Does my dog have joint pain?
Healthy joints are crucial for the mobility of our furry friends – if their functionality is impaired, this not only affects agility and joy of life, but can also lead to permanent damage.
Do you know the signs and consequences of joint problems in dogs? Do you know what the best prophylaxis is or how to treat your dog if he has symptoms?
In this article you will get the answers – because we want your four-legged companion to discover the world with you “like a young dog” even in old age.
The dog's joints
Muscles, bones, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments work together to ensure your dog can move smoothly - the joints function as movable connections between all solid bones and, thanks to the cartilage surface, also act as shock absorbers during movement. The "hinges" of the body enable running, jumping or wagging the tail. All components of the musculoskeletal system are required here.
Dogs – like humans – have different joints that differ in structure and direction of movement. The basic components are always the same:
- 1st bone
- 2. Cartilage
- 3. Synovial fluid
- 4. joint capsule
The ends of the two bones that meet at the joint are called the joint head and
They are each covered by a layer of articular cartilage. In between is the synovial fluid and the joint capsule envelops the entire joint. It has a protective and
Supply function. Depending on the joint, the ligaments enable mobility within the intended radius and, in conjunction with the muscles, ensure stability.
- Articular cartilage: With
With its smooth surface, the cartilage helps to reduce friction and thus
To minimize wear and tear in the joints. In addition, it functions
its elasticity as a shock absorber and absorbs forces that, for example,
that occur during running and jumping. - The synovial fluid
(synovia or joint fluid) consists mainly of hyaluronic acid,
Glucose and water and, like cartilage, helps to absorb shocks.
It also supplies the cartilage with nutrients and transports
degradation products. - Another function: Reduces the friction of the cartilage.
If joints no longer function properly due to an illness, the muscles also no longer work correctly, causing your four-legged friend to lose mobility. Unfortunately, joint diseases are a regular occurrence in dogs and can be very painful. This makes it all the more important to keep the musculoskeletal system healthy - for a long, carefree dog life.
As an owner, it's in your hands: with the right diet, promoting mobility and some preventative measures - more on that later. Before that, we would like to sensitize you to the signs of joint pain in your furry friend and show you how to correctly interpret symptoms.
How to recognize joint pain in your dog
Does your dog seem lethargic? Is he reluctant to leave his basket for a walk? Does he have trouble getting up, does he seem stiff or shows unusual contortions when scratching? These could be signs of joint pain or even a musculoskeletal disorder.
Joint problems are more common in large dog breeds than in small ones because they grow very quickly and the critical growth phase lasts longer. They are therefore more likely to suffer from obesity and the resulting joint problems.
For optimal bone and joint development, the right amount of high-quality food with an energy content and nutrient content adapted to the breed is essential. For large breeds, prophylactic support of the joints through appropriate nutritional supplements is also recommended. But even if your dog is already showing signs of discomfort such as limping, sensitivity to pain or even swelling and joint stiffness, the healing power of nature can help to alleviate the symptoms.
Recognize warning signs of joint pain
Limping or stiffness can have different causes, so it is important to have the symptoms checked by a veterinarian. Even seemingly harmless injuries such as a sprain should be treated in order to avoid possible subsequent damage such as chronic joint diseases and permanent mobility restrictions.
Be attentive: Always pay attention to your dog's movements and behavior and answer the following questions:
Is my dog less active than usual?
- Does he have less well-groomed fur in hard-to-reach areas?
- Is he reluctant to go for walks with you or does he just trot along listlessly behind you?
- Does he have difficulty getting up or lying down?
- Does he no longer like jumping into the car or onto the couch?
- Does he react sensitively or aggressively when you touch certain parts of his body?
- Is he a bit stiff after lying down for a long time and has difficulty moving?
- Does he have trouble climbing stairs? Does his hindquarters wobble when he walks?
- Does he sometimes become aggressive towards you or other dogs for no reason?
- Does he have trouble lifting his leg, scratching his ear and/or rolling?
- Does he have less appetite?
Can you answer one or more questions with "yes"? Don't waste any time - have your pet examined by a vet.
Causes of acute joint diseases
The causes of acute joint diseases are varied – early treatment can protect against chronic diseases.
Here are some examples:
Acute lameness due to strain and sprain
- Symptoms (acute cruciate ligament strain in the knee): Your dog will express the pain loudly by howling or whining. He will then hold his leg up and will no longer be able to stand.
