Common Disease Name:
Arthritis; degenerative joint disease (DJD); progressive deterioration of the joint cartilage
Medical Term for Disease:
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) Osteoarthritis, Primary DJD, Secondary DJD
Species Affected by Disease:
Dogs and cats
Age Animal Usually Affected:
Young to adult
Commonly Affected Breeds:
All breeds, 
especially
large working dogs, athletic dogs and obese dogs as more stress is put on their
joints and they are more prone to injury and degenerative joint disease. Dogs
with Cushing's disease or diabetes mellitus are also more prone to DJD
Sex Usually Affected:
Either
Disease Symptoms:
Joint pain, made evident by limping, unwillingness to bend a leg certain ways, whining, when certain movements are attempted, and lameness that becomes more frequent and severe with time. Lameness that worsens with exercise, laying down for long periods, and cold weather. Some dogs have a stiff gait, rather than lameness. Dogs may have a history of previous joint trauma, cartilage disease or joint developmental disorders bones.
Method(s) of Diagnosis:
Veterinarian visits when joins your family and yearly check ups unless other wise directed.
Disease Causes:
Primary DJD is thought to be due to long term exercise combined with aging and is not from a known predisposing cause. Secondary DJD is much more common and results from predisposing causes such as joint instability, trauma, or cartilage defects, or joint malformation. Many young dogs develop DJD due to hereditary or developmental disorders such as Osteochondrosis (OCD), elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia.
Treatment:
Low-impact exercise such as swimming, massage, passive range-of-motion therapy, prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammations, which inhibit inflammation at the cell level. Use aspirin sparingly. Acetaminophen is toxic to cats, used at proper dose can be helpful in dogs. Ibuprofen may cause stomach ulcers. In addition, glucosamine chondroitin, MSM, green mussel and fatty acids help the cartilage repair itself.
Prognosis:
Arthritis is a progressive disease. Although the symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, can be controlled, they cannot be reversed.
Complications:
Worsening of the disease.
Prevention:
Weight loss, if the dog is
overweight. Regular exercise. Purchasing 
purebred dogs from parents
certified free of elbow and hip dysplasia- this is not a guarantee, but improves
the chances.
Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - (Deramaxx, Zubrin, Rimydyl, Etogesic, etc.), Chondroprotective agents (Adequan®), Corticosteroids; Nutricueticals and Joint diets
Helpful Products:
Joint supplements, weight loss diets, joint diets, elevated food and water bowels, stairs, slings, comfortable bedding, sweaters and boots in cold weather, life vests for swimming and toys to encourage exercise.
