For a number of potential reasons, your dog may experience persistent pain in his joints. Canine arthritis - also called degenerative joint disease (DJD) - may be mild or severe. In the latter case, it can be debilitating and prevent your pooch from moving around easily.
The condition is defined as a deterioration of cartilage. Cartilage normally covers the bones where they meet and form a joint, preventing them from rubbing against each other while moving. When the protective material wears down, the underlying bone becomes exposed. Depending on the severity of the cartilage's deterioration, your dog may experience a high level of pain. In severe cases, it can lead to lameness.
In this article, we'll provide an overview of the condition. Because many owners remain unaware of their dog's pain, we'll describe common symptoms you might observe. You'll also learn how degenerative joint disease can occur and how it can be treated. Lastly, we'll offer a few tips for managing DJD and providing comfort for your canine.
Common Symptoms Of Degenerative Joint Disease
One of the most obvious warning signs is a limp. If your pooch suffers from arthritis, you may see him favoring the affected leg whenever he walks. This might be more pronounced when he gets up after resting in the same spot for a long period. If the problem is acute, you'll notice him treating his arthritic limb gingerly; he may even react in pain when you touch the affected site.
Degenerative joint disease is a progressive condition. It worsens with time as the cartilage continues to wear away, exposing more of the bone and causing more pain for your dog. The symptoms described above will begin mildly and steadily grow more noticeable.
Reasons The Condition Develops
Many owners mistakenly believe that canine arthritis is a genetic disease. In reality, while some breeds (e.g. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, etc.) are genetically predisposed, any dog can develop the condition. Moreover, it can potentially form at any age.
Occasionally, DJD is the result of a dislocation or trauma to the affected area. Sometimes, it occurs due to obesity; more weight is placed upon the limbs, creating excess pressure and leading to cartilage wear.
Arthritis can also develop as the result of a bone fracture or injury to the ligaments. Dysplasia, a common problem that can afflict your dog's hips and elbows, can also contribute to DJD. In effect, there are many potential causes for degenerative joint disease.
Managing Degenerative Joint Disease
Once a veterinarian has diagnosed the problem, attention is devoted to providing your canine with a level of comfort. Sadly, arthritis cannot be cured; once it develops, the only form of "treatment" is represented by pain management.
Weight management and routine exercise are the first lines of defense against further erosion of the cartilage. If your pooch is overweight, the veterinarian will create a diet that will help him shed the excess. This is important because DJD will make moving progressively more difficult for your dog. Inactivity and excess weight will further reduce his quality of life.
Exercise should come in the form of low-impact activities that provide plenty of motion for the affected limb. Daily walks are essential. Swimming may also be appropriate because it places zero weight on your canine's limbs.
Because the discomfort worsens as the temperature declines, take steps to help your pooch stay warm. That can include extra bedding or moving his bed away from windows in order for him to avoid drafts. It can even include having him wear a sweater that covers the affected leg.
If there are steep declines or jumps that your dog is no longer capable of managing (e.g. jumping onto your bed or into your car), consider buying a ramp. The ramp will make such distances easier to traverse. It will also make doing so far less painful.
Severe canine arthritis can dramatically lower your dog's quality of life. If you notice your pooch showing symptoms, make an appointment with his veterinarian. That's the first step toward taking measures to slow the disease and make him more comfortable.
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