Osteoarthritis check

1. Does your dog no longer enjoy going for walks?

When the joy of movement decreases, pain or at least discomfort can be the cause. Every day is often different, especially with osteoarthritis. If your dog avoids certain movements or walks more and more slowly, you should have it checked by a vet. Supportive, targeted measures can often significantly improve dogs' lifespan and, above all, their quality of life.

2. Does your dog have problems getting up or lying down? 

The joints have to work particularly hard when getting up or lying down. For example, when standing up, strength must come from the hind legs and the front legs must be able to carry the momentum of the body weight. If your dog's joints are stiff or painful, this can be very uncomfortable and result in your dog no longer jumping up as quickly as it used to.

3. Does your dog find it difficult to climb stairs?

When climbing stairs, either a lot of weight is placed on the front legs (downwards)or the hind legs have to provide the necessary thrust (upwards). This can be very uncomfortable if the joints are stiff or painful. Due to reduced mobility, dogs often find everyday movements more difficult or avoid them completely. Pay attention to little things like this so that you can support your four-leggedfriend at an early stage.

4. Is your dog stiff after lying down for a long time and does it take longer to settle?

Arthritic joints are usually restricted in their mobility. If dogs remain in one position for a long time while sleeping, for example, the joints often become very stiff and the muscles harden. As a result, your four-legged friend may initially be clearly lame after getting up. Over time, after a break-in period, the muscles will warm up, the synovial fluid will be distributed and the walking pattern will improve. If you notice these symptoms in your dog, it is worth getting a veterinary check-up.

5. Have you noticed your dog swaying its hindquarters when walking?

If your dog's hindquarters wobble, this may be a sign of muscle weakness. However, it can also be an indication of osteoarthritis (e.g. in the hip joint) or that the signals from the spinal cord are not being transmitted correctly to the hind legs. This is particularly the case with arthritic changes in the lumbar spine or at the lumbosacral junction, i.e. the connection between the spine and hip. There are many nerves at this point that supply the hind legs. If, for example, they are constricted by growths on the bones or irritated by inflammation, the communication between the nerves and the hind legs no longer functions properly and the dog wobbles with its hind legs.

6. Is your dog sensitive to pain when you touch its muscles or joints? 

Every dog has a different pain threshold and even if some dogs don't show any signs of pain, the following always applies: If your dog reacts painfully to being touched (howling, barking, snapping, twitching, avoiding touches that it used to tolerate, etc.), this is a serious sign. Your vet can then determine more precisely what is hurting your dog and use diagnostic imaging such as X-rays if necessary. With targeted treatment, your four-legged friend will soon feel better.

7. Does your dog have problems lifting its leg, scratching itself or rolling around? 

Some movements are not a problem at a young age, such as when the dog scratches its ear with its hind leg, rolls around or lifts its leg to pee. However, with reduced mobility in old age, these movements can become increasingly challenging. If pain is added to this, some dogs avoid these movements completely. This can go so far that your dog can no longer sit down properly to do its business. If you notice such changes, a veterinary check is recommended in any case.