Beyond Limping: The More Subtle Symptoms of Canine Arthritis

Just as with us, aging and arthritis go hand in hand for dogs. And the symptoms of arthritis run the gamut.

Don't rely on your dog whining or crying to rule out arthritis. The day-in-day-out kind of pain that is arthritis doesn’t cause this. And not all dogs with arthritis limp, especially if they don’t have a “good leg to stand on” (kind of gimpy on all four) or if the arthritis is primarily within the spine.

Here are some of the more subtle symptoms of canine arthritis:

• Morning stiffness that settles down after the dog begins to move about.

• Difficulty getting up from a lying down position.

• Stiffness the day after lots of playing or a big hike or walk.

• Lagging behind on walks.

• Difficulty going up or down stairs.

• Sleeping more.

• Reclusive behavior.

• Difficulty jumping up or down onto/off furniture or into/out of car.

• Difficulty navigating stairs.

• Less animated in greeting you.

• Instead of turning just the head, the dog turns its whole body (like a board).

• Reluctance to lower head to food or water bowl.

• Difficulty settling down or getting comfortable.

• Difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate.

• Changes in behavior, such as irritability or aggression.

None of these symptoms are diagnostic for arthritis. I encourage you to report your observations to your veterinarian so she can sort it out.

Stay tuned. Next week, I will tell you about a new and exciting drug on the market for treatment of canine arthritis.

Do you think your dog may have arthritis? What symptoms have you observed?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy