By Brad Kloza for The Dog Daily

As a senior emergency clinician at New York City Veterinary Specialists, Trisha Joyce, DVM, has seen her share of doggie trauma. But she says some of the saddest cases are the least dramatic: dogs suffering from severe arthritis.

“One family brought in their Labrador that was so arthritic he couldn’t even get up to go to the bathroom,” Dr. Joyce says. “His overall health was OK, but he was just too big and too arthritic. The owners came in to euthanize, which was a really hard decision because it’s not like he had a life-threatening disease. But there was no practical way to manage it at home.”

Dog Arthritis Is Common

Scientific studies indicate that 20 percent of middle-aged dogs and 90 percent of older dogs have osteoarthritis in at least one joint. it’s hard to stop the disease once it has set in, according to James Cook, DVM, at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

“There are two problems we see in osteoarthritis,” explains Dr. Cook. “One is we don’t have a cure, and the other is that we still see progression of arthritis even after the best treatments. Both of those problems come from the fact that we diagnose it too late.”

A Research Breakthrough

Dr. Cook and his research team, however, may have found the key to early diagnosis. It’s what he calls “the Holy Grail” in the fluid that surrounds and lubricates the joints of both dogs and people. Dr. Cook sampled this fluid from dogs known to have osteoarthritis and from others without the disease. As he wrote in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, when he analyzed the proteins in the fluid, a pattern became evident.

The scientists noticed that quality and quantity of this fluid were altered in arthritic dogs. Examining the fluid even more closely, they identified seven proteins that appear to be linked to arthritis. The proteins increase and decrease in patterns that “are consistently different than [patterns] found in normal patients with no arthritis at all,” notes Dr. Cook.

The Next Steps

Dr. Cook and his team plan to follow healthy dogs over time to see if the pattern can correctly predict which dogs end up getting arthritis. If everything happens as theorized and according to schedule, he hopes that a screening test will be available for young dogs in three to four years.

Until then, here is some practical advice for dog owners worried about, or already dealing with, canine arthritis:

• Warning signs Watch for decreased activity and signs of pain. These may be overt (e.g., limping, lameness, whimpering) or subtle, like a typically pleasant dog becoming snippy. Some arthritic dogs may consistently stop doing only specific activities, such as jumping on the bed or into a car.

• Diagnosis If you think your dog has arthritis, schedule a visit with your veterinarian for a comprehensive diagnosis of the problem. Knowing which joints are affected, and how severely, can greatly help determine which treatment options to consider.

• Treatment Dr. Joyce says that while arthritis is forever and can’t be undone, certain medications can alleviate pain and symptoms. Other considerations include alternative treatments like acupuncture and hydrotherapy. Surgical procedures are an option for extreme cases. Most dogs will achieve a higher quality of life with any of these treatments.

• Activity The best way to treat and prevent arthritis is to help your dog stay in good shape. Maintain its weight in the low end of the normal range and keep your pet active just enough to sustain muscle tone and strength. Start with moderate levels of activity — a brisk walk, limited periods of playing in the park — and work your way up. Through trial and error with careful monitoring, you can find your dog’s “sweet spot” of exercise for optimal joint health.

• Diet A healthy diet is a big part of staying in shape. Dr. Cook recommends going with name brands that commit to putting science into dog food, offer well-balanced nutrition and are tailored to specific breed sizes. He says that while supplements cannot prevent the disease, they can help alleviate pain. “Pet foods with glucosamine and chondroitin or fish oil can help manage the disease because they reduce inflammation and degradation,” he adds.

A Cure on the Horizon

Is the ultimate solution — a cure for arthritis — within reach? Dr. Cook says he hopes his research is starting to point in the direction of a cure. If his pattern of biomarkers can truly predict arthritis, scientists will be closer to determining the root causes of the disease.

“Now we know earlier steps in the process,” he says. “If we can address those steps, we could potentially have a cure. We are getting to the foundation steps, or the critical cogs in the wheel, of what becomes arthritis.”

Brad Kloza is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine and Discover.

Did you know that dental care can extend your dog’s life?   

Caring for our dog’s teeth should be a no-brainer. After all, we brush and floss our own teeth on a regular basis, visit a dentist whenever possible and spend considerable dollars in repairs when something goes wrong – so why aren’t we this diligent with our dogs?

“Pets with regular dental care live an average of 2 years longer when compared with pets that don’t,” explains Dr. Jen Emerson-Mathis DVM, CVJ. “Just as with people, there is a link between other diseases such as heart disease in pets with poor dental health.”

