Diseases of the leg joints in dogs. Joint diseases in dogs. Symptoms of joint inflammation

Arthritis in dogs does not only develop in old age. Young animals, although much less common, still suffer from this disease. Why does joint inflammation occur? How to recognize it in time and how to help your beloved pet recover?

Causes of arthritis in dogs

At the place where the bones “connect” with each other, there is an articular capsule, and the “layer” between them is cartilage. This is a kind of cushion that prevents the articular surfaces of the bones from being abraded during movement, deformed and destroyed. Inside the capsule there is a liquid that allows the joint to perform its function unhindered, without pain. But why can an inflammatory process develop in the joint?

Weakened immunity. Any infection that enters the animal’s body provokes the development of an inflammatory process.
Injuries: dislocations, bruises, sprains and torn ligaments, fractures. A dog can trip or twist a paw while running or jumping (kids, old people and overweight dogs are especially susceptible to such falls).
Rest on a hard and cold floor. If a dog lies on a hard surface for a long time, the joints often swell and harden, and arthritis and arthrosis may develop.
Constant stress.
Poor nutrition. This is not the main reason, but rather a contributing one.

Classification of arthritis

Traumatic. This type of joint inflammation occurs due to injury received by the animal (sprain or rupture of ligaments, dislocation, bruise, fracture or other violation of intra-articular cartilage and bone).
Genetic. It is registered in those breeds that were bred artificially. Such animals have a tendency to damage cartilage tissue.
Rheumatoid arthritis in dogs is most often reported in miniature breeds. A type of autoimmune disease where the pet's immune system tries to destroy its own cartilage and bone cells, destroying them.
Metabolic. Inflammation develops due to metabolic disorders. The cartilage tissue is not renewed properly, it becomes thinner. This inflammation is especially often recorded in large breeds with excess body weight (cartilage wears off).
Idiopathic.
Purulent. Pus accumulates in the joint capsule. Most often, it begins to form there due to a deep penetrating wound (a pyogenic infection, for example, cocci).
Drug. It occurs as a reaction to an administered veterinary drug (vaccines, drugs). A kind of allergic reaction to medications.
Osteoarthritis. Develops due to dislocation or other joint disease, hip dysplasia. The most common type of inflammatory process of the musculoskeletal system in dogs.

Symptoms of Arthritis in a Dog

What are the symptoms of arthritis in dogs?

The most obvious is an increase in volume (but such a sign can only be seen on “visible” joints - on the limbs).
Stiffness of the inflamed joint. Due to swelling, motor ability is impaired.
Pain. Any movement that involves an inflamed joint causes extreme pain to the animal.
The dog rests more and tries to lie on the healthy “side”. However, if the inflammation is bilateral, then the dog tries to take an unnatural position so as not to disturb the sore joints.
Reluctance to walk, run, or jump a lot. It is difficult for the dog to go up and down (including stairs, he cannot jump on or go down the sofa).
The dog begins to gain weight, despite the fact that his appetite decreases. This is due to the fact that the animal began to walk and move less. The less physical activity, the more weight the pet will gain.

Treatment for a dog with inflamed joints

If you suspect arthritis in dogs and notice the symptoms, treatment should begin as early as possible. However, only a veterinarian should select the method of therapy, based on the results of the examination and establishing the causes of the inflammatory process. Some animals are helped by alternative methods, others only by conservative ones.

If the disease is just beginning, there is no acute pain or serious complications, then with the permission of the veterinarian you can resort to alternative treatment: herbs (for example, nettle, which has a good anti-inflammatory property), non-steroidal drugs (however, you should be extremely careful with them, since they can lead to serious complications), compresses with oil (lavender and juniper in equal proportions with warm water).
The diet is being revised: tomatoes, grains, and potatoes are necessarily excluded. But egg yolks, seeds, ginger, and exotic fruits are great (but be careful with them so that the animal does not develop an allergy). Remember that there must be a diet so that the animal does not gain excess weight, which will only provoke the destruction of cartilage tissue.
Drug treatment for arthritis in dogs includes the use of veterinary medications that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Chondroprotectors are also good. In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary (most often when the inflammation is of a traumatic nature).
Improve living conditions. The pet's bed should be warm and soft, away from drafts. Cover all slippery surfaces on the floor with carpets and secure them, in general, so that the animal does not slip.
Reduce the time spent on walks and put less stress on your beloved dog. Don't force him to run or jump, just calm movement. But remember that fresh air and sunlight have a beneficial effect on the health of the animal.
Physiotherapy also has an excellent effect on recovery. Massage, phoresis, and swimming perfectly relieve pain and swelling of the joints. But all this should be done only after a face-to-face consultation with a veterinarian. Just remember that with purulent arthritis, heating (even with ointments) and massage, rubbing and other procedures that can lead to the outpouring of pus into the surrounding tissues are prohibited.

