Osteoarthritis in dogs can be a common affliction of our grey-muzzled companions. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains what osteoarthritis is, the stages of arthritis in dogs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. By the end of this article, you’ll know many possibilities available for helping your senior dog live as long and as comfortably as possible with osteoarthritis.
Fast facts about osteoarthritis in dogs
Osteoarthritis in dogs is a progressive, irreversible, degenerative disease that involves cartilage damage, changes to joint fluid, and inflammation of the joint capsule, all of which lead to pain, inflammation, and poor mobility in affected dogs.
Early on, symptoms may be more subtle, such as mild stiffness when getting up or a slight reluctance to jump or climb stairs. Over time, the dog may start limping, standing in an abnormal position, acting painful or restless, and experiencing an overall decrease in comfort and mobility.
The vet can usually diagnose arthritis based on the history, physical exam findings, and X-rays (if indicated).
Treatment involves a combination of joint supplements, weight management, environmental modification, low-impact exercise, prescription medications, alternative therapies, and more. Approaching arthritis management from multiple angles seems to give the best results.
While arthritis is not curable, appropriate management may help dogs continue to have a good quality of life for years.
Getting older can be “ruff” for our senior dogs. With advancing age comes a variety of potential health problems, including osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. If you yourself suffer from arthritis, you have an idea of how your dog feels. But even if you don’t, or perhaps especially if you don’t, it is important to know about osteoarthritis in dogs. A solid understanding of the condition can help you recognize what is going on with your dog and the importance of getting him or her some much-needed relief.
- Fast facts about osteoarthritis in dogs
- What is osteoarthritis in dogs?
- What happens in osteoarthritis?
- What are the stages of osteoarthritis in dogs?
- What causes osteoarthritis in dogs?
- Which joints tend to be affected?
- What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs?
- How is osteoarthritis diagnosed in dogs?
- What is the treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs?
- How long can a dog live with arthritis?
- Final thoughts of hope
- Does your dog have osteoarthritis?
What is osteoarthritis in dogs?
Osteoarthritis in dogs, otherwise known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a progressive, irreversible degeneration of the cartilage and bone within a joint. Simply put, arthritis is the natural consequence of “wear and tear” on the joints over time.
The changes in an arthritic joint result in inflammation and loss of cushioning in the joint. This, in turn, leads to pain, lameness, and an overall decline in quality of life.
Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, but most commonly in the hips, knees, elbows, and back.
What happens in osteoarthritis?
Physical changes to the joint, including thin and damaged joint cartilage, a higher volume of poor-quality joint fluid, joint capsule inflammation and thickening, and bone spur formation, all occur in dogs with arthritis. Let’s take a closer look at a normal joint and what happens as arthritis develops.
Normal joint anatomy
In a healthy joint, a layer of squishy cartilage covers the ends of the bones where they come together to form a joint. Synovial fluid (joint fluid), which is produced by the cells in the inner layer of the fibrous joint capsule, fills the joint capsule and provides lubrication and nutrition to the joint.
Together, the cartilage and synovial fluid protect the subchondral bone (bone just below the cartilage) from damage due to pressure and friction as the joint moves and bears weight. They do this by providing smooth, slick surfaces that can glide past one another during normal joint movement.
The outer, fibrous layer of the joint capsule is also important as it creates a boundary for the joint fluid and provides some stability to the joint.
Cartilage damage
However, early on in osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes less squishy and less strong. It develops cracks and eventually wears away to expose the bone below it. Losing cartilage makes the joint less stable and also sets the stage for painful bone-on-bone contact in the joint.
Changes in joint fluid quantity and quality
The joint instability triggers the body to make more synovial fluid, but as arthritis progresses, this fluid tends to be of a lower quality. It is less thick and contains fewer of the lubricating molecules hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid).
Formation of new pieces of bone
In an attempt to stabilize the joints, the body will begin to produce new pieces of bony tissue, which are called osteophytes when they attach to the edges of the joint and enthesophytes when they occur at the place where ligaments and tendons attach to bone. The result is increased pain and stiffness in the joint.
Thickening and inflammation of the joint capsule
Additionally, the joint capsule becomes inflamed and thickened. This contributes to the pain the dog feels and also physically restricts the movement in that joint.
