Osteoarthritis in dogs – what helps?

The dog refuses the next walk, avoids its favourite spot on the bed or reacts aggressively to being touched? Changed behaviour should make dog owners take notice. Osteoarthritis in dogs develops gradually and the symptoms are difficult to interpret.

A visit to the vet provides clarity. The rule is: osteoarthritis can be treated! But what is meant by the term, which symptoms occur frequently and which treatment options are there? And how can dog owners actively support the therapy?

Osteoarthritis in dogs – what is behind it?

Osteoarthritis, also known as osteoarthrosis or arthrosis deformans, describes a chronic joint disease in dogs. It is a degenerative wearing of the joints that, regardless of age, is accompanied by wear and a wasting of the joint.

The breakdown of cartilage means that the bones rub against each other and the joint becomes painfully inflamed. In this way the structure of the joints also changes lastingly.

In contrast to arthritis, an infectious and acute inflammation of the joints, osteoarthritis is considered incurable. The condition can affect one or more joints.

Vets distinguish between primary and secondary osteoarthritis in dogs. In primary osteoarthritis the lubricating fluid of the joints recedes with advancing age. The mobility of older dogs can thus be reduced.

Large breeds such as Great Danes, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are considered susceptible. In principle, however, any breed can suffer from a joint condition and receive osteoarthritis treatment. The condition can also be favoured by further factors such as overweight, poorly healed injuries or a lack of exercise.

Secondary osteoarthritis, by contrast, can affect dogs of any age and may be attributable to arthritis or a malformation. The diagnosis should therefore not stop dog owners from pursuing treatment.

Treatment by the vet can improve the animal’s quality of life in the long term. Young dogs in particular are given the chance, through osteoarthritis treatment, to spend further happy and pain-free years.

Causes of the condition

Besides age-related joint wear, numerous causes can lead to osteoarthritis in dogs. If a puppy’s joints are overloaded, for example, the risk increases that the dog will develop osteoarthritis in the following years.

If the dog is not fed correctly and the animal has, for example, a nutrient deficiency, this can likewise bring about osteoarthritis. Overweight or pre-existing conditions such as fractures, capsule tears or growth disorders can also appear as a cause of the condition. A metabolic disorder or a malalignment can likewise lead to osteoarthritis.

The following causes are frequently identified:

• Genetic factors
• Dietary mistakes
• Overloading of the joints
• Overweight
• Injuries
• Inflammations such as arthritis

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Symptoms – how osteoarthritis becomes noticeable

Admittedly: it takes time before the wearing of the joints becomes noticeable in the dog. It is also not always easy for dog owners to interpret the dog’s pain correctly. For this reason it is essential to have regular routine examinations carried out so that conditions can be recognised early.

It also applies that anyone who knows their dog and observes it attentively will recognise unusual behaviour. After all, not every dog that does not want to jump into the car has osteoarthritis. Avoiding jumps can, however, point to osteoarthritis if the dog previously jumped into the car or onto the bed without difficulty.

The following symptoms can point to joint problems in animals:

• The dog moves stiffly.
• The dog avoids movement.
• The dog plays less often.
• The dog limps.
• The dog has warm or swollen joints.
• The dog’s joints make noises.
• The dog favours its paws.
• The dog reacts aggressively to being stroked.
• The dog frequently licks its paws.
• The dog avoids hard, cold lying surfaces.
• The dog cannot climb stairs.
• Jumping into the car causes difficulties.
• The dog loses muscle mass.
• The dog groans when getting up.
• The dog behaves unusually after exercise or in wet, cold weather.

When is a visit to the vet necessary?

A visit to the vet is necessary if the animal shows changed behaviour that the owner cannot place or associates with an illness. Physical signs such as muscle loss should also be examined by a vet.

If a dog has osteoarthritis, is it already too late for treatment? At every stage of the condition the rule is: to reduce the pain, dog owners should contact a vet immediately and have the dog examined.

The history is followed by a comprehensive examination. On the basis of the diagnosis the vet then develops an individual treatment plan for the affected dog. In the case of severe pain, painkillers are usually given. Osteoarthritis in the early stage, by contrast, can be treated for example by a change of diet.

How the vet makes the diagnosis

To make a diagnosis, the vet first questions the dog owner. The clinician then palpates the animal’s joints.

In addition, X-rays are taken. A computed tomography (CT) scan also offers the possibility of examining affected joints more closely, making any wear visible and measuring the cartilage. To rule out arthritis, the joint fluid, known as synovial fluid, is also withdrawn with a fine needle and analysed.

A further option is body fat measurement (Body Condition Score, BCS for short). In this way the vet determines whether overweight is present. The treatment plan is drawn up after the diagnosis.

Course of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in dogs develops gradually. Lameness can appear first. As a result, the dog’s ability to move and joint mobility can become increasingly reduced. Only later in the course do pains appear.

Because of this the four-legged friend restricts movement, which means the musculature decreases. Lack of exercise and progression of the condition can, if untreated, mean that the dog’s quality of life is reduced.

How serious is osteoarthritis in dogs?

Osteoarthritis in dogs is not curable, but it can be treated. The difficulty is that at the beginning of the condition no pain yet appears. The cartilage in the joint breaks down gradually. The joint fluid can also become thinner.

As a result, osteophytes form – small outgrowths on the joint surfaces. These in turn can lead to restricted mobility and pinch nerves. Over time the entire joint is lastingly destroyed.

What treatment options are there?

What helps against osteoarthritis in dogs? This is the question dog owners ask themselves in despair when their four-legged friend receives the diagnosis “osteoarthritis”. To slow the course of the condition, various treatment options are available.

