Is My Dog at Risk for Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease that can strike dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes. However, the likelihood of a dog having OA increases with age and excess body weight, just as it does in humans. Some breeds, such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Rottweilers, are at greater risk of developing OA than other breeds. These breeds are predisposed to abnormal conditions involving joints, bones and muscles, such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
Unfortunately, many owners don’t recognise the early signs of OA pain in their dogs. Or they mistake the changes they see in their pets for signs of ageing. The signs of OA pain appear gradually, may be quite subtle and occur only occasionally at first, making them easy to miss. And since dogs are ‘people pleasers’, they may hide their pain when they’re with you.
You should be concerned about your dog’s risk of OA if they:
- Are overweight or inactive.
- Belong to a large or giant breed, such as Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Saint Bernard, Golden Retriever or Labrador.
- Have suffered joint injuries.
- Belong to a breed that is predisposed to developmental orthopaedic disorders such as hip or elbow dysplasia. Many breeds are at increased risk of these conditions, including Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Old English Sheepdog and Great Dane.
Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog is suffering from OA. They will give your dog an overall physical examination and may perform an OA pain screening. The sooner the condition is diagnosed, the sooner your dog can be free from the everyday pain of OA and be active again.