Osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative diseases in dogs, affecting every age and breed size. Preventing and treating it is possible, however, with just a few simple measures — starting with diet.
The first chills of an autumn that has never been so eagerly awaited have finally arrived, and the family dog suddenly seems to be in pain, sometimes limping or struggling to stand. In all likelihood, we are looking at a bout of osteoarthritis — a condition that, just as in humans, affects dogs of all breeds and ages, with a particular predilection for large and giant breeds and older animals. The symptoms of this disease tend to worsen under certain circumstances, such as cold or damp autumn days, and are most noticeable in the morning after waking. They then disappear for a while, at least in the early stages, but tend to return after a few weeks or months.
To better understand the mechanism by which arthritic disease takes hold, it is worth recalling a few quick and essential notions of canine anatomy. Joints are made up of different types of tissue: bone tissue, the cartilaginous tissue that covers it, and the fibrous tissue that makes up the capsular ligaments (which give the joint structure an almost virtual cavity).
The joint surfaces — that is, the ends of the bones that make up the joint — are covered with cartilaginous tissue. This is a semi-rigid tissue lubricated by a thin layer of synovial fluid, and it is designed to absorb a large proportion of the mechanical stresses placed on the joint. These are considerable.
Consider the work done by the spine of a dog taking part in an agility course, or that performed by the limb joints of a sleddog champion. Movement is made possible by the perfect anatomical and functional balance of all the components of the joint structure. When any factor disrupts that balance, we witness the slow but progressive onset of all the pathological changes that lead to osteoarthritis.
To prevent degenerative joint diseases — which in turn cause joint inflammation and pain — it is advisable to act on all fronts. "Moderate physical activity outdoors on grass is the first step, from a young age. Always walking the dog exclusively on city asphalt — explains Dr Maria Mayer, veterinary surgeon — which is a hard surface, can cause greater trauma to the joints even in puppies. Ensuring a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is another important step.
Let us not forget stress, either, which is one of the main causes of inflammation: allowing our four-legged friends to live calmly and contentedly is fundamental to their physical wellbeing as well." To alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis, one can, once again, turn to nature and its potential. "In my clinical practice I mainly use essential omega-3 fatty acids added in high doses to the diet, which intervene in the inflammatory process and block it at the outset, combined where necessary with herbal remedies based on turmeric," adds Dr Mayer. "The choice of product is fundamental in this case, as only the right dose of EPA and DHA (not other omega-3s such as ALA), combined with bioactive turmeric, will truly be able to block inflammation and relieve pain in our four-legged friend."
When it comes to preventing osteoarthritis in dogs, it is worth knowing that large and giant breeds, owing to the greater weight placed on their joints, are subject to greater inflammation. Among breeds, some may also have a greater genetic predisposition towards abnormal development of the hip joint (hip dysplasia), which in turn causes inflammation and pain. Among the most affected are breeds such as the German Shepherd, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Rottweiler and mastiffs in general. However, conditions of this kind can also be found in small French Bulldogs or in the English Bulldog itself.
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It is therefore important to consult your vet in order to establish the correct course of treatment. But it is equally essential to always keep an eye on the diet of the small patient, with the aim of modulating so-called silent inflammation, considered the "mother" of all chronic conditions in animals too. "Fresh food," continues Maria Mayer, "with a moderate or low carbohydrate content will modulate the intestinal microbiota and lead to the formation of anti-inflammatory compounds capable of acting on every part of the body."
As age advances, it is entirely physiological for silent inflammation to increase. Once conditions that can cause a rise in the inflammatory component — also typical of older age, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes and Cushing's syndrome — have been correctly ruled out, we can focus on "ageing well," concludes Mayer. "The use of alternative medicines such as acupuncture, homoeopathy or homotoxicology can be of great help in this case, as is clearly evident in clinical practice. Herbal compounds extracted from plants such as turmeric or devil's claw can serve the dual purpose of acting as anti-inflammatories and stimulating the immune system."
Boswellia, another plant commonly used for this type of disorder, has a marked anti-inflammatory action on the joints and is extremely useful as a supplement for our four-legged friends who are getting on in years. Regardless of the chosen treatment, it will in any case be a good idea to include antioxidants in the daily diet, beneficial both for advancing age and for the oxidative processes triggered by inflammation.