| Arthritis is a disease of the joints. It can be caused | | | | Treatment of arthritis in dogs |
| by too much stress on the joints over a period of | | | | Treatment of dog arthritis includes medication with |
| time, or it can be caused by an underlying medical | | | | painkillers in some cases. There are several |
| condition. Like humans, dogs can get arthritis. Unlike | | | | medications on the market that can relieve the |
| humans, they cannot voice their pain aloud. This is | | | | painful inflammation that comes with arthritis. Any |
| why it is important for any dog owner to know the | | | | medication given to the dog should be done so on |
| symptoms of arthritis in dogs and how to treat it. It | | | | the advice of a qualified vet. |
| is equally important to understand the different | | | | Other treatment options include surgery in some |
| causes of arthritis and how it can be prevented. | | | | cases. Making sure that the dog receives proper rest |
| Causes of dog arthritis | | | | and is kept warm is also advised. A veterinarian is the |
| Arthritis can be either a degenerative condition or an | | | | best person to advise treatment for the dog in a |
| inflammatory condition. Older dogs are more prone to | | | | case where arthritis has been diagnosed. |
| degenerative arthritis because of the wear and tear | | | | In the case of an infection that is causing an |
| on the joints. The joints hold the skeleton together | | | | inflammatory arthritis, the underlying condition must |
| and can be described to be like hinges. Cartilage | | | | be treated. Again, the vet will be able to prescribe |
| protects the joints. The destruction of this cartilage is | | | | treatment as well as pain killers to treat both the |
| what causes arthritis in dog. | | | | infection as well as the painful symptoms of the |
| In some cases, the cause is unknown, although it is | | | | disease. |
| often due to excessive stress on the joints over a | | | | Prevention of dog arthritis |
| period of time. In other cases, arthritis just flares up. | | | | In the case of degenerative arthritis in dogs, owners |
| A disease like Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain | | | | can protect their dogs by making sure that they do |
| Spotted Fever can cause this condition in dogs. | | | | not become overweight. Added weight puts strain on |
| Symptoms of dog arthritis | | | | the cartilage and can cause arthritis. A healthy diet is |
| Because dogs cannot relay their feelings, a dog | | | | necessary for the health of any dog and can help |
| owner needs to watch for them. Symptoms of | | | | keep the dog at his proper weight. |
| arthritis in dogs include the following: | | | | Adequate rest is also necessary. Dogs should not be |
| Limping | | | | overworked without being allowed to rest. Many |
| Unable to run | | | | dogs will work themselves to exhaustion because |
| Unwillingness to play | | | | they want to please their owners. Dog owners |
| Difficulty getting up | | | | should make sure that their hunting companions are |
| Yelping or barking when touched | | | | properly rested and kept warm after a day of |
| Resisting touch | | | | hunting so that they can help to prevent this disease. |
| Difficulty climbing stairs | | | | In addition, making sure that dogs do not fall prey to |
| Slow walking | | | | diseases that can cause arthritis is a key factor in |
| These symptoms should be checked out by a vet to | | | | prevention. Dogs should be protected against Lyme |
| diagnose arthritis. Because arthritis in dogs can be the | | | | Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other |
| result of an infection, dog owners should not just put | | | | tick or mosquito bite infections that can result in this |
| this condition down to age. | | | | painful inflammation of the joints. |