Dog Joint Pain: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Canine arthritis, or, better said, its most common causes – natural wear and tear and orthopedic developmental issues could not be prevented. Considering the complexity of osteoarthritis management, it is advisable to start taking care of your dog’s joints as soon as possible. Sometimes ensuring joint health starts the moment you bring your new puppy home.

Canine osteoarthritis is a painful and progressive joint inflammation that develops when the joint cartilage becomes damaged or diseases. Normally, healthy cartilage serves as a cushion or shock-absorber that prevents the two bones forming the joint from rubbing. When the cartilage is compromised and too thin to act as an efficient shock absorber, the bone surfaces start to rub. The rubbing is accompanied by joint inflammation, joint pain, and decreased mobility.

The most common causes of cartilage degeneration in dogs are natural wear and tear and genetics. The mechanism is the same as explained above, but the circumstances that lead to joint damage differ.

As the dog gets older, it is normal for the cartilage to develop degenerative problems stemming from repetitive use and stress. Over time, almost all pets will develop osteoarthritis. Natural wear and tear is the reason why arthritis has the highest prevalence among seniors.

Sometimes, canine osteoarthritis can be a breed-specific health condition. Namely, certain dog breeds are more prone to orthopedic developmental problems (elbow and hip dysplasia) and orthopedic injury (cruciate ligament disease). For example, elbow and hip dysplasia have the highest prevalence among large breeds and giant breeds like Great Danes, Akitas, St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, German Shepherds, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, Labrador, and Golden Retrievers. These large and giant breeds are also prone to cruciate ligament disease. However, knee injury is also common in small dog breeds like Chihuahuas, Pugs, and Yorkshire terriers. In a nutshell, due to breed-specific, developmental joint problems, the following dog breeds will likely develop osteoarthritis at an early age:

Sometimes the symptoms are enough to set the osteoarthritis diagnosis. However, the veterinarian must follow a strict protocol and start with a physical examination and then concentrate on a more specific orthopedic evaluation. To confirm the diagnosis, the veterinarian will order x-rays of the affected joints. The x-rays will also help the veterinarian evaluate the intensity of the joint cartilage degenerative problems.

Dogs are good at hiding pain and discomfort. Therefore, the obvious signs of joint pain (crying and whining) are rarely seen. Instead, you can expect some of the following signs and symptoms of dog joint pain.

A decrease in physical activity accompanies Arthritis-related problems. Basically, a pet with osteoarthritis is less likely to jump on couches, climb stairs, and run around.

Limping it the basic red flag for arthritis. It can range from subtle (if the joint pain is minor) to non-weight bearing (if the pain is severe). Some dogs with osteoarthritis may limp continuously, and others only after prolonged rest or strenuous physical activity. Instead of regular limping, a dog with developmental problems of the hip joints will likely exhibit the so-called bunny hop gait.

Lethargy manifests with increased sleepiness and decreased willingness to be physically active. Even hyperactive pets might become lethargic if experiencing painful joint problems. The pronounced lethargy quickly leads to weight gain, thus aggravating the situation.

Mood swings and increased irritability are common signs of pain. A dog with osteoarthritis may feel generalized pain upon touch and prefer to be left alone. Trying to initiate interaction might result in snapping and unusual aggressiveness.

Joint pain has a negative impact on the appetite. Despite the appetite loss, a dog with osteoarthritis may experience weight gain because of its reluctance to move and impaired mobility. Another reason for the decreased appetite might the joint pain associated with the body position required while eating. This is the reason why vets recommend using elevated food and water bowls for pets with arthritis.

Dogs with joint pain will likely lick, chew, or even bite the painful joints. These activities have a soothing effect and help the pet focus on something else rather than the joint pain. Excessive licking, chewing, and biting may lead to secondary issues.

Taking care of your dog’s joints is a complex task requiring a multimodal approach. There are different types of joint problems, and each requires a unique treatment plan. The veterinarian will make an individually tailored plan for managing your dog’s joint health.

The first step towards addressing your dog’s joint pain is weight management. Weight management is vital because it prevents overstressing the joints. Namely, in overweight and obese pets, the extra body weight adds extra pressure on the joints, thus aggravating the signs of joint pain. Maintaining an ideal weight requires regular exercising and strict feeding regimens. Exercising a dog with joint problems can be tricky. Ask your veterinarian which exercises are safe.

Physical rehabilitation ensures good dog joint pain relief. It keeps the patient well-conditioned, provides physical stimulation, prevents muscle mass loss, and improves overall health. If the vet decides to treat your pet with physical therapy, he/she will probably recommend hydrotherapy and massage.

