Osteoarthritis

Also called: Degenerative joint disease, DJD, degenerative arthritis, OA

• Dogs
• Bones & joints
• Adult / Senior

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, inflammatory joint disease and the most common joint disorder in dogs. The cartilage that cushions a joint gradually breaks down, causing pain and reduced mobility. It is often secondary to a developmental problem such as hip or elbow dysplasia, or to cruciate ligament disease.

Signs to look for

• Stiffness, especially after rest or in cold weather
• Reluctance to exercise, jump, or climb stairs
• Lameness that is worse after heavy activity
• Difficulty rising or slowing down generally
• Behaviour changes sometimes read as 'grumpiness'

How a vet diagnoses it

Your vet will combine history and physical examination with gait assessment and X-rays, and may use owner-completed questionnaires (clinical metrology instruments) and the Canine Osteoarthritis Staging Tool (COAST).

Treatment

Multimodal management: weight control, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), joint-fluid modifiers, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, and nutraceuticals such as omega-3s. Surgery (e.g. joint replacement) is used in selected cases. Your vet tailors medication to your dog's signs, age, and health.

Monitoring at home

Comfort, mobility, body weight, and response to medication over time. This is lifelong management aimed at quality of life rather than cure.

Who tends to get it

Any dog; risk rises with age. Large breeds, working dogs, and dogs with hip/elbow dysplasia or cruciate disease are over-represented. First-opinion practice data (VetCompass) found around 2.5% of dogs affected in a given year, with much higher figures in older and referral populations.

Sources

• Merck Veterinary Manual — Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats
• AAHA — 2022 Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats