Dog joint pain

Dog joint pain is discomfort arising from one or more joints in a dog, most often due to osteoarthritis but also injury, developmental disorders or immune-mediated disease.

Dogs rarely cry out; instead owners notice stiffness after rest, reluctance to jump onto furniture or into the car, slower walks, a bunny-hopping gait, licking at a joint, weight shifting or irritability when handled. Large breeds, older dogs, overweight dogs and those with hip or elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears or previous fractures are most affected. Cold weather and overexertion often make signs more obvious.

A veterinarian localizes the pain through an orthopedic examination, then uses radiographs or other imaging and sometimes joint fluid analysis to identify the cause. Management commonly combines weight control, controlled exercise, rehabilitation therapy and prescription pain medication. Canine osteoarthritis is one of the more studied areas of veterinary cannabidiol research, though the trials remain small and results vary.