Arthritis in Dogs: Help Your Pet Cope with It

By July 17, 2022 Dog Diseases, Dog Health, Dog Nutrition, Joint Support, Multivitamins & Minerals, Supplements for Dogs 0 Comments

Help Your Pet Cope with It

Arthritis in dogs is a painful, degenerative joint illness observed in elderly canines. Pet owners may detect the disease early. If your senior dog has begun to slow down on walks and has trouble walking up and down the stairs, he or she may have arthritis.

This condition may cause discomfort in the legs, hips, back, and other areas, making daily activities difficult.

However, as a dog owner, you may look for signs of osteoarthritis in dogs. If your dog is diagnosed, you can work with your veterinarian to determine the best treatment choices. You’ll ensure that your elderly dog has the most incredible, pain-free life possible.

Learn how to recognize the indications of arthritis in dogs and work with your veterinarian to treat it.

Table of Contents

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What Is Arthritis in Dogs?

Arthritis in dogs is a chronic, inflammatory condition that impairs the animal’s joint health. It occurs when the cartilage between the joints gets less smooth and damaged, causing the bone surface to rub together. Your dog’s joints stiffen, swell and become uncomfortable.

These symptoms might limit a dog’s movement since it becomes difficult for them to get up and walk about. Arthritis is more frequent in older dogs, although it may afflict young dogs if they are wounded, have weak muscles or lose muscle mass.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Although your pet may seem to be in good health, eating regularly and enjoying going for walks, there are various indicators of canine arthritis to be aware of. It’s essential to keep track of any changes, even if they don’t seem to be related to hurting legs.

  • Limping before and after walks: if just one leg is afflicted, your dog may limp. However, the problem may be catastrophic if more than one joint is compromised.
  • Tiredness and a reluctance to stand or walk about: your dog may seem stiff in the morning or unable to get comfortable while resting.
  • Licking or biting on sore spots.
  • Pain symptoms when standing, walking, or sitting up or down.
  • Changes in behavior: if your dog is too snuggled or caressed, his or her demeanor may alter, and he or she may seem grouchy.
  • Slowing down: your dog may seem to have “grown old rapidly” and become weary.

If you observe your dog exhibiting any of the above symptoms, take him or her to the local veterinarian, who will be able to offer a professional diagnosis and treatment.

How Can My Dog Develop Arthritis?

A dog may develop arthritis for various causes, including extrinsic variables such as food quality, amount of activity, breed, injury and age.

  • Joint injuries. Damage may develop when a joint is wounded, such as by a torn ligament or an infected lesion. This causes a vicious spiral of inflammation, which may lead to arthritis in a previously healthy joint.
  • Overweight dogs. If your dog has been overweight, their joints must deal with the additional load, which may cause more significant wear and strain on the joints over time.
  • Getting older. Because arthritis may be induced by wear and tear, elderly dogs who have always been slender, fit, and healthy may get arthritis. While this may be considered a natural component of aging, it does not imply that we should not address it to prevent it from worsening with time.

Dog Breeds Prone to Arthritis

Certain breeds are also more prone to arthritis due to predisposed bone disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Working dogs such as Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Springer Spaniels and Rottweilers are among these breeds.

Elbow dysplasia and any “wonkiness” in the legs are prevalent in short-nosed breeds such as Shih Tzus and British Bulldogs. If the joint is not correctly developed, the dog’s weight might put pressure on the incorrect locations of the common, causing harm.

How Is Arthritis in Dogs Diagnosed?

No precise test can determine whether or not your dog has arthritis. A careful conversation and physical exam by your vet, who can tell if your dog’s joints hurt or are stiff, are often used to diagnose.

The veterinarian may request further testing in certain situations, such as a blood sample or X-rays (generally performed under sedation or anesthesia). That is essential to rule out other disorders that might be causing joint difficulties.

X-rays can reveal if arthritis has progressed, although the early stages do not appear on an X-ray. Nonetheless, even if it cannot be seen, it should still be treated to help avoid long-term damage.

If your dog has another problem, it must be treated (if feasible) with the arthritic change in the joint for the best prognosis.

Is Dog Arthritis Curable?

Unfortunately, no treatment exists for this widespread ailment, which is progressive and may deteriorate with time, reducing your pet’s quality of life. However, various therapy alternatives and natural approaches are available to manage your dog’s arthritis at home.

How to Treat Your Pet with Arthritis?

There are various arthritis treatments and procedures that you may use on your pet to control the illness. A widespread myth regarding caring for an arthritis-affected dogs is that they should be walked less often; however, this is not true.

While it may not be appropriate for your dog to run extensively, dogs with joint discomfort may be taken on shorter walks, sometimes twice a day. That is crucial to help them keep active without putting too much strain on their joints.