What are the stages of osteoarthritis in dogs?
There are five main stages of arthritis (stages 0 to 4) that the dog may go through. This is the case since the degeneration of the joints and increase in joint inflammation tend to be progressive over time. Sometimes arthritis worsens quickly, and other times it may take years to progress.
Stage 0 to 1 osteoarthritis
Early in the disease, you may not see many outward signs, even though the conditions are right for osteoarthritis to develop.
Stage 2 osteoarthritis
When a dog hits Stage 2, it may initially seem like he or she is simply slowing down or getting calmer with age. He or she may be a bit less interested in playing or going on walks.
Stage 3 osteoarthritis
At stage 3, the signs of arthritis tend to be a bit more visible. You may notice your dog obviously limping, having trouble with stairs, licking his or her legs (a sign your dog is in pain), or being slower to get up and down.
Stage 4 osteoarthritis (end stage)
In stage 4, or end-stage osteoarthritis, a dog can be so painful that he or she is unable to bear any weight on the arthritic leg. If the changes only occur in one leg, this can lead to a dog walking “three-legged lame” (i.e., holding one leg up as he or she stands and moves).
If a dog has end-stage osteoarthritis in multiple legs, he or she may have a difficult time walking or functioning in general.
What causes osteoarthritis in dogs?
There can be multiple risk factors for osteoarthritis:
Body weight
Being overweight or obese makes arthritis much more likely. A dog that is obese has more pressure on his or her joints, which can cause cartilage to break down over time.
Interestingly, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association published a feeding study following littermate Labrador Retrievers who were either fed a control diet or 25% less food than the dogs in the control diet group. At 8 years of age, signs of arthritis in multiple joints on X-rays were less common and less severe in the dogs in the limit-fed (25% less food) group when compared to dogs in the group receiving more food.
Age
While dogs can develop osteoarthritis at any year of age, it is more common in older dogs. This is because the joints have suffered more wear and tear over the years.
Previous injury or disease
When a dog injures a limb or joint (for example, with a torn ACL in dogs) or has a joint disease (such as hip dysplasia in dogs), he or she is more likely to develop osteoarthritis in that joint. This is because the injury or disease alters the joint mechanics, causing the body to try to compensate.
Repair of the injury, such as a TPLO surgery for dogs, does decrease the amount of arthritis. But these dogs usually do still develop some degree of arthritis.
Genetics
Some breeds (such as German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers) or specific genetic lines are predisposed to the development of osteoarthritis. In those breeds, especially if their genetic line carries a high risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, dogs may be born with an improperly formed joint. As a result, they can develop arthritis as early as the first year of life.
Which joints tend to be affected?
Arthritis can technically happen in any joint in the body. But the most commonly affected joints are places like the hip, stifle (knee), shoulder, elbow, spine, or carpus (wrist).
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs?
Depending on the severity, arthritic dogs can show a wide variety of signs ranging from a slight reluctance to jump or climb stairs to very obvious limping or difficulty standing up.
Early signs of arthritis in dogs
Early on in the disease, signs of osteoarthritis can be very subtle. You might notice that your dog doesn’t want to walk quite as far or quite as fast some days. Or he or she may start taking the stairs a little more slowly or sleeping on the floor rather than the couch. There might also be a moment of hesitation before your dog jumps into the car or onto the bed.
At this point, your dog might not even be visibly limping yet, just a bit slower or stiffer. This can make it easy to miss the early signs if you aren’t paying close attention.
Symptoms of arthritis progression
As the joint damage and inflammation continue to progress, the signs of arthritis in dogs tend to be more prominent. However, it is important to remember that dogs can sometimes be very stoic. This may make it more difficult to realize that the changes you are seeing are signs your dog is in pain.
Abnormal gait, stance, or appearance
Your dog may be limping, standing, or sitting in an abnormal way. Or his or her legs might look different than usual.
- Limping on one or more legs: You might notice your dog limping on a front leg or your dog limping on a back leg.
- Abnormal standing or sitting position: Your dog may stand or sit with a leg further from midline or lean a bit to one side.
- Shifting weight from one leg to the other while standing: Rather than staying still, your dog may rock slightly from side to side or front to back.
