Arthritis in a dog
Arthritis in dogs develops for a variety of reasons. It occurs in both old and young animals. Besides arthritis, pets can also develop arthrosis. But today we'll focus specifically on joint inflammation and explore in detail all types of arthritis in dogs, including the symptoms, treatments, and prevention options, as well as what to do if you're dealing with this condition.
Content
Types
Older dogs, large breeds, or "athlete" dogs are most often affected. All types of arthritis in dogs:
- Genetic speciesYes, this type of arthritis does exist. It develops in dogs that were "artificially" bred. Many have a genetic predisposition to cartilage breakdown.
- PurulentIn this case, pus accumulates in the joint capsule. This is a very dangerous condition for the animal, because pus is always bacteria! Furthermore, without treatment, the dog can develop sepsis (blood poisoning).
- RheumatoidAnother type of arthritis. In this case, the pet's immune system produces antibodies to its own proteins. This means the body attacks itself, specifically the cartilage. Over time, the cartilage becomes so inflamed and then thins that the bones wear away. Walking is extremely painful. The joints become so enlarged and swollen that they can't even bend.
- DystrophicMetabolic degeneration develops due to metabolic disorders. As a result, cartilage tissue rapidly thins and deteriorates.
Reasons
Now let's look at the causes of arthritis in dogs - of course, they are closely intertwined with the species.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis
When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis in dogs, its cause remains unknown. Fortunately, it's not very common. Small dogs (dwarf and miniature) are most susceptible to this autoimmune disease. These dogs are typically only about four years old. This means it's not just old dogs that suffer, but even young dogs. Furthermore, it affects not just one joint, but several at once. Antibodies are carried throughout the body by the bloodstream, resulting in the destruction of virtually all cartilage.
Injury
One of the causes of arthritis in dogs is trauma. Yes, a dog can suffer a severe blow, which can lead to a disruption of the joint capsule. This causes swelling. If a bacterial infection also occurs, arthritis develops. However, traumatic functional arthritis can also occur in dogs. In this case, the capsule remains intact, but the muscles are affected (as with sprains and muscle strains). In this case, a cavity forms in which blood begins to accumulate.hematoma or simply a bruise), edematous fluid. Over time, everything recovers, and arthritis goes away on its own.
Other reasons
- As surprising as it may sound, slippery floors can trigger arthritis in dogs. Their paws become splayed, and they regularly bruise and stretching.
- Arthritis in dogs often develops due to an infectious disease. However, bacteria penetrate the joint capsule from surrounding infected tissue (possibly a wound, especially a purulent one, near the joint).
- Excess weight puts additional strain on joints, causing them to become compressed and deteriorate much faster.
Symptoms
The symptoms and treatment of arthritis in dogs can be roughly divided into four groups—let's discuss each of them.
Weight gain
One of the unusual symptoms of arthritis in dogs is weight gain. Although this can be explained by the fact that the dog has difficulty moving. He tends to lie down more, resulting in obesity. The situation is even more complicated for already obese dogs. They develop obesity (in addition to arthritis, they may also develop diabetes and heart problems).
Enlarged joint and pain
An inflamed joint always increases in size and becomes painful. Its flexion function is impaired, meaning the animal cannot bend its paw or turn its head. Rising from a prone position will be very difficult for the whiskered dog. Jumping is also almost impossible. This is one of the clear and direct symptoms of arthritis in dogs.
Temperature
If you touch the inflamed joint, you'll feel the skin there feel hotter than the healthy one. Your overall body temperature may rise slightly (if an infection is to blame for the inflammation, then everything depends on the underlying condition).
Difficulty moving
Sofas and stairs are a real challenge for a dog. Going up and down is difficult. After lying down for a long time, a dog with inflamed joints takes a long time to get up, accompanied by whining. Magnetic storms also worsen the condition. And in rainy weather, the sore paws begin to ache.
Treating a Dog with Arthritis
How to treat arthritis in a dog? Pet therapy should be prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian! Human arthritis medications aren't always suitable even for humans (they have numerous side effects and can negatively impact the liver). They need to be chosen very carefully and always under the supervision of a doctor. So, your dog has arthritis—what should you do?
Drug therapy
For dogs, things are even more complicated. Veterinary medicine has very few medications for arthritis. Therefore, antibiotics and warming ointments are often prescribed (but not for purulent inflammation!). A warming gel for horses, available at veterinary pharmacies, works well. Surprisingly, even people with joint pain buy this remedy because it's incredibly effective at relieving pain. However, since you won't know the exact type of arthritis your dog has without a veterinarian's examination, you shouldn't start applying such gels or heating pads yourself.
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications are needed to alleviate some of the symptoms and improve your pet's condition. Some veterinarians recommend giving your dog a special medication called "Stop-Arthritis." Ask your veterinarian about its use.
Diet
Monitor your animal's body weight.
- Firstly, it will reduce the load on sore joints.
- Secondly, your joints will stop deteriorating further. Increase your calcium intake.
Bed
Make the bed soft enough to prevent pain (a mattress that can conform to the body is ideal). Cover all slippery and smooth surfaces with rugs. This is necessary to prevent already sore paws from slipping on the floor.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to completely cure a dog with arthritis. Often, the symptoms simply subside, meaning the animal goes into remission. But then the joints swell again, become severely inflamed, and painful. Only functional arthritis (with proper treatment) completely resolves.
