Arthritis in young dogs is more common than you’d think. We’re taking you through everything you need to know, from the causes to the treatments available for your pup.
Can Young Dogs Get Arthritis?
The question of all questions does have a very clear answer...
Short answer – yes, young dogs can get arthritis
It’s a super common misconception that young dogs can’t get arthritis, because it’s mainly senior dogs that we hear about with arthritis. But, a young dog can get arthritis.
How arthritis in young dogs is different from senior dogs
Arthritis in young dogs is quite different from the arthritis a senior dog might experience in a few key ways.
First of all, young dogs may be born with a structural deficiency, like hip dysplasia. This is genetic, so when a young dog is born, they’ll express this condition. They may also experience a growth spurt that their young body can’t fully support, grow too much too soon or experience an injury in their earlier years that can affect how likely they are to develop arthritis as a young dog.
A senior dog usually develops arthritis due to aging. The older they get, the more their body is prone to ‘wear and tear’. Naturally, the cartilage in their joints will start to wear away. There are also certain dog breeds that are predisposed to joint conditions, like the larger breeds (Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Great Danes).
How common is arthritis in young dogs?
It’s actually incredibly common – a lot more common that you’d think. According to Canine Arthritis Management, approximately 40% of dogs between 8 months and 4 years old have radiographic evidence of arthritis (visible on X-rays) in at least one joint.
What Causes Arthritis in Young Dogs?
Arthritis in young dogs can be caused by a few different factors – so let’s get into it.
Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia
Some dogs are born with conditions that affect their joints. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are two common examples of these. But, what actually are they?
Hip dysplasia is where a dog’s hip and socket joint (where one bone fits into the other) doesn’t fit as it should. Either the socket can be too shallow or the ligaments in the joint can be too loose. Instead of a smooth rotation, the joint’s movement is clunky. It can create micro-fractures and inflammation in a young dog’s joints.
Elbow dysplasia is where the three bones that make up the elbow – the humorus, radius and ulna – don’t fit together properly, usually due to one or two bones not being the same sizes. They should all fit together tightly. When a dog has elbow dysplasia, sometimes a piece of bone can snap off and grind away the cartilage. Once a dog’s cartilage wears away, the state of arthritis starts to become worse and can enter a cycle of inflammation.
Genetic and breed-related risk factors
Arthritis in young dogs can be caused by a dog’s genetics. Just like how a human’s genetics is the foundation for how the body and brain grows and works, the same applies. In the dog world, some dogs can be genetically predisposed to arthritis, just because of their breed. This includes; German Shepherds, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Rottweilers.
Other breeds that are smaller with shorter legs are also more genetically predisposed to arthritis, including; French Bulldogs, Corgis and Daschunds.
Even smaller dogs can also be genetically predisposed to arthritis, but this shows up more in their knees, instead of their hips. These breeds include; Yorkies, Chihuahuas and Corgis.
So, what about a mixed breed dog? Well, although it’s thought as of being more beneficial to dilute the genes (and essentially the likelihood of expressing arthritis), it’s not guaranteed to prevent arthritis altogether. It’s important to know the parents' history when it comes to diagnosing arthritis in young dogs.
Injuries, trauma and surgery
Sometimes, it isn’t nature that causes arthritis in young dogs, it can be the events you didn’t see coming. Just like how humans can tear their ACL, so can dogs. In fact, according to Today’s Veterinary Practice, the most common type of joint injury is a tear of the ACL dog equivalent: The Canine Cruciate Ligament.
If a dog breaks a bone near a joint and this splits at the joint, this also increases their likelihood of developing arthritis.
Puppies also have a soft area at their end of their bones, called a growth plate. If they fall or experience heavy impact, this can fracture and contribute to developing arthritis.
To help with the repair, some dogs will experience a surgery. While a surgery works to help repair the injury, it can sometimes leave scar tissue. This can stabilize the joint, but it does also sometimes reduce their range of motion.
Obesity and rapid growth in puppies
Arthritis in young dogs can happen quite easily, because a puppy’s body and brain is still developing. If there’s any rapid growth, their bones can sometimes lengthen before the rest of their body is able to support its growth and weight. This can lead to skeletal deformity.
Obesity is one of the most common, yet easily preventable causes of arthritis. From a physical point of view, if a dog is overweight, their joints are having to carry a heavier weight than they’re genetically designed for. This extra fat then releases a chemical called adipokine, which causes inflammation. Then, the cycle of inflammation starts and arthritis in young dogs can develop.
Overexertion in active or working dogs
Some dog breeds are built for an active lifestyle, like Border Collies and Labradors. With younger active dogs, they tend to have a lot of energy, so they may not notice if they’re overusing their muscles and develop muscle fatigue. When their muscles are tired, the impact of their movement transfers to the joint capsule and cartilage. This then starts to lead into the cycle of inflammation in the joint, which can then lead to arthritis.
