Why Spotting the Early Signs of Arthritis in Dogs Makes Such a Difference
14 minutes
Arthritis is a progressive and painful joint condition that's estimated to affect 2 out of every 5 dogs. It causes inflammation, pain, stiffness and other uncomfortable symptoms that can negatively impact your dog's quality of life. But why is it important to recognise arthritis early, and what are the signs to watch out for?
Why Is It Important to Recognise The Early Signs of Arthritis?
Arthritis pain is a welfare concern. Early detection gives your vet the best chance of treating your dog successfully so they can live an active and healthy life. Let's take a closer look at how recognising the early signs of dog arthritis helps both your pet and your vet.
Why Recognising Arthritis Early Is Good for Your Dog
The sooner arthritis pain is identified, the quicker your dog can receive treatment. Here's an overview of some of the primary benefits of early detection:
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Alleviation of pain and discomfort.
If your dog is diagnosed with arthritis, they can be treated with medication to keep them comfortable and enjoy life pain free. -
Prevention of severe joint damage.
Since arthritis is a progressive disease , exercise modification, diet changes and other lifestyle changes are important to help prevent serious and irreversible damage to your dog's joints. -
Enhanced mobility and overall well-being.
Dogs that are diagnosed and treated early often maintain an improved quality of life.
How Early Detection Helps Your Vet
Collaborating with your veterinarian is the best way to ensure your dog receives the care they need to live a long and healthy life. Here's why spotting the signs of arthritis early on can help your vet:
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Efficient and accurate diagnosis.
Signs of arthritis can often be quite subtle, so don't assume that your vet will be able to spot them during a routine appointment. Keep an eye out for potential signs of arthritis and visit your vet if you think something is wrong. This will help them diagnose your dog as quickly and easily as possible.
The earlier your vet can spot the signs, the better they'll be able to tailor treatment. Put simply, this means your dog has the very best chance of staying active and pain-free.
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Tailored treatment plans based on early observations.
The earlier your vet can spot the signs of arthritis, the better they'll be able to tailor their treatment plan for your dog. This means that any medications or therapies prescribed will more closely match their needs. -
Improved long-term outcomes for the dog.
By spotting and treating canine arthritis early, you can greatly improve your furry friend's long-term prognosis. Put simply, this means that they have the very best chance of staying active and pain-free for as long as possible.
Key Indicators of Canine Arthritis
Now that we've explored why early detection is so important, let's take a look at some of the risk factors and signs of this debilitating condition.
Risk Factors
Even before your dog displays possible signs of arthritis, there are a few clues that they may be susceptible to the condition. Understanding these can help pet parents and vets be extra vigilant when monitoring the health of their four-legged friends:
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Breed.
Certain dog breeds are generally more at risk of canine arthritis. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies are prone to developing the condition. -
Age.
As you age, your joints naturally accumulate wear and tear, making you more likely to develop arthritis. Injuries such as cruciate ligament tears and developmental joint diseases like luxating patellas (unstable knee caps) or elbow dysplasia also predispose your affected joint to arthritis. -
Weight.
From a young age, overweight dogs are at greater risk of arthritis. What's more, being overweight can actually accelerate the progress of the disease. This is thought to be at least partly due to the influence of certain inflammatory mediators on the joint cartilage.
Dogs with arthritis may display a wide range of physical and behavioural signs, some of which can be quite subtle. That's why it's so important to closely monitor your dog and visit your vet if you notice a problem.
Early arthritis symptoms to watch out for:
Dogs with arthritis may display a wide range of physical and behavioural signs, some of which can be quite subtle. That's why it's so important to closely monitor your dog and visit your vet if you notice a problem. Here are some of the most common signs of arthritis to look out for:
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Stiffness and changes in gait.
Stiff body movements can be a sign of arthritis, especially when standing up, lying down, or climbing stairs. You may also notice changes in the way your dog walks and holds their body, which can be caused by chronic pain. -
Weight gain and muscle wastage.
Lack of exercise in dogs with arthritis can result in weight gain and muscle wastage, which then contribute to loss of mobility. -
Excessive licking or chewing at a particular joint.
Some dogs with arthritis may start to excessively lick, chew, or otherwise groom a particular joint as they search for relief from pain and discomfort. -
Aggression or changes in temperament.
Dogs with chronic pain may become more defensive or aggressive due to their discomfort. This can even manifest in previously easy-going pets. -
Reluctance to exercise or play.
Dogs with arthritis may be less likely to want to play or exercise due to their pain. They might also resist jumping onto the bed or into the car, refuse to climb stairs, and generally appear tired and lethargic.
Treatment of Canine Arthritis
While arthritis can't be cured, it can often be effectively treated and managed. And the sooner the signs are recognised, the sooner a diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin.
Some of the most common treatments for canine arthritis include medication to ease their pain and increase mobility, weight loss and controlled exercise . Your vet may also recommend modifying your dog's diet, and adapting the home environment.
The most important thing to remember is that early detection and treatment can greatly improve your dog's long-term prognosis and overall quality of life. So, look out for signs of arthritis, visit your vet if you're worried, and work together to make sure your canine companion gets the care they need.
