Dog Joint Disease: Symptoms and Treatments

Your dog's joints are lubricated by synovial
fluid which allows flexibility for your dog to
comfortably move around, walk, run and play.
When a dog ages, their joints are less flexible
and are at a greater risk for being injured or
damaged. Injury and stiffness can cause joint
inflammation and pain and the discomfort can
prevent your dog from living a comfortable and
happy life.

The two types of arthritis that affect dogs are
degenerative joint disease and inflammatory
joint disease.

Degenerative joint disease in dogs is commonly
referred to as osteoarthritis. Degenerative
joint disease occurs when the cartilage that
protects and cushions the bone is damaged or
destroyed. Dog osteoarthritis is a common malady
in dogs as they age and can occur from normal use
and function or as a result of excess stress and
accidental injuries.

Inflammatory joint disease in dogs is caused by
illness, fungal infections, bacterial infections
or fleas and ticks. Inflammatory joint disease
can even be hereditary in some breeds. This form
of dog arthritis is not as common as degenerative
joint disease, but brings the same type and
severity of pain, stiffness and discomfort.

There are a few warning signals that can alert
owners that their dogs are affected by
arthritis. Dogs that are in pain begin to limp
and owners may notice swollen joints or the dog
favoring other limbs over the affected limb.
Your dog may have a hard time getting up or
laying down and they may cry out or pant heavily
when they move normally.

Depending on the type and severity of the
arthritis, treatment can be approached in a
couple of ways. Your vet may prescribe pain
relievers that are comparable to human ibuprofen
or acetaminophen, but these types of NSAID
treatments can cause liver and kidney damage or
stomach ulceration. Another approach that is
gaining in popularity is supplementing with
glucosamine.

Other stronger prescription medications and
treatments are available from your veterinarian
such as cortisone injections directly into the
joint. These injections are given to relieve
severe pain and inflammation and this procedure
should only be performed by a licensed
veterinarian.

Severe arthritis pain and degeneration can lead
to the need for surgery to improve moment,
quality of life and to and reduce pain. If your
pet can not get up or down at all and is in
severe pain, surgery or euthanization are
considered final treatments. Invasive surgery
should always be considered as a last resort
option and there is always a possibility that
the pain will continue even after the surgery.

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