How is arthritis in dogs diagnosed?

Since dogs do not show pain until it gets severe, arthritis can be hard to diagnose in dogs, particularly at the early stages.

In an older dog, at regular examinations your vet should be manipulating the major joints to see if there is any response from your dog and/or swelling. Any response will be investigated further to determine if it is arthritis or another problem.

A vet that specializes in musculoskeletal diseases can tell a lot just by watching how the dog moves.

Obviously if the dog is limping or has one of the other symptoms of arthritis the vet will investigate and determine whether the problem is arthritis.

If arthritis is suspected in a joint, the vet may X-ray the joint to check for loss of cartilage and rough surfaces of bone. However, as in humans, the roughness of bone does not always correlate with the presence and level of pain.

Depending on the examination, the vet will decide whether rheumatoid arthritis is a possibility. If so they will further investigate.

Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis

As with all types of arthritis there can be a big variability between dogs in the extent and severity of the disease. When rheumatoid arthritis is flaring up the affected joints may be tender and visibly swollen. The dog may or may not be lame. Sometimes the lameness can appear to move to a different leg.

Usually one or more of the affected areas will be x-rayed by the vet to see if there is a characteristic look to the bone. The bone can appear as if it has holes in it.

There is a blood test for rheumatoid factor. However, some dogs who do not have rheumatoid arthritis have rheumatoid factor, and some who have rheumatoid arthritis do not have rheumatoid factor. So this blood test is a guide, but is not definitive.

The vet may also take a sample of synovial fluid, which is a thick fluid in joints that helps lubricate joints. If a joint has inflammation the fluid will be thinner, usually cloudy and sometimes a yellow color. Observation of the fluid under a microscope will show large numbers of immune cells.

The vet will use the results of the tests and experience of observing dogs with rheumatoid arthritis to make a diagnosis.

What are the treatments and care options for canine arthritis?

• Losing weight, if overweight
• Moderate, regular exercise
• Physical therapy
• Supportive bedding & warm, dry environment

 

Losing weight, if overweight

It is a no brainer that if your dog is overweight, that there is going to be more stress on the joints. A dog of any weight can get arthritis but being overweight is going to both increase the risk of getting arthritis and make the arthritis worse for the dog. Consider switching to low calorie food, restricting the number of treats and giving your dog less human food.

Moderate, regular exercise

Years ago, in both dogs and humans when arthritis developed, exercise was discouraged. Then it was determined that exercise keeps joints from becoming stiff and limited in movement, stimulates the lubrication of joints, and keeps the muscles round the joint strong.

Why movement helps cartilage formation in joints

In the section describing osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), it is explained how loss of cartilage in joint contributes to arthritis. Cartilage is made in the joint by specialized cells call chondrocytes. Since there are no blood vessels in the joints, the nutrients and other things that the chondrocytes need must get into the joint by diffusion. Regular movement of the joint aids in the diffusion process, and will help keep the chondrocytes healthy and actively making cartilage.

Avoid high impact exercise

Any exercise or movement that is high impact should be avoided. Exercise should include little or no jumping and leaping down. This includes leaping out of the car and jumping for a Frisbee or ball.

Exercise could include walking, slow running and swimming. If you want to play ball with your dog, don’t throw the ball in a way that will make the dog jump when retrieving it.

Exercise needs to be regular

It is important that the exercise be regular. At least once a day is best. Just exercising at the weekend is generally bad for arthritis. Non-regular exercise can make the dog sore and will not keep the joints well lubricated and the muscles strong. In most cases, not exercising enough is worse than doing lots of moderate exercise.

If your dog has severe arthritis, ask your vet for a specific exercise program, that in addition to exercise may involve massage, stretching and application of heat.

Exercises and activities specifically designed for arthritic dogs

As described below physical therapy can be helpful. There is also exercise equipment available for dogs that is similar to human balance and strengthening equipment. One of the most prominent is fitpaws. They have various inflatable and balance equipment and a DVD.

As an example, a dog with hip dysplasia or arthritis in the hips of lower spine may start to put more and more weight on their front legs. The increased weight on the front legs can start to stress the front legs, particularly the elbows. This can lead to problems with the front legs too. Exercises that strengthen the hind legs and stabilize muscles around the affected joint will stop the transfer of weight to the front legs and can also decrease discomfort in the arthritic areas.

Physical therapy

There are increasing numbers of dog physical therapists. Some insurance policies will cover dog physical therapy, but often you will have to pay. Ask your vet for a recommendation.

Physical therapy can involve stretching, localized hot and cold treatments, massage, walking on a treadmill (either in water or on land), ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (also known as TENS) and neuromuscular electrostimulation (also known as NMES). If your dog’s arthritis is severe or the dog has been inactive and become stiff, physical therapy can often dramatically improve the quality of life.

Supportive bedding & warm, dry environment

To make your dog comfortable make sure that they are sleeping on a soft thick surface. An old baby mattress or thick dog supportive dog bed is good. It can help a dog with bad arthritis in getting up after lying for an extended period, if the bed is raised 6 inches to a foot off the floor, depending on the size of the dog.

Many vets will recommend getting a bed that has orthopedic foam. The best style of foam is thought to be domed. This is foam that the upper surface is not flat, but is more like the inside of an egg carton. The domed surface is thought to spread pressure more evenly across joints, and also be easier for the dog to rise from.

Lying on cold hard surfaces is going to increase the pain and stiffness in joints. As with humans being in a cold and damp environment seems to worsen the symptoms.

 
 
Previous Page – Arthritis – Signs & Types
Next Page – Arthritis – Treatment Part 2; Supplements
 
[1]   [2]   [3]   [4]   [5]   [6]