Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Arthritis in Dogs

Dog arthritis is always associated to a degenerative condition that affects the joints and ligaments. Those that occur in dogs are sometimes due to inherited orthopedic disease such as hip dysplasia or osteochondrosis and other joint injury. Other cases of arthritis are associated to immune-mediated disease in the joints or otherwise known as joint infection. When you find out that your pet has this kind of disease, take him to the nearest dog arthritis care clinic near your area and talk to the vet regarding the symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis or the degenerative joint disease, affects one of five dogs in their entire lifetime. However, this problem is not always confined to older dogs. Younger dogs could also experience this type of diseases, especially those that are of large breeds. They could likewise experience ruptured cruciate ligaments, hip dysplasia, joint trauma, patella luxation, and other joint conditions among dogs. The large dog breeds are affected degenerative joint disease more often than the smaller breeds. Those dogs that are heavy in weight could likewise experience symptoms because of the extra strain they placed on their joints and ligaments.

The dogs that have arthritis experience stiffness, lameness and joint pain, which are more prevalent in the morning after they woke up. Most of these dogs often manifest behavioral changes such as irritability that is often associated with disability. The type of surrounding where the dog lives such as the damp or cold surrounding could also contribute to the increasing pain and stiffness condition in dogs. This type of health condition is progressive and will likewise affect the entire life of the dog.

The diagnosis of these kinds of diseases is always be done through X-rays to determine spurs at the joints where the joint and ligament capsule is attached to the bone. It is also needed to bring the ill dog to the nearest dog arthritis care clinic or veterinarian to assess the condition of your pet.

Treatment

The degenerative joint arthritis is incurable. However, it can be treated to substantially improve the life of the dog. The treatment may include physical therapy, weight control, analgesics and other drugs to relieve pain and to improve their functionality.

Acupuncture is a known therapy that could threat arthritic dogs and help them improve their lifestyle. The acupuncture and physical therapy plus exercise are the most convenient and easiest way in treating dog arthritis.

Physical Therapy

Regular but moderate exercise is very beneficial to treat arthritis. It maintains the muscle mass and improves joint flexibility. However, excessive or rough exercise is counterproductive. It may even worsen the condition of the dog. The dogs with arthritis are not allowed to jump and should never be encouraged to stand using only their hind legs. Dogs under this condition should be exercised with their harness or leash. The veterinary physical therapists may be helpful in designing the right exercise for the dog.

Swimming is also recommend and would play as excellent exercise in arthritic dogs. It improves the mass of the muscle without stressing the joints. The exercise could be improved gradually as the dogs show gradual improvement with medications.

Gaining more weight in arthritic dogs is discouraged. This will only complicate the situation and interfere the on-going treatments. For best results regarding proper exercise and physical therapy, see your vet for further advice or visit ivet.co.uk.