Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How common is arthritis in older dogs' shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee
By Roitner, Moritz et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2024·Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence of osteoarthritis in the shoulder, elbow, hip and stifle joints of dogs older than 8 years.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that nearly 40% of dogs over 8 years old showed signs of osteoarthritis (OA) in their shoulders, elbows, hips, and stifles (knees) when examined for joint pain. The researchers reviewed X-rays of these dogs and noted that while OA was common, many joints were still healthy. Interestingly, heavier dogs had a higher prevalence of OA, but age and sex didn't seem to play a role. This suggests that if your older dog is limping or showing signs of discomfort, it's important to consult your vet, as not all joint issues are normal for aging pets.
People also search for: dog limping older dog arthritis · signs of osteoarthritis in dogs · treatment for dog joint pain
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases in veterinary medicine. There are various causes for joints developing OA, with some of them being well investigated, while others are still a matter of speculation. In this retrospective study we examined the prevalence of OA in the shoulder, elbow, hip and stifle joints in a clinic population of dogs older than 8 years, which were presented mostly due to orthopaedic complaints. Dogs were included in the study if one or more of the aforementioned joints was included in the radiographs. Radiographs were reviewed by three different observers and graded by severity. Prevalence of OA was 39.2%, 57.4%, 35.9% and 36.4% for the shoulder, elbow, hip and stifle, respectively. There was no correlation between higher grades of OA and weight as well as age, but significantly higher prevalence of OA in heavier groups when grouped for weight. Sex and castration status did not affect presence of OA. As most of the examined joints were free of OA, radiographic findings suggestive of OA should not be considered normal in senescent dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38761958/