Arthritis refers to a condition in which the joints are inflamed. Affected dogs suffer from joint stiffness, discomfort and pain. The 2 main types of arthritis in canines are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joint. It is usually an age-related problem caused by years of wear and tear. Some canine breeds are more predisposed to developing OA. Golden retrievers, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and other large and giant-breed dogs develop osteoarthritis more frequently than small breeds of dogs. However, OA can develop in dogs of any size or breed, more so in dogs that are overweight or obese or highly athletic. Carrying excess weight puts pressure on their joints.
On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is a form of autoimmune problem in which the immune system recognizes the health y tissue of the joints as foreign and starts attacking them which can eventually lead to wearing away and degeneration of the bone and cartilage within the joints. RA is more common among small breeds of dogs (toy or miniature dogs) but it can also affect larger canine breeds.
If your dog appears to be favoring a limb or has a decreased activity level, make an appointment with your best animal clinic Mt. Airy, MD sooner rather than later.