  • Provide a nutritious, well-balanced diet. This is critical for avoiding joint strain, especially if they carry a little additional weight. When dogs cannot exercise, persuading them to lose weight may be difficult. As a result, exercise is critical in keeping your pet active and preventing pet obesity by fostering good weight management, healthy joints, and your pet’s overall well-being.
  • Exercise is also essential for maintaining muscular strength. If a dog does not get adequate activity, the muscles weaken and give less support to the joint. The joint then needs to perform more effort in supporting the dog’s weight, causing increased strain and injury to the weak joint. Clinical studies have indicated that completing at least 30 minutes of lead exercise twice daily is essential for joint protection. Suppose your dog has been injured or cannot undertake this level of activity at the time. In that case, your veterinary surgeon will be able to discuss a reasonable strategy to gradually and safely increase the amount of exercise your pet can do.
  • Feed an arthritic diet to your dog. It’s also a good idea to offer your pet specialized dog food for arthritis. That ensures they get the right minerals and nutrients for their bones, such as sweet potato, which provides phytonutrients and antioxidants (which help to defend cells from damage).

Medication and Supplements

There are many medications and supplements available for dogs that have sore joints. We always suggest discussing these choices with your veterinarian first to ensure you give your pet the proper medicine.

Effective pain management treatments, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, may alleviate your dog’s joint pain.

Numerous anti-inflammatories are available, and they all function in the same way. You should give them to your dog at the maximum dosage for at least three months.

Even in an emergency, do not use human anti-inflammatory medicines on your pet since some are toxic to dogs. Always utilize those that have been recommended by your veterinarian.

Omega-3 Supplements

Fish oils, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may help decrease inflammation and control the immune system. In contrast, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can help form cartilage and lubricate joints. They function well with anti-inflammatory medications since they have various mechanisms for producing the same effect.

Fish oil is the most well-known source of omega-3 fatty acids, but the quantity required by a dog with arthritis is significantly more than that required by humans.

Consult your vet to ensure you are administering the correct dosage. Because this oil might contribute a lot of calories, it’s crucial to account for it if your dog is trying to lose weight. If administered too rapidly, it may potentially induce diarrhea.

While flax oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, it includes a form that dogs cannot utilize well, making it unsuitable for arthritis therapy.

Check out our Nutrition Strength Omega 3 Wild Fish Oil for Dogs here.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements

Both humans and dogs are familiar with these vitamins. Because glucosamine and chondroitin are the building blocks required by the body to rebuild cartilage inside the joints, the hypothesis is that these supplements provide both a protective and healing effect.

Cartrophen

Cartophen is a medicine that is given through injection. This treatment is also known as “arthritis injections for dogs.” It includes glycosaminoglycans, which are a kind of glucosamine.

Glucosamine, a smaller molecule that can be taken orally and utilized by the body to produce glycosaminoglycans, is a building block of glycosaminoglycans.

Because glycosaminoglycans are giant molecules broken down in the stomach, they can only be administered by injection. They are used to regenerate cartilage in the body and may therefore aid in treating joint arthritis.

Giving it via injection prevents it from being broken down by the digestive system. It may, once again, improve cartilage recovery.

Both methods of therapy work to varying degrees, depending on the dog. Some people react quite well and need no further therapy, while others show slight improvement.

Although it is impossible to anticipate whether the treatments will work or not, they have minimal adverse effects. They may lessen the need for heavier drugs.

Responding to Treatment

It’s crucial to realize that not all dogs react similarly to different treatments. It’s possible that your dog doesn’t react well to the first treatment but responds exceptionally well to the second or third.

So don’t be disheartened if you don’t see an instant difference. Some therapies can take longer to work than others.

Because many of the medicines utilized act in various ways to break the vicious loop of inflammation, your veterinary surgeon may propose combining multiple treatments. That is due to having the optimum result for your dog’s individual condition.

In certain situations, therapy may be ineffective for your dog for various reasons. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian about the best medicines for your dog.

How to Prevent Arthritis in Dogs?

To begin with, keeping an active lifestyle and a lean body weight are important factors in preserving healthy joints.

Following a prescription diet ensures you feed your dog using excellent nutrients such as omega-three fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, and essential vitamins. That enhances cartilage quality and minimizes uncomfortable inflammation.

If you believe your dog has arthritis, you should have your veterinarian do a physical examination to determine their range of motion. Your vet may also recommend X-rays of the afflicted joints.

That is to rule out other disorders that might produce similar symptoms, such as cruciate ligament injury or patella luxation.

Early joint stabilization and treatment of vulnerable regions help to reduce the degenerative process and avoid additional joint damage.

In extreme instances, bone or cartilage fragments float in the joint cavity, producing considerable discomfort and inflammation.

These particles must be medically removed, and in certain circumstances, the joint must be fused, a complex surgical operation performed to save the bone.