Preventing arthritis in dogs

Monitor your pet's weight. if it exceeds the recommended standards, then your pet is in danger. And the point is not only the high risk of developing arthritis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but also the fact that metabolic disorders (metabolism) may develop. For example, obese dogs often develop pancreatitis, diabetes, digestive problems, and others.
Be careful with loads. If they are too intense, then the musculoskeletal system wears out. But you shouldn’t completely deprive your dog of jogging, otherwise the muscles will weaken, the muscle corset will become worse, and the weight will gain very quickly.
Monitor the animal's diet. No prohibited foods, less carbohydrates (again, so that you don’t gain weight quickly). Products that help cartilage tissue remain elastic are also good.
Make sure that floors are not slippery (use carpets). And the pet’s bedding should be soft, warm and comfortable. The animal must lie completely on it, no parts of the body should protrude beyond its limits or rub against the hard floor.
Animals over 6 years old should be shown to a veterinarian at least once every six months.

Joints in dogs are very often susceptible to diseases, especially in urban pets. Predisposing factors are physical inactivity, since busy owners do not always have enough time to walk with their pet. Excess weight, which occurs due to overfeeding or little physical activity, puts extra stress on the joints. Also, the cause of joint diseases in dogs is a breed predisposition or hereditary causes.

How do sore joints appear in a dog?

Decreased activity, the animal walks slowly.

Lameness of the limbs appears.

The animal has great difficulty climbing the stairs.

After lying down for a long time, it is difficult for the animal to get up.

Painful reaction during exacerbation of the disease.

How to make a diagnosis if your dog has joint pain?

If you notice that your pet has a limp or a stiff gait, this is a reason to call a veterinarian at home. Timely treatment will make it possible to begin treatment at the initial stage of the disease and quickly normalize the function of the dog’s joints.

An in-home veterinarian will take a medical history and conduct a clinical examination of the dog.

To make a diagnosis and identify the extent of joint damage in the dog, X-ray and ultrasound examinations will be performed; for this, the veterinarian of our service will transport the animal to a veterinary clinic with equipment. Depending on the diagnosis, a course of treatment is prescribed.

Sore joints in a dog, how to treat?

When making a diagnosis, medication and, in severe cases, surgical treatment are used. In any case, treatment is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease or alleviating the course of joint disease in dogs.

Drug treatment is aimed at eliminating pain and reducing inflammation. In this case, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or hormonal drugs can be used. Chondroprotectors are also used, in particular chondroitin nourishes and protects cartilage tissue, and glucosamine is a building material for cartilage, which help reduce the progression of joint diseases.

Surgical treatment is used in the presence of destructive changes in the dog’s joints, in particular dysplasia. The choice of surgical method depends on the degree of joint damage, as well as the age of the patient.

Prevention of joint diseases in dogs

You should avoid making your pet overweight. Physical activity will be very useful, in particular active walking and jogging, walking on a treadmill, swimming.

If joint disease has already manifested itself, physical exercises are selected individually. Avoid exposure to drafts; the dog should be in a warm and dry place. The use of chondroprotectors in dogs with a breed predisposition to joint problems.

In any case, if you suspect joint pain, contacting a veterinarian is mandatory. The specialists of the on-call veterinary service "VeraVet" have extensive experience in treating joints in dogs and will help your pet quickly get back on its feet.

Content:

Dogs are active animals that often injure their joints. In addition to the obvious causes of the disease, there is lameness and reluctance to move. The disease is typical for service dogs exposed to significant overload, as well as older dogs. The dog handler needs to know what to do in the current situation. We will talk about the causes of joint diseases, methods of treatment and prevention.

Classification

The following types of damage to bone joints are distinguished:

Injuries.
Arthritis.
Arthrosis.
Synovitis.

Injuries

There are the following types of injuries:

wounds;
sprains;
dislocations.

