I. What is Arthritis in Dogs？
Dog joint inflammation, also known as arthritis, refers to the inflammatory reaction in a dog's joint area. This can be caused by various reasons, including aging, genetic factors, excessive obesity, joint injury, and infection. Arthritis can cause joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and a decline in activity ability in dogs. Dogs may show symptoms such as limping, reluctance to go up and down stairs, and difficulty jumping. As the disease aggravates, arthritis may seriously affect the quality of life of dogs and even lead to disability. Besides, if arthritis is caused by an infection and is not controlled in time, the infection may spread to other parts of the body. For example, in arthritis caused by bacterial infection, bacteria may spread through the bloodstream and cause serious systemic infections such as sepsis, which will endanger the life of the dog and thus shorten its lifespan.
II. Three Types of Arthritis in Dogs
1.Osteoarthritis:
Canine osteoarthritis is a common joint disease that plagues many dogs and is like a "silent killer" lurking in the bodies of dogs. It is usually caused by factors such as the wear and tear of joint cartilage due to aging, genetic defects, the heavy pressure on the joints caused by excessive obesity, previous joint trauma or infection. The joints of the affected dogs seem to be beset by pain, swelling and stiffness. Their formerly flexible movements become difficult. They often limp, shy away from stairs, and are unable to jump. If the condition continues to deteriorate, it will not only greatly reduce the quality of life of the dogs, making them lose their former vitality and happiness, but may also gradually erode their mobility, leading to disability, leaving them to spend the rest of their lives in pain and inconvenience. In severe cases, it may endanger their lives due to complications such as systemic infection, which makes countless dog lovers extremely worried.
2.Rheumatoid arthritis:
Canine rheumatoid arthritis is an extremely troublesome autoimmune joint disease, just like a quietly approaching joint “storm”. Its pathogenesis stems from the disorder of the dog's own immune system, which mistakenly attacks the joint tissue, causing inflammation and continuous proliferation of the joint synovium. The joints of affected dogs will gradually show symmetrical swelling, fever and pain. This pain makes their gait become unsteady when walking. Every step seems to be a difficult struggle against pain. Daily running, jumping and playing become a luxury. As time goes by, the joint cartilage and bones will be severely damaged, the joints will be deformed and distorted, the range of limb movement of dogs will be more and more limited, and the physical function will also decline significantly. Their quality of life is severely weakened. They can only live in great pain under the shadow of illness, this condition may constantly test the patience and love of their owners. Professional veterinary care and long-term nursing are urgently needed to relieve their pain and delay the progression of the disease.
3.Infectious arthritis:
Canine infectious arthritis is a serious joint disease caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi invading the joints. It is like a dangerous “joint bomb”. Once it explodes, it will bring great pain to dogs. When the disease occurs, typical inflammatory manifestations such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain quickly appear in the joint area. Due to pain, dogs frequently limp and have limited activities. The former liveliness and agility are gone. If not diagnosed and treated in time, the infection will spread wantonly through the blood or lymphatic system like a raging tide, and may cause fatal conditions such as sepsis and other systemic infections. It not only seriously damages the health of dogs and greatly reduces their quality of life, but also poses a direct threat to life safety, always making the owner extremely worried. Accurate diagnostic tests and powerful anti-infective treatments are needed to fully restore the health and vitality of dogs.
III. What are Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs?
i. local physical manifestations
1.Joint swelling: The inflammatory response leads to congestion and edema of the tissues around the joints, resulting in swelling. Gently touch the joint areas of the dog, such as the knee joints and elbow joints. One can feel that they are fuller and rounder than normal. Some swellings may be relatively mild and require careful observation and palpation to be detected. While some severe swellings will be very obvious, and the joint areas look significantly enlarged.
2.Joint heat: Due to the presence of inflammation, the blood circulation in the joints speeds up and the local temperature rises. Gently place the back of your hand on the dog's joint. If it feels significantly hotter than other parts, it is very likely that the joint is heating up. However, this method requires comparison with the dog's normal body temperature and the ambient temperature to make a judgment.
3.Joint pain: Although dogs cannot express pain in words like humans, it can be judged by some behaviors. When you touch or move the dog's joint, it may show resistant behaviors such as dodging, whining, growling softly, which indicates that the joint is in a painful state. In addition, when the dog is at rest, it may also frequently lick or gently nibble the affected joint, which is also a way to relieve pain.
ii. Behavioral manifestations
1.Limping: This is a symptom easy to observe. When a dog has arthritis, during walking or running, there will be an abnormal way of landing on one or more legs. For example, it may reduce the weight-bearing on the affected limb and walk with a limp. If the front limb joints are inflamed, the dog's head may swing up and down with a greater amplitude when walking to reduce the pressure on the affected front limb. If it is inflammation of the hind limb joints, the buttocks may sink or twist. This is an action made by the dog to compensate for the pain on the affected hind limb.
