Canine Arthritis

It's really sad when man's best friend get sick, especially with a debilitating disease that limits their movement. Normally, people love dogs who are active , playful, and alert. However, dogs also get old too and begin to experience certain illness that may prohibit them from doing the things that they enjoyed before with their master.

Canine arthritis or osteoarthritis can also happen to dogs regardless of any breed or size. Like human beings, canine arthritis is a progressive disease that involves the joints which can lead to permanent debilitation. When a dog is young, it can run and play the whole day since cartilage is very much present in the joints. As years pass by, cartilage in the dog's joint may decrease thereby causing the dog to exhibit the following symptoms: limping, walking slowly, refusing to be touched, reluctant to play/walk or engage in physical activities and having a hard time to stand up from a resting position. If these symptoms show when the dog is already middle-aged, then most likely it is suffering from canine arthritis or a degenerative joint disease.

According to some veterinarians, the onset of canine arthritis is brought about by infections, malnutrition or trauma that the dog has experienced. A young dog that suffered from injury in the hips or legs is likely to suffer from canine arthritis as it gets older. Also certain infections can affect the dog's cartilage that can do damage to the bones. The best way to address this concern as soon as symptoms are detected is to visit the veterinarian with your dog. A physical examination of the dog is helpful in assessing the extent of the arthritis. Upon concluding that the dog has indeed canine arthritis, certain medications are prescribed. The drugs fit the purpose of reducing pain, increasing range of motion as well as delaying the progress of arthritis so the dog can still enjoy some physical activity. Normally, medications such as non-steroidal inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) need to be given to dogs. Owners are also advised to let their pets continue activities that are not physically strenuous such as walking or swimming so the dogs would still benefit from exercise.

Canine arthritis is not really difficult to manage, the key is finding the appropriate treatment through a good veterinarian.