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Dog Arthritis Is a Problem in Most Older Canines

2016/5/4 10:17:49

Just like with humans, dog arthritis is a problem for most older pets. It is rare that an animal does not have at least some of the symptoms caused by dog arthritis. When pet owners see their older canines having trouble negotiating steps and stairs or when they are limping on a regular basis, they should take their animals to a veterinarian for a complete diagnosis as to whether or not canine arthritis is in fact present.

The osteoarthritis which affects dogs is exactly the same form of arthritis that human suffer from in their later years of life. The disease causes a degeneration of the bodies joint tissues. Specifically, the cartilage with in joints that is used to cushion and to protect the bones from each other during movement wears thin and allows the bones to touch. Because there are thousands of nerve endings in these bones, pain is experienced during the rubbing process. As cartilage wears thinner over time the disease simply progresses and more pain and debilitation occurs.

There is no cure for canine arthritis. However, there are things that dog owners can do to mitigate the effects of the disease and make your older pets more comfortable as they age. The first thing of course is to get a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian that dog arthritis is present. The vet will then suggest a course of treatment which will enable the animal to offset the negative effects caused by the disease. Although some veterinarians suggest prescription medications to treat the disease which alleviate much of the pain, many vets nowadays are suggesting to begin with an all-natural supplementation product called glucosamine.

Although the prescription medicines are highly effective are easing the pain caused by canine arthritis, many of them also involve exposing the animal to the potential of severe and sometimes even deadly side effects. Many pet owners are not risking this with their animals and trying to find a more suitable and natural solution for helping. The glucosamine products available today are highly effective for helping the animal rebuild and regenerate those tissues within the joints that are actually causing the problems. Since the glucosamine does in no way stop the pain associated with canine osteoarthritis, there is a significant delay between the onset of giving the supplement and seeing any benefits. It can take anywhere from several weeks to several months before the benefits of glucosamine for treating arthritis are observed.

Since there is no cure for the disease and it continues to progress over time, once the supplementation process begins it should be carried on for the rest of the animal's life. Although many dogs experienced significant positive responses to the glucosamine, it should be noted by pet owners that the disease will in fact progress and become more severe no matter what they do as the dog gets older.

Visit our website online for more detailed facts and information about using glucosamine to treat dog arthritis.