and abnormal joints.

DJD develops as the dog grows from a puppy into an adult, and we now know that many dogs that present with arthritis later in life may have been dealing with joint pain for much longer than has been noted. However, having an awareness that DJD is a leading cause of arthritis means that we are better able to identify the disease earlier, and take action, which improves the long-term results. It’s important to remember that arthritis can affect dogs of any age, from very young to old, and susceptibility can also be related to genetics and/or acquired factors such as obesity, joint trauma or infection, musculoskeletal injury or a combination of any of these factors.

Impacts of Arthritis

Arthritis is now considered a welfare concern in dogs, especially if left untreated. Being vigilant and mindful of your best friend’s comfort levels can help to identify pain early on. Arthritis causes chronic pain, which is often experienced as non-localised, consistent and low-intensity pain, that may flare up now and again. It can be difficult to identify chronic pain, especially as humans tend to acknowledge pain as being sharp and severe which causes significant behavioural change, such as yelping or limping. Dogs with arthritis-related pain will usually show much more subtle and gradual changes, particularly if the dog has learnt coping mechanisms for example being less interactive, or avoiding handling, or moving slowly and carefully.

Chronic pain presents very differently to acute pain. This can lead to significant confusion for owners and professionals. In the case of chronic pain, subtle behavioural changes suggesting anxiety, fear and lack of tolerance may precede a physical indicator such as a change in posture due to weight shifting, or a change in gait due to pain and associated weakness.

It is very rare for dogs to yelp or cry out with chronic pain, which is concerning as many owners expect, and often wait to see signs of acute pain, such as whimpering or crying. Waiting for these overt signs often means that more subtle, earlier indications of pain are missed. Many people don’t recognise pain until their dog is limping – unfortunately by this time the dog may be in significant pain.

Seeing the Signs of Arthritis

Dogs express pain in many subtle ways, which we often identify and associate with the disease late in its course. If you suspect your dog is in pain, please don’t delay in seeking veterinary advice, and don’t wait until your dog limps or yelps to confirm your suspicions of pain, as by then they are likely to already be in significant pain. It is also worth noting that many dogs present with arthritis in both forelimbs or both hindlimbs, which will prevent them from having a classic limp.

By being aware of the prevalence of arthritis in dogs, acknowledging those predisposed due to breed, weight, lifestyle or previous injury, and being aware of how dogs express pain, we will be able to identify the signs of arthritis early and initiate treatment quickly. Identifying the disease late means the disease is likely to have progressed significantly, which can reduce treatment options and negatively affect the success rates of available interventions.

The signs of arthritis are extensive, and often specific to the individual animal, but may include stiffness after resting, slowing down on walks, lack of interest in walks or in playing, hesitating when using stairs, changes in behaviour towards other dogs, lameness and gait changes, licking the joints and coat changes.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for arthritis. There is ongoing research into this widespread, prevalent disease, and new treatment and management options are coming to light all the time, so hopefully one day this will change. However, until then we must rely on good management and careful monitoring of the condition in order to control the pain and slow disease progression to give our dogs long and comfortable lives.

How YOU Can Help!

If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, here are some of the foundational things you should integrate into your long-term management plan:

1. Build a rapport with your vet practice as they will be there to support you through the journey.
2. Discuss your dog’s pain state and whether pain relief is required with your vet. There is a common and incorrect belief that introducing pain relief will lead to long-term dependency, the medication will eventually stop working, or that the dog will suffer more side effects because of long term medication use. None of these concerns are scientifically sound and are, in fact, incorrect. By using suitable pain control early on, you will encourage your dog to use their affected joints and limbs more appropriately. This will help to relieve the areas of their body that have been working hard to carry the additional load, which will lead to the affected limbs regaining their strength and power through use. This will, in turn, reduce joint instability, which will reduce the abnormal joint forces that lead to the inflammation and pain.
3. Attend and actively contribute to reassessment appointments with your vet, so they can support you as your dog’s condition changes.
4. Assess your dog’s home environment by taking a look at CAM’s #ItsMyHomeToo tool and minimise the obstacles they have to navigate with their weaker and less able limbs. This will reduce the risk of further trauma and slow the progression of arthritis.
5. Look at your dog’s exercise regime and reduce or remove high intensity exercise like playing fetch. These activities create huge impact and torsional forces on already-weakened joints. Replace these activities with other fun activities like scent work, enrichment toys and learning new games and tricks. These activities will distract your dog from their pain, and get the endorphins pumping – which will lead to a reduced perception of pain.
6. Make sure that your dog is at their optimal body weight. This is an essential intervention! Being overweight will not only place excessive forces through the affected joints, it can also lead to further joint instability which will significantly worsen the inflammation within the joint and surrounding tissue. This will cause more pain and more rapid progression of the disease.
7. Consider adding further interventions and create a multi-modal management plan. Many different approaches can be used concurrently to manage all the symptoms of the disease. Adding integrative therapies such as hydrotherapy, physiotherapy or massage to your dog’s treatment plan will work alongside medications and supplements to improve pain control. It is also likely to have a positive impact on your dog’s physical capabilities and mental wellbeing over the longer term.

If you think your dog could benefit from our services, don’t hesitate to reach out to All Creatures Veterinary Physiotherapy. We can liaise with your vet to develop a multi-modal management plan for your dog and we will do our best to help your best friend live happier and healthier for longer.

To learn more about canine arthritis, how you can identify the signs and what you can do to help your pet, visit the Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) website.