- Holding one leg up (or “toe touching” a foot) while standing: In more severe cases of osteoarthritis or pain that is localized to a particular leg, the dog may not want to bear much or any weight on that leg.
- Weak hind legs: You might notice your dog’s back legs are collapsing or trembling.
- Increased stiffness: Especially when first getting up, your dog may seem a bit stiffer. He or she may warm up out of the stiffness.
- Muscle wasting: Over time, arthritic dogs tend to lose muscle mass. This may be particularly evident in the leg that is most painful, but it can also be generalized.
Behavioral changes
Sometimes dog parents notice their dog isn’t acting quite like himself or herself.
- Restless sleeping: It can be hard for arthritic dogs to get comfortable, so you may notice them shifting positions or moving to new resting places more often than normal.
- Licking a particular joint or leg: If the dog is getting an abnormal sensation from the leg, like the dog’s leg is falling asleep, or if it is painful, the dog may lick it. Over time, this can lead to the formation of a lick granuloma in dogs.
- Pain or resistance to being petted near a certain joint: The dog may stiffen, pull away, yelp, or even try to bite if you touch a painful spot.
- Panting or whining while at rest or while trying to sleep: Dogs who are more vocal when painful may whine. And increased panting can certainly point to pain or anxiety due to pain.
Difficulty in daily activities
As arthritis progresses, dogs may have more trouble carrying out their normal daily activities.
- Taking longer than usual to stand up: It might take several attempts for the dog to stand up, especially when he or she has been lying down for a while.
- Growing tired more quickly during a walk: Changes in stamina while walking or playing can be an indicator of arthritis, too.
- Avoiding stairs or taking them much more slowly than in the past: The dog may stop and stare at the stairs for a moment before going up or down, look stiff while on them, or simply avoid them.
- Inability to jump on the couch or bed, or to climb into the car: Sometimes the dog may act like they are going to jump up and then either try and fail or decide not to even try.
If you see signs of arthritis, contact your vet
If you think you might be seeing signs of arthritis, please contact your vet. While it isn’t possible to cure arthritis, there are so many ways to help an arthritic dog. By working with your vet early on in your dog’s arthritis journey, you are giving him or her the best chances of remaining comfortable and mobile for as long as possible.
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed in dogs?
Reaching a diagnosis requires a combination of symptoms and physical exam findings that point to arthritis, plus potentially signs of arthritis on imaging, such as X-rays.
History taking
Your veterinarian will start by gathering a history. This involves asking questions about past injuries, signs you are seeing at home and how they have changed over time, treatments you have tried, etc.
Physical exam
Then the vet will perform a physical exam to look for muscle pain, joint stiffness, decreased range of motion, and evidence of pain or tenderness on palpation of the joints. After a thorough exam, your vet may strongly suspect the presence of osteoarthritis. But he or she will likely recommend further diagnostics to confirm the diagnosis.
Imaging such as X-rays
X-rays are often the best way to definitively diagnose osteoarthritis. Sometimes the veterinary team can take these X-rays while your dog is awake. Other times (especially if your dog has a lot of pain or experiences stress at the vet’s office), your vet may wish to use sedation. This makes the process easier on your dog and helps get clear images.
Your vet will use the X-rays to look at the conformation (structure) of the joint and determine which joints are affected. He or she can also use them to evaluate the severity of the damage within the joints.
Early arthritis (stages 0 to 2) may be subtle and more difficult to see on an X-ray. However, advanced or end-stage arthritis (stages 3 to 4) is very noticeable. The veterinarian may see changes, such as osteophytes (new bone formation), a narrowed joint space, and an alteration in the shape or appearance of the bone, that signify osteoarthritis.
In some cases, it can be difficult to tell if changes on X-ray are suggestive of arthritis or a different disease (like a fungal infection or cancer). If your dog’s X-ray is difficult to interpret, your veterinarian might recommend sending the image to a radiologist for further evaluation.
What is the treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs?
There is currently no cure for arthritis in dogs (or in people). However, it is possible to manage the disease and its symptoms. Treatment goals are to reduce pain and increase mobility (thus maintaining a good quality of life for your sweet pup).
