Dog Arthritis | Best Things You Didn’t Know About Arthritis

One in five dogs suffers from severe dog arthritis. Overweight and sedentary dogs are at a higher risk of developing dog arthritis. The conditions that make humans more susceptible to developing this condition also holds true for dogs.

 

Facts About Dog Arthritis

Arthritis in your dog can develop from trauma, genetics, aging, or joint infection. Larger dogs are more prone to developing the condition.

 

Most pets develop osteoarthritis which is a condition that breaks down the articular cartilage over the bones. One the cartilage breaks down, the bones rub against each other which causes swelling, inflammation, and pain.

 

 

You should try to keep your dog’s weight within healthy limits and encourage moderate exercise. Young dogs can damage their joints and ligaments by leaping, fetching, and running on concrete. Eventually, these habits can catch up with a dog’s joint health.

 

Dog Arthritis is not curable but it is a treatable condition. Pet owners should experiment with therapies, medicines, and lifestyle changes to find the right approach they should take for their dog and their particular condition. The goal is to find a treatment regimen that eases the dog’s pain and inflammation.

 

If your dog suffers from arthritis, give them a soft bed to sleep on, a raised feeder for taller dogs, and a car ramp when taking them for a car ride. If stairs pose a challenge for your pet, you may have to restrict their movements to one floor. If possible, give your dog a chance to swim on a regular basis. This way they can get exercise without adding to stress on the joints.

 

Veterinarians will usually recommend trying giving the arthritic dog glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, omega-3 fatty acids, and elk velvet antler (used in traditional Chinese medicine).

 

 

Therapies In Dog Arthritis

• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Laser
• Ultrasound
• Water
• Pulse Signal
• Shockwave
• Stem Cell Treatment

Some of these therapies are still experimental but most veterinarians believe some or all of these therapies will give your dog some relief from their painful condition.

 

Another option to consider for more severe cases is surgery. The wrists and ankles can be fused. The procedure is called arthrodesis. Usually, the range of motion the dog had is limited after surgery. A more extreme surgery suggestion would include joint replacement. This option is expensive and often beyond the affordability of most pet owners. Pet insurance will pick up part of the tab but the cost usually runs over $5,000 for any type of joint replacement.