Great Danes & Bone Spurs

Though Great Danes tend to die at younger ages than most other dogs, many Great Danes that do manage to grow old often suffer from bone spurs. Bone spurs are bony projections that form along the joints and sometime the spine. It's a form of arthritis that can affect humans as well as other animals. They can be quite painful for your dog. Great Danes are not the only breed of dogs susceptible to bone spurs, and treatment for Danes is similar to any other dog.

  1. Spondylosis

    • Spondylosis is the condition where osteophytes, or bone spurs, grow along the vertebrae of a dog. If a Great Dane develops spondylosis, the spurs may grow downward toward the spine. When this happens, the dog will experience great pain in the back until the spurs actually fuse the vertebrae bones together. Spondylosis will not always cause pain for a Great Dane, and the disease is usually caught fairly early if the dog is regularly examined by a veterinarian.

    Causes

    • The primary cause of bone spurs remains unknown. Diet and genetics are believed to play a role in some dogs, and damaged joints also play a part. Bone spurs can result from arthritis, and of course spondylosis. Osteochondrosis is one other disease that may cause bone spurs in the ankle joints. Osteochondrosis is caused by an abnormality in a dog's cartilage and is quite common in all breeds of dogs, including Great Danes.

    Symptoms

    • A Great Dane may show no signs at all of experiencing bone spurs. However, if your dog appears to be experiencing any pain at all, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. If a dog is affected by osteochondrosis, it may begin to walk with a limp or become more lethargic than usual.

    Treatment

    • There are several treatments a veterinarian can offer a Great Dane suffering from bone spurs or any of the conditions associated with bone spurs. Arthritic medicinal treatments lubricate the joints and cartilage, which will ease the pain caused by bone spurs. A veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate medicine and plan of action.