Wounds

Incised wounds are covered with scab and heal well if the conditionally pathogenic microflora does not penetrate into the joint. The animal needs rest. If the defect is extensive, stitches are applied. Protect the wound from secondary infection. When suppuration develops, antibiotic therapy is used locally, in the form of powders.

Puncture wounds are more difficult to treat. Their consequence is purulent arthritis if the pathogenic microflora enters anaerobic conditions.

Sprains

Distortion (stretching) occurs during sudden jumps, pinching, or being hit by a car. The following symptoms appear the next day:

lameness;
soreness;
the joint is swollen, painful;
the dog does not lean on its paw, holds it in a half-bent position;

Treatment: a tight bandage is applied and hydrocortisone is injected intramuscularly.

Dislocations

The following types of dislocations are distinguished:

complete, bones completely lose contact;
subluxation, contact preserved;
simple, the skin is not damaged;
open, joint bones exposed;
congenital, affects mainly puppies;
familiar.

The pathology is characterized by limited and painful movements. Treatment consists of reduction with local or systemic anesthesia. A bandage is applied that restricts movement for 10–14 days.

Arthritis

The inflammatory process occurs mainly in old animals. The disease affects massive dogs and spares small dogs. The interosseous joints become painful, and the dog is afraid to move.

The following causes of joint inflammation are identified:

Functional overload.
Obesity.
Genetic predisposition.

The following types of arthritis are distinguished:

purulent - occurs if the infection gets inside the joint capsule;
rheumatoid – an autoimmune pathology in which the body perceives its own connective tissue cells as pathogens;
deforming, is a consequence of constant microtraumas. The bones are deformed, the animal lame;
dysplasia is a congenital disease of the hip joints. Corrected surgically, the dog is excluded from breeding.

Symptoms

The inflammatory process in the joint causes the following changes in the pet’s behavior:

limitation of mobility. The dog sleeps a lot;
the joint swells, becomes painful, hot to the touch;
lameness, walking with a straight limb;
rapid weight gain due to adynamia;
the animal reacts to weather changes.

Treatment

The therapeutic strategy is aimed at relieving pain and restoring cartilage tissue. They use medication or surgery, diet, and physical therapy.

Arthrosis

Arthrosis is the result of long-term permanent dystrophic changes in which the interosseous lining is destroyed. The following stages of arthrosis are distinguished:

Diagnosed only by x-ray.
The dog often changes its supporting paw. A crunching sound is heard in the joint. Lameness develops, which manifests itself during active movement.
The joint is deformed. The paw moves to the side, pain is felt.

The disease is incurable. Surgical intervention is indicated for puppies. The animal will feel satisfactory when performing restrictive measures.

Synovitis

Another name is bursitis. Acute synovitis occurs as a result of a bruise. Based on the nature of the exudate, serous or fibrinous inflammation is distinguished. The dog's initial condition is satisfactory. Tumors of a pasty consistency develop over the joint. Local temperatures are rising. When pressed, the dog whines.

With a long course of the disease, the tumor opens, a fistula forms, and purulent inflammation occurs. Treatment of the disease must be entrusted to a specialist, otherwise the dog risks becoming disabled.

Prevention

Situations in which the pet could be injured should be avoided. He needs gentle exercise, and he needs to control his body weight to avoid overloading his joints. It is recommended to use specialized ready-made food with chondroprotectors. This is especially true for large dogs.

Conclusion

Joint diseases in dogs occur due to their nature, tendency to sudden movements and high physical stress. Cartilage wear occurs in older animals. Measures have been developed to combat diseases that allow the pet to provide a satisfactory standard of living while observing restrictions in the field of housing and feeding.

. (RU)Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Older dogs often develop joint problems as part of the natural aging process. However, problems can also arise in young dogs due to injury. Joint disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including a genetic predisposition to hip and elbow dysplasia and early arthritis. Unfortunately, many dogs experience joint pain at one time or another, and your job is to provide your pet with a comfortable life. If your dog has joint problems or joint stiffness, this article will tell you how to help him.

Steps

Features of joint problems

Learn as much as you can about your dog's joints. A joint is a section that connects two or more bones. The joint is an amazing organ that allows you to perform many different movements. The joint connects the bones and ensures their mobility. It is important to ensure that your dog has good functioning bones, the cartilage that covers the joints, the tendons that hold the bones together, and the ligaments (these attach to the muscles and allow the bone to move).

