Prevention in dogs: preventing joint problems early

In detail

What has been shown to protect the joints?

First and foremost, weight. In a long-term study of 48 Labrador Retrievers, one dog from each sibling pair was fed 25 per cent less. The leaner dogs lived a median of 1.8 years longer, and osteoarthritis developed later (Kealy et al., 2002). In a UK analysis of more than 455,000 dogs, osteoarthritis was diagnosed considerably more often in dogs with above-average body weight (Anderson et al., 2018). In the same Labrador study, osteoarthritis of the hip joints was less common and less severe in the leaner dogs (Smith et al., 2006). In overweight dogs with hip osteoarthritis, lameness improved markedly after they lost 11 to 18 per cent of their body weight (Impellizeri et al., 2000).

How much exercise is healthy for a dog?

Regular exercise is important for developing and maintaining a healthy musculoskeletal system. It supports muscle development, coordination and physical resilience. What matters is not only how much a dog moves, but also how that exercise is structured. In puppies and young dogs, exercise should be adapted to age, stage of development and individual capacity. Free exploration, play and movement on different surfaces provide a wide range of stimuli. Blanket bans on exercise make as little sense as excessive, forced exertion. Repetitive or very intense activities in particular should be adapted to the dog’s stage of development. In adult dogs, regular walks, varied exercise and well-developed muscles contribute to long-term joint health. In older dogs, exercise remains important, but its amount and intensity should be adapted to any problems and to the dog’s individual capacity.

Why early detection matters from puppyhood

During growth, bones, joints, muscles and movement patterns change continuously. In orthopaedic developmental disorders such as hip or elbow dysplasia in particular, both genetic and environmental factors play a role (Ginja et al., 2010). Not every change shows up straight away as obvious lameness. Dogs can adapt their movement and partly compensate for functional limitations. When lame, they shift the load to the other limbs (Abdelhadi et al., 2013). It therefore makes sense not to judge musculoskeletal development solely on visible problems. Regular clinical examinations and, where indicated, additional imaging are important parts of orthopaedic preventive care. Objective movement analyses can provide additional information about how the gait develops during growth.

LupoGait Puppy: following motor development objectively

Detect early. Understand development. Provide targeted support.

LupoGait Puppy was developed to follow the motor development of puppies and young dogs using objective gait analyses. During a measurement, wireless motion sensors record various characteristics of the gait, such as temporal gait parameters, movement asymmetries and joint movements. The focus is not on a single examination, but above all on development across several measurements, because a puppy’s gait changes continuously during growth. Repeated measurements make it possible to document these changes and compare them with earlier results from the same dog. This can reveal functional abnormalities that warrant a further veterinary examination. In a study with repeated measurements during growth, dogs later diagnosed with hip dysplasia showed greater variability in certain movement parameters (Blättler et al., 2024). LupoGait Puppy does not replace an orthopaedic examination or diagnostic imaging. It provides additional information on the functional development of the musculoskeletal system.

How does a LupoGait Puppy examination work?

1. Fit the sensors: the puppy is fitted with a lightweight sensor holder containing wireless motion sensors. The examination requires no anaesthesia and involves no radiation.
2. Record movement: the puppy moves along a suitable track. The sensors record movement data from which various gait parameters are calculated.
3. Analyse the movement data: the software analyses the movement and presents the results clearly.
4. Compare development: at further examinations, the measured values can be compared, showing how the gait changes during growth.

A single measurement is initially a snapshot. The added value comes from repeated measurements, which allow individual motor development to be tracked.

When is a preventive gait analysis useful?

An objective movement analysis can provide additional information at different stages of life.

• Puppies and young dogs: to document motor development during growth.
• Sporting and working dogs: to detect incorrect loading early and adapt training to individual performance.
• Adult dogs: to assess the gait and document changes over longer periods.
• Senior dogs: to monitor age-related changes in movement and initiate further examinations if abnormalities appear.
• After injuries or surgery: for objective monitoring during rehabilitation.

A gait analysis does not replace the clinical examination. Whether and when a measurement makes sense should be decided individually.

From what age can motor development be examined?

With LupoGait Puppy, movement analyses are possible from as early as eight weeks of age, provided the puppy is sufficiently cooperative and the sensor holder fits. The right time for an examination depends on the individual stage of development and the veterinary question. Particularly valuable is the possibility of recording the gait repeatedly during different growth phases, so that early baseline values can be documented and later changes compared with them. If an orthopaedic developmental disorder is suspected, gait analysis should always be combined with an appropriate clinical examination.

What role does breeding play?

Hip and elbow dysplasia are influenced by genetic and other factors. Many breed clubs therefore rely on health screening of breeding dogs. When buying a puppy, ask about the parents’ screening results.