When arthritis prevented Merlin from staying close to Michelle Rouse, she became worried and concerned about his well-being. The sight of the Australian shepherd-pit bull mix struggling immensely with each movement, finding it hard even to stand up, added to her distress.
Prior to developing arthritis in his elbow, Merlin was an energetic and sociable dog known for always being on the go at “150 miles per hour,” as Rouse shared with USA TODAY. However, following the onset of arthritis, he found it impossible to engage in basic activities such as taking leisurely walks or frolicking with a squeaky toy in a meadow.
“I felt helpless,” Rouse stated. “It’s as though his mind is akin to a puppy’s. He has this urge to tag along wherever I go and wishes to participate in every activity.” The duo’s challenge with Merlin's arthritis mirrors a widespread issue among pet owners nationwide, reveals recent studies highlighting this concern. up to 40% of dogs Many treatments for dogs experiencing arthritis pain typically involve potent pain relievers, and occasionally include physical therapy. A novel approach using radiation was introduced about three years ago; however, this option remains unavailable to most veterinarians. In severe cases, as reported by USA TODAY, pet owners may face an agonizing choice: subjecting their dog to a diminished quality of life or opting to euthanize the animal to alleviate its distress.
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Veterinarians mentioned that treating a dog's arthritis can be quite difficult since numerous dogs do not exhibit indications of discomfort until reaching their senior years. By the time the ailment advances to advanced stages, pet owners frequently find themselves grappling with managing intense pain.
"Osteoarthritis pain can occur even in younger dogs, and failing to acknowledge and address this pain can lead to progressively harmful consequences as they age. This is precisely why managing osteoarthritis becomes particularly challenging in senior dogs," explained Duncan Lascelles, who directs the Comparative Pain Research and Education Center at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Since humans and dogs frequently form strong bonds through physical activities such as walking or playing, arthritis seems to be undermining the essence of our unique connection, according to Rouse.
Rouse, who was assaulted by a assailant in a Sacramento parking lot, continues to experience mental health issues stemming from the incident. Merlin provided solace to Rouse. The dog’s exuberant bursts of energy and his habit of gently licking guests would invariably bring a grin to Rouse's face.
However, this ceased in 2021 when veterinarians discovered osteoarthritis in his elbow — the most frequent location for this condition in canines, as veterinary professionals indicate.
"He exhibits that cattle dog attitude, always wanting to stay close beside me," Rouse explained.
What causes such a high incidence of arthritis in dogs?
In human beings, arthritis is typically brought about by advanced age and excessive joint use According to medical professionals. However, the situation in dogs is far more intricate and not closely linked with age, stated Masataka Enomoto, a veterinary researcher at North Carolina State University.
Elbow dysplasia — characterized by imperfect opening and closing of the elbow joint — often leads to arthritis, as veterinarians explained. This issue tends to escalate over time. Large dog breeds, which have a higher likelihood of suffering from both elbow and hip dysplasia, also face an increased risk of developing arthritis, according to Enomoto, the principal author of this study. February study It was discovered that a higher number of young dogs suffer from arthritis compared to previous beliefs.
Ross Palmer, an orthopedic professor at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, noted that young dogs can develop arthritis since this condition can occur during their growth phase.
Palmer stated, "This condition can impact any breed and might start as early as under one year old, due to its association with illnesses that arise during bone growth or in young adulthood."
How to tell if your dog has osteoarthritis
Stiffness and trouble standing up are among the typical indications that a dog is dealing with osteoarthritis, which the ASPCA defines like inflammation and deterioration in the joint.
Owners of dogs suffering from arthritis, as told to USA TODAY, mentioned that these animals also display the following symptoms:
- Hopping or completely avoiding use of a particular limb upon standing up.
- Paws turning outwards
- Choosing not to follow instructions in order to steer clear of discomfort.
Palmer stated that "The symptoms frequently involve things that your pet has stopped doing altogether."