The best way to achieve these goals is through a multimodal approach. Multimodal means using multiple methods of treatment. For example, an arthritic dog may be receiving pain medications, joint supplements, and physical therapy. Plus, he or she might be working on achieving or maintaining a healthy body weight, using ramps or dog stairs in the house, and participating in low-impact exercise.
The earlier the vet diagnoses a dog with arthritis, the more successful the treatment can be. For this reason, if you notice subtle changes in your dog’s behavior, it is important to talk to your veterinarian right away. His or her recommendations may be able to delay the progression of the disease and keep your dog feeling good and moving comfortably for longer.
Your dog may benefit from some of these treatment and management options long term:
1. Working with the vet to create a weight management plan for your dog
Even if your dog is not obese, losing a bit of weight may be enough to decrease joint stress and increase overall comfort. In that case, moving down one body condition score on the chart below (while preventing excessive weight loss and decreased muscle mass) may be all your dog needs to feel better.
If you are wondering whether your dog could benefit from weight loss, use the chart above to find your dog’s body condition score or ask your vet for his or her opinion. Then, work with your vet to figure out how to help your dog lose weight.
2. Ensuring your dog is getting the appropriate level of activity
Physical activity can be great for arthritic dogs because it may help maintain muscle mass, cartilage health, strength, and mobility. Plus, it can be beneficial for weight loss in some dogs. However, it is important to select an activity, intensity, and duration that is beneficial, not detrimental to your dog. Overdoing it isn’t good for anybody.
Following your dog’s lead can be a good starting point. If your dog wants to keep walking or playing, allow him or her to do so. But pay attention to how he or she feels afterward. If your pup seems painful or overly worn out later in the day, be sure to do less the next time you exercise together.
It may also help to keep a journal so that you can adequately track the kind of exercise that is best for your precious canine companion.
As your dog’s arthritis progresses, your vet may recommend a gentler exercise such as swimming or underwater treadmill sessions. Swimming can often be done independently. However, therapy on an underwater treadmill for dogs will require visiting a veterinarian who has special equipment and training in veterinary rehabilitation.
3. Applying ToeGrips to give your dog traction that goes wherever he or she goes
My signature product, Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips® dog nail grips, can be a great asset for dogs with arthritis. These rubber rings fit onto your dog’s nails to provide added traction. This is especially helpful on slippery floors, which pose a hazard for dogs with osteoarthritis.
When dogs can’t get good traction, they may slip and further injure themselves. ToeGrips can allow dogs to navigate the floors with confidence and make it easier for them to stand up.
4. Asking your vet about alternative therapies for arthritis management
Your veterinarian can also help you find options for natural pain relief for dogs, such as:
- Acupuncture for dogs: Decreases pain and inflammation
- Canine massage therapy: Improves blood flow and reduces pain, stiffness, and inflammation
- A doggy chiropractor: Provides pain relief and increases mobility
- Laser therapy for dogs: Speeds up healing, reduces inflammation and pain, and promotes tissue regeneration
- PRP for dogs (platelet-rich plasma): The vet injects a concentrated version of the dog’s own platelets into a joint or soft tissue injury to aid in healing and decrease pain and inflammation
- PEMF for dogs (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy): Using a PEMF loop, PEMF bed, PEMF jacket, or other device in the veterinary clinic or at home can reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and promote healing
- Physical therapy (rehabilitation therapy): Helps improve strength, range of motion, and mobility
- Hydrotherapy: Reduces stress on joints during movement, builds fitness and can be relaxing
These therapies may make a great addition to your dog’s multimodal arthritis management plan. Some are available through your vet, and others may require working with a veterinary rehab specialist.
5. Modifying your dog’s environment to make it more comfortable and accessible
There are many ways to help your senior dog with arthritis at home. Stairs and ramps can make it easier for him or her to get into the car or onto the bed. He or she may also appreciate having comfortable orthopedic foam beds in multiple locations in the house.
Non-slip rugs or yoga mats can also give arthritic dogs some extra traction and confidence in areas with slippery floors.
6. Working with your vet to find a joint supplement that meets your dog’s needs
Your dog’s doctor may recommend joint supplements for dogs such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, green lipped mussel for dogs, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), deer velvet supplements for dogs, turmeric/curcumin, undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II for dogs), hyaluronic acid, omega-3 fatty acids for dogs, or CBD oil for dogs.