- Causes: Exuberant playing, romping, hunting. “Sports injuries” (sprains and strains) can only be avoided by strong connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, joint capsules) and healthy, strong muscles.
Acute lameness due to overload
- Symptoms: Lameness, stiffness at the end of the exercise. Lameness continues the following day if the dog does not have enough time to recover.
- Causes: Excessive cycling with the dog at heel. This type of exercise is inappropriate for most dog breeds and leads to overexertion of the joints. Only suitable for extreme cross-country skiers: German hunting dogs (short-haired, rough-haired and long-haired), Münsterländer, Dalmatians, limited (temperature) Huskies, light Dobermans, etc.
Acute lameness due to back injury
- Symptoms: Acute back injuries with crushed nerves can lead to your dog being severely lame on one side and being wrongly diagnosed with a joint injury. To make a correct diagnosis, the back must be palpated for tenderness and swelling.
- Causes: Strains or sprains
What chronic joint diseases exist in dogs?
Unfortunately, chronic joint diseases in dogs are not uncommon and, in the worst case, can mean permanent pain for your animal.
Here you can find an overview:
arthritis and osteoarthritis
Symptoms: Arthritis causes inflammation of the joints, which can occur in phases. Cause: Infections (the most common pathogens are bacteria such as mycoplasma, borrelia or rickettsia). In osteoarthritis, the joint cartilage gradually breaks down.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative, chronic joint disease and is one of the most common diseases in dogs. It is incurable because it leads to progressive and unstoppable destruction of articular cartilage, affecting the entire joint.
Causes:
- Congenital or acquired misalignments or incorrect loading of the joints
- Poorly healed injuries to the musculoskeletal system
- Too rapid growth in large breeds
- overweight
The progression of osteoarthritis is gradual and not immediately recognizable. Often, clear symptoms only appear when the joint cartilage is already severely damaged.
spondylosis
This degenerative and usually wear-related change in the spine leads to bony growth in the vertebrae - often on the underside - and rigid bone bridges form. The spaces between the vertebrae ossify, resulting in a stiffening of the spine. This limits your dog's mobility and can cause severe pain.
Other consequences: slipped discs, paralysis, incontinence and damage to the nerve cords. Spondylosis is an unstoppable process and cannot be cured. The symptoms are treatable and the pain can be alleviated.
hip dysplasia (HD) & elbow dysplasia (ED)
Hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) are among the most well-known joint diseases in dogs and refer to the maldevelopment of individual joint components.
Hip dysplasia: abnormal formation of the hip socket. The femoral head no longer sits properly in the dog's joint socket and, as a result, can no longer move back and forth properly.
Elbow dysplasia: can be caused by several growth-related diseases of the elbow joint in dogs and can lead to pain and arthrosis-like changes in the joint. The sooner the disease is detected, the better the treatment options.
Both diseases are usually hereditary and are therefore particularly common in certain breeds, such as German Shepherds.
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) occurs primarily in large dog breeds: This degenerative developmental disorder affects the formation of the joint cartilage. It becomes too thick and can no longer be adequately supplied with synovial fluid and nutrients. As a result, the cartilage dies and can detach completely or partially. The detached cartilage fragments can then attach themselves to the joint capsules, where they grow and eventually ossify. This can lead to joint inflammation, which is why dogs with OCD often also suffer from secondary arthrosis. The causes of OCD are still unclear.
What to do about chronic joint diseases?
Chronic joint diseases in dogs are treated medically or surgically by veterinarians, depending on the cause and disease:
- Bacterial joint inflammation (arthritis): antibiotics.
- Progressive joint wear (osteoarthritis: pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs for joint pain.)
- Physiotherapy to maintain mobility.
- Sometimes agents with cartilage-protecting active ingredients (so-called chondroprotectives) are also used.
- Hereditary misalignment of a joint: possibility of surgical correction.
You too can help your dog to live a happy and as pain-free life as possible.
Strategies to Prevent Joint Problems
Healthy dog joints are not a given – our four-legged seniors in particular are at increasing risk of suffering from chronic joint disease as they get older.
The good news: By taking the right measures right from the start, you can have a positive impact on your dog’s joint health.
Strategy 1: Protect your dog from cold, moisture and wetness
- When it is raining/cold, use special “raincoats” (depending on the fur type).
