Canine osteoarthritis (OA) affects 1 out of every 5 adult canines and is the leading cause of chronic pain in dogs1
OA is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage of diarthrodial joints breaks down, the joint capsule swells with inflammation, and tissues surrounding the joints become more painful. The deterioration of articular cartilage causes abnormal stresses on joints and causes bones forming the joint to become unstable. The result, of course, is a limitation of movement as well as tenderness, inflammation, and pain—all of which can greatly affect your patient’s quality of life.
Early stages of OA
A disruption in the normal relationship of collagen and proteoglycans within articular cartilage is one of the first events in the development of osteoarthritis. Injured chondrocytes cause degradative enzymes to be produced. These enzymes, in turn, destroy collagen and proteoglycans faster than new ones can be produced, causing irreversible cartilage damage. With this destabilization of collagen, cartilage swells and its strength is reduced.
More advanced stages of OA
As OA progresses, the cartilage surface contracts and tears, resulting in increased subchondral bone activity and thickening and increased stiffness and thickening of the joint capsule. Continued stress on already damaged tissue causes a further loss of articular cartilage. Eventually there is complete loss of cartilage with areas of bone necrosis and severe fibrosis of the joint capsule.
1. Budsburg SG, Caterson B, Marcellin-Little DJ, et al. Canine osteoarthritis: overview, therapies, and nutrition. Clinician’s Brief. 2005;April(suppl):1?12.
A disruption in the normal relationship of collagen and proteoglycans within articular cartilage is one of the first events in the development of osteoarthritis. Injured chondrocytes cause degradative enzymes to be produced. These enzymes, in turn, destroy collagen and proteoglycans faster than new ones can be produced, causing irreversible cartilage damage. With this destabilization of collagen, cartilage swells and its strength is reduced.