Study shows Rottweilers most prone to osteoarthritis

The Royal Veterinary College’s latest study finds that rottweilers are the breed most likely to suffer from osteoarthritis.
By using Vet compass, the study was the largest ever to be conducted under veterinary care covering 455,557 dogs. The dogs were likely to receive their first diagnosis by the time they reached 10 ½ years of age, and 75% of those cases were likely to stay on medication as a form of pain relief.
The results show that:
as well as rottweilers, old English sheep dogs and Dogue de Bordeaux are also very prone to the condition.
2.5% of dogs involved in the study (200,000 dogs in the UK) have osteoarthritis.
dogs that were above average weight for their breed were 2.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition.
male dogs were 1.2 time more like to have the condition than females.
Dr Dan O’Neill, RVC Senior Lecturer and co-author said: “Breed predisposition to disease is now recognised as one of the biggest problems facing dogs. Studies of huge populations, such as this one, are giving us vital insights into breed-related health problems in dogs that would have been impossible before Vet Compass. This study has enabled us to positively support changes in dog welfare.”
The research found is hoped to help improve diagnosis times and enable dogs to be treated faster in the future.