There are many misconceptions about dog arthritis. One of them is that the condition is just a symptom of ageing. Although there is some truth to that, the danger of adopting such a view is it can lead to serious welfare concerns for the dog. One can say that since it is a natural disease progression there is little if not nothing you can do to prevent it from progressing. This is certainly untrue in most cases and unfortunately some dog owners are unaware of the extreme suffering their dog will experience as the arthritis reaches an acutely painful stage. For my severity grading system, grade 4 dog arthritis describes the most advanced stage of the disease.

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The hip joint is complex structure supported by muscles and tendons. The core of the join is the ball and socket system which allows the legs to move in different directions. However, any imperfections in bone and support of the hip can greatly affect mobility and can contribute to the early development of dog arthritis.

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It is common knowledge among dog owners and breeders that genetics plays an important role in the development of dog arthritis. Hence, if you are on the lookout for a purebred dog, there are certain guidelines you need to follow in order to save you and your future pet a lifetime of trouble with dog arthritis.

The tips that I will share will help you get dogs that are not susceptible to orthopedic problems and give you a feel for how to check for other breed problems. However, there are other factors to consider as well – like the dog’s general health and personality, as well as your lifestyle requirements. Also note that I am talking about pure bred dogs. Mixed breed dogs can get all or none of the problems of each breed! Here are my tips:

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Dog Arthritis and Common Joint Problems Part 2 – The Back Legs

Thanks for reading Part 2 of this article on common joint problems. Dog’s really do give their joints a workout and dog arthritis is unfortunately very common. Let’s continue our tour, joint by joint, through the common problems can lead to dog arthritis.

Please note this is just a summary, I don’t have time to detail each disease but the common ones you will find on other posts.

Hip Joint

One of the most common causes of hip joint problems in dogs is hip dysplasia, a deformity of the hip joint (coxofemoral joint) that occurs during your pet’s growth period.

In a nutshell, the ball of the femur does not fit properly into the hip socket. Some affected dogs show no signs of this condition, while others may develop an altered gait and, as dog arthritis sets in, pain.

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