Arthritis in Dogs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Arthritis in dogs is a lifelong inflammatory disease that affects the joint health of dogs. It mainly happens because of damaged and less smooth cartilage between the joints. This cause the surface of the bone to rub together and stiffen the dog's joints, swell, and gets very painful. The worst part is that it restricts a dog's mobility and makes it very uncomfortable for them to get up and walk around.

Arthritis in dogs weakens the cartilage, and lubricating properties are lost in the synovial fluid. This leads to the less smooth movement of the bones, and eventually, they face problems in mobility. However, the problem is more common in adult dogs; young dogs can also suffer if they encounter any injury like wear and tear of the cruciate ligament or if they have weak muscles or loss of muscles.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Experts have stated on numerous occasions that dogs never show their pain the way we, as humans, expect them to. They will eat normally, go for walks, and seem fine. But the signs are more subtle and behavioural. It is thus imperative to note any and every change, even if it doesn't seem to have any connection with sore legs. Some potential signs of arthritis in dogs are

•    Sluggish behaviour and lack of will to get up or walk around. The body seems stiff during the morning, and they don't even feel comfortable lying down.
•    Limping before and after every walk or exercise.
•    Showing some signs of pain while walking, standing, or sitting up or down.
•    Licking or chewing the painful areas.
•    Difficulty in walking long distances and moving slower than ever.

All these changes in behaviour can be very easy to dismiss as you may confuse it with normal ageing or miss it altogether. Also, because the veterinarian cannot see how the dog behaves, the observations made at home play an important role in getting the right diagnosis. Don't let your furry friend continue suffering from the pain; seek medical attention.

Diagnosis

So far, no specific medical examination can ensure that the dog has arthritis. Diagnosis is made based on a series of details discussions and some physical tests. In some cases, a couple of x-rays and blood samples are referred to check the underlying conditions of the joint problems. X-rays can report whether arthritis has advanced, but one cannot detect the causes in the early stages. Arthritis is a progressive disease – so the earlier you catch it, the better it is for your dog.

Treatment

There are different treatments available for treating your dog with arthritis that you can follow. One common misconception that must be negated is that dogs with arthritis shouldn't be walked much. Yes, taking them out for extensive runs is not advisable, but you can certainly go for shorter walks twice a day. This will help them stay active and not exert extensive pressure on their joints.

Use Memory Foam Taylor & Tails Beds

Memory foam or orthopaedic dog beds from Taylor & Tails are worth their weight in gold. Our memory foam dog beds are designed with the collaboration of veterinarians and offer the best support for dogs with arthritis.

The memory foam flakes help regulate temperature, encourage spinal alignment, improve blood circulation and reduce joint pain. Additionally, high-density memory foam offers supportive cushioning without adding height to the bed. Memory foam moulds the body's shape and weight, support the spine, reduce joint pressure and tension, and brings relief from aches and pains.

Medication and Supplements

Approved medications and supplements are available to treat arthritis in dogs and joint pain. Consult all the options with your vet to ensure that you are moving correctly. Some anti-inflammatory aids like carprofen help alleviate the pain in joints. Supplements can also be used to manage pain and concentrate the source of nutrients. Some of them are

•    Omega-3 supplements
•    Cartrophen
•    Glucosamine & chondroitin supplements

Maintain Dogs' Weight

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in slowing disease progression. Excess weight exerts more pressure on dogs' painful joints and promotes inflammation. Your veterinarian helps you develop a plan that helps you to find the target weight of the dog, food to give, how much to give, and when to offer them.

Arthritis in dogs can be very painful if proper care is not taken at the right time. Get in touch with the experts to know what better you can do for your dog.