How Arthritis Affects Dogs

Dogs, like people, suffer from many joint problems and infirmities related to age. It's estimated that one in five adult dogs in the United States suffers from arthritis. It's said to be one of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs seen by veterinarians.

Arthritis is a general term for abnormal changes in a joint. It can occur in many joints in the body and can happen from joint tissue destruction following infection, stress, trauma, from conformation, or from other reasons for degeneration. Usually the cartilage and tissue surround a joint wear away and the bony layers beneath begin to rub against each other, causing pain. It usually occurs in the later years, but it can happen at surprisingly young ages. Many different animals can suffer from arthritis.

There are a number of signs that your dog could be suffering from arthritis. Your dog symptoms could be changes in attitude or behavior, decreased activity or less interest in play, being less alert, weight gain, reluctant to jump, run or to climb stairs, stiff or sore joints, difficulty sitting or standing, sleeping more or favoring a limb or limping.

These signs, of course, may also be indicative of other problems, but they can indicate that your dog has arthritis. If you see these signs in your dog for more than a few days then you should see your veterinarian for an evaluation. He or she will give your dog a physical exam and possibly x-ray the affected area. Once you have a diagnosis you and your vet can devise a treatment plan. There are a number of possible therapies:

1. Make sure that your dog has a healthy diet and exercise. Excess weight can exacerbate the problem if your dog has arthritis, hence why it's important for them to not be overweight. To help him improve his joint mobility, gradually increase your dog's exercise.

2. If appropriate, to treat your dog's arthritis you and your vet will work together to find a drug treatment. Not all arthritis is bad enough to require drug treatment.

3. Some dogs will take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). For the treatment of arthritis in dogs, these are the most common pharmaceutical treatments. You will need to discuss with you vet certain risks that they have.

4. Your dog may benefit from over-the-counter medication, such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate or Omega fatty acids. These have been shown to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis in some dogs.

5. One of the most effective approaches is to treat a dog using both drug treatment and over-the-counter medication.

If your dog is diagnosed with arthritis you shouldn't despair. Many dogs in the United States have some degree of arthritis and they continue to lead happy lives. In fact, with a good diet and exercise and appropriate treatment, there is no reason why they can't live out their normal lifespan totally pain-free.