Understand what causes joint problems. Problems arise when any part of the joint becomes damaged. For example, if the cartilage shell cracks, a ligament tears, or a muscle is severely stretched, the dog will feel pain.

Learn to recognize the signs of joint injuries. The most important symptom is pain, and pain most often manifests itself as lameness. If your dog suddenly starts limping, try to limit its movements. There may be other symptoms: awkward movements, inability to stand, swelling of the joints, refusal to jump, avoidance of affection, bad behavior.

React to lameness. If your dog suddenly begins to limp, take him home and limit his movements. If your dog begins to pull its paw too much during a walk, carry it home in your arms. Don't give her human medicine. If your dog is in pain, contact your veterinarian. If you know which joint was injured, apply ice to it for 10 minutes.

See if all other joints are tense. Muscle and joint stiffness has its own symptoms and is a fairly common problem, especially in older dogs. Dog owners often notice that their pet seems tense or does not straighten its legs when walking. The dog may also act lethargic and have difficulty standing up and stretching. She may refuse to run or jump, stop frequently while walking, or have difficulty climbing stairs.

Treatment of joints

Walk your dog. If a dog sustains a sudden injury to its paw, it should be allowed to lie down, but if the dog is elderly and arthritic, it may benefit from walking. If the dog does not behave actively, the joints will refuse to work. It is important to choose the right level of exercise for your dog. Exercise varies from person to person and is best assessed by a veterinarian. However, you should ensure that your dog exercises regularly. The same amount of physical activity every day will help prevent weight gain and help reduce pain. Exercise will get your limbs moving and increase their flexibility. You shouldn’t overload your dog, but you shouldn’t give too little load either (this will only worsen the stiffness).

Swim with your dog. If you want to give your dog a different workout, try swimming. This type of exercise is suitable for dogs with stiff joints because swimming works more muscles and moves all the joints. Swimming is better than walking because the joints don't have to support the dog's entire weight. Swim with your pet - this will allow you to get closer.

Monitor your dog's weight. If joint problems are caused by weight, your veterinarian will recommend that you put your dog on a diet. Losing excess weight will improve the mobility of joints affected by arthritis or other diseases. An overweight dog has to carry a heavy load, which puts more stress on its paws. In the early stages of arthritis, losing weight allows your dog to avoid drug treatment.

Try therapeutic exercises. Discuss the possibility of such exercises with your veterinarian. If your dog has arthritis or other joint problems, he will need to warm up his joints before starting exercise. If this is not done, the joints may become even more damaged. Before going for a walk, follow your doctor's recommendations regarding passive exercise.

Keep your dog warm at night. The external environment can relieve pain and ease stiffness. Many arthritic dogs' paws stop bending because the muscles and joints freeze at night. Joints may become reluctant to move in the cold. To avoid this, keep your pet warm at night. Buy a heated mat for your dog or arrange a bed where he can warm up.

Use heating pads. If your dog has joint problems, buy a pair of heating pads. Warm them up in the microwave and apply to sore joints. Don't burn your dog's skin! If the heating pad is too hot, wrap it in a towel. To check your temperature, apply a heating pad to your skin and hold for 1-2 minutes.

Try a massage. Massage has a positive effect on the body because it improves blood flow to the muscles and strengthens them. Muscles support joints, so by helping your muscles, you help your joints. Talk to an experienced veterinarian about massage options for your dog. The doctor will show you how to massage if you are ready to do it yourself.

Give your dog over-the-counter nutritional supplements. There are special remedies for joints that help relieve pain. Ask your veterinarian about glucosamine, an aminoglucose that is the basis of cartilage and is essential for normal joint function. Chondroitin may also be indicated. This substance is also part of cartilage and is responsible for their porous structure. This substance plays an important role in reducing pain, and also provides nutrients and lubricates the joints.

Many pets acquire a chronic disease (or more than one) during their lives. In some cases it does not manifest itself at all, in others it significantly reduces the animal’s quality of life. The second type includes almost all joint diseases in dogs.

Contrary to popular belief, , And(the most common joint pathologies) to the animal “stick” in youth, but begin to manifest themselves clearly in adulthood and closer to old age when the body’s compensatory abilities are already exhausted.

Unfortunately, dogs very often suffer from these ailments (much more often than cats), and joint diseases in large breed dogs are tens of times more common than when compared with “kids”. In veterinary practice, there are regularly cases where it is necessary to euthanize otherwise completely healthy “giants” that cannot walk.

