It’s useful to know what to expect at your vet appointment.

That way you can be prepared and have the answers to common questions ready. You also won’t be surprised by anything that comes up.

To start with, your vet will usually ask you some questions about your dog

They’ll be particularly interested in any changes that you have noticed. This may include things like any lameness or discomfort you have seen, which leg or legs you think are affected, changes in your pet’s ability to exercise and anything that you feel makes their arthritis symptoms worse.

Your vet will also ask questions about your dog’s general health and any concerns that you have about them. Remember to mention any previous injuries or health issues they have had in the past, as this might affect the vet’s assessment.

Next your vet will want to examine your dog

They may ask to see them getting up and walking around so they can assess how mobile they are. The vet will feel the affected limbs, looking for any concerning changes such as swellings or heat, and then gently move and manipulate the joints by bending and stretching them.

Often, they will compare the bad leg with the opposite one, which can help pick up subtle changes or problems affecting more than one limb. Your vet will also assess your pet’s general health and body condition, looking for loss of muscle and checking whether your pet might be above their ideal body weight.

What does the vet need to diagnose arthritis in your dog?

In many cases your vet will be able to diagnose arthritis from the information you give and the examination that they have carried out. Occasionally the diagnosis is not clear, or they may want to check for other problems. In this case they will generally recommend that x-rays are carried out.

X-rays of joints are mostly carried out under sedation, or sometimes a general anaesthetic, as they require those painful joints to be in specific positions to give the best view. This is generally a routine procedure with no overnight stay required. Often the results will be available the same day for your veterinary surgeon to discuss with you.

Why does it matter? Isn’t the treatment for dog arthritis always the same?

Absolutely not! Once your vet has made a diagnosis of arthritis in your dog, you will be relieved to know that there is plenty that can be done to manage their condition and help maintain your pet’s quality of life. The mainstays of arthritis treatment in our pets are maintaining a healthy weight, appropriate exercise levels, and pain relief. However, every dog is different and will respond best to a different combination of medicine and management.

If your dog is carrying excess body weight this will put additional pressure on their joints

As we all know, this is not always as easy as it sounds. The easiest first step is to cut out unhealthy treats and titbits. Then look for one of the many excellent weight management diets available. These are designed to ensure your pet feels full and prevent excessive hunger whilst reducing their overall calorie intake. If you are struggling, speak to your veterinary practice as many offer weight clinics with trained veterinary nurses who can help advise you on the best way to shed those pounds, helping to address a key symptom of arthritis in dogs.

Appropriate exercise is essential to keep arthritic joints as mobile as possible

Exercise also helps to maintain a healthy body weight, but care must also be taken as too much exercise can increase pain and stiffness. Therefore, it’s essential to find a balance. Regular controlled exercise is the key and any alteration to exercise levels should be made gradually. Games that encourage sudden changes in speed, twisting and jumping movements should be avoided. This includes things like throwing balls and agility training. Long periods of immobility should also be avoided as this is likely to cause an increase in stiffness and loss of supporting muscles.

An essential aspect of arthritis care is pain management

The stiffness and lameness seen with arthritis is due to pain in the affected joints, but many dogs are very stoic and show few other signs. This means that it can be hard for even the most dedicated of owners to know just how much discomfort their dog is in. Your veterinary surgeon will assess your dog’s arthritis symptoms and help you decide on the best type of pain relief for them.

They will consider things like the severity of pain, other illnesses your pet may suffer from, other medications they are taking, how easily your pet will take a pill, and the costs of treatments. Human medicines are not safe for pets, so never attempt to medicate your pet with these.

Different dogs require different arthritis medications, and there are a wide range available

The types of treatments that your veterinary surgeon may suggest include joint supplements (usually containing things like glucosamine, omega 3 fatty acids and chondroitin), anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers. There are also some that specifically blocks one of the main chemicals that signals pain in arthritic joints.

In addition to medication your vet may recommend complementary treatments such as laser therapy, physiotherapy or acupuncture. If it is managed well, there is no reason that a diagnosis of arthritis should stop your dog living a happy and active life. The key is to seek advice from your vet at an early stage so that together you can come up with a plan to keep your pet pain free and able to enjoy life to the full.