Page 4 - Arthritis in Dogs - Comprehensive by Dr Erik Johnson

Your dog is having trouble getting around for more than one reason, and in fact, probably five or
more reasons. Some of which we can “help” and some of which we can not.

Here are the causes of “arthritis” and mobility issues in dogs.
1. Nerve impingement (pinching) loss of sensation (Upper motor neuron)
2. Nerve impingement (pinching) and loss of strength (Lower motor neuron)
3. Nerve impingement (pinching) and pain
4. Mechanical impediment to range of motion. They literally CAN’T use their joints well
because they’re crusted with “osteophytes” (bone spurs).
5. Inflammatory pain
6. Muscle spasms from impinged nerves, which causes pain and has a siginificant impact
on range of motion
7. Simple loss of agility with age.
8. Simple loss of strength with age.

Is That All?

Something else impacting ambulation and dog that is entirely unrelated to arthritis:
Foot fur and overly long nails. This causes traction issues with older dogs. And if a dog is very
heavy on these brushy feet, they can go down as if they’re having legit mobility issues, but are
just unsure of foot for lack of traction.

Long foot hair and overgrown nails negatively impacts mobility in dogs already having trouble
with the first 8 issues above.

How is arthritis a synthesis of actually three syndromes?

While we can’t improve strength and agility in older dogs in any practical way, there are
medicines that ameliorate issues with 1-3 above, and 5 and 6 in the same list.

1. Bone on bone causes the most severe pain.
2. Muscle spasm from nerve impingement is an often overlooked cause of pain and loss of
mobility but for anyone who has HAD a muscle spasm, they know it’s murder.
3. Inflammation (like any headache or ingrown toenail) is painful.

Does glucosamine help?

Well yes and no. Not all glucosamine is even digestible or absorbable. When they make it out of
crappy ingredients, like horse hoof, or pig skin, or chicken beaks, glucosamine is of limited value
entirely. Can you sense my sarcasm at an industry with practically no regulation?
Actual glucosamine in a digestible / absorbable formulation is just a building block of cartilage
formation and ligament repair. It doesn’t CAUSE those things. So, if it’s a 17 year old dog on his
last-legs and has given up on healing and tissue regeneration long ago, Glucosamine isn’t going
to help.
If the pet’s young-ish and has had an injury or surgery impacting cartilage or ligaments,
providing building blocks of these structures is of demonstrable benefit.