In fact, dental disease can potentially impact your dog’s major organs – heart, kidney, liver, lungs and even bladder.

One of the biggest problems associated with poor dental health is infection. Dr. Bert Gaddis, DVM, Dipl. AVDC explains, “Plaque is a biofilm and is soft and mostly bacteria. It forms just under the gumline (sub-gingival). It calcifies to form calculus (tartar) and initially the body reacts to this as inflamed gums, but the supportive bone under the gums starts to resorb, loss of bone leads to gum recession-this is periodontal disease.”

The reason this infection creates such health risks is that being at the gumline means that it can very easily enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body causing problems.

While dental disease can start even in their youth, it is often the case that dental problems come to the forefront when our dogs reach their senior years. This in part is due to years of build up, but it is also because older dogs have diminished immune systems and may be less capable of fighting off the effects of this bacteria.

What are the signs of oral and dental disease in dogs?

Bad Breath - The most obvious sign that your dog’s teeth need attention is odor. Since our pets are not supposed to have bad breath, this is often an indication that bacteria is accumulating in the mouth.

Tartar -When plaque hardens it becomes tartar. While plaque can be brushed away, tartar cannot and may require dental cleaning to remove. Red gum lines or discolouration of the teeth can also indicate problems. “In dogs, 28% of the time (and 42% of the time in cats)  the mouth looks normal, but problems are found on x-rays! X-rays show that two thirds of the tooth is under the gumline and cannot be seen.  What this really means is that every pet should have a veterinary oral evaluation and dental cleaning every year — before problems are seen. Almost 3 of every 10 dogs of all ages with healthy looking teeth have painful problems under the gumline,” states Dr. Emerson-Mathis.

Behavioural changes – Additional signs that dental disease may be present can be seen in changes in the way your dog eats; do they favour one side, are they actually chewing or just gulping down their food? Are they drooling or dropping food? Or are they showing a lessened appetite? All could be signs of a painful mouth.

Another sign that dental care may be required is a reduced amount of energy. Most times owners assume that since their dog is older, there is a natural slow down, but many times this lack of energy is caused by dental disease and the flow of bacteria throughout the body wearing them down.

Dr. Peter Mundschenk, DVM describes, “Many of the patients I have treated were “just slowing down” as reported by their owners.  We do have to remember that dogs and especially cats are very good at trying to hide issues until it overwhelms the body and we see severe clinical signs.  Yet when we look back and discuss with the owner, there were subtle signs that were just overlooked or dismissed as something else.”

Does my dog feel pain from dental disease?

The short answer is YES. One only has to think of how we feel when our teeth are affected to understand what our dogs must be going through. The difference is dogs are much better at hiding it. As the dental problems slowly escalate they manage to cope with the incremental pain and go on. Most times we won’t even know there is a problem until it becomes severe. It is our job as pet owners to understand and watch out for the signs so our dogs do not have to grin and bear it.

What steps can I take to improve the dental health of my senior dog?

While regular brushing and other at-home care is recommended to help reduce the risk of dental disease, once present , the primary treatment method is dental surgery. When a dog is older, the challenge of treating dental disease escalates and many fear the risks associated with anesthesia. However, with proper testing such as blood work, x-rays and even ultrasound you may be surprised to find that your dog can in fact safely undergo the surgery. Depending on the results from the tests your vet may recommend that a board certified veterinary anesthesiologist and board-certified dentist handle the procedure.

Dr. Mundschenk describes, “we have to remember that the bacteria and infection in the bone is doing more damage to the organs than anesthesia would do to the animal.  I have done my own dog with liver disease at the age of 14 years old, which was after removing a diseased gall bladder at age 12.  I firmly believe that whether it is an animal or human, age is not a disease.  We have the technology to give a quality of life to the elderly and we should not let them suffer.”

On a personal note, I myself have recently gone through this tough decision. My pug Mackenzie is 15 years old and had severe periodontal disease which was believed to be the cause of a chronic infection he had been fighting for years. Dental surgery was recommended when he was 12, but I was too afraid. Eventually, based on a much stronger recommendation from a group of vets I decided to pursue, but only after thorough testing. When the test results came back positive we went ahead and had the procedure done by a dental surgeon with an anesthesiologist present.  He came through with flying colours. He had 11 teeth extracted and they discovered that the infection was in his jaw bone. I learned that ‘pockets’ can form between the teeth and gums and once infected the only way to reach this is through extraction. For Mackenzie this meant that the antibiotics could now finally reach the source of the infection – something not possible prior to this procedure.

