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 people. Some breeds - such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd and Rottweiler - 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 dog owners don’t recognize the early signs of osteoarthritis pain in their dogs. Or they mistake the changes they see in their pets for signs of aging. The signs of OA pain appear gradually, may be quite subtle and occur only occasionally at first, making the early signs easy for you to miss. And dogs are “people pleasers” - so they may hide their pain when they’re with you.

You should be concerned about your dog’s risk for osteoarthritis if your dog fits any of these criteria.

• Your dog is overweight or inactive.
• Your dog belongs to a large or giant breed, such as Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Saint Bernard, Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever.
• Your dog has suffered joint injuries.
• Your dog belongs to a breed that is predisposed to developmental orthopedic disorders such as hip or elbow dysplasia. Many breeds have an increased risk for these types of conditions, including Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Old English Sheepdog and Great Dane.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from the everyday pain of osteoarthritis (OA), contact your veterinarian. The veterinarian will give your dog an overall physical examination and probably will perform an osteoarthritis pain screening. The sooner the condition is diagnosed, the sooner your dog can be free from the everyday pain of OA and active again.