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Canine Osteoarthritis – Is your dog at risk?
What is canine osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease that affects the joints, causing pain and decreased flexibility. It can affect any joint in your dog’s body but the most commonly affected joints are the knee, the elbow, the wrist, the spine and the hip.
The condition affects an estimated one in five adult dogs over the age of one year. Mixed-breed dogs and dogs of any breed, size, weight and age can show signs of the disease, although larger dogs and older dogs are more commonly affected.
The condition can be related to trauma, inflammation, age, obesity and many other factors.
What are the signs?
Unfortunately, the signs can be hard to spot as dogs (as well as cats) are “genetically programmed” not to show pain and individual dogs can respond to pain in different ways. Signs also vary according to the severity of the disease but the most common signs are summarized below:
What can you do if you think your dog has osteoarthritis?
If you think your dog may have osteoarthritis, complete the following short questionnaire for a quick “assessment”. If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, ask your veterinarian to examine your dog for osteoarthritis and for further information on treatment options.
Pain due to canine osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by cooler, damp weather so this month is a good time to come in for a check up.
How can your veterinarian help relieve your dog from osteoarthritic pain?
Although further research is underway, the disease cannot currently be cured.
Treatment focuses on reducing pain and inflammation, slowing the progression of the disease, facilitating the repair of damaged tissues and maintaining or improving joint function.
Your veterinarian will probably recommend a combination of weight control, proper diet, controlled exercise and physical therapy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and disease modifying agents to provide comfort and an acceptable level of function to your dog.
New treatment options are available.
New treatment alternatives can now provide fast pain relief and sustained improvement in your dog’s mobility, while ensuring your own peace of mind. They can be very easy to administer. Your veterinarian will advise you of the most suitable treatment program.
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