- Always dry your dog when he gets wet (helpful: special dog bathrobes that can quickly absorb moisture)
- Condition of the retreat: Warm, soft and protected from drafts. No cold or moisture should penetrate into the basket from below.
- The basket should be well padded (orthopedic dog beds are best as they relieve the strain on your dog's joints)
Strategy 2: Keep your dog fit - with suitable and sufficient exercise
Loose running on springy and soft surfaces such as forest floor or meadows is perfect for young dogs. Slow walking over uneven surfaces such as sticks and branches is recommended for coordination training. Swimming also promotes joint health as it trains all the muscles and does not put strain on the joints due to the buoyancy of the water. Search games are fun and your dog has to use his nose.
Growing dogs or dogs that already have joint problems should not make abrupt movements (e.g. stop-and-go games) - this puts too much strain on the joints. Also avoid:
High jumps (for example from a car)
Intensive stair climbing
Use ramps or boarding aids to help your dog get onto the couch or into the car.
Strategy 3: Avoid obesity in your dog
Did you know that 1 kilogram of excess weight in a dog is equivalent to about 7 kilograms of excess weight in a human? This is not only harmful for the cardiovascular system, but it also puts strain on the joints and promotes joint inflammation. Veterinarians can give you tips on changing your diet.
Strategy 4: Feed your dog species-appropriately and according to his needs and supplement certain ingredients to keep his joints healthy
Natural supplementary foods with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or green-lipped mussels support your four-legged friend's joints from the inside out and combat inflammation and pain.
Healthy cartilage protects tendons and joints
Hyaluronic acid can be an important element in joint pain. The body produces the substance itself. However, the concentration decreases with age - in dogs just as in humans. Hyaluronic acid is the main component of the synovia (joint fluid) and serves as a lubricant for all joint movements. In acute osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid is therefore often injected directly into the joint.
Protect your dog and take preventative measures: Supplementary feed with hyaluronic acid - especially in combination with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and gelatin hydrolysate - helps to strengthen cartilage and stabilize the entire joint system. The Mobil & Fit Joint Serum contains these ingredients and also benefits from the anti-inflammatory effect of the devil's claw, which is also used. The good taste of the serum regularly ensures empty bowls and happy dogs when added to the food. The Mobil & Fit Joint Tablets also use the active ingredient complex of chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate as well as gelatin hydrolysate . All three ingredients are naturally found in cartilage and joints and help to improve its stability and moisture retention. This protects tendons and joints. So that your dog's body can optimally absorb and metabolize these ingredients, the tablets contain the enzymes bromelain from pineapple and papain, which is obtained from papaya. These stimulate the production of cartilage mass.
For young and old - and even bigger
During growth, joints and bones are particularly stressed. You can support your four-legged friend in this important phase by adding chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate . A high calcium content is advisable to promote the formation of bone substance. This special combination of minerals can be found in the Ca/P building powder . To provide optimal nutrition for puppies and young dogs during growth, as well as for mothers and old dogs, add the powder to the food. It helps to maintain and form bone substance.
Large and heavy dogs are particularly often affected by joint problems. Dr.Clauder's has developed its Mobil & Fit - Joint Powder and Mobil & Fit - Joint Pellets for this purpose. With green-lipped mussel meat meal, the supplementary feed can make a valuable nutritional contribution to maintaining your dog's joint function. In combination with gelatin hydrolysate and the amino acids lysine and methionine , the green-lipped mussel can promote the formation of cartilage and synovial fluid. Due to their shape, the pellets can be easily added to dry food.
Do you prefer wet food? Then Mobil & Fit - Joint Powder is the best choice. Green-lipped mussel meat meal and cartilage protein from gelatin hydrolysate promote cartilage mass and synovial fluid.
You should remember this
You should remember this
Dr.Clauder's for mobility and joints
A balanced diet and targeted addition of supplementary feed can improve mobility
Improve your pet's condition in the long term and reduce the dosage of painkillers in the case of chronic illnesses.
Food emergency?
The nutrition hotline helps
If you have any questions about animal nutrition, we will be happy to help you. Call us during our service hours or send us an email with your request:
- Telephone: 0800 / 474 476 0
- Email: hotline@dr-clauder.com
These are our service times:
- Monday and Wednesday 3 - 9 pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday 3 - 7 pm
- Sunday 3 - 5 pm (every 1st Sunday of the month)
Also take a look at the FAQs: Maybe the answer to your question is there?
