Dog Joint Pain: Uncovering the Causes
There’s no question about it, dogs make the world a better and happier place. Dogs comfort us when we’re sad, and love us unconditionally when we’re sick, hurt, and just feel helpless and worthless. But just like we do, dogs get old and sometimes get sick or hurt. Since they can’t tell us in words what’s wrong, it’s up to us as humans to watch them for the signs that something’s amiss, and take action.
The normal joint of a dog is made up of soft and hard tissues and joint fluid. The soft tissues include the joint capsule, the ligaments around it, and the associated muscles and tendons. The hard tissues are the bones of the joints themselves and the surrounding protective cartilage. The joint fluid is the lubricating substance that cushions the joint and provides it with nutrients. One of these important nutrients is hyaluronic acid, which thickens the joint fluid, making it a more effective cushion.
Spinal Disease and Osteoarthritis
Physiologically, dogs aren’t really all that different from humans when it comes to getting old. As they age, parts of their bodies simply wear out. The cartilage surrounding and protecting the joints becomes thin, and the soft tissues, which are made of collagen, become weak, leading to damage to the joints. Without treatment, this process gets worse with time.
An even more serious problem is when the intervertebral discs of the spine degenerate, causing hernia or rupture. This can become more of a hazard than just pain, because it can eventually cause paralysis, further immobility, and loss of organ function such as bladder and bowel.
Traditionally, these conditions have been treated with anti-inflammatory medications or even surgery in very bad cases. However, this is changing, and new, more effective and less invasive treatments are becoming available. One example is prolotherapy, which is also called proliferation therapy. This involves injections of nutrient-rich material into the parts of the joint that are weakening and causing the most pain. This actually triggers the proliferation of stem cells, creating regrowth of new, strong tissue. This is done in humans, and now, it’s also done for dogs as well!
Developmental and Congenital Disorders
Some breeds of dogs are more prone to various developmental and congenital disorders than are others. For example, larger breeds of dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia, which is one of the most common skeletal conditions seen in dogs. Breeds like the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Great Dane often suffer from this condition, in which the hip joints do not develop normally. Hip dysplasia can develop early or late in a dog’s life, and weight control and nutrition are important factors in controlling it.
Congenital disorders are ones that are already present in a dog at birth. One of these is called luxating patella. In this condition, the kneecap is malformed and affects the entire knee joint. This is most commonly seen in smaller dogs, like Poodles and Dachshunds.
Fractures, Ligament and Tendon Injuries
Dogs are active creatures who, when excited, seem to see no limitations to their own athletic abilities. As a result, they sometimes injure themselves when playing, but can also get hurt in accidents. Ligament and tendon injuries can cause joint pain and further deterioration of the joints, compromising mobility and creating other health problems. One of the most common ligament injuries is tear or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. This is located near the knee joint, and will be obvious when it happens because it will cause a great deal of pain. The posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL, can also be injured. For either of these injuries, the dog will need an x-ray to determine how serious it is and what treatment is appropriate.
Dogs, like humans, can also have fractured bones. When this happens, improper healing can cause joint pain and compromised mobility in the dog. Injured dogs should always be seen by a vet so that treatment can be initiated to prevent future complications.
Hormonal Conditions
Both hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism are hormonal conditions that can lead to joint pain, or even fractures, in dogs. Hypothyroidism itself can cause joint pain as well as weight gain and lethargy. A simple blood test at the vet can diagnose this.
Hyperparathyroidism can be caused by tumors or by malnutrition. In this condition, the parathyroid gland produces too much parathyroid hormone, which creates an imbalance in the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. This can lead to bone weakness, with related joint pain. A diet of all meat may contribute to this imbalance, so it’s important for all dogs to have a balanced diet.
Cancer
The development of cancer in dogs can affect joint function and can cause joint pain. There is a type of actual joint cancer that affects dogs, called synovial sarcoma. As this type of tumor grows, the dog may be seen limping and may lose his appetite. There may be fever, and swelling and pain in the area of the tumor. This cancer is rare, but very aggressive, so it’s important to get the dog diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Lyme Disease
Tick-borne disease in both dogs and humans is more common than ever in certain areas of the U.S. and other countries. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria carried by deer ticks that are found most frequently on the east coast in states like Maine.
Unfortunately, dogs with Lyme disease often may not have any symptoms at all, making it hard to detect. However, when symptoms do occur, they usually include inflammation of the joints with associated lameness. Treatment is fairly simple and consists of a course of antibiotics lasting at least four weeks. It’s important to keep dogs out of dense forests or tick-infested areas and to inspect their coats after walks for ticks so that they can be removed. Medications and special collars are also available to repel ticks.
Signs and Symptoms of Dog Joint Problems
Since dogs can’t tell us what’s wrong with them, it’s important for us as humans to watch for the signs and symptoms that something is wrong or that they’re in pain. If your dog suddenly has trouble climbing the stairs or does not want to go outside and play, something is wrong. If he won’t move his leg or if he avoids using one of his four legs, he may be hurt.
Be sure to monitor the dog’s activity and see if the behavior continues. If he does not improve, it’s time for a visit to the vet. The vet will need an accurate history of the behavior and symptoms in order to determine what tests need to be done to further evaluate and treat the dog’s condition.
Avoiding Canine Joint Problems
As in all health problems with either dogs or humans, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Even when dogs have congenital or breed-specific health issues, there are still measures that can be taken to lessen their suffering or to postpone more severe deterioration of their joints.
• Maintaining a Healthy Weight – Preventing obesity is probably the most important way to stay ahead of the development of joint problems in dogs. Excess weight puts more pressure on the joints, causing cartilage to break down more quickly. A healthy diet and balanced daily exercise is crucial in keeping your dog’s joints healthy.
• Supplementation – Providing your dog with supplements can help to deter the symptoms and pain of arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin, along with omega-3 fatty acids, can nourish the cartilage and joint fluid and help to keep the joints from deteriorating.
• Regular Checkups – Modern veterinary care for dogs is better than it’s ever been. Finding a good vet and taking your dog there regularly for checkups is one of the best ways to make sure he’s getting what he needs to stay healthy. Pet insurance to pay the costs of the visits and any unexpected care is another good option to think about, because you never know when things can go wrong.
Your dog is your best friend. Being sensitive to your dog’s comfort and health care needs will reward you with the continuation of this wonderful friendship for many years to come, and you’ll be happy knowing you gave your dog the best possible life that he or she could have.
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