In the most extreme cases, discomfort may lead a dog to become increasingly irritable and aggressive—similarly, when humans suffer from intense headaches, they often struggle with tolerating social interactions, as Enomoto pointed out.
Pain relievers taken orally come with side effects.
Rouse found it challenging to alleviate Merlin's arthritis pain due to the dog's additional health issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Medications similar to Endocet, known as oxycodone among people, caused significant diarrhea in Merlin.
Since gastrointestinal issues are quite prevalent in canines, according to Enomoto, numerous pet owners encounter difficulties when administering oral analgesics to their pets.
Lascelles added that along with these, common side effects associated with overloading the system with prescription opioids include problems related to the liver and digestive tract.
As Lascelles pointed out, the liver efficiently extracts opioids that enter through the intestines. Consequently, achieving sufficient levels within the body is quite challenging, and even the amounts that do manage to reach the bloodstream have the potential to induce adverse reactions.
Owners resort to radiation therapy
In Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, a 9-year-old Labrador named Cinder had been taking five prescription medications every day due to severe arthritis that started at age five. Over the course of more than one year, her owner and canine agility trainer, Terry Elison, explored various treatment options to alleviate Cinder’s discomfort; however, these remedies provided only temporary relief. The medication regimen included Endocet, Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl, and a muscle relaxant.
However, that wasn’t alleviating the discomfort,” Elison stated, and Cinder avoided the rest of the family’s dogs to prevent having to move her body.
Despite being a completely healthy 7-year-old dog overall, I considered having him put down due to severe pain," explained Elison, who is 63 years old. "This situation really frightened me.
After her veterinarian recommended a fairly recent therapy that included radiation, it proved effective swiftly, according to Elison. Within a week, Cinder began heading for the toy box to fetch a plush teddy bear to play with Elison’s other canine companion, a black Labrador called Jack.
I felt my heart melt," Elison stated. "It had been over a year and a half since she last did this.
In June, Merlin joined the ranks of fewer than 10,000 canines nationwide that have undergone the treatment known as Synovetin within the last three years. The procedure was successful, according to Rouse.
It felt akin to installing new wheels on an ancient vehicle," Rouse commented. "The dog went wild with playful behaviors I hadn’t witnessed in ages.
For now, only about 100 vets Throughout the U.S., this therapy is being implemented under the label of a veterinary "device." According to Eric Schreiber, who serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Exubrion Therapeutics—the company behind Synovetin—this approach functions by eliminating cells within the joint lining responsible for causing both inflammation and degradation of the joint itself.
"Thousands of dogs have been treated very safely and very effectively using this treatment method, achieving outstanding outcomes," stated Schreiber, who also cares for an arthritic 13-year-old English Lab named Xander.
Similar to humans, additional studies on pain are necessary for dogs.
Additional studies are required to discover remedies for arthritis pain in dogs that have been suffering from the condition for many years, according to Lascelles.
Lascelles cautioned that we need to be extremely cautious regarding how our practices might inadvertently fuel the opioid epidemic.
Enomoto mentioned that some alternative treatments are currently under research and testing, and he emphasized that detecting the issue early is crucial for preventing arthritis from spreading extensively throughout a dog’s joints. Based on his observations, Enomoto stated that the initial outcomes of Synovetin therapy appear promising, and he does not have any reservations regarding its safety.
"Effectiveness has been evaluated through both subjective and objective metrics, and the findings appear extremely promising and encouraging," stated Enomotu.
One early morning, Merlin effortlessly hopped onto Rouse's desk for a video conference. The striped canine rested his forepaws on the desktop with his tongue playfully dangling from his mouth.
Then his gaze quickly shifted, focusing on something outside the frame.
He notices the cat strolling alongside the fence just outside," Rouse mentioned with a laugh. "That seems to have diverted his attention away from us.
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY: Is your dog suffering from arthritis? Many dogs do. However, finding effective treatment can be challenging.
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