There are two main forms of hydrotherapy for the arthritic patient – swimming and underwater treadmills. Both hydrotherapy forms are suited for dogs with osteoarthritis-related degenerative problems because they strengthen the legs and prevent muscle mass loss without exerting stress on the joints.

Massaging the area surrounding the affected joint will improve the blood supply, thus offering pain relief and stimulating healing processes. There are different massage techniques, and your vet will explain which is best suited for improving your dog’s comfort.

When exercising a pet with damaged joints, you need to follow the vet’s instructions strictly. Certain exercises are safe for dogs with osteoarthritis. Walking, strengthening exercises, passive range of motion (PROM), and balancing exercises are a few examples.

In severe cases of canine osteoarthritis, the veterinarian will recommend surgical treatment. Based on the type and severity of the joint issues, there are various surgical treatment options ranging from arthroscopic cleaning to joint replacement surgery. Arthroscopic cleaning refers to the procedure in which the vet removes the debris from the arthritis-affected joint space, thus enhancing its function. If the joint problems cannot be managed with arthroscopic cleaning, the veterinarian will recommend a more invasive surgical treatment like replacing the joint with an artificial one.

The key ingredients in all dog joint health supplements are glucosamine and chondroitin. These ingredients will help your dog’s joints by promoting cartilage renewal and preventing enzymatic cartilage damage. Glucosamine and chondroitin work best when used together, which is why most joint supplement manufacturers add them in one formula known as glucosamine chondroitin. Another popular joint supplement choice is Green Lipped Mussels (GLM) powder. Green Lipped Mussels are rich in chondroprotective agents (glucosamine and chondroitin), omega 3 fatty acids and have the power to control inflammation. Basically, Green Lipped Mussels are a great resource for arthritis management. Other popular joint supplements for dogs include Boswellia serrata, eggshell membrane, hyaluronic acid, collagen, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and turmeric. The use of natural joint supplements is safe in healthy dogs. However, it is advisable to talk to your trusted veterinarian before giving your dog new supplements.

Pet CBD oil is an excellent joint supplement choice for dogs with osteoarthritis. Its use in the veterinary medicine field is relatively new, but the beneficial effects in dogs with joint problems are quite promising. Pet CBD oil is derived from organic hemp and rich in cannabinoids which can help with dog joint pain because they:

Pet CBD supplements are available in various forms, including oils, chewable treat forms, and pills. You can give your dog CBD oil regularly and a CBD treat when you are on the go. Pet CBD products have wide safety margins and are rarely associated with side effects. However, it is recommended to talk to your vet before giving your dog a CBD supplement.

Essential oils like omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are vital for joint health. These essential oils act similarly to NSAIDs. The best source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for dogs is fish oil. Dogs supplemented with fish oil require lower carprofen disease to achieve pain relief. Ideally, it would be best to opt for a fish oil product derived from wild-caught and cold-water fish (salmon or mackerel).

Dog joint pain stemming from arthritis has detrimental effects on the dog’s overall health and quality of life. Therefore, the two main goals of every treatment plan are reducing inflammation and controlling pain.

Steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have the ability to reduce pain and decrease inflammation. Because of their dual effects, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the treatment of choice for controlling pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. Popular NSAIDs for dogs include carprofen, firocoxib, deracoxib, and meloxicam. Prolonged and unmonitored use of these pain relievers may result in significant side effects.

You can help alleviate your dog’s pain by using certain mobility aids and making few adjustments around the house. There are different mobility aids based on your dog’s specific osteoarthritis form – lifting harnesses, back braces, hip braces, pet wheelchairs. As for around the house adjustments, you should block stair access with pet gates, use climbing ramps, provide raised food and water bowls, and cover slippery surfaces. These aids and modifications are not a substitute for medications. They are helpful only when used in conjunction with other treatment options.

Canine osteoarthritis stems from degenerative problems with the cartilage that cannot be reversed not stopped. Once those problems begin, they can only be slowed down. Therefore, certain giant and large breeds prone to orthopedic issues and injuries require proper joint care starting from an early age. Taking care of your dog’s joints (regardless of its breed-specific issues) is also important as it becomes older. Talk to your trusted veterinarian and seek professional guidance – dog joint pain is hard to manage and requires a multimodal approach.

You can ease your dog’s joint pain by using relievers and natural joint supplements. Talk to your veterinarian about the ideal approach to managing your dog’s osteoarthritis.

Certain herbal remedies like turmeric, ginger, yucca, Frankincense, and alfalfa are quite efficient in managing canine osteoarthritis (reducing ache and inflammation).

From pain medications through natural supplements to physical rehabilitation, there are many ways of helping your senior pet with osteoarthritis.

The common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include limping, reluctance to move, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight gain, muscle mass loss, and increased irritability.