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Canine Arthritis

Just as we are living longer, so are our pets and sadly with advancing years the 'hinges' of the body- the joints- tend to become increasingly stiff and painful due to wear and tear. Arthritis is a complex condition involving inflammation of the joints and tends to worsen with age but can also be related to inactive or overweight dogs. The following article explains the disease further and advises on how you can help your pet.

What is Arthritis?

Joints consist of a tough, fibrous joint capsule which joins the bones forming the joint and this is lined by a thin membrane that produces joint fluid. This acts as a lubricant and also carries nourishment to the articular cartilage which covers the bones. The articular cartilage does not have its own blood supply to provide nourishment or oxygen but there are small vessels in the underlying bone.

Arthritis occurs when the cartilage is damaged either by wear and tear as the animal ages, or as a result of trauma, infection or surgery. The most common form of arthritis is Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease). This can be Primary, the cause of which is unknown and secondary, following conditions involving joint mobility e.g anterior cruciate ligament rupture, hip displasia etc. The cartilage degenerates and becomes brittle, and in some cases may even split and becomes detached within the joint. The damaged cells of the cartilage release substances which result in inflammation, pain and further damage to the cartilage. Once started, Osteoarthritis can turn into a vicious cycle.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune mediated, erosive, inflammatory condition. Cartilage and bone are eroded within affected joints and the condition can progress to complete joint fixation. It may affect single joints or multiple joints may be involved (polyarthritis).

Infective or septic arthritis can be caused by a variety of micro organisms e.g bacteria, viruses and funguses. Usually only a single joint is affected and the condition results in fever, heat and pain in the joint which is frequently very swollen.

What are the causes of Arthritis?

1. Age- Old age is one of the primary causes of arthritis due to wear and tear, as the cartilage will be weaker and more succeptable to damage. It is impossible to stop the aging process, but exercise and weight control can reduce the strain on the joints. However arthritis can also be seen in young dogs.
2. Hip Displasia and related diseases- This type of disease directly affects the hip joints of dogs, which is the bone structure that attaches the dog's body to the hind legs. If these joints don't match in shape and in form, or if one of them is grows abnormally, they suffer erosion and intense wear and tear. The condition is believed to be genetic, although it can be caused by environmental factors as well.
3. Improper Nutrition- This cause is an increasing factor in cases of arthritis. An imbalanced diet in minerals or a diet that doesn't contain the right type and amount of protein is the usual culprit. Overfeeding the dog is another common problem.
4. Obesity- An overweight dog is going to suffer more with its joints due to the increased strain and pressure the joints are placed under. The dog may develop arthritis at a younger age due to this factor, often as young as 5 years. Proper diet control and regular exercise will help keep weight under control and reduce this risk.
5. Injuries- Trauma to the cartilage can weaken the joint and make it more succeptable to Osteoarthritis. It is important that your vet examines a dog if it is involved in an accident to receive the correct treatment.

What are the symptoms of Arthritis?

1. Reluctance to move or play- Arthritis is a painful condition and dogs that are affected will be reluctant to move far. They may have difficulty getting up in the morning when their joints are particuarly stiff and may have diffuculty climbing stairs or getting in an out of the car. While it is normal for your pet to feel lazy every now and then, you should be concerned about its condition whenever your dog remains in that state for a long period of time. Laziness in a previously active dog can also be a telltale sign of arthritis.
2. Pain in the legs- Try to make your dog stand on its two hind feet. If it can barely achieve that position, the chances are high that it is suffering from arthritis. If this isn't possible with your dog, you can't simply blame it on old age. It might be arthritis and the problem can still be controlled if you deal with it immediately.
3. Weight Loss- Dogs with arthritis may lose weight without you noticing. Arthritis can directly affect their appetite and they may also be relucatant to walk to their food bowl. Many dogs struggle to eat off the ground with their head down (a raised bowl may help in this instance)
4. Fever- Some forms of arthritis can cause pain and fever. It is important to get your dog examined by a vet as soon as possible.
5. Diminished Muscle Tone-  Some breeds of dogs have good muscles, form, and build. As your dog is not exercising as much you may notice a loss in body condition.

Early warning signs of osteoarthritis for Dogs and Cats

• Difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of the litter box
• An overall decrease in activity, especially play
• Resting more than usual
• Slowness in getting up from a lying position
• For dogs, "bunny hopping" with the hind legs, rather than running normally
• For cats, failing to groom themselves or eating less, with a resulting loss of weight
• Slow or stiff movements upon waking, after a rest, or in cold weather
• Beginning to limp
• Swollen joint(s) that is warm to the touch
• Licking or biting at a joint
• Personality change - your pet no longer likes to be touched
• There are many causes, but practically all can be grouped into two main categories:

If you notice any of the signs above, don't just think that your pet is "slowing down with age". Take him or her to see your vet! The faster osteoarthritis is first diagnosed and treated, the better your pet's quality of life will be.

How Can Arthritis Be Treated?

