Arthritis Pain in Dogs

Controlling pain in an arthritic pet is more than using prescription medications and giving joint supplements.

Managing canine osteoarthritis requires a complex approach and combining different therapies to achieve adequate pain and inflammation reduction, resulting in an improved quality of life.

This article will review some complementary treatments and modifications that can make your pet’s life as an arthritis patient much easier.

Arthritis is a painful inflammation of the joints. It is also known as canine osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

In healthy joints, the cartilage acts as a shock absorber or cushion, preventing the two bone surfaces from rubbing with each other.

As dogs get older, the cartilage wears down, and its shock-absorbing powers diminish. The newly developed bone friction causes painful inflammatory processes that result in limited mobility.

Although old age is the most common culprit, certain orthopedic disease forms and injury types can also cause the cartilage to degenerate.

Canine osteoarthritis is diagnosed via x-rays of the affected joints. Once your dog is diagnosed, the veterinarian will recommend treatment strategies and options.

NSAIDs are the conventional choice for osteoarthritis. The veterinarian can also combine them with steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids. However, the long-term use of these medications is associated with severe side effects.

These alternatives are no substitute for medications. However, when combined adequately, they can reduce the medication doses and frequency of use.

There are many alternative ways of helping your pet with arthritis, and the veterinarian will be happy to explain what is best for your dog.

Managing your dog’s joint pain starts at home by making several simple modifications around the house.

Dog ramps and stairs help arthritic dogs reach differently elevated surfaces without jumping. They also prevent further joint complications and reduce the joint pain associated with jumping.

The modern market offers an array of pet ramps and stairs – different sizes and designs. Alternatively, you can build one yourself.

The right pet bed should help your dog get up and lay down without overstressing the joints and promote a good rest by supporting the critical pressure points.

Orthopedic dog beds have human-grade memory foam mattresses that alleviate the pressure on the joints and are low to the ground for easy entrance.

Most bed designs feature a non-skid bottom to prevent unwanted slipping and to complicate the osteoarthritis issue.

A healthy dog might find slippery surfaces fun. However, a dog with degenerative joint disease is likely to be scared of walking on slippery tiles or hardwood because of the joint pain associated with slippery surfaces.

To makes sure your dog moves freely around the house, regardless of the floor type, consider placing non-slip rugs, mats, or carpets.

You can also help your dog with its joint pain by placing non-slip rugs at the top and bottom of staircases and in front of beds and couches.

Finally, if there is a slippery area you cannot cover, it is advisable to install a baby ramp limiting your dog’s access to that particular area.

A dog lift harness is basically a sling that wraps around the dog’s torso and has a long handle. By pulling the handle, you relieve the pressure on the joints, thus helping with your dog’s movements around the house.

Lift harnesses are best suited for dogs with limited mobility due to hip dysplasia, knee issues, elbows, and shoulder osteoarthritis. Lift harnesses are particularly useful in the following situations:

The popularity of complementary, holistic approaches is on the rise. Here are some options with proven efficacy.

Arthritis in dogs triggers more complicated signs and symptoms if the dog is overweight or obese. This is because the extra pounds add unnecessary pressure and stress to the arthritic joints.

Therefore, one of the most important aspects of dealing with canine osteoarthritis is weight management.

Dogs with arthritis need to maintain healthy body weight and preferably lean towards the skinny side of the scale. This is best achieved with a proper diet and exercising regimen.

A dog with osteoarthritis needs an individually tailored exercise regimen considering its joints cannot handle the stress regular exercise exerts.

Depending on your dog – its joints and their range of motion, the veterinarian may recommend using mobility aids (back and hip braces, lifting harnesses, pet wheelchairs) while exercising.

Physical rehabilitation is an important yet often neglected aspect of managing dogs with arthritis. It is important because of several benefits:

Physical therapy involves different techniques, exercises, and treatments. Based on what your dog needs (severity of signs and symptoms, age, affected legs, overall health), the veterinarian will recommend one or more of the following therapies:

Here are some physical therapy exercises you and your dog can practice at home.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique. Today it is used as a complementary and holistic treatment method for osteoarthritis because of its ability to relieve orthopedic pain and inflammation.

