Symptoms and Treatment of Canine Arthritis

Many dog owners have no idea their dogs have canine arthritis. Do you know that 1 in 5 dogs over the age of seven have this disease? Canine arthritis is more common in large dogs than small dogs. Dogs that have had prior bone injuries are also more susceptible to canine arthritis. If you think that your beloved dog might be suffering from this painful dilemma, there are several things you should know about the symptoms and treatment of canine arthritis.

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Read more about dog arthritis signs and arthritis medicine for dogs.

Is your dog in pain?

Canine arthritis is basically joint inflammation and degeneration. Canine arthritis is very painful and devastating to a dog. Dogs have difficulty in showing that they are in pain. Some of the first symptoms you should notice in dogs that have canine arthritis are changes in their activities. These can be: reduced motion, trouble getting up, slow moving, slow to lie down, walking very carefully, avoiding stairs, avoiding jumping, sleeping more often, less or playing less, less excited to see you when you come home, and weight gain. If you notice even one of these symptoms of canine arthritis, it is time to take your dog to a vet.

Could your dog have canine hip displasia?

Treatment of canine arthritis can vary from dog to dog. The first thing your vet might do is give your dog an x-ray to determine the extent of the problem. Then the vet will prescribe some sort of medication. In older dogs with canine arthritis, blood tests will have to be done to monitor any kidney or liver damage that can be side effects of canine arthritis medication. A common medication prescribed for canine arthritis is Rimadyl. Aspirin is often prescribed, but this is a much different and a lower dose than that which a human would take. Never give your dog human medications.

Glucosamine for Arthritis

There are also some over-the-counter treatments that many people use for their dogs in conjunction with prescribed canine arthritis medications. One is a supplement called glucosomine. This is in the form of a tablet or powder that can be added to the dog's food. It has been shown to help repair and maintain joint tissue. Chondroitin Sulfate is another supplement that is also used to do this. Some dog foods are also available that have these supplements in them. These are brands like Nutro (Natural Choice) and Eukanuba.

If your dog has canine arthritis, it is best to help him or her feel as comfortable as possible. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to get an early diagnosis of canine arthritis before it becomes worse. This way you can help your dog manage canine arthritis in the best way possible.

More information about dog arthritis medication

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