Arthritis in dogs is an age-old problem that affects mainly older dogs. This disease can be very painful to your pal due to excessive pain in the joints and other body areas. Hence, it is imperative for you the pet parent to take your pal to the vet as soon as you see minor changes in his gait and behavior.
Canine arthritis can occur in various parts of the body. The following are the more common places where arthritis can start kicking in.
- Arthritis in Back Legs – The most common type of arthritis in dogs is in the back or hind legs. Due to old age, the legs tend to become weak and they find it hard walk or even get up. This issue can also be due to lower back problems.
- Arthritis in Hips – Hip dysplasia is the root cause of such type of arthritis in dogs. This condition is mainly due to abnormalities in the hip socket region. It can lead to arthritis if not monitored or taken care of, properly.
- Arthritis in Knees – Knee problems can also lead to arthritis in dogs. Luxating patella, a medical condition related to the knees can more often than not lead to osteoarthritis.
- Spinal Arthritis – This type of arthritis can cause serious damage and pain to a dog’s spine or backbone. A type of spinal arthritis known as “lumbosacral spondylosis” affects a dog’s lower spine and largely affects older dogs.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs
In dogs, arthritis symptoms can be very subtle. The following are symptoms which will aid you in detecting whether or not your canine friend has arthritis or not.
- Changes in behavior
- Changes in walking style
- Depression
- Difficulty in getting up after a rest
- Licking joints
- Muscle pain
- Pain when touching their joints
- Reluctance to be active
- Stiffness
- Swellings
- Urinating indoors
Treating Arthritis in Dogs
Your dog, at some point in time, will get affected with arthritis. One of the main reasons behind this is due to age. The older your pal gets, the chances or arthritis increases manifold. Hence, preventing arthritis is close to impossible but treating it, isn’t. Treatment methods of arthritis are as follows:
- A complete change in lifestyle right from a change in diet to adding more exercise to your pal’s daily routine can reduce or even cure arthritis.
- Water therapy is another great way to treat arthritis. In fact, excessive fluid intake is known to cure almost all the diseases in the world as it assists the body to function properly.
- Surgery may be required especially if it’s a case of a torn ligament, cartilage damage or any such major issues.
- Physiotherapy can also be looked into as a treatment method to bolster mobility and decrease joint pain.
- Laser therapy, magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy, and acupuncture are other means of curing arthritis in dogs.
Since arthritis is a condition that cannot be prevented, it is important to go past that and find ways to cure it. Hence, follow any of the above-mentioned treatment methods to reduce or treat arthritis in dogs.