Lets talk canine osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) begins as acute inflammation of a joint in the condition we know as arthritis, and if not treated in the acute phase will often leads to a degeneration of cartilage, becoming osteoarthritis. At least 20% of all dogs, regardless of age, show evidence of OA. The risk of OA goes up with age as well as with increasing bone structure size, so the older and bigger the dog, the more likely it is to suffer from the inflammation and pain of OA. Unfortunately, dogs that are overweight or obese traumatise their joints over a very long period before we can see clinical evidence of the damage. It takes years of joint damage for changes from OA to show up on an X-ray. This change often causes the dog a lot of pain. To combat the pain the dog will often reduce the weight going into that limb and may develop a 'hop' or a 'skip' where the weight is completely supported by the other limbs during movement. This then causes other problems such as pain in the compensatory muscles, tendons and ligaments. The first signs of lameness should be reported straight to the vet and diagnostic checks performed to determine the cause. Pain medication alongside regular physiotherapy can help manage this condition but there is NO cure once degeneration begins, only management of the progression.
Osteoarthritis and dysplastic joints go hand in hand. Miss-alignments of joints, called 'dysplasia' causes joint inflammation and leads to osteoarthritis. Most responsible breeders will have their dog x-rayed to receive a confirmation grade on both their hips and elbows before considering if that dog is suitable for having puppies, as it is an inherited condition. Irresponsible breeders will not do this as this is why more dogs are born with dysplastic joints. If the dog does have some form of dysplasia this will most likely cause osteoarthritis due to the inflammation and associated wear on the joint.
At home there are various things responsible dog owners can do to help their dog. Here are 7 top tips for management of dogs to prevent osteoarthritis progression:
Avoid weight gain!
Until recently, veterinarians thought that the increased pain and inflammation associated with OA in overweight and obese dogs was primarily due to the increased wear and tear on the joints. What we now know is that fat tissue is biologically active and secretes hormones (leptin, cortisol and insulin) and other chemicals that both cause and enhance inflammation.
2. Put rugs or anti-slip matting down on slippery floors
It may look entertaining to watch your dog slip and slide all around the house, however those slips could cause damage to the joints, tendons or muscles as they will be moving abnormally. Your dog will also walk more cautiously and therefore be tensing their muscles and not using themselves correctly, which overtime will cause compensatory pain-patterns.
3. Monitor and regulate exercise
Arthritic dogs will benefit from controlled exercise. Gentle regular lead walks are better than an hour spent running around after a ball or with another dog. Additionally, Pain may be masked by adrenaline. If your dog is out with other dogs and is excited running around, they may not feel the pain from their joints as they play; however, you may find they then struggle when they get home or the following day. Ideally we want to avoid these periods when are pets are worse following their exercise, so it may be up to us as their owners to limit how much they do. ‘Little and often’ is the best approach when it comes to exercising arthritic pets. It may suit them better to take them on several short walks each day, rather than one long walk.
4. Steps and ramps for your dog to use to get in the car, on sofas or in the house
Not only should we be thinking about the walk itself, but also how we get our dogs to and from their walk. If travelling by car, they may need assistance getting into and out of the car. For smaller dogs it may be easy to lift them in and out of the car, to save them trying to do large jumps. If this is not possible with older dogs, then a ramp may be required to assist them. Getting a larger old arthritic dog to learn to use a ramp is likely to require some training and patience
5. Keep your dog warm, even if it means buying them a little raincoat or tool drying after a soggy walk
Cold temperatures can heighten pain sensitivity, slow blood circulation and cause muscle spasms. Joints also detect and respond to changes in barometric pressure (the amount of air pressure in the atmosphere). The synovial fluid which lubricated the joint also becomes thicker and is reduced in how effective it is as a shock-absorber, something a joint with OA is already lacking in.
6. Always seek professional advice, the internet cannot cure osteoarthritis remember there is NO cure.
Your veterinarian is the best starting point to find your dog the best pain medication and to make the best plan for your dog. From there, your dog can be referred to see a physiotherapist who can help to target your dogs compensatory muscle weaknesses, reduce pain, develop a home-exercise plan and much much more!
7. Avoid uneven surfaces
Not only do we need to consider the distance that we walk our arthritic pets, but also the terrain upon which we ask them to walk. Sand, gravel and rocks underfoot can exacerbate an unstable gait, and may be particularly difficult to navigate if your dog is trying to protect certain painful joints as they move. We should also think about the gradient on which they are walking; going up and down steep hills puts excessive pressure on the downhill joints and may be painful for them. Flat, smooth, even ground, such as a grassy field, is the ideal terrain for an arthritic dog.
For additional information visit the canine arthritis management website and book in today for a veterinary physiotherapy appointment to help reduce pain, increase range of motion and reduce inflammation of the joint using both electrotherapy's and manual techniques.
https://caninearthritis.co.uk
