Is your dog moving more stiffly, reluctant to go down stairs or jump into the car? Is he limping or does he have a swollen joint? Around 20% of all dogs develop joint diseases such as arthritis and osteoarthritis during their lifetime. But what is the difference between them?
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes pain. It can affect one or more joints. If left untreated, arthritis can become chronic and lead to osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the progressive wear and tear of joints due to aging and wear and tear. The joint cartilage loses its elasticity, begins to rub or tear, and becomes increasingly thin and rough. Impacts are then absorbed by the joint capsule, which thickens and stiffens due to the strain. The composition of the joint fluid changes. In addition, less of it is produced. This reduces the lubricating and cartilage-nourishing function of the joint fluid. The bone beneath the cartilage now bears the load and expands its surface area with bony growths (exostoses). These rub against the joint and damage the cartilage even further. This results in severe joint pain.
Sterile arthritis is triggered by injuries, such as twisting, bruising or contusion, as well as excessive strain during sports or obesity. Deep, open wounds that extend into a joint can lead to infectious arthritis. This can also occur in people with poor dental health, as germs from the tooth root can enter the bloodstream. Some infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, or leishmaniasis (see corresponding articles) trigger arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, which usually affects several joints, is an autoimmune disease. The body attacks its own joint cartilage.
Arthrosis is caused by excessive or incorrect strain. This can be due to misaligned limbs or incorrectly formed joints, such as in elbow and hip joint dysplasia (see corresponding articles). Arthrosis can also develop after strains, sprains, bone fractures, or arthritis. Lack of exercise and obesity also contribute to its development. Older and large dogs are particularly affected. Arthrosis occurs more frequently in Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Great Danes.
Arthritis is characterized by the typical signs of inflammation: the joint is swollen, reddened, painful, warm, and has limited function. The dog relieves the affected limb, limps, or does not want to move.
Osteoarthritis is a gradual process. Little by little, the dog becomes less playful, has difficulty getting up, climbing stairs or jumping into the car, and becomes stiff or lame. In most cases, the dog will warm up after a while.
Based on your preliminary report, your veterinary practice will first conduct a clinical and orthopedic examination. They may also perform flexion tests on the joints. An X-ray can be used to distinguish between arthritis and osteoarthritis. In some cases, an ultrasound, CT scan (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or endoscopic examination of the joint (arthroscopy) may be necessary for a more accurate diagnosis (see relevant articles). A blood test detects the increased number of inflammatory cells associated with arthritis. Another test is a joint puncture, in which joint fluid is removed using a cannula and examined for inflammatory parameters.
If your dog has arthritis, they will be given anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication. If there is a bacterial infection, your vet will also prescribe antibiotics. You can speed up the healing process with cooling and physiotherapy. You must take care of your dog until they have fully recovered. If your dog is overweight, you should make sure they lose weight, regardless of whether they have arthritis or osteoarthritis.
The aim in osteoarthritis is to relieve your dog's pain and slow down the progression of the disease. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication are also used here. In particularly severe cases, surgery such as joint stiffening or joint replacement may be necessary. However, as a pet owner, you can make a big contribution yourself by controlling your dog's weight, optimizing their diet, and ensuring they get adequate exercise. Special foods and supplements support joint health. Regular light exercise maintains the muscles and mobility of the joints. Dog swimming is particularly gentle on the joints and strengthens them. In addition to reducing pain, additional physiotherapy achieves even more targeted improvement in mobility. There are also exercises you can do at home with your dog.
If arthritis is treated early, the chances of recovery are generally good. If the condition is already chronic or rheumatoid arthritis, the prognosis is less favorable.
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured. However, you can improve your dog's quality of life with the treatment mentioned above.
The most important thing is to avoid obesity and ensure your dog has a diet that is appropriate for its needs and age. Make sure your dog is at the right weight from puppyhood onwards. Your vet will be able to provide professional support (see article on ideal dog weight). The petsXL health passport shows you all your dog's weight data at a glance. This gives you a complete overview of your dog's weight development at all times.
Also avoid strenuous activities such as constantly climbing stairs or jumping in and out of the car. Long walks are not recommended, especially when your dog is still a puppy. Only let your dog run alongside your bike once it is fully grown.
It happens in the paddock or even in the stall: your horse injures itself and may be bleeding. What should you do? Is it just a small scratch, a bump, or even a huge, gaping wound? Do I need to call the vet, or can I treat it myself, and if so, how? How can I minimize the risk of injury in the future? Kicks, bites, falls, or foreign objects can cause cuts, puncture wounds, abrasions, bruises, contusions, or burns in horses, which may require veterinary treatment depending on their severity. The severity of an injury always depends on its location and the involvement of surrounding structures, such as muscles, tendons, or joints. As with humans, a distinction is made between covered and open injuries in horses. In covered injuries, the horse's skin is undamaged, which is why this type of injury is not always easy to detect. For example, a kick may have caused a bruise that we as owners may only notice when grooming or when the horse is lame. Damage to the skin is referred to as an open injury or wound. This results in bleeding of varying severity, but even here, smaller wounds can be overlooked due to the coat.
