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Treating Your Dog’s Arthritis
Arthritis is a problem faced all too often by humans as they age, and the research that has been done into this topic over the years has placed today’s doctors far ahead of their predecessors in treating this uncomfortable condition and allowing their patients to maintain maximum mobility for as long as possible. What many people do not realize, however, is that arthritis is not a problem unique to the human world. Many dogs face this problem as they age as well, and many owners are not prepared to help their pets face the new challenges this condition presents.
Arthritis is caused by inflammation in the joints, generally resulting from injury or extreme stress. This inflammation causes the dog to experience pain with movement and, if not treated, can lead to a host of other health problems due to a severely decreased activity level (obesity, heart problems, etc.). There are two types of arthritis. Degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis, is caused by the destruction of the cartilage of a joint. As was mentioned before this can be caused by extreme stress or by normal stress on a malformed joint, as in the case of hip dysplasia. Inflammatory joint disease generally results from an infection or some other immune mediated disease. If you feel that your dog may be suffering from arthritis you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. It will be up to them to diagnose the underlying cause of your dog’s arthritis and to prescribe a course of treatment.
Arthritis is very common in dogs due to the stress they place on their back legs jumping to extreme heights. This is especially true of small dogs, who have to exert a great amount of effort to jump onto furniture. One of the most important things that you can do for your pet when they are suffering from arthritis is to ensure that they do not place any unnecessary strain on their legs, particularly at times when the inflammation is at its worst. Lift them to and from any high places they need to go. If your pet has always slept with you but now is having trouble getting on and off the bed it would be wise to build them a bed on the floor near you so that they can be close without having to strain themselves.
You will also need to monitor your pet’s weight very closely, as obesity will result in making movement more difficult. A carefully controlled exercise program will be a fantastic tool in managing your dog’s arthritis. Remember that when an animal has arthritis too much exercise can be a harmful as too little and take your cues from your pet. If they appear to be struggling stop the activity and allow them to rest.
A vet will probably prescribe some type of anti-inflammatory and analgesic to assist your pet when they are having difficulty with their arthritis. They may also prescribe a medication known as glucosamine to help prevent further degeneration of the joint. With the assistance of a veterinarian and all of the loving care that you can give them your dog can learn to live a full life with canine arthritis.
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