Joint problems in dogs

Unfortunately, dogs can develop joint problems throughout their lives. This applies to not only certain breeds or large dogs, but it can happen to any dog. What are the most common joint problems in dogs? And how can you support your dog with stiffness and joint pain?

Known joint problems in dogs are: Hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, and arthritis. The causes of these conditions are often complex, involving a combination of factors.

Hip dysplasia

One of the most well-known joint problems in dogs is hip dysplasia. This is particularly common in larger and heavier dog breeds. It is, like elbow dysplasia, essentially a hereditary condition. The likelihood that your dog will suffer from it increases with insufficient or improper exercise, likely also due to rapid growth in young dogs and improper nutrition in puppies. Additionally, overweight can worsen hip dysplasia. The term dysplasia means abnormally shaped. In hip dysplasia, the joint is deformed, causing the components (the head and socket of the joint) not to fit together properly, resulting in friction and damage. In a healthy hip, the round head of the femur bone rotates in the hip socket. These two parts are covered with cartilage that acts as a cushion, and between them is joint fluid (synovial fluid) that acts as a lubricant to allow smooth movement of the hip joint. Young dogs are often still gangly: their ligaments and muscles do not yet hold the joints firmly in place. So, the head is not firmly in the socket. When there is play in the joint (for example, due to overuse, improper movements, or hereditary predisposition), it can lead to damaged cartilage or deformities. The entire structure grows incorrectly and does not fit well together. Eventually, the hip joint becomes less mobile, and pain symptoms can occur.

Osteoarthritis

One of the consequences of hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia is osteoarthritis. But osteoarthritis can also occur due to other causes, such as injury or overweight and heavy strain. With osteoarthritis, there is damage and wear of the joint cartilage. When the cartilage becomes too thin, the bones will start to rub against each other. Pain, swelling, and stiffness result. If your dog has osteoarthritis, it is important that they continue to exercise regularly and receive enough minerals such as silicon. This keeps the cartilage healthy and prevents further breakdown. Silica also helps to increase resistance and reduce inflammation. A special form of osteoarthritis is spondylosis. This is the name for arthritis of the vertebrae: wear of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.

Arthritis

With arthritis (also known as rheumatoid arthritis), your dog's joints become swollen and inflamed. It usually worsens as the dog gets older. Inflammatory reactions can occur in the knees, shoulders, and toes, for example. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce swelling and provide relief. These healthy fatty acids can, for example, be found in salmon oil. Plant substances like thymoquinone (from the black cumin plant) and cannabinoids (from cloves) can also support your dog with arthritis. They are powerful anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.

Diet and exercise

To keep joint problems under control as much as possible and ideally prevent them, it is essential to provide your dog with the right nutrition and exercise in every stage of their life. For young dogs, this means: no extremely energy-rich food that promotes rapid growth and avoiding heavy exercise such as climbing stairs, long walks, and fast fetching movements. Walk on soft and flat paths with your puppy. Older dogs also benefit from the right supplements and light exercise. By developing and maintaining your dog's muscles, movement becomes easier and less pressure is put on the joints and bones. It is also wise to let your dog sleep on a soft surface.

Herbs for joint problems

When your dog experiences pain and stiffness, you can use a herbal extract with ingredients like devil's claw, horsetail, boswellia, and turmeric in addition to black cumin or cloves. These herbs have been scientifically researched and can help reduce symptoms. You can easily give a liquid herbal extract over the food or with a dropper directly into your dog's mouth.

Sources

• Cefali, E.A., Nolan, J.C., McConnell, W.R. et al. Pharmacokinetic Study of Zeolite A, Sodium Aluminosilicate, Magnesium Silicate, and Aluminum Hydroxide in Dogs. Pharm Res 12, 270–274 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016291228957

• Jurkić LM, Cepanec I, Pavelić SK, Pavelić K. Biological and therapeutic effects of ortho-silicic acid and some ortho-silicic acid-releasing compounds: New perspectives for therapy. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2013;10(1):2. Published 2013 Jan 8. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-10-2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3546016/

• Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3(5):337-352. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3642442/

• Goyal Sameer N., Prajapati Chaitali P., Gore Prashant R., Patil Chandragouda R., Mahajan Umesh B., Sharma Charu, Talla Sandhya P., Ojha Shreesh K. 2017. Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Development of Thymoquinone: A Multitargeted Molecule of Natural Origin. Frontiers in Pharmacology. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00656/full

• Musco, N., Vassalotti, G., Mastellone, V., Cortese, L., della Rocca, G., Molinari, M. L., Calabrò, S., Tudisco, R., Cutrignelli, M. I., Lombardi, P. Effects of a nutritional supplement in dogs affected by osteoarthritis. 2019. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vms3.182

• www.licg.nl

Source: Conversation with Bing, 14-12-2023

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