What We Should All Know About Dogs With Arthritis

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174 – February, 2025

By William Given

As the days become shorter and the weather starts turning a bit colder, some of our dogs may begin moving about less frequently and move somewhat slower when they do. Due to inflammation, joint and soft tissue changes that may have taken place over the course of many years, dogs with a history of injuries, dysplasia or arthritis can be greatly affected by weather changes.

Warm, high-pressure weather allows the tissues to be flexible and move more easily. These dogs generally feel better and are much more active in the warmer months of summer. However, as a low-pressure front moves into an area accompanied by cold air, the dog’s joints swell, and the surrounding tissue becomes less pliant. This often leads to increased stiffness, pain and results in a lower level of activity. As the activity level decreases, it can initiate a downward spiral that causes increased pain, decreased activity and even muscle atrophy.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis found in dogs. It is an inflammation of the joints and is caused by a wearing down of the cartilage and joint surfaces. Canine arthritis affects approximately 25% percent of the total population. However, the incidence of OA increases with age, and some estimates suggest that up to 80% of dogs over the age of eight years have OA.

Cartilage covers the joint surfaces to protect and provide a cushion for the surfaces as they compress and move against one another. Normal cartilage is highly resilient to pressure and provides a comfortable cushion between the bones during weight bearing activities. Normally, when the ends of a joint fit well, there is little wear and tear on the cartilage.

Sadly, not all joint ends have a good fit. Dysplasia is a primary cause of a joint moving incorrectly and always leads to arthritis. Dysplasia is the abnormal development of a joint end which alters the size or shape of the joint. It is a congenital deformity and, depending on how severe the dysplasia is, it may be diagnosed when a dog is a puppy, in adulthood or not until the dog can be considered a senior depending on his breed. Joint weakness, trauma due to injury, infection and some metabolic changes can also cause abnormal wear and tear on the joints resulting in osteoarthritis.

Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis

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174 – February, 2025

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Posted by AnthonyA on Feb 7 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.