Forms of joint diseases

Joint diseases and skeletal developmental disorders occur primarily in large dogs, but can also be a problem in small breeds. Their causes are not only hereditary, but also partly due to nutritional deficiencies or improper weight-bearing.

In this article, we explain which joint diseases are most common in dogs and also discuss typical causes.

Forms of joint diseases

Joint diseases in dogs can take various forms. These are not always easy for dog owners to distinguish. Only qualified veterinarians can provide a definitive diagnosis, as they possess the necessary expertise and resources for a thorough examination.

Arthritis and osteoarthritis

These two joint diseases sometimes present with similar symptoms . While arthritis involves joint inflammation that typically occurs in flare-ups, osteoarthritis affects the articular cartilage , which gradually deteriorates.

Osteoarthritis is relatively common in dogs . It is a chronic joint disease that cannot be cured. Once it develops, it progresses steadily over time, causing the destruction of the articular cartilage. Ultimately, this affects the entire joint.

Possible causes of osteoarthritis in dogs include:

• Congenital and acquired malpositions or abnormal stresses of joints

• Poorly healed injuries

• excessively rapid growth in large breeds

• Overweight

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is often noticed too late , as it begins gradually and clear signs only appear when the articular cartilage has already been severely damaged .

Hip dysplasia (HD) & elbow dysplasia (ED)

Hip and elbow dysplasia are among the most common joint diseases in dogs . Dysplasia refers to the abnormal development of individual joint components . Therefore, hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint in dogs. In larger breeds, it often develops during puppyhood .

In hip dysplasia (HD), the hip socket develops abnormally , causing the femoral head to no longer sit correctly on the dog's hip socket and therefore unable to move properly back and forth.

In the case of elbow dysplasia (ED), the elbow joint is damaged . It often arises from recurring elbow joint problems in dogs, specifically from abnormal joint development during growth . This can even occur when the dog is still a puppy.

If the disease is not detected or is detected late, treatment options are severely limited . The prognosis worsens the more time passes.

Hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) are often hereditary and therefore occur particularly frequently in certain dog breeds such as the German Shepherd .

Spondylosis

Spondylosis is a degenerative condition of the spine , usually caused by wear and tear. It often results in rigid bony bridges on the underside of the vertebrae, caused by bony growth. This means that the spaces between the vertebrae ossify, leading to a stiffening of the spine . The lumbar and thoracic vertebrae are frequently affected.

Affected dogs can experience severe limitations in their mobility and pain. Other possible consequences include herniated discs, paralysis, incontinence, or nerve damage.

Unfortunately, spondylosis is not curable ; it is a process that cannot be stopped. However, the symptoms and pain can be alleviated with the right treatment, allowing the dog to enjoy a good quality of life despite the condition .

Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a joint disease that occurs particularly frequently in large dog breeds . This degenerative developmental disorder impairs the formation of articular cartilage.

Specifically, this means that the cartilage becomes too thick and therefore can no longer be adequately supplied with essential nutrients and synovial fluid. The cartilage gradually dies off or even partially or completely detaches. Detached fragments sometimes become lodged in the joint capsules, grow there, and eventually ossify. This often leads to painful joint inflammation .

Dogs with OCD often also suffer from secondary osteoarthritis. The exact causes of osteochondritis dissecans have not yet been determined.

Causes include overexertion and poor nutrition

While some joint diseases in dogs are genetically determined, others arise due to specific circumstances. These are often related to overexertion or improper nutrition .

These factors can contribute to joint diseases in dogs:

• Activity of young dogs: When the joints of growing dogs are subjected to excessive stress, this often results in inflammation of the joints or tears in the cartilage tissue.
• High-energy diet: Particularly large and fast-growing breeds often suffer from joint problems. This can be related to being fed a diet that is too high in energy during their growth phase. As a result, bone growth is accelerated, while cartilage and ligaments do not yet have enough strength to support the weight of the young dogs.
• A deficiency or excess of phosphorus or calcium during bone growth often results in soft bones that lack sufficient strength. This problem usually occurs when feeding fresh food, which may not contain enough of these essential minerals. Conversely, commercial pet food often contains too much phosphorus and calcium. This can cause the bones to become brittle and prone to chipping over time.
• Overweight: It's important to ensure a dog doesn't receive an overabundance of nutrients. This can quickly lead to weight gain, which in turn puts strain on the joints. While dogs are still growing, their nutritional needs are constantly changing. Therefore, it's crucial to adjust their diet regularly.

Nutrition

Nutrient imbalances always pose a risk of growth disorders in dogs, which is why it is very important to adapt the diet to a dog's needs . The focus should be primarily on protein and energy intake.

An increased energy intake can lead to rapid growth in dogs, which in turn can promote growth disorders, especially in large breeds. Therefore, when choosing food, it is important to ensure that it always meets the needs of the animals in their different life stages . The amounts of minerals and vitamins should also be taken into account.

For adult dogs, factors such as activity level, age, and weight play a crucial role in choosing the right food. It is scientifically proven that ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids , found in fish and flaxseed oil, as well as in our joint supplement for dogs , can support joint health. They have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. The glucosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulfate contained in green-lipped mussels can also contribute to joint protection.

