Dog Arthritis Prevention
Deteriorating Bones is the most popular health problem in elderly dogs. It comes in many forms, but the most frequent cause is the simple wear and tear of a pet’s joints through the years, much the same as humans. The problems leading to arthritis starts early in a pet’s life. However, because joints are strong and can be repaired, especially in the younger years, there will probably be little notice of pain or limping in your pet when they are younger.
As dogs age, they begin to suffer from some of the same illnesses that humans do. Arthritis, especially spinal arthritis, is one of 
those illnesses. As a matter of fact, due to a dog’s horizontal backbone, the pressure on the vertebral-bones makes dogs sensitive to spinal arthritis, more so than their owners.
Once arthritis has been identified in your pet, regardless of the cause, the treatment options remain the same. Nonetheless, there are means for postponing or avoiding arthritis when purchasing your dog. Certain breeds have a higher occurrence of arthritis than others. Larger breeds and breeds that have unusual growth of a body part like an organ or bone, develop arthritic pain sooner. It can run in lines or families of dogs as well. If the puppy’s parents did not develop the disease until an old age, it is possible your pooch will not develop until later as well.
What is Spinal Arthritis?
The bones of the vertebral column weaken as dogs become older. The linked bone spurs and swelling of the nerves and nearby tissues is spinal arthritis, or spinal osteoarthritis. It is a gradual, deforming disease that causes severe dog pain, and can shorten a dog’s life as well.
Dogs are more hesitant to reveal pain, either to make their owner’s happy, or to hide weakness, which is a survival instinct from the wild. Due to their reluctance, and because joint pain comes on gradually and inconspicuously, identifying the disease is frequently problematical. It is vital for dog owners to stay attentive to their older dogs to guarantee that they are not suffering the aches of spinal arthritis unnoticed.
Spinal Arthritis Symptoms in Dogs
The beginning of spinal arthritis is sluggish and menacing. You will probably not notice any abrupt modifications in your dog’s behavior, which is why it is important to frequently monitor your pet as they age.
These are the signs to look out for to identify the possibility of the disease:
- Change in posture
- Slow movement
- Hesitant to jump on furniture or climb stairs
- Reluctance to play games like Frisbee, or to play at all
- Rigidity upon standing
- Loss of appetite
- Moodiness
- Weakness or limping in limbs
- Whining or sensitivity to touch
- Paralysis
If you start noticing any of these types of changes, it is time to take your pet to a veterinarian. Your pet’s veterinarian will give simple tests and probably X-rays of the spine. Afterwards, they will give you a definite diagnosis and recommend treatment.
Canine Spinal Arthritis Treatment
Treatment for spinal arthritis for canines usually consists of several types of methods: therapy with chondroitin and glucosamine to slow down the progression of the arthritis; non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, to manage pain and swelling; and lifestyle modification such as consistent low-impact exercise, weight control, and chiropractic massage therapy to continue to lessen the discomfort of arthritis.
It is also crucial to change your dog’s surrounding to maximize their consolation. Things like a soft bed and floor coverings such as rugs and carpets will help to assuage the soreness that can come from hard and cold floors. In addition, changing your dog’s living space so that they can shun stairs as much as possible would be helpful as well. Overall, be sure to acquire the assistance of your pet’s veterinarian, her counsel will be invaluable in helping your dog to be pain free and as relaxed as possible.
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