What to do if my dog has arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative joint disease commonly seen in dogs. Though the condition can’t be cured, there are many ways for dog owners to help manage their pets’ joint pain and inflammation, and mobility challenges. Read on to learn more about:

• How dogs get arthritis
• Symptoms of arthritis in dogs
• Ways to help your arthritic dog
• How osteoarthritis in dogs is diagnosed by a vet

Osteoarthritis is best managed using multiple techniques, including weight management, medication, special diets, joint supplements, home modifications, and physical therapy. A veterinarian may prescribe medications, recommend food that supports weight loss, and suggest supplements with glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric, or omega-3 fatty acids to support joint health. It’s important for pet parents to understand that arthritis is not curable, and even with aggressive treatment, osteoarthritis continues to progress throughout their dog’s life, and often eventually has a significant impact on an aging dog’s quality of life.

Arthritis is a general term for inflammation of the joints and has many potential causes. Joint inflammation can be caused by:

• Bacterial or fungal infection in the joint
• Lyme disease
• Joint injuries
• Immune-mediated disease (canine immune-mediated polyarthritis)
• Degenerative changes over time as the joints “wear out”

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease and is the most common type of arthritis in dogs. OA is a progressive disease that can be very painful. It’s a common cause for senior dogs to slow down, or struggle to stand up, jump, and lie down normally. OA is often simply referred to as “arthritis” because it’s such a common condition and far more common than other types of arthritis.

Canine arthritis has multiple causes. Any condition that damages or puts added strain on the joints can lead to OA. Some of the most significant factors contributing to the development of osteoarthritis in dogs include:

• Traumatic injury involving the joints
• Obesity
• Genetic predisposition

Despite being associated with senior dogs, osteoarthritis can develop in dogs at any age. OA most commonly affects a dog’s hips, knees, and elbows, but can affect any joint in the body, especially if it’s been injured in the past. This includes joints in the neck and spine. Owners may notice that symptoms only affect one limb or side of the body, or that the pain is worse in some areas than it is in others.

Symptoms of arthritis in dogs

Arthritis causes joint pain, which can lead to common signs, such as:

• Limping
• Stiff joints
• Trouble getting up and down from furniture
• Difficulty getting in and out of the car
• Reluctance to go up or down stairs
• Difficulty keeping their footing on slick floors
• Changes in their normal gait
• Swollen joints
• Muscle atrophy

Arthritis symptoms can vary dramatically between individual dogs in type and severity. Symptoms often progressively get worse over time and may be worse after exercise or rest. It’s common for owners of arthritic dogs to describe their dog’s mobility by saying they have a really hard time when first getting up, then seem to improve once they get moving. If your dog has signs of joint pain, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian right away. Different types of arthritis are treated differently, and other medical conditions can have similar symptoms.

In order to know how best to help your dog with mobility concerns, you need to know what kind of joint disease they have. Don’t assume your dog’s symptoms are a normal part of getting older or that they have arthritis simply because they’re a senior. It’s important to start by getting a definitive diagnosis first and then working with a veterinarian to find the best methods to manage your dog’s condition.

Osteoarthritis in dogs can’t be cured. However, veterinarians use what is called multimodal treatment, or the use of several treatment strategies, to help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Multimodal management of canine osteoarthritis may involve:

• Anti-inflammatory and pain medication
• Weight management
• Special diet
• Joint supplements
• Home modification
• Physical therapy

Arthritis treatment is individualized and tailored based on a dog’s needs and symptoms. Treatment methods may change as the disease progresses and symptoms change or worsen.

Weight management

Obesity is a major contributor to the development of arthritis in dogs. Even a small amount of excess weight can put a large burden on joints that aren’t meant to carry extra weight. Though it doesn’t seem like much, an extra couple of pounds on a 20-pound dog is an added 10% of their weight. This is equivalent to 15 extra pounds for a 150-pound person.

“Weight loss is an important part of the treatment of arthritis for dogs who are overweight or obese,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a vet on the Vetster platform. “Losing the extra weight can have a bigger impact on improving the dog’s mobility than medication or other modalities, and on the bright side, it doesn’t even cost anything.” If you are having difficulty managing your dog’s weight, you can reach out to an online vet on the Vetster platform for help.

Medications, joint supplements, and special diets

Anti-inflammatory medication and pain management are important components of canine osteoarthritis treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used to treat dogs with arthritis for a long time. Individuals react differently to various medications, so the type of NSAID a vet prescribes for your dog may vary. Never give your dog human pain medications, NSAIDs that were not prescribed to them, or arthritis medications prescribed for a different pet. Common human pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, are toxic to dogs, even in small doses. Even aspirin can do more harm than good. Just as importantly, giving NSAIDs at home may affect what medications can safely be offered to your dog later.

Arthritis supplements and diets may help support an arthritic dog’s joint health. Some studies suggest that dietary supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric, or omega-3 fatty acids can help delay the progression of the disease and alleviate symptoms. While more studies are needed, supplements are more likely to provide benefit by slowing the progression of the disease rather than repairing arthritic joints. Supplements are not regulated like medications, so it’s important to get a vet-recommended product if you plan to use a joint supplement as part of your dog’s arthritis management.

