Canine Osteoarthritis is characterised clinically by joint pain and reduced range of motion of the affected joint(s). There can also be joint effusion and variable degrees of local inflammation around affected areas.
The onset of the disease is usually quite gradual, with lameness or stiffness initially only being apparent after vigorous exercise or on cold mornings. In early cases of canine osteoarthritis, dogs may “warm out” of their limping with mild to moderate exercise, but as the disease progresses the degree and frequency of lameness will increase. In severe, chronic (long-term) cases, dogs may have a permanent limp and be quite intolerant to exercise. There may also be wasting of the muscles surrounding the affected joint(s).
When a vet does a clinical examination on your dog, he or she will be looking for signs of the following:
Pain – this is present in nearly all cases of osteoarthritis. A vet can manipulate joints that are suspected to be affected in order to elicit a painful response. The most obvious way of telling that your dog has a painful leg is when he or she is limping.
Stiffness – often your dog will be stiff after getting up in the morning. This can be particularly noticeable in cold or damp weather
Swelling – swelling of the joint can come and go in osteoarthritis, when it is present, the affected joint will often be warm to the touch from the increased blood flow there.
Crepitus – whilst moving the joint through its normal range of motion, a vet will be able to feel for crepitus. Crepitus is a grating feeling or crackling sound which is caused by one bone grinding on another or on roughened cartilage.
Deformity – in advanced cases of cartilage loss, there may be changes in the overall appearance the affected joint. This is due to the growth of bony processes as the body attempts to stabilise the unstable joint and to the loss of articular cartilage.
- Dr Caroline
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