If our dogs would allow us to take x-rays of their mouths, and perform the necessary dental work like we as humans are able to do, then anesthesia would not be required, but unfortunately this is not the case. “Dental radiographs are often necessary to evaluate periodontal health in pets. We also polish the teeth after cleaning to smooth out the microscopic scratches from cleaning. None of these can be done safely without at least light anesthesia. Anesthesia-free dentistry makes the teeth look cosmetically better, but cannot address the sub-gingival area,” explains Dr. Gaddis.

Outside of surgery, owners can also benefit from some non-invasive methods of care.

Brushing Teeth– The value of brushing your dog’s teeth cannot be underestimated.  Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC describes, “Just committing to brushing 1-2 minutes once a week may dramatically help decrease the amount of plaque and tartar from building up.” While finger brushes can be purchased from most pet stores, Dr. Lee also says you can use a pair of pantyhose or 4X4 gauze wrapped around your finger to gently scrub all the vertical surfaces of your dog’s teeth.

Dental Chews – Some off-the-shelf dental chews have proven to be effective at reducing plaque and tartar build-up. Greenies® which has received the VOHC Seal of Acceptance, can be given on a daily basis and are particularly useful for dogs that make brushing nearly impossible.

Water Additives - VOHC accepted Healthy Mouth™ is a water additive that has been clinically proven to reduce plaque in dogs. Dr. Lee however cautions, “Chemical plaque control is pretty ineffectual in the long-term. Also if the altered taste decreases their water intake, your dog can become dehydrated which then brings on a whole lot of problems.”  If your dog continues to drink without issue, this option may be a worthwhile addition to your home care procedure.

While brushing, chews and additives are helpful in keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, they are only part of the solution.  It is still recommended to get your dog in for a complete physical and lab work on a regular basis.

“If there is any evidence of periodontal disease on oral exam, the exam really needs to be completed with anesthesia so radiographs can be obtained to assess the degree and spread of disease under the gumline in order to treat and eliminate the infection.  This will decrease the damage to internal organs like the liver, kidney and heart and give the pet a longer quality life without pain. Then to help decrease the recurrence of disease, home care with these products is essential,” states Dr. Mundschenk.

But perhaps the biggest reason to treat dental disease is the impact it makes on the lives of our four-legged family members. After dental surgery most dogs recover within a few days, and most owners report that their dogs have a burst of energy they have not seen in quite some time. Some even report “puppy-like” behaviour. The relief from the pain and the removal of all that bacteria can certainly do wonders.

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.

In human medicine, a grading system is used to assess the severity of arthritis in human patients. In my veterinary practice, I have formulated a similar system for dog arthritis. I use four grades: one refers to the early onset of the disease and four describes the most advanced stages and signs.

I find this grading system quite helpful because my clients can have a better understanding of their dog’s condition. In addition, I use it as guide when I recommend treatments. The following will be a brief description of the four grades along with their corresponding treatment options:

Grade 1 Dog Arthritis: This stage describes the beginning of dog arthritis. The damage to the cartilage is very small. X-rays and endoscopy will only reveal the softening of the cartilage tissue. Your dog will experience pain but it will be mild and will have little trouble concealing it.

Treatment: Weight loss, Physical therapy, Dietary supplements such as SAM-e, Low molecular weight chondroitin, and Glucosamine HCL), and preventive surgery (for dogs having and orthopedic condition).

Grade 2 Dog Arthritis: X-rays and endoscopy will reveal the beginnings of cracks in the cartilage and the growth of bone spurs. Your dog will be experiencing some intermittent mild lameness. Your dog will be experiencing some pain especially when the arthritic joint is touched. The joints will be slightly inflamed.

Treatment: Grade 1 dog arthritis treatments, Tramadol, and dietary supplements (Fish oil omega-3 and more)

Grade 3 Dog Arthritis: This grade refers to moderate to severe dog arthritis. X-rays and endoscopy will reveal bone spurs, thick fissures in the cartilage, and scar tissue around the joints. Your dog will be experiencing chronic pain and inflammation. The lameness will be more frequent and more pronounced.

Treatment: Grade 1 and 2 dog arthritis treatments, Neuropathic pain medicines (NMDA antagonists), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and more dietary supplements (anti-oxidants can help, as well as others).

Grade 4 Dog Arthritis: This grade refers to advanced dog arthritis. Your dog will most likely be near paralyzed because of intense chronic pain and inflammation of the joints. X-rays and endoscopy will show large bone spurs, extensive cartilage loss, “bone to bone” contact, and dense scar tissue around the affected joints.

Treatment: Grade 1, 2, and 3 dog arthritis as well as heavy duty treatments such as stem cell therapy or cortisone injections.

