What Causes Arthritis in Dogs?

There are many causes of canine arthritis. Some pets have a genetic predisposition to develop arthritis. Larger breeds have more of a tendency to develop dog arthritis than the smaller breeds. This is thought to be because larger breed dogs have more weight and strain on their bones, but could also be caused by longer lengths in the legs and spines. Arhtritis in dogs can develop at anytime but usually does not appear until their older years, which varies depending on the breed.

Causes of canine or dog arthritis vary with different types of joint damage and health conditions that contribute to the onset. When a dog has abnormal joints, osteoarthritis can occur from a degenerative joint disease that develops from cartilage that is damaged beyond repair. Hip dysplasia develops when there is a malformation of the hip joints. The hip joints are not able to withstand normal stress and everyday activities can lead to damage of the joints and cause arthritis.

Injuries and Dog Arthritis Join Disease

Another type of dogs arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis. Healthy joints contain a synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant. White blood cells that kill off toxins and keep dogs healthy can also attack the synovial fluid, causing it to decrease. With decreased synovial fluid, the joints don’t have the lubrication needed to move properly and they will rub together causing inflammation and Rheumatoid Canine Arthritis.

Traumatic injuries or excessive exercise or jumping can place an abnormal amount of stress on a dog’s joints. Injuries and pressure caused by overly jumping can cause excess pressure on the joints, leading to wear and tear. This abnormal stress can lead to degenerative joint disease and arthritis. Canine arthritis is believed by many to be worsened by environmental agents and improper diets. When a dog is not fed properly, it can weaken the animals defenses to fight off inflammation and cause the arthritis and pain to get worse.

Although there is no cure for dog arthritis, some treatment options are available. With treatment, a dog’s pain and inflammation can be reduced significantly. Tramadol is a medication that helps to reduce the pain from arthritis in dogs. Rimadyl, Metacam, and Etogesic are common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications used in canine arthritis. Liquid glucosamine is thought to help rebuild cartilage and is sometimes added as a supplement when arthritis is diagnosed.

When a veterinarian diagnoses a dog with arthritis, they will give instructions and available options for treatment to give the dog a more comfortable and happy life.