At Risk

• Rheumatoid arthritis is often thought of as a human condition, and it is true that the chronic disease is fairly rare in dogs. When it does strike, it usually attacks small or toy breeds, often around the age of five or six years of age, though it has been known to strike dogs as young as eight months and as old as eight years. It is unknown what causes the dog's body to begin attacking its own proteins, but some cases of the condition may be connected to the canine distemper virus, traces of which have been found in the inflamed joints of some dogs suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  

Symptoms

• Lameness is a telltale sign of rheumatoid arthritis, but its severity can vary. Sometimes, a dog may have no more than a slight limp, while in other cases, the animal might have trouble walking. Lameness can occur suddenly, and it can shift from one leg to another. If it has progressed, the dog may suffer a loss of muscle in the affected leg. Other signs of rheumatoid arthritis are loss of appetite and fever, with kidney disease, pneumonia, tonsillitis and enlarged lymph nodes possible symptoms as well. Some dogs may show only stiffness in the affected joint or joints.
  
  

Diagnosis

• A veterinarian may suspect rheumatoid arthritis if a dog exhibits any of the above symptoms, but he also may check for the condition based on her medical history and after a thorough physical examination. The first step in confirming a diagnosis is to take X-rays, which often show a loss of bone, irregular joint surfaces or bone spurs. Analysis of synovial fluid in a joint may also show signs of the disease, such as cloudiness or thinner-than-normal consistency of the fluid. Some veterinarians may choose to biopsy the joint tissue, and blood tests can be done as well, though they are not always conclusive.
  
  

Drug Treatments

• Though there is no cure for the disease, there are several treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Drug treatments have met with varying levels of success, and one of the most common is an anti-inflammatory such as buffered aspirin. Some veterinarians prescribe steroid drugs such as prednisone, though they usually are not recommended for daily usage. Sometimes, immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide are used, but dogs who take these types of drugs must be closely monitored for possible side effects, and they can also be prone to infections.
  
  

Non-Drug Treatments

• There are other things owners can do to help their dog deal with the effects of rheumatoid arthritis. Making sure she gets plenty of rest is important, especially in the disease's early stages, as is an exercise regimen that does not overtax her. Diet is another consideration, with some researchers suggesting that fatty acid supplements can help reduce joint inflammation. In addition, dogs with rheumatoid arthritis are apt to be less active due to their joint pain, so diet and weight control is key. Carrying extra weight puts added stress on a dog's joints, further aggravating the condition.