Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How obesity affects osteoarthritis and joint pain in dogs
By Marshall, W et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2009·Small Animal Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: A review of osteoarthritis and obesity: current understanding of the relationship and benefit of obesity treatment and prevention in the dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Obesity in dogs can lead to serious health issues, including osteoarthritis (OA), which causes pain and difficulty moving. Research shows that keeping dogs at a healthy weight can help prevent OA and improve the condition in overweight dogs already suffering from it. Weight loss has been found to be an effective treatment for dogs with OA, helping them feel better and move more comfortably. Maintaining a healthy weight not only reduces the risk of developing joint problems but also supports overall health in dogs.
People also search for: dog obesity treatment · osteoarthritis in dogs · weight loss for dogs with arthritis
Abstract
Obesity is an increasingly important health problem for both man and dog. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant cause of pain and disability in both species. A link between obesity and OA has been established in man, though the exact mechanism of the relationship remains to be fully elucidated - current research supports both biomechanical and biochemical theories. There is good evidence (class I*) to support weight loss as an effective treatment for human knee OA. In the dog, the relationship is just beginning to be investigated. The results of one study in dogs (class IV evidence*) suggest that preventing the development of overweightness and obesity reduces the prevalence of hip dysplasia and OA of the hip and other joints. Three other studies (class III and IV evidence*) support weight loss as an effective treatment for OA in affected overweight and obese dogs. Further research could yield greater understanding of the pathophysiology of this relationship, perhaps identifying novel therapeutic targets. Confirmation and better understanding of the positive effect of treating and preventing obesity on symptoms and prevalence of OA is likely to be valuable in the campaign against canine obesity.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19750285/