While bone and joint disorders can affect any size and breed of dog, large and giant breeds are particularly susceptible due to their higher weights. Bone and joint disorders can affect your dog with pain and decreased range of movement. His quality of life may be adversely affected. Seek out facts to acquaint yourself with ways to help your dog deal with the often debilitating symptoms of bone and joint disorders.
-
Types
-
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused by the loss of soft cartilage. Without this protective padding, the bone rubs against bone, resulting in bone erosion and pain. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease caused by a poorly fitting hip joint. The joints rub against each other, causing erosion of the cartilage. Osteochondritis dissecans causes damage to the cartilage where two bones join. The cartilage cracks and pulls apart from the bone. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy is caused by a lack of blood supply to the growth plate, resulting in weakening of the bone. Cervical vertebral instability, commonly called "wobbler disease" due to the characteristic wobbling gait, is caused by the malformation of vertebrae in the cervical area.
Causes
-
Large breed dog bone and joint disorders are usually diseases with a genetic component. The disorders tend to be inherited within bloodlines. Careful, selective breeding is necessary. Dogs known to possess bone and joint disorders should never be bred. Diet plays a large role in bone and joint disease. Puppies fed diets high in calories and fats can experience rapid bone growth leading to abnormal development. Excess weight contributes to added stress on fragile bones and joints of the large breed dog.
Symptoms
-
Symptoms of bone and joint disorders in the large breed dog include: lameness, warm and swollen joints, limping, difficulty rising, staggered gait, lack of coordination and lethargy. Many symptoms relating to hereditary bone and joint disorders will begin within the first 2 years of the dog's life. According to Working Dogs, hypertrophic osteodystrophy symptoms can appear in a dog as young as 2 months of age.
Treatments
-
Pain can be managed in large breed dog bone and joint diseases by the use of anti-inflammatory medications such as over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or prescription medications. In severe cases of bone and joint disease, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgical joint replacement is an option for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian may want to supplement conventional treatments with some alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, Reiki and herbal supplements.
Home Care
-
Keeping your dog active, to the extent she is able, will help to keep her joints limber. Swimming and easy, relaxed walks are effective forms of exercise for dogs with bone and joint disorders. Elevated feeding dishes are helpful in decreasing the strain of bending when eating. Keeping the dog out of cold temperatures and providing a soft, supportive bed can prove helpful.
-