2.Reluctance to move: Dogs feeling unwell will become lazy and lose interest in activities such as walking and playing. For example, a Labrador Retriever that used to clamor to go out every day may often lie in its own nest after suffering from joint inflammation and be indifferent to the owner's invitation to go out. This is because activities will aggravate joint pain, and dogs instinctively avoid this pain.
3.Difficulty in going up and down stairs: Going up and down stairs is a difficult task for dogs with arthritis. When climbing stairs, the dog may hesitate and struggle to climb each step, taking much more time than usual. When going downstairs, it is even more cautious. Its limbs may tremble, and it may even directly sit on the stairs and dare not continue going down. This is because when going up and down stairs, the joints bear greater pressure than when walking on flat ground.
4.Difficulty in getting up and lying down: When a dog gets up, it may appear slow and stiff. It will first transfer its center of gravity to the healthy limb and then slowly prop up its body, just like an elderly person with joint disease has difficulty getting up. When lying down, it will also seem very unnatural. It may repeatedly adjust its posture and try to find a position that causes the least joint pain.
IV. The Treatment of Arthritis in Dogs
i. Medication treatment:
Medication treatment for canine joint inflammation is multifaceted and requires careful consideration. Common medications include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as carprofen and meloxicam. They can effectively relieve the pain and swelling caused by joint inflammation and improve the dog's mobility. However, long-term use requires close attention to potential adverse effects on liver and kidney functions. The dosage and treatment duration must be strictly controlled according to the dog's weight and the condition of the disease. There are also chondroprotective agents, such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which can help repair and maintain joint cartilage and slow down the process of cartilage wear. Usually, they need to be used continuously for a period of time to show effects, and different brands and dosage forms have slightly different curative effects. In some cases of severe infectious arthritis, antibiotics are used to fight against pathogenic microorganisms. It is essential to accurately identify the pathogen to select the appropriate type of antibiotic. During the medication process, attention should be paid to observing whether there are any adverse reactions such as allergies. At the same time, combined with other medications for comprehensive treatment, aiming to relieve the dog's pain, improve joint function and enhance its quality of life. The entire medication treatment process needs to be carried out under the professional guidance and regular monitoring of a veterinarian to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
ii. Physical therapy:
Physical therapy for canine joint inflammation is a mild and effective auxiliary rehabilitation method. Common ones include hot compresses. Applying a warm towel or a special hot compress bag to the dog's joints can promote local blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and reduce the pain and stiffness caused by inflammation. Each hot compress lasts for about 15 - 20 minutes, and the temperature should be not too hot to touch. Massage is also an important method. Professional pet massage techniques can be used to knead and push along the joints and related muscles to help relax the muscles and increase joint flexibility. However, the massage intensity needs to be moderate to avoid excessive force that aggravates the dog's discomfort. Hydrotherapy uses the buoyancy of water to reduce the weight on the joints. Let the dog perform appropriate exercises in a shallow pool or special hydrotherapy equipment, such as slow walking and swimming. It can exercise the muscles around the joints under no or low pressure and enhance their strength and coordination. There is also laser therapy. Lasers of specific wavelengths act on the joint area and can penetrate deep into the tissue to promote cell repair and regeneration and reduce inflammatory reactions. Usually, it needs to be carried out according to a course of treatment. The treatment time for each session depends on the equipment and the condition. Physical therapy often requires long-term persistence and is combined with medication treatment and diet management to help dogs relieve joint inflammation and improve their quality of life.
iii. Surgical treatment:
When the effects of medication treatment and physical therapy for canine joint inflammation are not good, surgical treatment may become an option. There are many common surgical methods. For example, in joint debridement, doctors will remove inflammatory tissues, debris, and damaged cartilage in the joint during the operation to reduce the inflammatory reaction and create favorable conditions for the joint's self-repair. Joint fusion is suitable for cases where the joint is severely damaged and cannot restore normal function. By fixing the joint in a specific position to form bony fusion, although some joint mobility will be sacrificed, it can effectively relieve pain and enhance joint stability. For some specific types of joint diseases, such as arthritis caused by hip dysplasia, total hip replacement may be performed. The diseased hip joint is replaced with an artificial joint to restore the normal shape and function of the joint and greatly improve the dog's mobility. However, surgical treatment is accompanied by certain risks, such as infection, anesthesia accidents, and many challenges in the postoperative recovery process. Therefore, a professional veterinary team is needed to conduct a comprehensive assessment. After comprehensively considering factors such as the dog's age, health status, and severity of the disease, carefully determine the surgical plan, and provide meticulous care and rehabilitation training after the operation to ensure that the dog can successfully overcome the surgical difficulties and restore a good quality of life as much as possible.
