Arthritis is a chronic, debilitating disease that directly affects the joints of dogs. This happens when the cartilage between the joints becomes less smooth and damaged, which causes the bone surface to rub together, and the dog’s joints to become stiffened, swollen, and eventually, painful.
These symptoms can make it difficult for your dog to move around. While arthritis is more common in senior and young dogs, it can also be present in older and younger dogs.
Even though your dog may appear fine, it should still be able to eat and enjoy going for walks.
These are signs of arthritis in dogs.
It’s crucial to keep track of any changes.
-After and before walking
Pay attention to your dog because it could have multiple joints affected. You may not notice a limp if your dog has only one affected leg.
-Fatigue and inability to get up or move around.
You may notice that your dog seems tired or uncomfortable lying down.
-Painful areas may be licked or bit.
Your dog may show signs of pain when it is standing, walking, or sitting up, down, and even when it is standing, walking, or sitting up, down, etc.
-Behavior changes
Your dog may be more aggressive when you touch him or cuddle him.
-Slowing down.
You may notice that your dog seems to be getting tired very quickly.
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, then it’s likely that your pet has Arthritis. Take your pet to the nearest veterinarian immediately to get an expert diagnosis.
What can I do to help my dog get arthritis?
There are many factors that can cause arthritis in dogs, including their diet, exercise, breed, injury, age, and quality of their food. These external factors are just a few of many:
Joint injuries.
If a joint is injured by an infection, such as a cut or torn ligament, the inside of the joint can be damaged. This can lead to inflammations that can lead to arthritis.
Overweight.
Being overweight can put extra strain on your dog’s joints. This can lead to increased wear and tear over time.
The golden years.
Even though a dog is healthy and fit, it can still get arthritis. However, we should treat it to prevent it getting worse.
What is the diagnosis of arthritis in dogs?
There is no way to diagnose arthritis in dogs. Your veterinarian can diagnose arthritis in dogs by performing a thorough examination.
Sometimes, the veterinarian may request x-rays to rule out other possible causes of joint problems.
How to treat arthritis in pets?
There are many ways to help your dog with arthritis:
1-walking as much
The most common misconception regarding caring for arthritis dogs is that they shouldn’t be walking as much. Dogs with joint pain should take shorter walks, sometimes twice daily to help keep their joints healthy.
2-Make sure your dog has a balanced diet and is doing the right exercises
A balanced, healthy diet is the best way to avoid straining your dog’s joints, especially for pets who are overweight. No matter if your dog has arthritis, a good diet is the most important thing. Walking and exercising are important for your dog’s health and well-being.
3-Exercise is the only way to build strong muscles.
Exercise is the best way to strengthen your dog’s muscles. This can lead to weak joints and eventually arthritis. Research has shown that 30 minutes of exercise twice daily is sufficient to protect your joints. Your veterinarian should be consulted if your dog has suffered an injury or is unable to perform the required amount of exercise.
4-Feed your pet a qualified arthritis diet
You should feed your dog a special diet. Your pet needs the right nutrients and minerals. Sweet potatoes are a good choice. They provide phytonutrients, which improve immunity and prevent disease. Also, antioxidants protect cells from damage.
5-Some supplements and medications
For dogs with painful joints, there are many medications and supplements that can be used. To make sure your dog is receiving the right treatment, we recommend that you discuss these options with your vet.
There are many types of anti-inflammatories, but they all work in the same way. You should give them to your pet for at least three months, at the maximum dose. You should not give your pet any human anti-inflammatory medication, even in an emergency. They can be dangerous to dogs. Only use the ones prescribed by your vet.
-Omega-3 supplements
-Supplements of chondroitin and glucosamine
-Cartrophen
Response to treatment
Remember that not all dogs will respond to the same treatment. You may find that your dog does not respond to the first treatment but is responding well to the second or third. Don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t show improvement immediately. It may take longer for some treatments to show results.
There are many treatments that work in different ways to stop inflammation. Your veterinarian may recommend multiple treatments to help your dog.
Sometimes, a dog may not be able to receive a particular treatment. Below is a list of possible treatments. It will give you information about their effectiveness and what they look like. Discuss with your veterinarian which treatments are best for your dog.
How to prevent arthritis from dogs
You can’t prevent age arthritis in dogs with DJD. However, it is possible to stop young dogs from running upstairs and jumping on the couch while they are still growing. To reduce pressure on the hip and knee joints, young dogs can be walked on shorter distances and on roads with a low incline.
What will happen in the long-term?
Arthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is a progressive disease that will only get worse over time. The majority of treatments target not only pain relief but also slowing down the progression of arthritis.
The best treatment for your dog’s arthritis may change as the course changes. Regular check-ups are recommended by your veterinarian, which should be done at least every six months. This allows us to monitor your dog’s health and tailor treatment according to his progress.
Some medications may require additional monitoring. For example, blood tests to assess the health of the kidneys and liver. These issues will be discussed with you by your veterinary surgeon when deciding which treatment to use.