Preventing arthritis in dogs
A few simple rules for prevention of arthritis in dogs:
- Cover the floors with rugs or carpeting. This will prevent your pet's paws from slipping.
- Take your pet to the veterinarian for a checkup (especially if it is older or a large breed).
- Be careful what and how you feed your pet (don't overfeed). If your pet is obese, put it on a special diet. Gradually introduce exercise (sudden and intense exercise will damage both joints and bones).
Any questions? You can ask our website's staff veterinarian in the comments below, who will answer them as quickly as possible.
Read also:
9 comments
Oksana
Hello! We have a 2-year-old male Kone Corsa. A CT scan diagnosed her with bilateral hip dysplasia. She was prescribed 95 mg of trocoxil, one tablet once, and 200 mg ofloxacin twice daily. We've been on treatment for 10 days, and there's been no improvement so far. She limps on her hind leg, has difficulty standing, and we've been going for walks less often. Has anyone dealt with this condition in large breeds? Please share your experiences, including what you did, and how you treated her.
Victoria
Good afternoon. My dog has rheumatoid arthritis in both jaw joints. He's two years old. We treated him with prednisone, Diprospan injections for about six months, and then switched to Trocoxil. We haven't seen any improvement. Has anyone else experienced something similar?
Daria is a veterinarian
Hello! Well, prednisolone suppresses the immune system, which is important in rheumatoid arthritis (after all, rheumatism is an attack on one's own cells, and the immune system produces antibodies against its own cells, in this case, cartilage). Therefore, in this case, prescribing an immunosuppressant is justified. Chondroprotectors can be added; there are also pet foods for joint diseases. However, NSAIDs only help with this condition for the first two years (they relieve pain), but tissue destruction continues. Reputable (but unfortunately expensive) large clinics may offer experimental treatment – special immune drugs will be administered to "neutralize" the antibodies.
Alla
Hello! My German Shepherd was diagnosed with arthritis based on X-rays. Her paws are tangled. The doctor prescribed 10 injections. She is taking Canina Rervital Hak, 3 tablets each. We have been taking her for 2.5 months, and we haven't seen any results yet. I am surprised that dogs with arthritis have joint pain, refuse to go for walks, etc. My dog loves to walk—even all day (we live in the countryside)—and she loves to run. Incidentally, her paws don't tangle when she runs. She enjoys playing with the cat and chasing fetch. If there were a clearly visible defect when she walks, you wouldn't be able to tell she has painful arthritis. What could it be? Why is she like this? Please write—I'm eagerly awaiting your reply. Thank you. Sincerely, Alla
Daria is a veterinarian
Hello! You've been receiving treatment. You've had injections, and you're still taking pills. That's probably why the dog isn't in pain, since you're still taking the treatment. But if you stop, clinical signs of the disease may appear. Did you get a follow-up x-ray in a month to see how the joints are doing? Maybe they'll just prescribe a special diet + supplements with micronutrients to maintain joint health, and a preventative checkup every six months (checkups and x-rays to rule out relapse).
Katerina
Hello, my dog is 8 years old. He started to feel pain, whines when standing up, and uses his front paws. He jumps off the couch cautiously and descends the stairs slowly. An x-ray was taken and they said the bone was intact. They prescribed anti-inflammatory injections for arthritis. They gave him the injections for over a week and it got better. I stopped the injections and the pain returned.
Dasha is a veterinarian
Hello!
Unfortunately, arthritis doesn't go away so easily in animals... Even humans undergo treatment for months, and most of the time, the therapy only alleviates the symptoms. The dog is already elderly.
Did you check the joints during an x-ray? Did you notice any deterioration, deformation, or swelling? For arthritis, it would be a good idea to inject Ainil. But you need to know what the veterinarian prescribed to avoid drug interactions.
Inspect the joint: is it swollen, hot, painful to the touch, or does the joint bend easily or with difficulty? If you notice symptoms of arthritis, you'll need to continue therapy (remembering to visit the veterinarian). Avoid putting too much stress on your pet now. Walks should be gentle. Don't let your pet jump over obstacles or off sofas. Excessive stress is dangerous for your dog.
Anna
A year ago, Enam was treated for purulent arthritis in the left knee of her hind leg... and then her right leg started hurting, and we are treating it the same way... but now we have swelling on her left heel and some kind of painless thickening in the layers of skin on her knee... what should we do?
Dasha is a veterinarian
Hello!
Are you treating it yourself, following the same treatment plan as before, or have you sought veterinary help? Suppurative arthritis is quite difficult to treat. After all, purulent inflammation in a joint isn't easy to get to the source of infection. Since it's spread to the other knee, we need to look for the cause of the purulent arthritis. And how are you so sure it's purulent? Have you had a puncture performed? Have you sent your pet for a bacterial culture to determine what bacteria are growing there and which antibiotics are most sensitive? What treatment was used?
It's best to take the animal to a clinic with x-rays. On the left side, this could be a consequence of inadequate treatment or a relapse with complications. A physical examination is necessary, along with blood tests and a puncture. Only after a diagnosis can you decide how to help the dog. Self-medication almost always ends tragically.
Add a comment