These products give the body the building blocks that it needs to keep the joints well-lubricated and well-cushioned. Early in the course of the disease, supplements may be enough to help your dog feel and move much better. And they continue to be beneficial for dogs in the later stages of arthritis.
My favorite choice for arthritic dogs is Dr. Buzby’s Encore Mobility™ hip and joint supplement. It contains green lipped mussel and deer antler velvet, two amazing ingredients that have a host of benefits for the body. Check out the infographic below to learn more!
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7. Considering using a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug like Adequan
Your veterinarian may also recommend a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) such as Adequan for dogs. DMOADs are unique in that, rather than just treating the pain and inflammation after it happens like most medications, they actually help slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. Adequan Canine® (i.e., Adequan), an injectable medication, is the only FDA-approved DMOAD for dogs. It protects joint health by:
- Improving the quality of the joint fluid
- Blocking the enzymes and hormones that promote cartilage destruction
- Reducing inflammation in the joint
- Stimulating the production of cartilage building blocks
8. Working with your vet to find prescription pain medications that are effective for your dog
Later in the course of degenerative joint disease, it may take more than good management, joint supplements, and DMOADs to relieve arthritis pain in dogs. If you feel like your dog is still struggling to be comfortable and happy, it may be time to talk to your vet about a prescription medication trial.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often a good starting point
Often, the first pain medications the vet may prescribe are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This class of medication decreases pain and swelling that is associated with osteoarthritis. Some potential NSAIDs for dogs include carprofen for dogs, deracoxib, firocoxib, grapiprant, or meloxicam.
Before prescribing an NSAID, your vet may recommend blood tests for dogs to assess your dog’s kidney and liver function. Based on the results, he or she will let you know how often your dog should come back for repeat blood work.
It is important to note that the medications listed above are all formulated for dogs. It is not safe to give your dog human NSAIDS. Giving your dog Advil, or other human NSAIDS, may cause GI bleeding, kidney or liver failure, seizures, or other problems.
Arthritic dogs may need additional medications such as gabapentin, amantadine, or tramadol
At first, an NSAID may be the only medication your dog needs. But as arthritis progresses and pain worsens, your dog may need additional medications. (Or if your dog can’t take NSAIDs, these medications may be the starting point.)
This approach of using several medications of different types to decrease pain by targeting different parts of the pain pathway is called multimodal pain management. In arthritic dogs, it usually involves adding gabapentin for dogs, amantadine for dogs, tramadol for dogs, ketamine injections, and/or other drugs.
As long as your dog tolerates the medications well without concerning side effects, multimodal pain management can be incredibly effective at maintaining comfort and extending your dog’s quality of life.
Librela injections can also play a role in pain management
Librela™ (bedinvetmab) is a once-monthly injection administered by your veterinarian. It controls pain by decreasing the activity of NGF (nerve growth factor), one of the main chemical signals of arthritis pain in dogs. It is a monoclonal antibody, meaning that it contains many copies of the same immune system protein (antibody) that all target NGF.
Unlike NSAIDs and most other traditional pain medications, Librela does not rely on the kidneys or liver for metabolism or elimination from the body. This means it might be an option for dogs with kidney or liver problems who can’t tolerate some of the other pain medications.
While some dogs have experienced amazing results after Librela injections, there are also some concerns about the potential side effects. If you are considering Librela, please speak with your vet about the benefits and risks for your dog.
9. Asking the vet if surgery could help improve your dog’s comfort level
While surgery isn’t a common arthritis treatment for most dogs, there are a few situations where it might be beneficial. For example, in puppies with hip dysplasia, a procedure like a juvenile pubic symphysiodesis may be able to prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis. Or, if your dog is dealing with pain and advanced disease of the hips at an older age, your vet may recommend a surgery such as a femoral head ostectomy (FHO) or a total hip replacement (THR).
If your dog’s osteoarthritis is in a joint other than the hips, surgical options will be different. However, the goal is the same—helping your dog achieve better mobility with less pain.
A consultation with your vet or an orthopedic surgery specialist can be extremely helpful. He or she will be able to help you decide what is medically and practically the best option.
It is also good to keep in mind that medical management and physical therapy will be required for a period of time after surgery. This helps give your beloved dog the best chance for a good outcome.
