My dog has Osteoarthritis - how can I care for my dog with canine osteoarthritis?


It is very worrying for pet owners to be told that your dog has Osteoarthritis (sometimes shortened to OA, and also called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD).  Sadly, this is a very common disease - it is estimated that 1 in 5 dogs will develop osteoarthritis in their life.  Yet, whilst OA is progressive and degenerative, you and your vet can treat your dog, to maximise movement and comfort and to minimise pain.  


What is osteoarthritis?


Canine Osteoarthritis refers to the medical condition when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of a joint.  In a healthy joint, which moves smoothly and painlessly, cartilage acts as a cushion - when the cartilage in the joint starts deteriorating, or breaking down, it is called osteoarthritis. This can happen due to “wear & tear” or due to disease, age, injury, repetitive stress, or obesity. 

You may have seen your dog show pain, or a decreased range of motion, or your pet may develop inflammation or bone spurs.  Joints most likely to be affected are the legs and lower back.   


Dogs are really good at hiding their pain, so the early symptoms of osteoarthritis may not be immediately seen by pet owners.  Here are some signs to watch for joint inflammation in your dog:

  • Stiffness, lameness, limping, or difficulty getting up
  • Lethargy, or reluctance to run, jump, or play
  • Weight gain
  • Pain when petted or touched
  • Irritability or changes in behavior
  • Difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate, or having accidents in the house
  • Loss of muscle mass over the limbs and spine

You should discuss any changes with your vet, as the partnership between vet and pet owner is key to quickly identifying and then successfully managing an osteoarthritic dog's condition.

Osteoarthritis in dogs can be managed!


Fortunately, osteoarthritis in dogs can be managed - some tools that you might use are:

  • Prescription medicines, such as Trocoxil, Carprofen and Previcox, can reduce your dog’s pain and decrease joint inflammation.  These osteoarthritis medications improve your pet’s quality of life!
  • Talk with your vet as to whether joint supplements (such as glucosamine, fish oil or green lip mussel products) would improve function, reduce inflammation, or slow the progression of joint damage
  • Weight control - obesity places extra strain on those joints!
  • Exercise - dogs are like their human owners, and the principle of “use it or lose it” applies! Talk with your vet, and be guided by your dog about how far to walk, what type of surfaces are best for your arthritic dog, and specific movements that may cause pain.
  • You might need to make minor modifications around the house for your dog.  Dogs suffering joint diseases like osteoarthritis need to be kept warm and dry - generally, these dogs are not suited to outdoor living.  Raising food and water bowls to a height between your dog’s elbow and shoulder level can relieve lower back pain, and consider placing extra non-skid rugs in your home, particularly if you have timber or tile flooring that may not provide necessary traction for your dog.

Can I buy prescribed Osteoarthritis medications for my dog (like Trocoxil, Carprofen and Previcox) online?


There are a variety of Rx or prescription medicines that your vet may prescribe - and your vet will work with you to determine the medication that gives your dog the best quality of life.  Most of these medicines, like Trocoxil, Previcox and Carprofen can be purchased online from PetScripts once you have a script (prescription) from your vet.  Please ensure that you have read the How to Order page before ordering this item.

 

Disclaimer
This information is not intended nor is it implied to be a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice or any information contained on or in any product packaging or labels. Always seek the advice of your Veterinarian, Pharmacist, or qualified health provider when starting any new medical treatment, continuing with medical treatment or with any questions you may have regarding your animal's medical condition. Professional advice is required for each particular illness, disease, infection, injury or other medical condition and for dosages of the pharmaceutical product supplied via this website. You take full and total responsibility for what you do with this information and any resulting outcomes from your actions.


NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE SERVICE IS INTENDED TO BE OR SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR MEDICAL OR VETERINARY DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT.

IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR NEED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR YOUR PET, PLEASE CONSULT AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL OR EMERGENCY VETERINARY FACILITY.