Osteoarthritis is usually treated with non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which reduce the inflammation in the joints and have an analgesic (pain relieving) affect. It is important to select the medication with care as some dogs are more sensitive to the side affects of commonly used NSAIDs than others. The usual side affects are lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. If you have any concerns about the medications supplied you must speak to your vet as another drug may be more suitable.

The choice of treatment often depends on the cause of the arthritis and the severity of the disease. Immune mediated Rheumatiod types are usually treated with high does of corticosteroids which often lead to a dramatic response. However the maintenance of this improvement often involves long term use of corticosteroids and other drugs. Septic arthritis involves determining the type of micro organism involved and its antibiotic sensitivity. Antibiotics usually have to be given for a month and analgesics are often required.

Diet and Supplements

Weight control is an important factor when dealing with arthritis. There are many veterinary prescription diets availiable on the market such as Hills R/D and Royal Canin Obesity Control . Your vet will be able to recommend a specific diet for your dog and and the results are seen very quickly provided the feeding insructions are carefully followed.

There are certain products which are described as nutritional supplements rather than pharmcaeticals (i.e drugs). In the United States these have been termed 'Nutraceuticals'. These products include specific compounds that have been proven to aid joint support. They do not provide the instant relief of an NSAID but supporting the joints can help prevent further breakdown of the cartilage and support the joint. As these products are completely natural they have no unpleasent side effects and can be used alongside prescribed medication. Supplementation can be started at any stage in life but is most effective if started at a young age or just as the signs of arthritis begin to show. It is beneficial to supplement working dogs and overweight dogs from a young age as their joints are placed under additional strain.

Nutraceuticals are not manufactured as pharmaceuticals and so are not subject to, or controlled by, the same constraints as drugs. They are naturally occurring substances in many food products and fall in same class as vitamins. Research has shown that in many cases they are an effective treatment in many diseases.

Common compounds found in joint support nutraceuticals include:

• Glucosamine Hydrochloride- This is the most common ingrediant found in joint supplements. It is important that you purchase a product designed for pets that includes Glucosamine HCL as opposed to the human form Glucosamine Sulphate. This is because the HCL molecule is smaller and more readily absorbed into the body. Supplementing with Glucosamine may help to prevent cartilage degeneration and help repair some of the damage by promoting the manufacture of cartilage and synovial fluid.
• Chondroitin- chondroitin sulfate is a major component of cartilage. The tightly packed and highly charged sulfate groups of chondroitin sulfate generate electrostatic repulsion that provides much of the resistance of cartilage to compression. Loss of chondroitin sulfate from the cartilage is a major cause of osteoarthritis. Chondriotin provides building blocks for the synthesis of glucosaminoglycans (cartilage building blocks) from glucosamine.
• MSM- Methyl Sulphonyl Methane is found naturally in rain and in all plants and animals. MSM scavenges free radicals and so cleanses the tissues around the joint helping to reduce pain.
• Curcumin and other antioxidants - reduces the damaging results of oxidative stress.
• Green Lipped Mussel - renowned for its chondroprotective properties which encourage a healthy level of synovial fluid, which in turn lubricates joints, protects against cartilage degradation and supports connective tissue elasticity.
• Omega 3- relieves inflammation and pain in arthritic joints by interferring with the inflammation process.
• Vitamins- Vitamins E and C are thought to have antioxident properties and vitamin C may encourage collagen development.

Supplements are availiable in many different forms including powders, capsules, tablets, liquids and even as veterinary diets (such as Hills J/D). It is important to follow the dosage instructions carefully as some products require a high dose 'loading period' for 4 - 6 weeks where a double dose is given to build the levels of the compounds in the body. Once an effect is seen the dose can gradually be reduced to the maintenance dose which can be given for life.

Recommended products include Seraquin, Cosequin and Perloquan.

Osteoarthritis may progress very slowly (over several years) or very quickly (you might notice a major change in just a few weeks or months). It all depends on your pet's age, his or her activity level, the joints involved and the underlying cause. Some pets' pain and loss of mobility can be kept to a minimum for long periods of time with a simple regimen of weight control, moderate, regular exercise and the occasional use of anti-inflammatory drugs if flare-ups occur. For others, severe damage to the joints may occur rapidly and require long-term medication and other therapy. In either case, your veterinary surgeon can determine the best course of treatment for your pet's particular condition. There is no reason why, with your loving attention and committed care, as well as your veterinary surgeon's guidance, your osteoarthritic pet cannot have a happy, healthy and comfortable life for many years to come.

The article reflects the opinions of the author and should only be used as a guide. It can only be taken in conjunction with advice from your veterinary surgeon. No liability is accepted for accuracy of content or any other matter.

Related products:

• 
  Cosequin DS Large Breed
• 
  Seraquin 2g
• 
  Glycoflex
• 
  Arthri Aid Tablets
• 
  Magnopulse Collar
• 
  Hills Prescription Diet J/D Canine (6kg & Over: Free Delivery to UK Mainland Only)

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