Treatment summary table
For a brief overview of the treatment options and some actionable steps, check out this table:
| TREATMENT | BENEFITS | STEPS TO TAKE |
| Weight management | Decreases pressure and strain on joints to improve comfort | Determine your dog’s body condition score and implement a weight loss program with the help of your vet |
| Low-impact exercise | Helps maintain fitness, muscle mass, strength, and mobility | Consider walking or swimming with your dog and modify the plan based on how your dog tolerates it |
| Mobility aids like ToeGrips | Provides traction to decrease the risk of falls and improve confidence when walking | Purchase and apply ToeGrips |
| Environmental modifications | Improves day-to-day comfort and decreases the impacts of poor mobility and pain | Purchase or build ramps or steps, make your dog’s dishes easy to access, provide a comfortable dog bed |
| Disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) | Slows the progression of arthritis | Ask your vet if Adequan could benefit your dog |
| Alternative medicine approaches | Benefits depend on the modality but may decrease pain and mobility and/or improve healing | Consult with your vet or a veterinary rehab professional to find the treatments right for your dog |
| Osteoarthritis medications (NSAIDs, gabapentin, tramadol, amantadine, ketamine, Librela, etc.) | Reduces pain (and in some cases also inflammation), combining medications that target different areas of the pain pathway can improve pain control | Work with your vet to find the combination of medications that decreases your dog’s symptoms without causing detrimental side effects |
| Joint supplements | Supports joint health and reduces inflammation | Research and purchase a supplement from your vet or a reputable company |
| Surgery | Addresses certain orthopedic conditions to improve comfort | Ask your vet if your dog is a candidate for surgery (note: many dogs with arthritis are not) |
How long can a dog live with arthritis?
The outlook for dogs with arthritis varies depending on the stage of the arthritis and the types of therapies he or she receives. Generally speaking, it may be possible to manage arthritis for years so you can enjoy more time with your furry best friend. Even though osteoarthritis can’t be cured, it is not a “terminal” disease. With a multimodal approach to managing osteoarthritis, many dogs go on to live full lives.
However, it is also important to keep in mind that osteoarthritis can be very painful in severe cases and may eventually keep a dog from enjoying life.
Recognizing end-stage arthritis in dogs
In some circumstances, arthritis progresses quickly or becomes severe. As a result, dogs in end-stage arthritis may experience a loss of mobility or pain that is difficult to control. This may lead to difficulty walking or even functioning, and their quality of life can decline rapidly.
The following list may help you recognize advanced arthritis in dogs that has become debilitating:
- Your dog’s mobility and joint pain are getting worse despite multimodal therapy
- He or she won’t take pills well anymore
- Your dog is dealing with concurrent health issues (such as kidney failure in dogs or liver disease in dogs)
- His or her quality of life is suffering significantly (filling out a quality of life scale for dogs can be helpful for noticing this)
- Your dog is unable to get up and move around or struggles significantly to do so
If your dog is suffering from end-stage arthritis, you may wish to seek out a vet who provides dog hospice care or have a discussion with your dog’s care team regarding when to euthanize your dog with arthritis.
Helpful resources as you wrestle with when to say goodbye
Since a dog is part of the family, it is common to wish you could do more. But at the end of a long and difficult road (such as managing osteoarthritis), sometimes the kindest thing you can do is know when to give your dog an escape from his or her struggles. Choosing euthanasia is not a failure—it is a way of allowing your dog to skip over the very hardest days that are still ahead of him. That is a merciful and kind decision, made with love.
If you are struggling with the decision of when to euthanize your dog with OA, these articles may help:
- In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers
- Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
- Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
- How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Final thoughts of hope
Wherever you are in your dog’s osteoarthritis journey, I want you to know that you are not alone. There are countless other dog parents who are going through the same things with their dogs. And your veterinarian can help you find the right combination of therapies for your pup. There are many options that can potentially keep your dog happy, comfortable, and active for some period of time.
Yes, for some dogs, osteoarthritis does eventually get to the point where you may decide that euthanasia is the right choice. And I understand it isn’t easy to think about eventually having to say goodbye to your sweet pup. But until that day comes, keep on living and loving with your dear dog. Make memories and treasure the days.
