When arthritis prevented Merlin from staying close to Michelle Rouse, she felt anxious and worried about her dog’s well-being. It was painful for her to watch the Australian shepherd-pit bull mix struggle to stand up.

Before developing elbow arthritis, Merlin was a playful dog who “loved life to the fullest,” Rouse shared with YSL News. However, his condition made simple activities like taking walks or playing with his favorite squeaky ball nearly impossible for him.

“I felt hopeless,” Rouse described. “His mind is like a puppy’s. He’s eager to be with me and join in on everything.” The challenges shared between Rouse and Merlin regarding his arthritis reflect a common struggle for dog owners throughout the U.S., as recent studies show nearly 40% of dogs may suffer from this issue. Most arthritis treatments for dogs involve strong pain relief medications and occasionally physical therapy. A recent radiation treatment has been introduced, but access remains limited for many veterinarians. Sadly, in extreme cases, some owners face the heartbreaking choice between enduring their dog’s poor quality of life or opting for euthanasia, as explained by vets to YSL News.

Veterinarians note that diagnosing and treating arthritis in dogs can be difficult, as many dogs show few signs of pain until they reach an older age. When arthritis becomes severe, owners often find themselves grappling with how to relieve their dog’s intense pain.

“Osteoarthritis pain can develop in young dogs, and if not recognized and treated early, its effects can worsen significantly over time. This progression makes it particularly challenging to manage osteoarthritis in senior dogs,” remarked Duncan Lascelles, head of the Comparative Pain Research and Education Center at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Since physical activities, like walks and playtime, create strong bonds between humans and dogs, Rouse emphasized that arthritis can severely impact the foundation of their close relationship.

Rouse, who survived an assault in a Sacramento parking lot, continues to face mental health issues stemming from that incident. Merlin had always provided her with comfort, and his playful ‘zoomies’ and affection for visitors would consistently brighten her mood.

However, that changed in 2021 when vets diagnosed him with elbow osteoarthritis—the most common area affected by this condition in dogs.

“He has that instinct that cattle dogs do; he wants to stick by my side,” Rouse said.

What contributes to high arthritis rates in dogs?

In humans, arthritis is mainly linked to age and joint overuse, but in dogs, the situation is more complex and less related to aging, according to Masataka Enomoto, a veterinary researcher at North Carolina State University.

Conditions like elbow dysplasia, where the elbow joint doesn’t function properly, can lead to arthritis. Larger dog breeds that are predisposed to elbow and hip dysplasia may have higher arthritis risks, shared Enomoto, who led a recent study indicating that more young dogs are developing arthritis than previously believed.

Young canines can develop arthritis during their growth periods, as explained by Ross Palmer, an orthopedic professor at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Arthritis can affect any breed and may even begin before a dog is one year old, often linked to conditions that arise during skeletal growth or young adulthood,” Palmer stated.

How to recognize if your dog has osteoarthritis

Common indicators that a dog may be suffering from osteoarthritis include stiffness and trouble standing up, with the ASPCA defining the condition as joint inflammation and degeneration.

Owners of dogs with arthritis shared with YSL News that their pets often show:

• Limping or refraining from using a particular leg when rising
• Paws that turn outward
• Ignoring commands to avoid discomfort

“Often, the signs reflect more of what the dog has stopped doing,” Palmer added.

In severe cases, pain can make dogs irritable or aggressive, much like how a person with a severe headache might struggle to engage socially, Enomoto explained.

Oral Pain Medications Can Have Side Effects

Rouse found it challenging to manage Merlin’s arthritis pain due to the dog’s other health issues, including irritable bowel syndrome. Medications like Endocet — known as oxycodone in humans — resulted in severe diarrhea for Merlin.

Enomoto noted that stomach issues are quite common in dogs, which leads many pet owners to experience complications after giving oral pain medications to their pets.

Lascelles mentioned that there are typical side effects associated with administering prescription opioids, such as liver and gastrointestinal problems.

“The liver plays a crucial role in processing opioids absorbed by the digestive system,” Lascelles explained. “This makes it difficult to achieve effective medication levels, and the levels that do enter the bloodstream can cause side effects.”

Pet Owners Exploring Radiation Treatments

Cinder, a 9-year-old Labrador from Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, had been taking five oral medications daily for severe arthritis that developed when she was five. Her owner, Terry Elison, a dog agility trainer, tried various medical options for over a year to alleviate Cinder’s pain, but none provided lasting relief, she reported. Cinder was prescribed Endocet, Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl, and a muscle relaxant.

“Despite everything, the pain persisted,” Elison shared, noting that Cinder began isolating herself from the family’s other dogs to avoid moving.

“I thought I might have to make the heartbreaking choice to euthanize a perfectly healthy 7-year-old dog because of her pain,” said Elison, 63. “It was terrifying.”

However, when Cinder’s veterinarian recommended a newer radiation treatment, it quickly proved effective. After just a week, Cinder was excitedly playing with her favorite stuffed teddy bear again alongside Elison’s other dog, Jack, a black Labrador.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Elison remarked. “She hadn’t played like that for a year and a half.”

In June, Merlin received that same radiation treatment, known as Synovetin, becoming one of fewer than 10,000 dogs treated in the U.S. within the last three years. Rouse stated that the treatment was effective.

“It was like putting brand-new tires on an old car,” Rouse expressed. “He was exhibiting playful behaviors I hadn’t seen in a long time.”

Currently, around 100 veterinarians in the United States offer this treatment, which is classified as a veterinary “device,” according to Eric Schreiber, chief commercial officer of Exubrion Therapeutics, the manufacturer of Synovetin. He explained that the treatment effectively reduces inflammation and joint degradation by targeting specific cells within the joint lining.

“We’ve successfully treated thousands of dogs with this approach, yielding excellent outcomes,” Schreiber stated, mentioning his own 13-year-old English Labrador, Xander, who also suffers from arthritis.

Like Humans, More Research on Pain Management Is Necessary for Dogs

According to Lascelles, further research is essential to find better treatments for dogs suffering from long-term arthritis pain.

“We need to be cautious about our practices potentially adding to the opioid epidemic,” Lascelles warned.

Enomoto mentioned that some alternative treatments are being studied and that early detection is crucial to stop arthritis from progressing in dogs. He also expressed confidence in the safety and effectiveness of Synovetin, citing promising early results.

“The efficacy has been assessed using both subjective and objective measures, and feedback has been very promising,” Enomoto noted.

Recently, Merlin jumped onto Rouse’s desk to join a video call with ease, placing his front paws on her desk while panting happily.

But then, he was distracted by something outside.

“He spotted the cat strolling along the fence,” Rouse chuckled. “And that’s it; you’ve lost his attention!”