Early Signs of Arthritis in Young Dogs
Dogs are genetically wired to hide their pain, which makes it tricky to try and figure out if they’ve got arthritis or not. That’s okay though, there are some key early signs to spot below when it comes to arthritis in young dogs…
Subtle mobility changes
- Stiffness after resting
- Slowing down on walks
- Hesitation to jump or run
Behavioral changes
- Avoiding play with humans or other animals
- Irritability and sensitivity to touch
- Restlessness or discomfort
Physical changes
- Limping or favoring one leg over the other
- Swollen joints
- Muscle imbalance – muscles can often atrophy (lose their muscle mass)
Breeds Most at Risk for Early, Onset Arthritis
Some dog breeds are more likely to develop arthritis earlier than expected, so here’s a quick guide on which breeds to keep an eye on.
Large and giant breed dogs
- German Shepherds
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Great Danes
- Saint Bernard's
- Mastiffs
- Newfoundlands
- Bernense Mountain Dogs
- Irish Wolfhounds
Active and athletic breed dogs
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- English Springer Spaniels
- Cocker Spaniels
- German Shorthaired Pointers
- German Shepherds
- Border Collies
- Australian Shepherds
- Rottweilers
- Boxers
- Greyhounds
Dogs with known genetic conditions
- German Shepherds (usually with Hip Dysplasia)
- Bernese Mountain Dogs (usually with Elbow Dysplasia or Fragmented Coronoid Process)
- Saint Bernards (usually with rapid bone growth)
- Great Danes (usually with Osteochondritis Dissecans – A.K.A. OCD)
- Irish Wolfhounds (usually with Osteochondritis Dissecans – A.K.A. OCD)
- Border Collies (usually with Osteochondritis Dissecans – A.K.A. OCD)
- Yorkshire Terriers (usually with a luxating patella)
- Chihuahuas (usually with a luxating patella)
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (usually with a luxating patella)
- Basset Hounds (usually with Chondrodysplasia)
- Dachshunds (usually with Chondrodysplasia)
- French Bulldogs (usually with Chondrodysplasia)
Treatment Options for Arthritis in Young Dogs
Don’t worry, there are plenty of treatment options to help with arthritis in young dogs that vets often recommend. These are the most common treatments you’ll need to know about…
Lifestyle changes and activity management
There are some easy shifts that you can make in your dog’s everyday life.
- Swap high-impact activities and movement for low-impact activities and movement.
- Modify your home environment to suit their needs; introduce ramps, try memory foam beds and raised food bowls.
- Try to make sure they get enough mental stimulation and relaxation.
Joint supplements and nutritional support
Making adjustments to your dog’s diet is a really easy and impactful way to help your dog.
- Monitor their portion size and maintain a balanced diet, filled with Omega-3s and high quality lean protein.
- Look for joint supplements that contain high quality Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM. Omega-3 Fish Oil is also a great addition.
- Some dogs can be put onto a prescribed diet that’s designed to provide more targeted joint care – consult your vet for more information.
Pain management and anti-inflammatory options
There are lots of medicines available to help arthritis in young dogs.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – like Rimadryl, Metacam and Galliprant.
- Monthly injections of Nerve Growth Factor – like Librela.
- Disease-modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs – A.K.A. cartilage protectors, like Adequan.
- Additional pain medication, like Gabapentin and Amantadine.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
There’s a few key methods of treatment to know about to help arthritis in young dogs.
- Hydrotherapy – either through an underwater treadmill or swimming.
- Rehabilitation using cavaletti rails, balance disc peanuts, passive range of motion exercises.
- Laser and cold heat therapy.
- Regenerative medicines, like Platelet-Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Therapy.
Surgical options in severe cases
In some instances, some types of treatment aren’t as effective as we’d like. Sometimes, they’ll need a specific type of surgery to treat arthritis in young dogs.
- Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis – for younger puppies between 4–5 months old to fuse small parts of their pelvis together.
- Double or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy – for puppies between 6–10 months to correctly position the pelvic bones.
- Arthroscopy – where a tiny camera and instruments are used to remove loose bone fragments.
- Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy – where the top of the shin bone is cut and rotated.
- Salvage surgeries – where joints are either replaced or removed.
To Sum Up
As we’ve learnt, it’s not only senior dogs that can develop arthritis. Arthritis in young dogs is pretty common. From the causes to the treatments, we’ve run through everything you need to know to understand your dog’s health with more confidence and finally, get to the bottom of the question on everyone’s minds – can young dogs get arthritis?