Dogs are happy, stoic creatures. Many times, they do not allow pain to come in between theirs and their owner’s joy. When our furry friends finally “tell” us they are suffering, their condition may already be severe, often leading to elective euthanasia.
A leading cause of pain in dogs is osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disease in which the tissues within a joint wear down. According to Canine Arthritis Management, OA “is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. It affects 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old, and potentially up to 35% of dogs of all ages.”
So how can you determine if your dog is showing signs of OA pain? Every dog is different, but common signs include:
- Difficulty getting up and down from a sitting or lying position
- Walking stiffly
- Lameness in one or more legs
- Hesitant to go up and down steps
- Hesitant to jump up or down from furniture, vehicles, etc.
- Posture changes or difficulty getting comfortable
- Sensitivity to being touched or petted on certain areas of the body
- Slowing down or stopping often with normal activity
- Behavioral changes, such as depression, or aggression towards humans and other animals
If you are concerned your dog is exhibiting signs of OA pain, contact your trusted veterinarian. They will take a thorough history of what you are seeing at home, perform a physical exam, and possibly recommend diagnostics (such as x-rays) to help create a treatment plan to manage your dog’s diagnosis.
Sadly, there is no curative treatment for canine osteoarthritis. With proper detection and diagnosis, there are many management tools, such as medications, nutraceuticals, weight loss, physical therapy exercises, and complementary therapies, that can keep your dog comfortable and the happy dog you know and love.