It is essentially caused by daily wear-and-tear of the joint, but can also occur as a result of injury. Osteoarthritis begins as a disruption of the cartilage; ultimately, this causes the bones in the joint to erode into each other.
Osteoarthritis can affect dogs and cats – as well as all other pets – of all ages and sizes/breeds. Other terms used for osteoarthritis are simply “arthritis” or “degenerative joint disease.” Similarly to people, osteoarthritis can be very painful and severely limit your pet's quality of life.
Just like humans, animals can suffer from arthritis. Also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, this condition results in the cartilage lining of the joint wears down, resulting in inflammation, swelling and pain. Arthritis is common in older animals, particularly older dogs and cats.
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of one or more joints and is often associated with bacterial or viral infection, although trauma may also be involved. A wide range of bacteria may infect joints. Most are normal residents of skin, faeces or soil.
Arthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, dietary supplements and chondroprotective agents. Your vet may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease inflammation and pain. Chondroprotective agents such as Cartrophen help the body repair cartilage and stimulate its function.
Dogs can start to show signs of arthritis as early as 1 year of age. According to the Vet Times (pdf), the degenerative joint condition can be found in 20% of dogs before their first year and 80% of more senior dogs at or over age 8.
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Some factors may increase the risk of arthritis in cats:
Patella luxation (dislocation of the kneecap) which has been reported more commonly in Abyssinian and Devon Rex cats. Scottish Folds are particularly prone to severe arthritis affecting multiple joints due to an abnormality of cartilage that occurs in the breed.
Arthritis can occur in any joint, but is most commonly found in the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees. It can be caused by ongoing wear and tear, but can also be caused by an injury to the area, genetics, and disease.
Breeds that are more prone to arthritis are: Labradors (hips and elbows) Springer Spaniels (hips and elbows) German Shepherds (spine, hips, elbows)
Manage Your Dog's Weight
It's never a good idea to let your dog's weight creep higher, but it's especially important to keep him at a healthy weight if he is arthritic. Joint pain and stiffness are worse when carrying extra pounds. Talk to your veterinarian about helping your dog reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Dogs usually get arthritis from the age of 8 years onwards. These are seniors and arthritis around this age is not uncommon. However, some dogs can experience arthritis from an incredibly young age. With some dogs showing signs of arthritis from as young as one year old.
To diagnose arthritis, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and check the joint areas for pain. Blood tests and X-rays may be ordered to rule out other ailments, such as bone cancer. These diagnostic tests will show how severely the joints have been affected and help guide the treatment plan.
Joint changes in osteoarthritis
As a dog develops DJD, cartilage breaks down and the synovium becomes thick and swollen. As a result, the body tries to stabilize the joint by producing new bone tissue. The surfaces of the bones become irregular as osteophytes (new pieces of bone) grow on their surface.
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OA is diagnosed after a physical exam, where your veterinarian will observe your dog's gait and posture, and feel for any abnormal changes to the joints or signs of pain. X-rays may be performed to further assess the joint or bony changes, and to help diagnose any underlying orthopedic conditions.
The first step in managing arthritis is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a thorough clinical examination. In order to accurately diagnose your dog's condition, a general anaesthetic and radiographs will usually be required to determine exactly what is happening in your dog's joints.
Though there is no known cure for arthritis, proper early diagnosis and creation of a personalized treatment plan can help you prevent permanent joint damage. Arthritis treatment options include lifestyle changes, medication and even surgery for severely damaged joints.
Nutrition-A holistic diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate will help your dog's system slow down the effects of arthritis. A bad diet, full of fats and sodium, will only increase inflammation and pain.
Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is a progressive disease and there is no known cure.