If you spot the signs of arthritis, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your vet. They will be able to answer all your questions, diagnose your dog, and help you make a plan to manage their condition.

Preparing for Your Vet Appointment

Before visiting your veterinary team, it's helpful to be prepared by knowing what to expect at the appointment. In this section, we'll look at questions your vet will ask and how arthritis in dogs is diagnosed.

Questions Your Vet Will Ask

The first thing your veterinarian will do is ask you a series of questions about your dog. This will help them determine whether your pet is experiencing arthritis pain or another underlying health issue.

Be prepared to answer questions about physical changes in your four-legged family member. Examples include lameness (difficulty walking or getting up), limping, lagging behind on walks, weight gain, or changes in gait. Your vet will likely also ask if you've noticed any behavioural signs that could indicate arthritis. These include lack of energy, reluctance to exercise or play, change in temperament and antisocial tendencies.

In addition, your vet will often ask questions about your dog’s general health and any concerns that you have about them. It's important to mention any previous injuries or health issues they've had in the past, as this might affect the vet’s assessment.

Taking videos of your dog exhibiting these behaviours in their natural environment and showing them to your vet can be particularly helpful. Dogs may not display these behaviours in the vet examination room due to limited space, nervousness, or other factors.

Make sure to answer your vet's questions in as much detail as possible. This will help them get a complete picture of your dog's overall health and well-being so they make an accurate diagnosis. Keeping a diary of your dog's arthritis symptoms for a few weeks before the appointment is a good way to make sure you have all the information top of mind.

How Arthritis in Dogs is Diagnosed

Next, your vet will perform a thorough physical examination to assess your dog's overall health and check for signs of arthritis. Examining your dog's joints and gently moving them around can help your vet spot swelling, tenderness, and other signs of joint pain. They may ask to see your dog walk around to check for stiff movements, changes in gait, or signs of pain and discomfort.

Examining your dog physically will also allow your vet to look for signs of muscle wastage. This is often a sign of arthritis and can severely affect your furry friend's mobility.

Carrying excess weight can exacerbate arthritis pain, so your vet will weigh your dog and assess their body condition. If they're overweight or obese, a weight management plan will be recommended as part of treatment.

Additionally, other diagnostic tests like x-rays and blood tests may be used to diagnose canine arthritis. X-rays of joints are usually done with sedation or in rare cases, general anaesthesia. This is necessary to ensure that the painful joints are positioned correctly for optimal imaging. Tests such as joint fluid sampling, CT or MRI scans are sometimes used to eliminate other potential causes of your dog's symptoms.

Your vet will tell you before the appointment if X-rays or other tests that require local or general anaesthesia are recommended for your dog. In most cases, no overnight stay will be required and the results will often be available within a few days.

Canine Arthritis Treatment Options

Once your vet has made a diagnosis of arthritis in your dog, they'll discuss treatment options with you. Let's take a look at the three mainstays of canine arthritis treatment: providing pain relief, achieving and maintaining optimal weight and appropriate exercise levels.

Pain Relief

Controlling your dog's pain and improving their quality of life is an essential part of arthritis treatment and management. Your vet will take into account your dog's age, breed, and other health issues that may affect their treatment options.

Make sure to follow your vet's treatment advice closely, and never give your dog human medications as these can be dangerous for them. Here's an overview of some of the medicinal and non-medicinal treatments for arthritis your vet may suggest:

• Monthly monoclonal antibody injections.

These specifically target one of the main chemicals that signals pain in arthritic joints.

• Anti-inflammatory medications.

Daily medications that help with pain control.

• Joint supplements.

Joint supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids can be used to supplement existing pain therapies.

• Adjunctive pain relief medications.

May be added in advanced stages of arthritis pain.

• Complementary therapies.

Laser therapy, physiotherapy, or acupuncture can all be used alongside traditional medications to ease arthritis pain symptoms.

Why are vet check ups important?

Arthritis can be a debilitating condition if left untreated. But with the right treatment plan, your dog can live a long and happy life, strengthening the special bond you both have.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Excess weight puts strain on the joints, which can lead to further damage. That's why it's so important to manage your dog's weight as part of a treatment plan for arthritis. Here are a few steps your vet may recommend to help your dog shed those extra pounds:

• Cut out unhealthy treats and table scraps.

These are often high in fat and sugar, which can contribute to weight gain.

• Feed a weight management diet.

Many excellent diets are available which are formulated to help your dog feel full while reducing their overall calorie intake.

• Attend a weight clinic.

Lots of veterinary practices offer weight clinics with trained veterinary nurses who can help advise you on the best way to manage your dog's weight.

Appropriate Exercise Levels

Exercise is also important for dogs to maintain a healthy weight. However, it's crucial for dogs with arthritis pain to avoid excessive exercise, as it can worsen their symptoms. Here are some gentle, low-impact exercises your vet may recommend:

• Swimming.

This is a great exercise for dogs with arthritis as it's low-impact and helps build muscle without putting too much strain on the joints.

• Walks.

Taking your dog for on-leash walks can help keep and strengthen their muscles. Gradual introduction to incorporating changes in elevation (ie hills) or terrain (ie gravel trails) can also help increase flexibility and endurance. Please avoid activities that include sudden changes in direction which could cause further damage.

• Mental games.

A great way to remain active during down days. There are a variety of food puzzles, toys and snuffle mats available to keep your arthritic dog engaged.

Early Detection is Key

Arthritis can be a debilitating condition for dogs if left untreated. But with the right treatment plan, your pup can still live a long and happy life. Remember, early detection is key when it comes to arthritis in dogs. If you think your dog could be showing signs of pain or discomfort, use our checklist to identify the symptoms and seek advice from your vet as soon as possible.