Acupuncture includes inserting fine and sterile needles in certain key spots (acupuncture points) where blood vessels and nerves meet, which results in pain relief.

There are several different acupuncture therapies:

Massage is a critical part of canine osteoarthritis management. Touch has a soothing effect, and if the touching part is focused on painful areas, the dog can experience benefit.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/weimaraner-hunting-dog-gets-treatment-hospital-1756286480

Namely, massage is good because it promotes adequate blood flow and healing, particularly for painful and damaged joints.

Ask your veterinarian which is the right massaging technique for your dog.

The fact that patients bear only 38% of their weights on the legs makes hydrotherapy the perfect choice for canine osteoarthritis management.

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-beagle-dog-swimming-pool-394345471

Swimming allows activity and strengthening the affected legs without overstressing the joints. The benefits of hydrotherapy include:

There are three basic forms of hydrotherapy:

In terms of joint health, your dog may benefit a lot from CBD oil. A high-quality pet CBD oil will help your dog’s joint issues on several levels:

You can give your dog CBD oil by adding it to its regular food, or you can use CBD-infused dog treats and chews. 

Plus, there are CBD products containing helpful chondoroprotectans and natural anti-inflammatories (check here).

To manage your dog’s pain, ask your veterinarian about joint supplements. The modern market offers many different supplements promoting joint health, but not all products are made equal.

Your vet will probably recommend some of the following joint supplements for your dog:

When it comes to joint supplements, the supplement type is not the only thing that matters – the timing is also critical.

In certain breeds with a high risk for degenerative joint disease, the veterinarian may suggest using joint supplement products as early as two months of age.

These are the breeds and arthritis issues requiring early and long-term use of joint supplements:

Adequan^® is highly recommended for dogs with arthritis and other forms of degenerative joint disease.

As a powerful chondroprotective agent, PSGAG or polysulfated glycosaminoglycan helps the body rebuild cartilage by providing its building blocks.

The treatment consists of a series of injections. First, the dog needs several injections per week for a couple of weeks (usually three to four) and then a monthly maintenance injection.  

Despite its proven efficacy, Adequan^® is not a popular arthritis pain management option because of two reasons:

CBD oil is a natural plant extract derived from hemp leaves and flowers. It is particularly rich in active ingredients (cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids) that positively impact health.

CBD oil is often described as an alternative or holistic herbal treatment and is particularly useful for managing arthritis in dogs.

CBD products are available in different forms – oils, capsules, and chewable treats. Which form you will use depends on what you and your dog prefer. Plus, you can combine different CBD products. For example, you can add CBD oil to the food when you are at home or use the treats when you are on the go.

CBD oil is a better alternative to conventional osteoarthritis treatments because it rarely causes side effects, and if they do occur, they are minor. What is more, most of the adverse effects are temporary and can be successfully managed with simple dose modification.

Finally, CBD oil and products formulated for pets are THC-free, which means there is no chance of making your dog high, and in cases of an accidental overdose, the consequences are harmless.

The goals of the canine osteoarthritis management plan are:

If your dog is not showing significant improvement or if you believe there is a place for improvement, do not hesitate to talk to your trusted veterinarian.

The veterinarian will make control x rays to check for progress. Based on the x rays and the overall health of your dog, he/she may suggest trying different medications or approaches.

Considering the adverse effects of conventional medications, more and more veterinarians incorporate alternative treatments and techniques in canine osteoarthritis management.

Most of these alternative options are still in their infant years, at least in the veterinary medicine field. However, their results are promising enough to fuel new research and discoveries.

The treatment of choice for arthritis pain management is NSAIDs. However, their prolonged use is associated with certain side effects, so close monitoring and frequent checkups are recommended.

There are many ways you can help dogs with arthritis, including pain killers, natural anti-inflammatories, joint supplements, mobility aids, physical rehabilitation,  acupuncture, hydrotherapy, low impact exercise, and home modifications.

Common signs of arthritis pain include decreased stamina, reluctance to bear weight on the affected leg, joint stiffness, difficulty getting up or climbing, yelping upon touch, increased irritability, decreased appetite, and lethargy.