Dogs seem to pay almost no attention to their body telling them it’s time to rest. When play time is over, they often pant for an hour, recovering from athletic output that would make any professional athlete shocked and embarrassed. Not all dogs are that active, but all dogs love to play.
Some dogs could develop joint problems in the first half of their life, signs usually do not appear until the latter half of their lives, which varies depending on your pet’s breed. Signs of joint problems or osteoarthritis such as lameness may be more noticeable in larger dogs than in smaller dogs, but joint problems can definitely affect all breeds.
The most common signs for joint problems or osteoarthritis include stiffness, limping particularly after sleeping or resting, inability to rise, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, and noticeable pain. Some dogs may vocalize or whimper if they are in pain, while others could be more stoic and hide their pain. There are many causes of joint pain in dogs but, loss of joint cartilage is the main cause. The rubber-like, elastic connective tissue covers and protects the joints in the legs of dogs. Cartilage is also a structural component in the nose, ears and ribcage.
Unlike skin and muscles, joint cartilage does not regenerate itself. Cartilage cells simply die after a certain period of time, which results in the cartilage thinning around the joints. When these cells die, they release an enzyme that causes joints to swell, known as joint inflammation. This worsens the problem of joint pain and inflammation.
When cartilage thins, the space between the joint and the bone gets narrow, which results in more pressure on the bone, and eventually, deterioration of the connective tissue. As the bone deteriorates, it can create outgrowths called osteophytes. Degenerating cartilage leads to dysfunction of the joint, which can throw the body off balance and create additional issues down the line. The thinning of cartilage is not a disease or illness it’s just part of getting older for dogs.