Periodic eye inflammation has been known for over 2000 years and is the most common eye disease in horses. It describes a recurring inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea) in horses. In veterinary medicine, the term "equine recurrent uveitis" (ERU) is now used. The disease occurs repeatedly, initially at longer intervals and later at shorter intervals, and can lead to significant visual impairment. Since the affected horses often went blind from this disease and it was suspected that it was related to the phases of the moon, it was also commonly referred to as moon blindness.
Skin diseases are one of the most common reasons for visits to the vet, alongside gastrointestinal disorders. Pyoderma refers to purulent infections of the skin caused by various bacteria. In healthy animals, the skin provides good protection against infections through various defense mechanisms. There is a balance between the normal microflora of bacteria, yeasts, and parasites on the one hand, and the formation and breakdown of skin cells and their waste products on the other. The microflora feeds on the waste products of the skin and at the same time prevents the colonization of infectious germs.
This little-known neurological disease of the spinal cord and spine mainly affects older, large dogs weighing 20 kg or more. The disease develops very slowly but is very painful for the dog and causes progressive paralysis in the hindquarters.
Borna disease, also known as contagious encephalomyelitis or head disease of ungulates, is a rare viral disease of the nervous system that mainly affects horses and sheep. However, other animals and humans are also susceptible to the Borna virus. The disease was first described in 1813, when a whole group of cavalry horses fell ill in the town of Borna.
In centuries past, looking into a horse's mouth played an important role, albeit primarily to determine the animal's age. Today, the focus is more on dental care and dental disease in horses. Dental hygiene is a very important aspect of keeping horses healthy. Regular veterinary checks of the mouth and teeth should be carried out at least once a year. The annual check-up and routine dental treatment can be carried out by any equine practice. In the event of specific dental problems or complications, it is advisable to consult a practice that specializes in equine dentistry. Typical dental problems in horses include tartar and the formation of hooks and edges on the molars due to uneven wear. These issues can be quickly resolved during routine treatment, preventing further damage. But how can we, as horse owners, tell if our horse has dental problems?
If your horse is rubbing itself more than usual, you should take a closer look, as itching can be a key symptom of many skin diseases or allergies in horses. However, some metabolic disorders can also cause itching in horses. This condition is very stressful for your animal and should therefore be examined and treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
It is a dramatic sight for us as owners when our own horse suddenly cannot bend its hind leg and can barely walk. In many cases, the kneecap dislocation resolves itself and the horse runs normally again. If the dislocation does not resolve, a veterinarian must remedy the situation by skillfully manipulating the horse and leading it backwards or sideways so that it can walk normally again. A brief digression into the anatomy of the knee joint provides a simple explanation for this phenomenon.
It is often a dramatic sight for owners and riders: from one day to the next, your horse suddenly shows severe lameness. The affected limb is increasingly rested or no longer placed properly on the ground. Occasionally, but not always, the affected hoof feels warmer than the other hooves. It is obvious that your horse is in severe pain and you suspect the worst. However, it is often just a hoof abscess. The colloquial term "hoof abscess" is misleading, as it is not an abscess or tissue growth, but a purulent inflammation in the form of an abscess. In such a case, please call a veterinarian immediately who can examine your animal, confirm any suspicions and treat it immediately.
Rotz, often referred to as skin rot or skin worm, is one of the longest known diseases affecting horses. It is a bacterial, epidemic infectious disease characterized by purulent skin and mucous membrane ulcers and a mostly chronic course. While the disease is still widespread in Asia, Africa, and South America, it has been considered eradicated in Germany since 1956, although it was detected in a horse for the first time again in 2015. Due to the danger it poses to humans, the disease is still notifiable.
You probably often see your velvet-pawed friend licking themselves thoroughly, vigorously working on one spot or another of their fur. Cats groom themselves. Nevertheless, it is useful to help them with their fur care, not least to find and remove any parasites. The coat change will also be more pleasant for your cat if loose hairs are brushed out regularly. Especially with certain breeds such as Angora or Persian cats, you should stick to a daily routine to keep your pet well-groomed and healthy.
Are outdoor cats or indoor cats healthier and happier? What are the respective advantages and disadvantages, and what suits my cat and my lifestyle best? Here you will find useful information to help you make your decision.
