In both human and animal medicine, any kind of joint inflammation is called "arthritis." There are different kinds of arthritis, such as rheumatoid, degenerative, and infectious, and each has a different cause. Joint inflammation can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, trauma, and some drugs, such as sulfa antibiotics.
Joint disease has pretty much the same signs that you can see. Most of the time, the most obvious sign of a joint problem is stiffness or limping in one or more limbs. This is usually made worse by cold weather and/or exercise. In order to treat canine joint disease, new medicines and surgical procedures have been developed.
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is a condition where cartilage breaks down or wears away. It can be passed down, but most older dogs get it just because they are getting old. Infectious arthritis is caused by bacteria that get into the bloodstream and make the joints inflamed. Bacteria from the gums, periodontal disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease can all damage the cartilage and joint structure.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that is common in small dog breeds. When the immune system is overactive, antibodies gather in the joints and cause inflammation. There are also fever and depression that come with these diseases. Hip dysphasia is a type of arthritis that runs in families and starts with a partial dislocation of the hip joints. When joints are put under too much stress, the cartilages that cover the ends of the bones wear down over time.
Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to lessen the effects of any type of arthritis. Your vet can give you antibiotics, drugs that weaken the immune system, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, supplements, and even cortisone if you need it. The real key is what you tell your vet about what you see.
