Treatments for Dog Arthritis

Obesity, old age, lethargy etc are the primary reasons for arthritis in dogs. It is degenerative in nature and is not very different from the ones seen in humans. As a result of arthritis dogs suffer from stiff bones, rigidity in limbs and joints and at times unbearable pain. As a dog grows old his ability to withstand wear and tear grows weak and the pain that develops as a result gets intense. However the condition varies from dog to dog. One cannot assume that the arthritis is restricted to older dogs because even the younger ones may be a victim of arthritis. The main reasons why younger dogs suffer may be due to injuries or laziness. There are a few diseases and infections also that may also lead to arthritis. If a dog suffers from a serious injury on its limbs as a pup it may develop arthritis at a later stage in life. Canine hip dysplacia is a condition that may lead due severe arthritis in dogs.

Out of all types of arthritis osteoarthritis is the most common and it is related to normal damage to the cartilage. However, there are different types of arthritis. Older dogs usually go through this condition in their senior years. Blindness-complete or partial, deafness, disobedience, gastric troubles, indigestion are common ailments in dogs at a very old age.. To ensure dogs live longer happily it is imperative to consult a veterinarian since the condition may lead to unbearable pain and limit the dog's age.

The right medicine in the right quantity is a must to alleviate the pain. Consulting a vet is a must but besides that regular exercises and physiotherapy are useful to keep the condition at bay or control it if already the dog suffers. Regular exercising leads to the release the fluids that lubricate the joints thereby assist in improving the condition. There are medicines that give instant results to check the condition temporarily however there are other medications that do not let the condition from occurring. However, prevention is always better than cure. Keep a check of the condition of your dog after it crosses an age of six. However different sized dogs behave and react to such conditions differently. Heavier dogs understandingly suffer more than the lighter counterparts.

Arthritis can be degenerative or inflammatory in nature. The various conditions that indicate arthritis are reluctance to walk or climb, whining constantly, not able to keep up pace, lethargy in getting up and abnormal walking style. Constant jumping over obstacles, ligament tear, fall from heights etc can also cause the condition to occur. Degenerative arthritis is classified into primary disease and secondary disease. Loose knee caps, OCD, HD are causes of secondary degenerative joint disease.

Degenerative arthritis may not be known till the dog has had abnormal stress and the damage can progress with no outward signs till the joint is severely damaged and the fluid for lubrication has thinned down so much that it cannot protect the and the lubricating fluid has thinned and lost its ability to protect the bone surfaces. Infection of any kind causes inflammation of multiple joints and is accompanies by fever, chills, anorexia and overall stiffness. Since infectious joints call for different treatments administering immune suppressive pills surely help.