What to Watch Out for: The Disease That Affects 1 in 5 Dogs

Owning a dog comes with the responsibility of regularly checking their health and taking them to the vet when necessary. Oftentimes, however, owners fail to recognize the symptoms of potentially life-threatening diseases in their pets. There are several common diseases that dogs have a considerable chance of getting as they grow older–one of which is called osteoarthritis, which is estimated to affect 20% of dogs worldwide (VCA hospitals).

Osteoarthritis (OA), or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), is the process in which cartilage surrounding joints and bones continuously degrades overtime, causing the inflammation and disfiguration of synovial joints (those that move against each other, such as hip and shoulder joints). Osteoarthritis, according to the US National Library of Medicine, is the most commonly diagnosed joint disease in both veterinary and human medicine, and it was shown in a study conducted by graduates of the Royal Veterinary College that most dogs, after their diagnosis of OA, only had a year left before death.

Osteoarthritis will most likely cause pain even in its early stages, however, some dogs don’t express this pain until extreme damage is done to their joints. Therefore, as an owner, it’s important to take into account the notable symptoms of osteoarthritis. Two symptoms relatively easy to spot are laziness and irritability, which are both results of pain from OA. If you notice, for example, your usually friendly and energetic dog constantly sleeping or sedentary—or even aggressive when petted or touched—it could be a sign (s)he is in pain because of OA. On the other hand, an obvious physical symptom is stiffness and posture; if your dog has developed an unusual limp, lopsided posture, or stiffness on one or various parts of their body, you should definitely take them to the vet for an exam. Other symptoms of OA include slowness, difficulty urinating, and weight gain. Although these symptoms can’t diagnose OA, they do warrant a trip to the vet or clinic.

There are multiple factors that can cause dogs to be more susceptible to OA, such as age, breed, and weight. Geriatic dogs—meaning those who are around 8 years old or older—are more susceptible to osteoarthritis because like humans, as a dog’s age increases, their bodies begin to slow down. Osteoarthritis is a condition that progressively gets worse, meaning older dogs are more likely to have worsened symptoms and pain. The geriatic age in dogs varies depending on their breed; while large breeds such as great danes and mastiffs often reach their geriatic age at around 6, smaller breeds reach their geriatic age at around 8 or older, therefore breed is a significant component to consider when looking out for OA symptoms in older dogs. Breeds such as golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, and german shepherds are especially susceptible to OA, which is important to be aware of when noticing changes in your dog’s behavior as they age.

Although genetic disposition and age cannot be controlled, there are risk factors owners can control and be aware of. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight through controlled portion sizes and regular exercise is essential to your dog’s overall health and prevention of OA. The more your dog weighs, the more pressure on their bones and joints, which causes cartilage to break down. Something that could be considered as a risk factor for OA is whether your dog is neutered or not. In the same study conducted by Royal Veterinary College and published by the US National Library of Medicine, it was found that 59.2% of dogs confirmed with osteoarthritis were neutered. Although this shouldn’t discourage you from neutering your dogs, it is a warning and another element to be aware of when monitoring your dog for OA.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease without a definite cure, however, there are measures that can be taken to alleviate the pain and symptoms that your dog may be experiencing, such as the prescription of an anti-inflammatory drug or a joint supplement. The important thing to remember is that you can never be too careful when observing a dog’s behavior changes, especially with OA. Take into account all the contributors to this disease, and catch it in its early stages.

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Bibliography

Anderson, Katharine L., et al. “Prevalence, Duration and Risk Factors for Appendicular Osteoarthritis in a UK Dog

Population under Primary Veterinary Care.” Scientific Reports, vol. 8, no. 1, Apr. 2018, p. 5641, doi:10.1038/s41598-018-23940-z.

Elizabeth Racine, D. V. M. Osteoarthritis in Dogs — Signs and Treatment. 22 July 2019,

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/osteoarthritis-signs-treatment/.

Helping Your Dog with Osteoarthritis.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/helping-your-dog-with-osteoarthritis. Accessed 19 Sept. 2020.

Senior and Geriatric Life for Dogs - Canna-Pet®. 4 Feb. 2015,

https://canna-pet.com/senior-geriatric-life-for-dogs/.