Causes of osteoarthritis in dogs
The causes of osteoarthritis in dogs are still not fully understood. However, it is clear that the dog’s age plays a role in the development of the disease – some pre-existing conditions can lead to joint wear.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis in dogs is a joint disease caused by wear and tear in the joints, causing restricted movement and pain. Once the process is started, it does not stop on its own, and the wear and tear are steadily advanced. The disease cannot be cured, but its progression can be slowed down with the help of good treatment and support.
Osteoarthritis occurs particularly frequently in older dogs because, over the years, the joints of the four-legged friends wear out. However, younger dogs can also suffer from joint wear and tear if their joints are subjected to a lot of stress.
Causes of arthrosis in dogs: pre-existing conditions
Arthrosis is preceded by damage to the joints. These can have very different causes. Does your dog suffer from arthritis? Then you should pay attention to possible symptoms of arthrosis. Because like other joint diseases, arthritis is also one of the causes of osteoarthritis.
The correct treatment of arthritis in dogs is essential because if this infectious joint disease is not or insufficiently treated, joint cartilage and consequently the standard structure can be destroyed. However, deformities such as hip dysplasia (HD) or growth disorders can also lead to joint damage. In rarer cases, metabolic disorders of the articular cartilage cells are the cause of osteoarthritis.
Joint wear due to injuries
In addition to diseases, joint damage can occur due to injuries. If your four-legged friend spares the affected body parts, this can always result in a more significant load on other factors and the corresponding joints. In addition, inflammatory reactions can occur in connection with injuries, which lead to water retention in the joints. This increases the pressure on the bones. This, in turn, promotes cartilage degradation and thus joint wear.
Watch the weight
In principle, plenty of exercises are suitable for your pet, but you should ensure that your dog’s joints are not overstressed. For example, climbing stairs too early or too often can promote joint problems, as can too-long walks or bike rides when your dog is a puppy.
Even though a treat as a reward can’t hurt, you should also always keep an eye on your pet’s weight. Excess weight puts additional strain on the joints, leads to signs of wear and tear, and is thus also one of the causes of osteoarthritis in dogs.
