Rheumatoid Arthritis in Dogs

Rheumatoid arthritis in dogs like humans is a terrible debilitating and painful joint disease and it is more common than most think. As the dog ages like humans the aging process shows up when at least 65% of dogs over the age 6 years old show some signs of rheumatoid arthritis. If you believe when the dog becomes one year old, they are actually 7 years in human life, so that would make a 6 year old in human years would be around 42 years old. Joint pain in dogs is not uncommon, and can be treated and prevented.

When this affliction happens to humans, we claim that it must be the weather causing the pain. Imagine the poor animal who is trying to climb stairs when they are affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Which is an autoimmune disease, the deterring disease is a breakdown of cartridge and the bone rubs bone causing the animal pain. This disease which causes the joint to swell and become inflamed and the animal has difficulty walking and moving. It can happen in their legs, like human, in their ankles, and hips.

When your beloved pet a part of the family dog does not want you to touch them in the afflicted area, the dog licks’ the area the animal walks with a limp just like a human when they are afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. Watch for these signs when the dog has an issue with climbing up and down stairs, and they have difficulty stand on their paws after they have been lying down. The biggest sign is the swelling of the limb that is affected causing the dog to not want to be touched.

The best thing we can do for our dogs is pay attention as to what the dog is doing. The affliction can be treated like humans it can be treated by medication an anti-inflamationtory drug. However, like humans this drug can cause stomach ulcers, liver and kidney problems, also the drug may only increase the dog arthritis condition can be harmful causing the dog to have more damage to their joints.

If your family dog shows the signs discussed in this article, take the animal to a professional. Ask the veterinarian about the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis besides giving the dog a pill, like humans you can take your dog to physical therapist and other natural treatment for your beloved pet. In today’s New Age you can find supplements to treat the dog. No one wants to see their beloved pet display pain; if you see the signs mentioned in this article take your pet to the professional right away.