Older Dogs With Arthritis

Much like humans, as dogs age, their bodies undergo several physiological changes. Unfortunately, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) or arthritis is a common condition found in senior dogs. Arthritis occurs when the joint cartilage responsible for covering the dog's bones becomes worn, causing raw bone surfaces to be exposed and rub against each other, according to the Pet Place website. As a result, the dog experiences pain when he or she attempts to move those joints.

  1. Signs and Symptoms

    • Older dogs with arthritis may experience difficulty walking, lameness, swollen joints, muscle disintegration, or dry crackling sounds upon movement, according to Pet Place. In addition, dogs with arthritis pain often become less interested in otherwise everyday activities such as running, chasing or eating.

    Diganosis

    • A skilled veterinarian can properly diagnose arthritis in an older dog. The veterinarian may use diagnostic tests and tools such as joint fluid aspiration, orthopedic examination, X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. In addition, the veterinarian may conduct a force plate analysis, which is used to evaluate lameness by measuring the amount of weight a dog places on a flat surface.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for older dogs with arthritis is mainly geared toward weight reduction (to reduce pressure on the joints) and medication (to reduce inflammation of the joints). In severe cases of arthritis, a joint fusion or joint replacement may be necessary to restore the normal, pain-free use of the dog's joints.

    Prevention

    • Although DJD or arthritis is a natural result of the aging process for dogs, pet owners can reduce the negative effects of the disease by providing their dogs with proper nutrition and exercise throughout their development. In addition, pet owners should have their senior dogs evaluated regularly by a veterinarian, who can detect any early signs of arthritis in the dog.

    Considerations

    • Although steroidal medications have been shown to significantly reduce arthritic inflammation, chronic steroid use may cause cartilage damage. These medications, though helpful, are not intended for long-term use. Pet owners should rely on the expertise of a skilled veterinarian when considering treatments for their pet.