The rule is: overweight in the four-legged osteoarthritis patient can be addressed through a changed diet and weight reduction. Severe pain can be eased with medication, and physiotherapy support maintains the dog’s mobility. Acupuncture or physical therapy can also counteract stiffness.

In every case the rule is: dog owners should carry out their dog’s osteoarthritis treatment only in consultation with the vet. Giving painkillers from human medicine, for example, is generally not suitable for animals. Side effects or health-threatening poisoning cannot be ruled out. In this way dog owners can even endanger the dog’s life.

Medication

Drug treatment can improve the dog’s quality of life. Medication with an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect enables the animal to live an almost pain-free life. The painkillers, also called analgesics, can however lead to gastrointestinal complaints.

In particular, NSAID products without cortisone can favour the development of stomach ulcers or perforations. For this reason a proton pump inhibitor is often given at the same time. Cortisone-containing medicines are used if the osteoarthritis is accompanied by arthritis. The aim is to combat the inflammation.

Conservative treatment

To slow the progression of osteoarthritis, conservative approaches such as physiotherapy, exercise training or a diet can be used. In addition, dog owners can, in consultation with the treating vet, turn to complementary feeds for the animal.

Gold acupuncture with needles made of gold beads is also said to be able to influence the progression of the condition positively. A shockwave therapy or an injection of the body’s own substance hyaluronic acid, which is injected into the joint, is also possible.

Surgery

If hip dysplasia or a similar condition is present, bone fragments must be removed surgically from the joint capsule. The fitting of an artificial joint is also possible as part of an operation. These are carried out in a specialised veterinary clinic.

Home remedies for osteoarthritis – what helps the dog

Osteoarthritis in the early stage can – in addition to the vet’s treatment plan – be treated with home remedies.

The following home remedies can provide relief:

• Warm compresses can have a pain-relieving effect if there is no joint inflammation.

  • Cooling pads can be placed on the joint in the case of inflammation.
  • Ginger can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Turmeric is said to be able to have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.
  • Herbal ointment dressings of comfrey, echinacea, calendula or arnica are said to have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Homeopathy for dogs with osteoarthritis

A natural osteoarthritis treatment for dogs: in alternative medicine, practitioners usually prescribe complex remedies such as Traumeel or tablets or globules for osteoarthritis in dogs.

Common remedies include, for example, Conium D4, Causticum D12 and Rhus toxicodendron D12. Acupuncture or osteopathy are also used. Alternative medicine can be a complement to conventional treatment methods or replace medical care.

How much exercise is possible?

A dog with osteoarthritis should move sufficiently every day. It is therefore advisable to continue walking the dog and to choose a moderate pace.

In this way a loss of musculature and a progressive restriction of mobility can be prevented. In addition, only joints that are moved are supplied with nutrients. Standing still can therefore mean that the complaints worsen.

Relaxed walks as well as swimming outings are possible. Swimming strengthens the dog’s musculature and is gentle on the joints. Stairs can be replaced by ramps to spare the dog’s joints. If the dog is very playful, it is advisable to choose a soft surface, for example the forest floor.

A tip: dog owners can hide treats that the dog has to find. Search games do not require sudden braking and are therefore also suitable for four-legged friends with osteoarthritis.

What the dog should eat

For people as for dogs the rule is: a balanced and comprehensive diet and a body weight that supports health have priority. If osteoarthritis has been diagnosed, the pet should in particular eat foods that have a high vitamin C and vitamin E content. Omega-3 fatty acids from linseed oil are also recommended.

The vet may also advise giving supplements. Type I collagen, for example, can support the regeneration of the joints, while hyaluronic acid can help to keep the joints supple. If overweight is present, it is advisable to put the dog on a diet and give a specialist food.

The following points characterise a suitable food for dogs with osteoarthritis:

• no genetically modified constituents
• made from gently processed, fresh foods
• contains no wheat
• contains neither salt nor sugar nor additives

Helpful tips for dog owners

Joint problems in dogs: with the right treatment, a dog with osteoarthritis usually has many further happy years ahead. To help prevent the condition, dog owners pay attention to a healthy diet and a controlled body weight for their four-legged friend. Anyone who uses only high-quality dog food that contains no wheat and no additives supports the health of the animal.

Plenty of exercise ensures strong musculature and high mobility. Anyone who acquires the dog as a puppy should also ask what measures the breeder has taken regarding controlled and healthy growth.

Osteoarthritis in the end stage can in some cases also mean that dog owners have to consider euthanasia. The rule here is: if the dog is in severe pain and can no longer move, it may be appropriate to let the animal go.

FAQ: Osteoarthritis in dogs – what helps?

Should a dog with osteoarthritis walk a lot?

A dog with osteoarthritis should continue to move.

How can I help my dog with osteoarthritis?

High-quality food, an optimal body weight and sufficient exercise can mean that the osteoarthritis progresses more slowly. Home remedies can also be used.

What works well as a painkiller for osteoarthritis in dogs?

Various painkillers can be used for osteoarthritis. Treatment is based on the diagnosis.

What is the best thing to feed my dog if it has osteoarthritis?

The dog should receive high-quality dog food made from natural foods. Sugar, wheat, salt, preservatives and flavour enhancers should not be included.

Conclusion – numerous treatment options for dogs with osteoarthritis

The chronic joint condition “osteoarthritis” develops unnoticed and can be accompanied by severe pain. If dog owners observe striking behaviour in their loyal companion, they should see a vet and describe all the unusual signs when giving the history.

On the basis of the diagnosis the clinician develops a treatment plan to slow the progression of the condition. Besides drug treatment there are numerous therapy methods with which an operation can be avoided.

Dog owners can support the treatment by following the treatment plan and, for example, putting the dog on a diet consistently. In the early stage, home remedies such as herbal compresses can also provide relief.