There is a LOT more that can be done but you need to be careful of the side effects and that you do not get confused by the amazing variety of supplements available. If you are interested in finding out more you should start by downloading my ebook “The Risks of Prescription Medicines in Dog Arthritis” which you can pick up for free from: http://www.dogarthritisplan.com

Wishing your dog the very best of health!

Dr. Christoper Durin is a veterinarian and creator of Dog Arthritis Blog, the authority site for dog arthritis.

Guest Post by Lisa Spector, Through a Dog’s Ear, Co-Founder and Pianist on Music Series

As I approach the big 50, I notice that I don’t have the same tolerance for loud environments that I did 20 or even 10 years ago. You rarely find me in Costo, clubs, or even loud restaurants anymore. Partly due to the crowds, but mostly due to the loud sound environment. I go into sensory overload and shut down quickly, meaning I can’t focus, feel stressed, my body tenses, and I’m quickly looking for the exit sign to a quieter environment where I can breathe peacefully. Similarly, if I’ve had a very stressful day, I want to come home and either have complete silence (except for the sounds of the wildlife in my remote home setting), or turn on music with simple sounds, such as the music from Through a Dog’s Ear.

Currently, I have two dogs, both Labrador Retrievers. Sanchez is nearly eight years old and Gina is approaching 2 years. When I observe them, I notice that Sanchez doesn’t have the same tolerance for noise that he used to when he was younger. Growing up as a puppy in training for Guide Dogs for the Blind, he was socialized a great deal in public places and exposed to a wider variety of sound environments than most pet dogs. During my year as his volunteer puppy raiser, I brought him to six San Francisco Opera performances, and seven San Francisco Symphony concerts. He snoozed through most of it, except for a few startling sounds coming from the opera stage. When he was five years old, he acted the part of Helen Keller’s dog in the play “The Miracle Worker.” Although most people were impressed with his well-mannered talents on stage, what I found more remarkable was his calm, focused, confident demeanor back stage during the food fights and throwing of dishes on stage. Due to his breeding and early training, this just didn’t phase him. A few years later, I’m not sure I would say the same.

At 22 months, Gina is a bundle of happy energy and I’ve never seen her go into sensory overload, although there are many dogs her age that could and certainly do. I still reward her when she stays calm and focused on me during loud man made sounds, i.e. ambulance sirens, motorcycles, etc.; I can expose her to more stimulating sound environments without worrying about stressing her nervous system.

When Ann-Marie asked me to write a guest blog for DogQuality.com, I reflected on first conceiving the idea for creating music to help improve the quality of dogs lives (and their humans). It was during the final weeks of Byron’s life. A Golden Retriever who took his last breath a few months before his 14th birthday in 2003, he was my soul dog. Byron brought me into the dog world and I would have done anything for more time with him. Although Through a Dog’s Ear wasn’t yet created, it really was his passing that opened up the space for its birth.

Two years of clinical testing took place before we released our first CD, Music to Calm your Canine Companion Vol. 1. We’ve added an additional four CD’s to our music series since then, and dog lovers world-wide have played Through a Dog’s Ear music for their senior dogs. It has helped calmed dogs pre- and post-surgery, as well as aided in their healing process during recovery from an illness. Even dogs that have lost some of their hearing later in life, lie down and breathe easier when the music is playing.

Through a Dog’s Ear music is psychoacoustically designed to support you and your dog’s compromised immune or nervous system function. When the immune or nervous system is heavily taxed, as it so often is in senior dogs, a natural reaction is to self-limit the amount of auditory or visual stimulation coming into the system. That is why senior dogs will often shut down in over stimulating sound environments. The “nutrients” of sound are needed the most when life energy is at a low ebb or when neuro-developmental (including sensory) issues are present. To facilitate maximum sound intake while conserving energy output, we have created the method of “simple sound”.

Click here to listen to sound samples.

Have you noticed a change in how your dogs react to sound as they mature? Thanks for clicking comment below and sharing your story.

Lisa Spector

Through a Dog’s Ear, Co-Founder and Pianist on Music Series

I am offering my blog readers a free download from our latest release, Music to Calm your Canine Companion, Vol. 3. Simply click here and enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy.

About Us:

Lisa Spector is a concert pianist, Juilliard graduate, canine music expert, and Facebook coach. By combining her passion for music with her love of dogs, she co-created Through a Dog’s Ear, the first music clinically demonstrated to relieve anxiety issues in dogs. She shares her home and her heart with her two adorable “career change” Labrador Retrievers from Guide Dogs for the Blind, Sanchez and Gina. Follow Lisa’s blog here.