The problem: Arthritis

My old lab is hobbling about now. What should do about her?

- TOM RYAN

Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, is one of the most common debilitating diseases of older animals. Many of you will have experienced the distress of seeing an old labrador struggling painfully to get to its feet, or the frustration of watching a geriatric elbow thicken and stiffen over time. However, affected patients are only presented for treatment when the condition is fairly advanced and lameness is obvious, especially with stoic working dogs. Most animals, particularly dogs, tend to hide discomfort until it is quite severe, making it difficult to identify the condition in its infancy. This is unfortunate because early treatment can alleviate or delay the natural progression of arthritis.

The joint

An understanding of the disease is crucial to prompt diagnosis. The normal joint is a flexible connection between two bones. The bones don’t grind together, though, because their ends are covered by a dense elastic tissue called cartilage, which protects the brittle, underlying bone.

Between the two areas of cartilage is a cavity that’s filled with a thick, viscous material called synovial fluid that acts a bit like oil in a ball bearing. The fluid cushions the joint, absorbing pressure and providing nutrients to the cartilage.