Often times people will contact us and explain that their senior pet seems stiff, is limping, can’t get up on the couch anymore, is slowing down on their walks, has a hard time getting up from the floor, is sinking at their food bowl, or sliding on their floors. Can we help? Absolutely.

Some of these postural and strength changes are due to changes in muscle fiber size and type as the body ages, much like humans.

Another common cause of some of the symptoms mentioned above is arthritis. As our pets age, many may begin to develop and feel the effects of arthritis. Arthritic changes may be more pronounced in dogs that have had a prior injury, previous surgeries, an existing diagnosis (like elbow dysplasia or luxating patellas) or are overweight.

Arthritis is a chronic and progressive condition that affects a dog’s joints. Joints contain both fluid and cartilage, which act as cushions during movement and promote smooth, frictionless movement in the joint. With arthritis, the fluid decreases and the cartilage becomes thinner which impacts the joints’ ability to absorb shock. As the cartilage degrades over time, the joint can become inflamed, painful, and stiff.

Depending on which joints are affected, dogs may shift their weight to other limbs, causing overuse strains or other postural compensations. Dogs may also move less due to the pain. This creates an unhealthy pattern that leads to even more pain and stiffness.