Family dogs are treasured members of the family. They are like trusting babies, and they are usually treated with great care. Suddenly, one day, you might notice something a little different about your best friend now that he’s gotten older, though. He may not be moving quite as quickly as he used to, or maybe he’s reluctant to use one of his legs. Does he struggle to climb the stairs or get into the car? Does he flinch when you want to touch him? It may be that he’s suffering from the painful onset of canine arthritis, and he just can’t tell you.
Arthritis is much the same in dogs as it is in humans. Canine Arthritis is caused by inflammation in the joints. There are two major types of the disease: degenerative and inflammatory. Degenerative arthritis is also known as osteoarthritis. In dogs with this form of arthritis, the cartilage that cushions the joints wears out or is damaged allowing the bones to rub together painfully.
Joint Wear Causes Arthritis Symptoms
Canine arthritis is more likely to strike older dogs. It comes on as the joints experience years of stress during which the joints just plain wear out. Due to the fact that dogs live shorter lives than humans do, their arthritis symptoms will develop much earlier in their lives.
Relief for Arthritic Dogs
The second kind of arthritis a dog can suffer from is inflammatory joint disease. In this case, your dog develops severe inflammations in response to an infection in his body. You can tell he’s suffering from this type of arthritis if he whimpers or yelps when touched. It’s hard to live with knowing he is in such pain. Luckily there are medications available which will relieve his pain. You can ask your vet about prescription meds, or you can find others available at a pet store.
If your dog has put on a few pounds with age, your vet will probably want to put him on a special diet that includes lower calorie foods. The more weight he puts on, the more strain on the joints. Exercise is another good way for your dog to fight the symptoms of arthritis. You can have surgery done, too, but be prepared to pay a great deal for it.
If your dog is getting older, you need to watch him for signs that he is becoming arthritic. If you think he is, make an appointment with your vet where you’ll be able to discuss the best way to keep him as comfortable as possible.
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