Arthritis in Dogs & Tips for Relief With Dr. Ayeley Okine

Read edited excerpts from her interview and watch the video above.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the joint cartilage in which the cartilage surrounding the joint becomes damaged. This can also damage the bone underneath. If enough of the joint cartilage wears away, the bones will rub against each other. This can be a painful and chronic condition that can affect any dog of any breed at any time, although it's most commonly seen in aging dogs.

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in Dogs?

• Stiffness and soreness when they wake up
• Being slow to get up
• Groaning when they get up
• Limping
• Lameness

What Causes Arthritis in Dogs?

Veterinary professionals aren't sure what causes dogs to develop arthritis, although many believe there may be a genetic component to it, which could be why it's seen more often in certain breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers. The extra weight placed on the joints by larger breeds might also be a factor in why they tend to be more prone to arthritis.

How Can Pet Owners Prevent Dogs From Getting Arthritis?

While you probably can't prevent your pet from developing arthritis, you may decrease the likelihood or delay the onset of arthritis by keeping your dog lean and thin. The more weight putting pressure on their joints, the more likely that is to precipitate arthritis.

Would You Recommend Physical Therapy for Dogs?

Absolutely. Physical therapy includes forms of exercise that can't be done at home, but will also provide exercises that can be continued at home. This is important because you don't want to do these things just once a week and expect that everything's going to be fixed. For best results, you should continue the recommended exercises with your dog at home throughout the week.

Can I Still Walk My Dog With Arthritis?

It depends on the severity of your dog's arthritis. Ask your vet and listen to their specific recommendations for your pet. But generally speaking, if your dog can handle it, going on walks is still very helpful. Not only does it get the joint fluid moving to bring nutrients in that help keep the joint as healthy as possible, but it also focuses the dog on something else, which can help with pain relief.

What Can I Give My Dog for Pain Relief?

Dr. Okine doesn't recommend giving anything over-the-counter. Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory pain relievers can actually be severely toxic to your dog. But there are medications that can be given — some designed specifically for pets and some designed for people that are safe for pets. Veterinarians may sometimes prescribe opioid medications for pet pain relief. Talk to your vet about the best kind of medication for your dog. They'll be able to prescribe the right dosage based on your dog's weight.

Is CBD Oil Safe to Give Dogs for Arthritis?

It actually is. CBD doesn't have any of the psychoactive THC, which is what gets people high. CBD can help in a number of different processes throughout the body and it can be very helpful to get things back on track.

The issue with CBD oil is a lot of the formulations that are out there don't necessarily tell you exactly what the dosage is, or they could have hidden THC, or they might not be as pure as you think. So you really have to be careful. Research brands that are marketed for pets and make sure they're tested on pets and have specific dosing that can be used.

Are Certain Breeds More Prone to Arthritis?

Rottweilers and Labs are probably some of the more common breeds we see it in. Breeds that are prone to hip dysplasia may also be more prone to arthritis. The pets that we see arthritis in most often are those that have had some abnormality of the joints when they were younger, especially abnormal wear and tear, which sets the stage for osteoarthritis down the road.

CareCredit for Arthritis in Dogs

You can use the CareCredit credit card* to pay for physical therapy as well as holistic care, such as acupuncture, to help manage your dog's arthritis. It can also be used to pay for traditional vet visits and prescription pain medications for your pup at vet practices in the CareCredit network.

Financing Options for Arthritis in Dogs

While most vets accept traditional credit cards, the CareCredit credit card offers promotional financing that lets you pay your vet bills over time.* Once you're approved, you can use your CareCredit card over and over again to pay for vet care as well as your own healthcare needs. CareCredit can also be used in conjunction with pet insurance to pay for out-of-pocket and up-front costs prior to reimbursement from your insurance provider.

If you're interested in applying for a CareCredit credit card or would like to find a location in your area that accepts CareCredit, visit us at www.carecredit.com.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Ayeley Okine
Dr. Ayeley Okine is a board-certified veterinarian and graduate of Cornell University's College of Veterinarian Medicine. She specializes in gastrointestinal and immune-mediated blood diseases.

Jean Marie Bauhaus, Digital Writer
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist with eight years of experience. Her work has appeared on Hill's Pet, Chewy and AKC.org and more.

This is not a transcript. This is a summary of the information discussed during the interview.