Millions of
dogs all around the globe have or will develop arthritis. And even more disturbing -
1 out of every 5 dogs who have arthritis are not even diagnosed, suffering
needlessly.
If your dog is
older, you may have noticed he takes a bit longer to get up. Or she may
walk slowly at first, gaining momentum towards the end of a walk. And since
arthritis pain can come and go, there may not be a pattern to your dog's
behavior. Understandably, you may chalk your dog's "laziness" or slow
movement up to old age. Yet there is a great possibility your dog is
suffering from osteoarthritis and can be treated for pain and discomfort.
Osteoarthritis
comes from the general wear and tear of a dog's daily routine to the
joints. Obesity may put strain on the joints and cause arthritis.
Osteoarthritis can also be caused by trauma to a joint at any point in the
dog's life. If you feel your dog should be evaluated for arthritis, ask for
a Lyme Disease test as well, since both problems share the same symptoms.
Some signs that
your dog may have arthritis can include painful or swollen joints, sounds
emanating from the joint, thinned or flabby muscles near the joint,
lethargy, lack of interest in activities, slowness or an appearance of
laziness.
Treatment for
canine arthritis can vary. If your dog is overweight, you may need to begin
a weight reduction program. Exercise should be reduced if your dog is in
pain. Your dog may also be given an arthritis medication. Glucosamine may
be recommended to help your dog's joints.
To help your
arthritic dog at home, provide a ramp for the car, or lift your dog in to
the car yourself. Elevate your dog's food and water dishes to reduce strain
on the neck and joints. When walking your dog, walk on a flat surface.
Once your dog has walked for a few minutes, you may notice he or she is
moving better. Don't let this tempt you to walk longer, since this may
cause further damage and discomfort to your dog.