Most common symptoms joint lesions include: a rigid, “wooden” gait, the dog constantly holds the limb suspended (especially after sleep or rest), it cannot climb stairs or even jump, since such “acrobatics” result in a strong pain reaction.

Important! that “joint diseases” should not be understood exclusively as pathologies affecting the limbs. Joints are not only there. For example, the articulation of the atlas and epistrophe (the first and second cervical vertebrae) is also a joint.

Why do these pathologies generally develop? Usually, injuries or infectious diseases are to blame, but there are so many reasons that at least a dozen qualifications have been developed on their basis.

But we will limit ourselves to just one:

Pathologies of muscles and tendons(For example, ). All this can easily lead to bursitis.

when the joint is somehow affected.

. Extremely dangerous and unpleasant pathologies, the “results” of which often leave the dog lame for the rest of his life. The most severe course is accompanied by destruction of the femoral head. Advanced cases can only be cured surgically by implanting a synthetic hip joint.

Congenital disorders, for example, Wobbler syndrome (sometimes Wobbler, depending on the reading). This disease is otherwise called cervical spondylomyelopathy. This also includes the so-called, that is, a predisposition to dislocation of the kneecap.

Hormonal disorders, contributing (excess weight - additional stress on the joints).

Metabolic disorders, for example, von Willebrand disease.

Degenerative joint damage(osteoarthritis).

Inflammatory joint damage: , rheumatoid arthritis.

Degenerative damage to cartilage tissue. This, for example, includes destruction in the cervical spine.

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Note, that in practice diseases of the hind limbs most often occur, while the joints of the front paws almost always remain in good condition until old age.

General information about treatment

Medical treatment of dysplasia and osteoarthritis has improved significantly over the past decade and a half thanks to the development and introduction of new supplements and drugs. Alas, but they have not learned to prevent the development of dysplasia or the same Patella, since they belong to the category of hereditarily transmitted ones.

Thanks to special nutritional supplements, regular walks, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, it is possible to stop the main signs of joint damage, but there is no talk of recovery here.

The sooner treatment begins, the greater the chance that by old age your dog will be able to move independently. Of course, surgery can in many cases help completely eliminate the disease (synthetic joints), but the cost of this “pleasure” is such that most breeders have to settle for drug treatment.

Important! You need to start with (if necessary). All medical measures will be completely useless if the dog looks like a bun with legs.

In principle, research by veterinarians has long proven that it is at overweight animals are at the highest risk of developing joint pathologies. Of course, you shouldn’t put your dog on air and water: you need to consult a veterinarian so that he can prescribe the most suitable diet for your pet.

We should not forget about regular walks, which are very important in the treatment of such diseases. Many people mistakenly believe that if the joints are damaged, the dog should lie for days without moving, but this is not so. When walking (within reasonable limits, of course), the animal’s muscles and tendons are kept in good shape and serve as additional support for the joints. Otherwise, the pathological process begins to develop even faster.

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The rehabilitation program should be drawn up by an experienced veterinarian. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to play outdoor games with a sick dog, since they have a very bad effect on the animal’s condition.

Remember, it is important to train your dog daily: only Sunday walks will do more harm. Manual therapy and physical therapy will not hurt. Massage, magnets and heating have proven themselves very well in the treatment of joint pathologies.

Unfortunately, serious diseases such as advanced hip dysplasia in dogs, treated exclusively with surgery, drug therapy can only help alleviate the suffering of the animal.

Drug treatment

As we have already written, in recent years, for the treatment of articular lesions, more and more often various nutritional supplements are used, which have proven themselves surprisingly well. They are based on glucosamine and chondroitin, which, in addition to veterinary medicine, are widely used in medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis. These supplements, unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, not only relieve pain and inflammation, but also promote the restoration of cartilage tissue.

Glucosamine is a polysaccharide contained in glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronate. These are the most important components of articular cartilage. Chondroitin improves the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and greatly slows down oxidative processes in tissues. This is very important, since in many joint pathologies the protective hyaline layer at the proximal ends of the bones wears out, as a result of which the bone tissue begins to “dry” rub against each other. The latter causes unbearable suffering to the animal, as this process is accompanied by a severe pain reaction.

Note that The minimum period for taking supplements containing these components is about six weeks. In addition, if a dog already has joint disease, it should receive medications for the rest of its life, otherwise it will not take long for a relapse to occur.