What You Need To Know About Dogs, Arthritis, & Rehabilitation Therapy

In humans and animals, the aging process is very similar. The body endures a series of changes as time goes by, these changes can be influenced by many factors (job, sports, sedentary lifestyle, trauma, etc), but overall time puts us all, humans & animals, through similar changes. 
The World Health Organization considers humans aged 65 and older as elderly (Beaglehole et al., 2001), so it’s safe to assume that at this age, most humans are facing similar aging changes such as arthritis. Dogs also face the same changes but at a much faster rate; unfortunately no dog has ever lived to be 65 years old, they sure miss out on the senior citizen discounts.

Dog Years vs Human Years
Surely you’ve heard the theory that states that 1 year of a dog’s life is equivalent to 7 human years; so your 3 year old beagle is finally of legal age huh? Wrong!
There are over 340 dog breeds known throughout the world, though the American Kennel Club recognizes 193 breeds. With as many breeds come just as many differences in the size and body mass of dogs, both of which greatly affect how fast a dog ages. Larger dogs typically have much shorter lifespans than the small breed dogs. This means that a 10 year old, 8 lbs Chihuahua would not necessarily be considered to be elderly, while a 10 year old, 165 lbs Great Dane would certainly be. This makes the “7 year rule” completely inaccurate.

At what age is my dog considered to be geriatric? 
Differences in size and body mass in dog breeds make it very difficult to specifically pin point when a dog becomes elderly. This table was adapted by Dr. Christine Zink & Dr. Janet VanDyke (from Goldston - 1995) to help us better understand when our dogs may be considered elderly. This allows us to better prepare for and readily address the changes our dogs may face as they age. 

Inquire About Cost and AvailabilityWhy does arthritis often come with aging?
Arthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is the one of the most common conditions affecting the aging population, both human and canine. Changes in metabolism as we age causes our muscles to lose fibers, which leads to less muscle mass. In turn, less muscle mass leads to loss of strength. Having weak muscles allows the surfaces of the joints to have more friction leading to their wear and tear. The cartilage covering the joints also degrades as we age; add more friction and the degeneration process also known as osteoarthritis or DJD has begun. The same concept applies to dogs.
There are ways to delay or slow down the arthritic process, some suggest that there are ways to avoid it altogether. What we know for certain is that rehabilitation, meaning therapeutic exercise, massage & pain management modalities, is greatly beneficial to the arthritic patient.

How do I know if my dog has arthritis?
Here are some signs & symptoms that may indicate your dog has arthritis or DJD: 

• Limping or completely avoiding the use of a limb
• Difficulty standing from a laid down position
• Difficulty, or complete inability to get on the couch, get in the car, or in bed
• Decreased willingness and joy when going for walks
• Visible stiffness; your dog just doesn’t seem to be as flexible as before.
• Guarding or other signs of pain when touching a particular joint

Some signs & symptoms that may indicate your dog is in pain are: 

• Constant or frequent pacing around the room; restlessness
• Lack of appetite or not wanting to drink water 
• Avoiding contact, isolating themselves, or becoming unusually aggressive or “nippy” 
• Changes in body position or posture. Curved posture, head down, lying down more than usual
• Limping, avoiding use of a limb, avoiding activities that they normally do like chase a toy, jump on couch, etc
• Changes in breathing pattern like panting without having exercised or shallow/short quick breaths
• Excessive paw licking or licking the area of pain 
• Whimpering, crying, unusual barking, yelping
• Shaking or trembling without apparent reason

If you suspect your dog is in pain or has arthritis, you should always consult your veterinarian. Their clinical judgment, special tests, & examination will help rule out any serious health issues. Regular vet checks are highly recommended for senior dogs as arthritis is only one of the many conditions commonly affecting the aging canine.
 
How does rehabilitation help my dog with arthritis? 

• Therapeutic exercise, when graded appropriately, helps maintain the joints’ ability to move freely, improves strength & joint stability, leading to less joint friction. 
• Soft tissue massage helps maintain the extensibility of the muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue structures that can restrict movement if they become taught. 
• Laser therapy can be beneficial in managing pain, reducing inflammation & swelling, and improving circulation.
• A Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) is also able to guide you in implementing some home environment modifications to allow your dog to have an obstacle-free space to move around in and better traction while walking. They can also help you in finding products such as bedding, ramps, steps, harnesses, and even doggie wheel chairs to better meet the mobility needs of your dog. 
• Canine rehabilitation has proven to be immensely effective in improving and preserving quality of life by improving mobility and decreasing pain. 

At Unleashed Rehab - Canine Rehabilitation & Wellness we specialize in helping the aging dog, especially those suffering from arthritis, improve and maintain their quality of life through the use of graded therapeutic exercises, soft tissue massage, and pain relieving modalities within the comfort of your home. We excel in giving dog parents the tools & knowledge necessary to ensure their dogs enjoy their golden years without the need for pain medication.

We understand you may want to learn more about how we can help your dog BEFORE setting up an appointment. We would love to get on the phone with you and answer your questions. To chat with us, please fill out a short form by clicking here.
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References: 
BEAGLEHOLE, R., LUNENFELD, B., KALACHE, A. 2001. Men, Ageing and Achieving Health Across the Life Span. Geneva: World Health Organization, 63.

Zink, M.C., VanDyke, J.B. (2013) Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Ames, Iowa: John Wiley & Sons, Inc