Joint Pain in Dogs

Many dogs, regardless of their breed, will develop some form of joint pain. Some may also develop dog arthritis as they advance in years, just as people do when they get older. There are some common signs of joint pain your can look for in your dog:

1) Hesitating or having trouble climbing stairs
2) Joints that are swollen
3) Limping
4) Having problems getting up

There are many 10 classifications of causes of joint pain in dogs:

1) Fractures that involve the joint
2) Dietary and hormonal disease
3) Muscle, tendon or ligament diseases
4) Degenerative joint disease
5) Developmental disorders
6) Metabolic disorders
7) Cancer
8) Degenerative spinal joint disease
9) Congenital disorders
10) Inflammatory joint disease

The two most common causes for joint pain in dogs is hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is genetic and can affect even young dogs. It is an inherited disorder that results in abnormal formation of the hip socket. It is more common in medium to large pure bred dogs, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or Rottweilers, but there are some small breeds such as the spaniels and pugs that are prone to this disorder. If the symptoms are mild, there are medications that can help. If it is a severe case, surgery is an option to consider.

Dog Arthritis

Dog Arthritis, or referred to as Canine Arthritis, causes the loss of the smooth cartilage that covers and protects the ends of the bones in a movable joint. When the cartilage wears away with age, the bone is exposed and rubs against the other bones, which causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

Tips to Help Your Dog's Joint Pain

Keep your dog at a healthy weight. This may be the most important thing that you as an owner can do for your pet. Up to half of pets in the US are overweight, and this extra weight just aggravates a joint condition your dog may have. Just by getting rid of a few pounds can decrease the pain.

Your pet needs exercise, just as you do. It will provide a good range of motion and muscle building, in addition to helping them lose weight. It is important to exercise every day to get their bodies built up. If they go for several days without exercising, this can cause even more soreness in their joints when they are active again.

Make sure your dog has a comfortable dog bed that will support him. There are many orthopedic dog beds on the market now. This can help your dog get a good night's sleep.

Make changes to their diet that includes nutrients. There are vitamin and mineral supplements you can purchase for your dog. You can also get him special treats that are filled with vitamins.

Before making any changes, make an appointment with your veterinarian to get your dog properly diagnosed. He will be able to offer additional suggestions that will help control your dog's pain.