Key takeaways
Joint pain refers to soreness of the spine and/or limbs and is a common symptom, especially in older dogs.
- Joint pain manifests in a variety of ways, such as limping, decreased activity, difficulty getting up or down stairs, trouble getting in or out of the car, or whimpering when the joint is touched or moved
- Joint pain develops most commonly as a result of joint injuries, abnormal bone development, or as a result of wear and tear on the musculoskeletal system
- Autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as some forms of cancer also have joint pain as a symptom
- Diagnostics include a physical examination, bloodwork, and diagnostic imaging
- Treatment varies depending on the cause and ranges from rest to surgical intervention
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A closer look: Joint Pain in Dogs
Dogs often hide their pain, making it difficult to notice chronic symptoms in mild or moderate cases. Something as innocuous as ‘falling behind on walks’ or ‘not wanting to play as much as they used to’ can be a sign of mild joint pain.
Joint pain is a common symptom affecting dogs. Joint pain is not typically indicative of an emergency but still warrants veterinary intervention. Most underlying conditions leading to joint pain worsen over time if left untreated.
When a dog experiences sudden joint pain in response to an injury, the pain is typically easier to notice and accompanied by a sudden onset of limping. Joint pain is often more distressing to puppies and smaller breeds.
Joint pain may vary by location:
- Only one joint affected
- Multiple joints affected
- Shifting leg lameness, where the pain seems to move
Dogs with mild to moderate joint pain often may present as:
- Slowing down
- Being less active
- Having trouble going up or down stairs
- Struggling to get in or out of the car
- Dragging behind on walks
Severe joint pain may be accompanied by difficulty moving or a complete unwillingness to move. Affected dogs may struggle to stand.
Indicators of joint pain can also present themselves intermittently, such as cases of osteoarthritis that may “flare up” with overuse of the joint. In these cases a dog may initially display more subtle indications of pain (such as reduced activity levels), with occasional episodes of more severe symptoms, before presenting with more consistent severe symptoms (such as chronic limping).
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Possible causes
Risk factors
Risk factors for conditions associated with joint pain include:
- Breed predisposition
- Body size: some underlying conditions are more common in small dogs while others are more common in large dogs.
- Lifestyle: some athletic dogs are more likely to end up with joint injuries
- Relative body weight: obese dogs are at much higher risk of developing joint pain
- Age: some underlying conditions are more common in young dogs while others occur in older dogs
Testing and diagnosis
Diagnostics to determine the cause of joint pain include:
- Physical examination
- Blood work
- Diagnostic imaging
- Joint fluid analysis
- Biopsy of the joint capsule
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and varies widely, but may include:
- Rest and exercise restriction
- Weight loss
- Anti-inflammatories
- Pain medication
- Surgery
Particularly challenging cases benefit from referral to a board-certified veterinary specialist (neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, etc).
Pain medications and anti-inflammatories mask the symptoms of the condition without treating the cause, so they are indicated only under specific conditions. Many human anti-inflammatories and analgesics are not safe for use in dogs. Medications should only be given to animals under guidance of a veterinarian.
Similar symptoms
Joint pain most commonly presents itself through a dog’s reluctance or inability to move. This can result in other mobility-reducing symptoms.
