As with the human variety, Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease which affects the smooth articular cartilage of the joint, which is responsible for the smooth, non-painful motion of joints. When it becomes worn, raw bone surfaces become exposed and rub together resulting in pain and lack of joint mobility.

The soft tissue lining of the joint is usually the first to be affected and the subsequent irritation of the joint lining liberates chemical mediators that have been shown to be responsible for cartilage degeneration. Arthritis detected in the early stages can be treated with medicines and occasionally, surgery to manage the pain and mobility of the patient.

Some of the symptoms to look out for include lameness, swollen joints, muscular atrophy and a dry crackling sound upon movement of joints. If these symptoms are visible, it is advisable to take your pet to your vet immediately. By paying attention to your dog’s natural behaviour and any changes in mobility and energy levels, you will be able to detect possible problems early on which can allow you to treat the problem effectively. Although arthritis is more common in older dogs, younger dogs can also suffer from the disease.

Your vet will usually carry out an examination and quite often take x-rays of the joints to check for evidence of the degenerative process. Treatment will usually involve weight reduction in conjunction to medical treatment. Weight reduction decreases the stress placed on the joints, while medical treatments are used to alleviate the inflammation and pain such as cortisone.
Rarely, and usually in traumatic cases of arthritis, surgical treatment will be necessary such as joint replacement and joint fusion to restore pain-free range in motion.

Although arthritis can be hereditary and is more common in selective breeds, there are a number of actions you can take to prevent arthritis in your dog.

Proper nutrition is one of the most important factors in maintaining normal weight gain during development. This will ensure that there is no excessive stress placed on the animal’s joints during the development phase which can damage the joints. Over nutrition and over supplementation can cause an increase in incidence hip dysplasia and other development orthopedic diseases in large breed puppies and should be avoided.
If your dog experiences any joint trauma in his/her lifetime, it is important that the joint is treated and stabilized precisely to prevent any incongruities during healing will help to prevent future joint degeneration.
A regular exercise routine is also essential in maintaining healthy joints in your pet by strengthening the supporting muscles as well as breaking down any excess fat and weight which may cause stress to your dog’s joints and lead to arthritis.

Our pets are as important to us as any member in our family. By paying careful attention to any signs of discomfort or any limitations on movement, you will be able to detect the onset of arthritis early enough to be able to provide the necessary treatment for your dog to ensure he/she lives a happy and healthy life.