D O G H E A LT H
TEXT: DR MEGAN ESTERHUYSEN (BVSC)
ARTHRITIS
IT’S NOT JUST AN OLD DOG DISEASE!
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rthritis? No, it cannot possibly be! He is so young.” These are the words of multiple clients holding their 7-month-old puppy or bringing their 2-year-old dog in for routine vaccinations. They are utterly shocked that their young dog is suffering from lifelong, progressive joint disease. The shock these owners feel is largely because we have largely come to regard osteoarthritis as exclusively a disease of old age. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Whilst it is true that one in every five dogs suffers from osteoarthritis, and most of these are older, there are several orthopaedic conditions in young dogs that lead to very early onset arthritis.
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The trick is to recognise these conditions quickly and get your vet involved. Early management can be lifesaving for these pets, so speak to your vet today if you have any concerns.
WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS? Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, is characterised by the gradual breakdown of articular cartilage covering the surfaces of joints. The main functions of articular cartilage are to act as a shock absorber and decrease friction between the bones making up the joints. With osteoarthritis, catabolic processes lead to the breakdown of articular cartilage and the repair DQ|1B
