Osteoarthritis Clinics
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. It is a disabling, non-curable, and progressive disease involving joint inflammation, cartilage destruction, and bone changes. It is the most common cause of lameness in dogs, and a major cause of elective euthanasia. If not treated, OA can reduce the length and quality of your dog’s life.
What To Do if You Think Your Dog has Arthritis
- Book a consultation with your vet to start the process of reaching an OA diagnosis.
- X-rays can be taken to determine which joints may be affected and to what extent.
- Book onto a nurse-lead Osteoarthritis Clinic to discuss the small changes you can make in diet, exercise, home environment and physiotherapy to help your dog. Our registered OA nurses have received specific training and can provide you with a bespoke plan to help you manage canine arthritis.
Ask your vet about our Osteoarthritis Clinics or speak to our friendly Reception team on 01858 462839 to find out more.
Signs of Arthritic Pain
- Slower on walks
- Struggling to keep up
- Sitting down, refusing to walk
- Lazy
- Not wanting to go for walks
- Sleeping more
- Not playing with toys or other dogs as much
- Stiff
- Struggling/ slow to get up and down
- Unable/ reluctant to climb stairs
- Unable/ reluctant to get on sofa
- Excessively licking or chewing parts of their body
- Licking sore joints
- Brown saliva stains on fur
- Change in demeanour
- More grumpy
- Growling/snapping
How can we help dogs with arthritis?
- Pain Control
- Surgery
- Appropriate Exercise
- Hydrotherapy
- Weight Control
- Lifestyle Changes
- Physiotherapy
- Supplements
- Diet
- Home Environment Modification
Arthritis Myths
Arthritis is a major cause of CHRONIC PAIN with ACUTE PAIN flares. Arthritic dogs are generally good at hiding their pain and owners often do not recognise the subtle early changes. It is very common for owners to think their dog is just getting ‘old and stiff, or slowing down’, but this can often be a sign that the dog is in pain, so they move slowly to avoid further discomfort.
- “My dog is limping, but I don’t think they are in pain”
...is one of the most common things said by owners. Would you limp if you weren’t in pain? Dogs are experts at hiding chronic pain, arthritis is an extremely painful disease. - “Arthritis is an old dog disease”
...arthritis can also affect young dogs. - “They are just getting old and slowing down”
...dogs tend to move slowly/reluctantly to avoid painful movements, not just because they are old.
Useful Links
www.caninearthritis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Hannah-Capon-May-2018-BSAVA-Companion.pdf
Our vet-recommended Canine Osteoarthritis Clinics have been designed to provide you with a bespoke plan, helpful tips, expert advice, and guidance on managing canine arthritis.
Ask your vet about our Osteoarthritis Clinics or speak to our friendly Reception team on 01858 462839 to find out more.
