Canine Arthritis - Symptoms
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| Definition | Osteoarthritis | Other Types of Arthritis |
| Symptoms | Rheumatoid Arthritis | Risk Factors / Diagnosis |
Symptoms of Canine Arthritis
Some early warning signs of canine arthritis include stiffness in the joints, favoring of a limb, or difficulty standing or sitting. Some other signs may include hesitancy to jump, an overall decrease in activity, general lethargy, an onset of stiffness in the mornings, or pain or palpitation of the joints. Also included are trouble running and climbing stairs, audible "clicking" when walking, change in behavior that seems to indicate pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints, limping, limited movements, and lack of desire to exercise.
If any of these symptoms are present, a dog may suffer from Canine Arthritis. Occasionally, the symptoms will be so visibly minor as to escape detection by the naked eye. One must also remember that as a survival tactic, animals have evolved into stoic creatures that rarely display outward signs of pain or discomfort. Fortunately for our domestic dogs, no less stoic than their wild ancestors, veterinarians today are much more "tuned in" to pain management than in the past. Veterinarians look for subtle signs in patients to discover early stages of arthritis, since outright limping or vocalizing from pain may be the end stage of long-term joint degeneration. For instance, during a routine exam of an aging dog, a client remarked to his veterinarian that the dog seemed to be moving a little more slowly lately and was more careful about lying down and getting up. There were no obvious indicators of pain or limping, just a careful attitude on the dog’s part when changing positions. The vet's evaluation of the dog’s limbs showed a reduced range of motion in the hips. The knees were normal, and the vet found no evidence of back pain when he pushed and probed along the spine. The vet considered early arthritis in the hips as a possible explanation for the subtle signs the owner had observed and decided to sedate the dog and take some X-rays. They were met with a surprise. This dog, only displaying the subtlest of signs of discomfort, had advanced degeneration of both hip joints and early bony changes of the lower spine.
Typical Symptoms Appearing in Early Stages
Dog owners really need to be aware of these subtle changes in their dog's
behavior. Typically, the symptoms that will be noticed first are increased weight
gain, increased sleep, less interest in playing, and a change in attitude or
alertness. If your dog becomes less excited to greet you when you come home,
vacillates about jumping on the couch, or becomes overly cautious when climbing
stairs, be aware that these may be the first indicators of joint discomfort from
arthritis.
Because there are so many variables associated with joint degenerative changes
on both a microscopic and macroscopic level, each case must be evaluated individually;
every dog responds uniquely to discomfort and pain.
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