If you wish to give your dog such substances as a supplement, you should ensure that they are considered part of their total daily ration . This is the only way to guarantee that there is no deficiency in certain nutrients.

Recognizing symptoms

Depending on the specific joint disease a dog suffers from, it can exhibit very different, specific symptoms . For this reason, it is important to observe the dog carefully, especially when it is moving.

Possible symptoms that may indicate joint disease in dogs include:

• The dog is calmer than usual.
• Problems getting up and lying down
• Stiffness after prolonged lying down and difficulty getting moving again quickly.
• Lack of motivation while walking, noticeably slow walking
• Problems climbing stairs
• Swayback of the hindquarters while running
• Pain-sensitive and aggressive behavior when certain body parts are touched
• Seemingly unprovoked aggression towards people or other dogs
• Problems lifting the leg
• Loss of appetite up to and including refusal to eat

If one or more of these symptoms are observed in the dog, the cause should be determined as quickly as possible . This requires having the dog examined at a veterinary clinic.

Treating osteoarthritis

Even though osteoarthritis is generally incurable , there are certain measures that can significantly improve the quality of life for an affected dog. The most important thing is to have the dog examined by a veterinarian first. A veterinarian can rule out other possible causes of the dog's pain and, based on the diagnosis , develop a treatment plan tailored to the dog's needs.

If the sick dog is in pain, it must be treated professionally with appropriate pain medication . Under no circumstances should you administer medication from your own medicine cabinet. Pain medication must be given every day , not just when the dog seems particularly unwell. Only in this way can the inflammatory cycle in the joints be broken.

Other possible treatments to manage osteoarthritis include:

• Cortisone treatment: In some cases, cortisone-containing medications are injected into the diseased joint of a dog.
• Joint-supporting nutrients: These nutrients can positively influence joint function, as they generally have anti-inflammatory properties and provide essential building blocks for joint metabolism. In cases of mild osteoarthritis, these nutrients can even be used without accompanying pain medication.

Classic nutrients used to support osteoarthritis therapy include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, both of which are glycosaminoglycans . Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA can also be administered. Typical, effective antioxidants include vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM).

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Green-lipped mussel extract is also popular in this regard and is used in supplementary feeds and special diets for dogs . The green-lipped mussel comes from New Zealand and contains glycosaminoglycans, omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids, as well as important vitamins and minerals.

Our joint tonic also contains these nutrients. This makes it particularly suitable for dogs suffering from restricted mobility due to osteoarthritis.

Preventing joint problems

Even though there are many things that can be done to make life easier for dogs with joint problems, ideally, joint problems should be prevented altogether. And indeed, there are several things you can do to prevent these conditions.

These are our tips and recommendations:

• Promoting healthy growth: It is important that puppies receive food that is optimally adapted to their specific needs.
• Avoid certain movements: Large or giant dog breeds are particularly prone to joint problems. While a dog of this breed is growing up, it should avoid movements that could strain its joints. This includes climbing stairs or jumping into a car.
• Pay attention to maintaining a normal weight: If a dog is overweight, this will most likely put even more strain on its joints.
• Encourage plenty of exercise: Adult dogs need plenty of exercise each day to live a healthy life. It's important to ensure the dog performs calm and steady movements. Swimming and trotting alongside a bicycle are excellent choices. These activities are better for dogs than boisterous jumping.
• Regular check-ups at the vet: A dog should be examined annually so that any illnesses can be detected in time.
• Always adjust feeding: Feeding must always be adapted to the age and individual living conditions of a dog.
• Special feeding for dogs with an increased risk of osteoarthritis: A dog that has already suffered joint injuries or joint diseases should definitely receive joint-supporting nutrients in its food. A special or supplementary feed is particularly suitable for this purpose. Large dogs or giant breeds often benefit from this as well.

FAQ

If a dog suffers from a joint condition, it's normal for owners to have many questions. In this section, we address the most frequently asked questions.

What joint problems do dogs get?

Besides osteoarthritis and arthritis, dogs can suffer from spondylosis, hip and elbow dysplasia, and osteochondritis dissecans. Joint problems are generally more common in large dogs than in small breeds. This is because their critical growth phase lasts longer and they grow very quickly. Therefore, they are more frequently affected by skeletal problems if they are overweight or get too much exercise.

What helps with joint problems in dogs?

If a dog already suffers from joint problems, massages and gentle movement of the affected joints can help. Massages have a supportive and tension-relieving effect, which also reduces pain. Swimming and running in water are particularly beneficial for dogs with joint problems.

Conclusion

When dogs suffer from joint pain or disease, their mobility is usually restricted. Certain movements then cause pain or can simply no longer be performed. A particularly common joint disease in dogs is osteoarthritis .

To prevent joint problems from developing in the first place, dogs should receive a diet adapted to their growth phase, ensuring they get all the essential nutrients they need for healthy joints. Large breeds often struggle with joint issues due to their rapid growth. It's crucial to ensure these breeds don't overstress their joints during puppyhood. However, gentle, joint-friendly activities like swimming or relaxed walking are still important.

Recoactive's joint tonic provides dogs with essential nutrients they need in case of joint problems, including glycosaminoglycans and green-lipped mussel extract. It is also very well tolerated over the long term and, due to its liquid form, is optimally absorbed.