Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a progressive condition in which the cartilage in the joint is slowly broken down, and bony changes occur. Any dog with a developmental or congenital joint problem, like dysplasia or patella luxation, is more prone to developing osteoarthritis. Dogs who have had injury to a joint such as a fracture involving the joint or a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the knee will be also more likely to develop DJD.

The signs of osteoarthritis can vary depending up on the joints involved, the age and size of the dog, and the severity of the disease. In general, the first signs may be an altered gait, since the dog will try to put more of its weight on the unaffected limbs. Many times the dog may find it difficult to get p after lying down or would be unable to jump up into the car or may have difficulty to go up or down stairs. Depending upon the amount of pain the dog is experiencing, there may be changes in appetite and behavior. Some dogs will lick or bite at the area that is painful. Some will seek out warmth or soft places to sleep.

Some forms of degenerative joint disease can be treated with surgery. For example, hip replacements in dogs with hip dysplasia are becoming more common. Other procedures can also be performed, but their success rests upon how many bony changes have occurred in and around the joint.

By Anita Dzebic