Does your dog have osteoarthritis?
Please share his or her story and any tips you have learned along the way.
This post was originally published on October 14, 2021 and updated on June 1, 2026.
Thank you for this helpful article. Our 7 year old Sprocker started limping in April. A couple of trips to the vets and an x-ray confirmed arthritis in his toe on one foot. Metacam was prescribed but not sufficient so they added gabapentin. We’ve added golden paste, collagen and Omega 3 to his diet. He continued to decline so he’s had two librella injections so far. Now only 8 weeks later and he is much worse, practically on 3 legs. He is on a zero exercise regime and about to go for a CT scan. Is this normal in arthritis? As a spaniel he is very heavy on his front feet so it’s hard to limit the pressure on them. I imagine surgery to remove the bone growth is next but is that possible on toes?
Hi Thanks,
I am sorry your pup is struggling with chronic pain. While anything is possible, it does seem odd to me that he would practically be non-weight bearing on this leg all because of one toe. It makes me suspicious that something else is contributing to the situation. Is there any chance this bone lesion could be cancer instead of arthritis? I am very glad you have a CT scan scheduled and hope this will offer valuable insight. Hoping for a definitive diagnosis and a clear path forward with treatment. Praying for relief and comfort for your sweet boy.
In the short 13 yrs of my furbabies life he has went through it all. He was diagnosed with cutaneous hemangiosarcoma April 2018, then tore one CCL June 2020 & the other November 2020, both of which required surgeries which he endured really well. Because of the TPLO surgeries I knew he was at higher risk for arthritis so it wasnt a huge shock when I noticed him limping & avoiding the stairs last June. I took him to the emergency vet & they diagnosed him with arthritis. They prescribed carprofen & gabapentin & advised we make an appt at his vet to discuss adequan which I did the following week. I was taking him to get his adequan injections 2x week at the beginning & the results were amazing, after the second shot he was going back up the stairs & running around again. We continued the carprofen 2x a day & got adequan injections every 3 wks & he was doing really well. Then about a month ago he had xrays & they spotted a mass on his spleen so I started him on Yunnan Baiyou. After doing some research I discovered that long term use of Yunnan Baiyou can cause liver issues & I knew that carprofen is also known to be hard on the liver so I talked to the vet about switching him to Galliprant which she did so I stopped giving him carprofen on Tuesday & started the Galliprant on Thursday. So far hes had two pills but its like he is regressing back to how he was in June. His back legs are weak again & he’s moving really slowly. Since its Friday night I wont be able to talk to his vet until Monday so I was wondering if you could tell me if there is a general time frame for the Galliprant to kick in. With the carprofen they had said it could take a week or two to see the full effects & am curious if the same is true for the Galliprant. Also I wanted to ask what other meds are known to treat arthritis & is there any specific one you would personally recommend. I will obviously talk to my vet on Monday, I just like to go in with a bit of knowledge & suggestions as his vet had never even heard of “I’m-Yunity” until I asked her about it but once she was able to do a bit of research on it she was all on board.
Hi Katherine,
I am sorry your beloved boy has been through so much over the last few years. I think it is great you are focused on quality of life. He is a lucky boy to have you advocating for his health and well-being. I am not sure which medications would be best with all of the issues your pup is currently facing. But here are some things I have used and seen good results in my own patients: gabapentin, tramadol, amantadine, laser therapy, PEMF, and acupuncture. Clients have also had good things to say about CBD oil, but I am limited to what I can recommend with those types of products. Here are links to other articles that discuss these therapies and much more:
1. Natural Pain Relief for Dogs: 13 Methods
2. Amantadine for Dogs: Everything You Need To Know
3. Tramadol for Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide
4. What is Gabapentin for Dogs?
5. CBD Oil for Dogs: Facts, Benefits, Concerns [2024]
You should start to see the benefits of Galliprant within a few weeks just as you did with Carprofen. Hoping you can find the right combination of therapies to keep your boy feeling great for as long as possible. Wishing you both all the best and praying for many happy days ahead. ♥
GReat reference! …..TY !!!!❤️
You are very welcome Judith! Helping senior dogs live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives is a big passion of mine. It is my pleasure to share this important information about arthritis with dog parents!