What is Osteoarthritis?
As your dog walks, runs and plays, opposing forces are created when their body weight pushes down against the ground. These forces are concentrated at the point where the two moving bones meet, the joint. Joints must effectively disperse these forces in order to protect the moving bones from damage, while at the same time allowing them the freedom of movement. Cartilage and synovial fluid are the two elements of a joint that allow this to happen.
Cartilage
Cartilage acts as a cushion between the joints, preventing the bones from rubbing together and acting as a shock absorber. It compresses and flattens to disperse the load evenly.
Synovial Fluid
The joint capsule contains synovial fluid which flows over the compressed cartilage allowing the two moving bones to glide over one another in a near frictionless movement. It lubricates the joint in a similar fashion to the way engine oil in a car lubricates the pistons as they move.
Osteoarthritis, sometimes simply referred to as arthritis, is a degenerative joint disease that results in the inability of cartilage and synovial fluid to effectively cushion and lubricate the joint during movement. The cartilage becomes stiff and brittle and eventually begins to crack and chip off. The cartilage fragments that break off cause the immune system to respond with pain and inflammation in an attempt to immobilise the dog and protect the joint from further damage.
The disease develops over a long period of time and only when the disease is well progressed do any symptoms begin to show. In the latter stages, osteoarthritis becomes a debilitating and painful disease that can greatly affect the quality of life of your dog. Unfortunately, it is one of the leading reasons that owners get their dogs euthanised, but there is plenty that owners can do to prevent the painful and debilitating effects of osteoarthritis.
A Joint Health Protection Program is recommended for dogs that have high risk of developing osteoarthritis. This will maintain healthy joints and help slow the progression of the disease for those dogs that may be in the early stages of osteoarthritis. A Joint Health Treatment Program is recommended for those dogs that are already exhibiting symptoms.
Speak to your vet about a tailored program for your dog or book a FREE Joint Health Consult at your participating vet clinic to find out more.
