| How do you know if Your Dog Has Arthritis? | | | | cause a problem for the patient, this is when it |
| Strictly speaking, dogs don't have 'symptoms'. A | | | | progresses to a point where the signs or symptoms |
| symptom is subjective - it is only appreciated by the | | | | of osteoarthritis are detected. It is at this point that |
| patient and in people, symptoms are what the person | | | | veterinary help is usually sought and further tests are |
| experiences about the illness, disease or injury. | | | | performed to diagnose the problem and assess how |
| Symptoms include pain or discomfort, fever, chills, cold, | | | | severe it is. |
| heat, vertigo, nausea, and more. They are usually the | | | | We are likely to take steps at this stage to reduce |
| reason for the patient seeking medical advice or | | | | signs and symptoms and take some preventative |
| attention. So, although it is reasonable to assume our | | | | action, perhaps involving lifestyle modifications. The aim |
| dogs will experience these things as well, they do not | | | | of these interventions is to make your dog more |
| communicate them. What we see in dogs with arthritis | | | | comfortable and to gain the best possible quality of life |
| are signs such as stiffness, less energy on walks, | | | | for your pet. |
| lameness, spending more time in their basket and so | | | | 2. Joint Swelling |
| on. | | | | In dogs with arthritis, over time the supporting soft |
| Veterinary clinicians tend to talk about clinical signs - | | | | tissues around the joint will become thicker. This |
| the things we pick up on a clinical examination such as | | | | increase in what is essentially scar tissue will make the |
| lameness, joint swelling, heat, and fluid around or in a | | | | joint stiffer, with a reduced range of motion. If the joint |
| joint. We all know what we mean by symptoms and | | | | is visible then you may notice that it is bigger than the |
| so I am going to use the terms 'signs and symptoms' in | | | | joint on the other side of the body. In many cases, |
| this article. | | | | osteoarthritis can affect both knees or both elbows in |
| The Three Warning Signs in Dog Arthritis | | | | dogs, and so a discrepancy between the two sides |
| 1. Lameness and stiffness | | | | may not be present. |
| These signs are variable and clinical arthritis in dogs | | | | 3. Crepitus or grating in the joint |
| usually starts as a mild stiffness after rest. The | | | | Crepitus is a noise or a vibration produced by rubbing |
| stiffness getting up is usually more severe if your dog's | | | | irregular surfaces of bone or cartilage together. It is |
| rest period was preceded by vigorous activity. The | | | | similar to the sensation you will get by rubbing your hair |
| first time you notice some subtle stiffness in your pet | | | | between your fingers. As osteoarthritis progresses, |
| when they get up from the floor or out of their bed | | | | crepitus becomes a fairly consistent feature. However, |
| may be after a particularly vigorous or long walk the | | | | it is important to realise that this is not a specific sign |
| day before. | | | | for osteoarthritis and mild crepitus may have no clinical |
| As the condition progresses, the periods of stiffness | | | | significance. It is also not possible to judge how painful |
| and lameness will become more severe or more | | | | your dog's arthritis is by the degree of crepitus in the |
| prolonged. So instead of being a little bit stiff for a few | | | | joint, although joints with severe, audible crepitus will |
| seconds when they get out of their basket or bed, | | | | usually be causing discomfort for your pet. |
| your dog may be walking stiffly for a few minutes. In | | | | In summary, dog arthritis will typically cause a gradual |
| time the signs can progress to a more or less | | | | onset stiffness and lameness. This is often most |
| permanent lameness that is most intense after rest. | | | | severe immediately after rest. If the affected joint can |
| Arthritis in the dog usually starts in a joint subsequent | | | | be seen, it may appear thickened. The joint may feel |
| to another problem in that joint such as hip dysplasia, | | | | stiff with a reduced range of motion and crepitus may |
| elbow dysplasia or ligament damage. Therefore in a | | | | be heard or felt in the affected joint. |
| large proportion of patients there will have been a | | | | Although these signs are typical of arthritis in dogs, |
| previous lameness that could have subsided months or | | | | they are not specific and can be present in other |
| years ago. | | | | conditions that may require very different treatment. |
| Does arthritis in dogs always cause joint pain? | | | | Diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a |
| Osteoarthritis may or may not progress to a point | | | | veterinary professional and a skilled clinical investigation. |
| where we become aware of it. If it does start to | | | | |