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V. How to Prevent Arthritis in Dogs?
i. Maintain an appropriate weight:
1.Reasons: Being overweight will put additional pressure on a dog's joints. Especially when the dog is active, this pressure will multiply. For example, when an obese Labrador Retriever is walking or going up and down stairs, the weight borne by its knee joints and hip joints will be much more than that of dogs of the same breed with normal weight. In the long run, joint cartilage wear will intensify and it is very easy to trigger arthritis.
2.Measures: Weigh the dog regularly. Determine a reasonable amount of food according to the dog's breed, age, and activity level. Choose high-quality dog food, which has a more balanced nutritional composition, and feed according to the feeding guidelines on the packaging strictly. Avoid overfeeding snacks. If you want to give the dog snacks, you can choose low-calorie and healthy options such as carrot sticks and apple slices.
ii. Provide appropriate exercise:
1.Benefits of moderate exercise: Appropriate exercise can enhance a dog's muscle strength. Strong muscles can better support the joints and reduce the burden on the joints. For example, moderate walking can exercise the dog's leg muscles, just like installing a "shock absorber" around the joints. At the same time, exercise can also help dogs maintain joint flexibility.
2.Hazards of excessive exercise: Excessive exercise can cause damage to a dog's joints. Some high-intensity exercises, such as long-term running and frequent jumping, have a greater impact on the joints. For example, for small dogs like Chihuahuas, if they are often asked by their owners to jump up and down to grab toys, their joints are easily injured and the risk of developing arthritis increases.
3.Suitable exercise methods: For dogs of different sizes and ages, exercise methods also vary. Small dogs can take short-distance walks and play easy indoor games; medium-sized dogs can appropriately increase the walking distance and also play some simple chasing games; large dogs need more exercise to maintain the health of muscles and joints, but excessive intense exercise such as long-term climbing should be avoided. Older dogs whose joints have already degenerated to a certain extent should mainly engage in mild exercises such as slow walking.
iii. Provide a comfortable resting environment:
1.Appropriate bedding: Dogs need a comfortable place to rest. Preparing a thick and soft bed for it is very important. For example, a dog bed with memory foam can provide good support according to the dog's body shape, allowing the dog to fully relax its joints during rest. Avoid letting the dog sleep directly on a cold and hard ground, as this will cause the joints to catch cold and increase the incidence of arthritis.
2.Appropriate indoor temperature: Maintaining a suitable indoor temperature is also crucial. In a cold or humid environment, a dog's joints are easily adversely affected. If the indoor temperature is low, you can put appropriate clothes on the dog to keep it warm, especially for short-haired dogs and senior dogs.
iv. Conduct regular health checkups:
1.Check joint health: Take the dog to see a veterinarian regularly. The veterinarian can check whether the dog's joints are abnormal by means of palpation. For example, the veterinarian can check whether the dog's hip joints are loose and whether the knee joints are swollen. Starting regular checkups during the dog's infancy can help detect potential joint problems as early as possible and take timely measures for prevention and treatment.
2.Blood tests and X-ray examinations: In addition to routine examinations, determined by the dog's condition, the veterinarian may recommend blood tests to detect inflammation indicators or X-ray examinations to observe the internal structure of the joints. For example, certain breeds of dogs are prone to hip dysplasia. This condition can be detected in advance through X-ray examinations, so that early intervention can be made to reduce the risk of arthritis.
v. Pay attention to the breed and genetic factors of dogs:
1.Breeds prone to arthritis: Some breeds are more likely to develop arthritis due to genetic factors. For example, large breeds such as German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are very prone to hip dysplasia. This is a congenital disease that causes abnormal joint structures in the hip joints. As the dog grows, it is very easy to trigger arthritis.
2.Breeding selection: If you plan to breed dogs, choose healthy breeding dogs and try to avoid breeding dogs with genes for hereditary joint diseases. And when buying puppies, ask the breeder about the health history of the dog's family and choose healthy puppies.