There are special diets available for dogs with arthritis that focus on weight management and include ingredients to support joint health. It’s difficult to know if they contain enough of the supplements to be therapeutic, however. The most important thing when making a nutritional plan for an arthritic dog is to ensure the diet is nutritionally complete and fed in controlled portions so they don’t gain weight even as they become less active. Talk to a vet about a diet recommendation based on your dog’s needs.

Home modification

Modifications around the home can help reduce additional wear and tear on your dog’s joints and make it easier for them to get around. These modifications may include:

• Providing pet stairs and ramps by furniture and other areas where your dog jumps
• Lifting your dog into the car or providing a car ramp
• Placing non-slip surfaces on hard or slippery floors
• Providing elevated food and water bowls
• Providing heated pet beds

Heated beds appear to provide some pain relief for many pets with osteoarthritis. Use only pet-safe beds as directed, and never use human heating pads as they can cause burns.

In addition to modifying your home to fit your dog’s needs, medical assistive devices may also help some dogs with mobility challenges. These include:

• Slings and support harnesses
• Compression wraps
• Orthotic braces
• Carts and wheelchairs

Talk to a veterinarian about what modifications and medical devices may benefit your dog.

Physical therapy and low-impact exercises

Multiple types of physical rehabilitation and regular exercise are often recommended for dogs with arthritis to aid in weight loss, improve muscle tone and range of motion, and provide pain relief. Common therapies include:

• Massage therapy and joint manipulation
• Swimming and other low-impact exercises
• Hot and cold joint compresses

Other types of therapies, which may be available in your vet’s office or at a nearby animal rehabilitation center, include:

• Underwater treadmills
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic treatments
• Laser therapy
• Stem cell therapy

A veterinarian can help develop an individualized exercise and physical therapy program based on your dog’s arthritis progression and symptoms.

A physical exam is often enough for a veterinarian to suspect osteoarthritis as the cause of a dog’s joint pain, but diagnostic imaging is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to understand the full extent of the disease. Imaging and other diagnostic tests also help rule out other, more serious causes of joint pain and swelling, such as osteosarcoma. Additional diagnostic tests may include:

• Taking fluid samples from a painful joint (arthrocentesis)
• Advanced diagnostic imaging, such as CT or MRI scans
• Arthroscopy
• Bloodwork

Once the underlying cause of a dog’s joint pain is determined, an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.

Is there a cure for arthritis in dogs?

Some of the diseases that cause joint pain and inflammation can be cured. Joint injuries, Lyme arthropathy, and joint infections may heal, but changes that occur in the joint due to the health condition may predispose the dog to osteoarthritis in the future. Most dogs with canine immune-mediated polyarthritis respond well to medication but may need to take it for the rest of their lives.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in dogs and, unfortunately, cannot be cured; it’s a chronic and progressive disease. Most dogs with OA respond at least partially to treatment for reduced pain and increased mobility early in the course of the disease. However, every dog will be different. Even with aggressive treatment, OA will continue to progress, causing symptoms to get worse. With an osteoarthritis diagnosis, it’s expected that the pain and symptoms will eventually have a severe negative impact on a dog’s quality of life. Osteoarthritis and its impact on mobility is reported to be a significant reason for humane euthanasia in aging pets.

It’s important to talk to a vet if you notice signs of arthritis in your dog, including limping, reduced activity level, and stiffness. These symptoms can also be signs of other common conditions, such as ACL tears, hip dysplasia, and broken bones or sprains. Talk to a veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet or offering dietary supplements to help with joint pain. They may be unnecessary, and not all products are safe or effective. Never give human pain medication or arthritis medication that’s been prescribed for a different animal, as this can be very dangerous. In addition, ineffective or dangerous home treatments delay proper care from a veterinarian, allowing symptoms to potentially get worse. If you have concerns about your dog’s joints or would like advice on managing your dog’s arthritis, an online virtual care appointment is an excellent way to quickly talk to an experienced veterinarian.

Is there anything I can do to help my dog’s arthritis?

There are many ways to help dogs with arthritis. Vets use multimodal treatment methods to help arthritic dogs with their symptoms. You can talk to a vet about weight management, medication, special diets, joint supplements, and ways you can help your dog at home. Low-impact exercises, covering hard floors, and providing pet stairs or ramps to furniture are a few ways you can help dogs with arthritis at home, in addition to prescribed medications from a vet.

Does walking a dog with arthritis help symptoms?

Even dogs with osteoarthritis need regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and muscle tone. Dogs with arthritis may need shorter walks or may benefit from other methods of exercise, such as swimming, that have less of an impact on their joints. Avoid strenuous walks, running, and steep hills. It’s also important to go home right away if your dog shows signs of being tired or in pain from the walk.

How can you tell if a dog has arthritis?

Arthritis symptoms in dogs include limping, leg stiffness, difficulty jumping on or off furniture, a decrease in activity level, and reluctance or inability to get in or out of the car. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian instead of assuming your dog has arthritis. There are many health conditions that cause similar symptoms.