Dog Arthritis
What is Dog Arthritis
As your dog ages, he will slow down, become less active, and sleep more often. Although this is quite natural, it could also be an indication that your pet is suffering from dog arthritis. If your dear pet appears to be in pain when he or she runs or jumps, or walks with a limp, then there is a possibility that he has arthritis. However, there is no need to worry, because medications are available for treating arthritis in dogs.
The inflammation or swelling in a dog’s joint is called dog arthritis. Though there there are a number of different types of canine arthritis that can afflict your pet, the most common types are osteoarthritis, which is also know as degenerative joint disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
What Causes Arthritis in Dogs?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of dog arthritis. It can be caused by abnormal bone or joint development, hip dysplasia, and cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Another possible cause of this type of arthritis are infections, which could be the result of bites or injuries.
Rheumatoid arthritis could be caused by injury to the pet’s immune system. It can affect single joints or multiple joints and leads to the eroding of cartilage and bone in the affected area. It can eventually grow to a complete fixation of the joint if not properly treated. In certain breeds of dog, rheumatoid arthritis can be detected with blood tests.
Dog Arthritis Treatment
The treatment for dog arthritis is dependent upon the kind of arthritis your pet is ailing from. If your pet is suffering from osteoarthritis, the most common form of treatment are analgesics. However, these types of medications must be chosen with care because of the possible side effects including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Your veterinarian can take a blood test on your dog to ensure that they can safely ingest this form of medicine. Continued blood tests will probably be required to ensure continued safe usage.
If your dog is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, high doses of corticosteroids are generally recommended by vets. This is generally a long-term regimin which usually includes other medicines such as immuno-suppressive or cytotoxic agents. Natural treatments are becoming increasingly popular in treating dog arthritis. Lame-eze has been used in clinical practice for over 20 years and has been extremely successful in most cases. In more severe or chronic cases, it may be necessary to use the homeopathic Arthritis Pain Formula, or a combination of both.
Most importantly, you must be aware that recovery of dog arthritis will not occur over night. Therefore, you need to give them proper love, care and the extra attention that they are going to need for recovery.