How to Help Dog Arthritis?

If your dog is in discomfort due to painful joints, there are various things you may do to make them feel better:

  • Maintain your dog’s comfort by keeping him calm and dry. Ensure your dog doesn’t get too hot or cold since the temperature may alter their joints’ discomfort and make them stiffen in cold weather. Dogs with aching joints frequently like to rest somewhere cool, but hard surfaces (sometimes draughty) may tighten their joints.
  • Make a cozy bed. Memory foam mattresses for dogs have been designed to relieve strain on their joints, allowing them to sleep and relax more easily.
  • Maintain your dog’s nails. Regularly trimming your dog’s nails might help to relieve strain on their paws while they walk and stand. A dog’s nails will naturally file down as they walk on the pavement, but if you need assistance cutting your pet’s nails, your vet may help.
  • Use a harness to walk them. By giving support and stability to your pet’s rear legs and knees, a supportive saddle may help them walk more steadily.
  • Raise their water and food bowls. To avoid your dog from lowering their head and yanking on their joints at meals, invest in a proper feeding and drinking stand that can be adjusted to your pet’s height.
  • Make use of a ramp. Provide a ramp to provide your pet easier access to difficult-to-reach locations, such as the vehicle boot (if they are too heavy to carry).
  • Stop them from sliding. Dogs that live in houses with laminate or polished hardwood floors are more prone to sliding and slipping on the floor, causing joint discomfort. Install carpet tiles or a rug to provide a non-slippery surface for your pet to walk on.
  • Encourage your pet to go for a walk. Pets suffering from arthritis may feel less eager to get up, which may involve delaying going to the potty. Making your pet’s surroundings more accessible by adding ramps and soft surfaces to walk on may encourage them to get up and move about, reducing the likelihood of potty accidents.
  • Acupuncture may be beneficial for dogs that suffer from chronic discomfort. It can only be legally provided by a veterinary surgeon and typically takes a series of 4 – 6 treatments to be effective. This therapy requires a recommendation from your veterinarian.

All these pieces of advice are crucial for end-stage arthritis in dogs. This way, their life will get better in their last weeks.

Hydrotherapy for Dogs with Arthritis

Rehabilitative therapies for dogs with arthritis, such as hydrotherapy, may aid weight reduction and encourage your companion to be active while relieving joint discomfort.

Hydrotherapy involves putting your dog on an underwater treadmill within a four-sided glass enclosure. Dogs, like humans, are weightless underwater, allowing them to move without carrying their whole body weight.

As your pet exercises in the chamber, the warm water’s hydrostatic pressure helps minimize edema and gradually develop muscle mass.

What Happens in the Long Term?

Arthritis is a degenerative condition, which means that once it begins, it will deteriorate over time. Most therapies are designed to relieve pain and suffering and delay the progression of arthritis.

The best therapies for your dog may alter as the course of arthritis varies. We suggest that you see your veterinarian regularly, generally every six months. This enables you to keep track of the dog’s health and customize therapies accordingly.

Some drugs may need further monitoring, such as blood tests to check on the function of the liver and kidneys. When deciding which therapies to utilize, your vet will discuss them.

The most essential thing is communicating with your veterinarian. If your dog’s behavior changes, it might be due to anything other than old age.

Your vet can assist you in ensuring that your dog receives the appropriate therapy to enable him or her to age gracefully.

The Takeaway

Arthritis in dogs is a chronic ailment that must be managed for the rest of one’s life. It gradually worsens over time, although most dogs may live contentedly for many years following diagnosis if adequately handled.

Inform your veterinarian if you believe your dog’s discomfort is not managed correctly or if symptoms reappear. There are several pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications available. If one drug isn’t working, your veterinarian may recommend switching to another or adding a new one.

When we talk about severe arthritis in dogs, treatment may eventually stop being useful anymore. If your dog is in pain or very miserable despite medicine, you may need to make the tough choice to put them to sleep.

The appropriate period will differ for each individual. However, the main thing to consider is if your dog still has a high quality of life.

Nutrition Strength Pain Relief for Dogs

Nutrition Strength Pain Relief for Dogs

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Nutrition Strength’s Pain Relief for Dogs Supplement, Anti Inflammatory for Dogs in Pain, with Organic Yucca, Boswellia, Meadowsweet, Cornus, Licorice and Ginger are tasty chewable tablets, which may help to reduce inflammation while at the same time relieving your dog’s discomfort that comes with aging, regular activity, hip and joint issues and injuries. Our supplement may help improve the lives of dogs suffering from hip dysplasia, arthritis or other kinds of pain.

Our premium tablets for dogs in pain are specially made with the ingredients needed to help your pets by:

  • Providing the right blend of organic ingredients, which may help relieve pain that results from soft tissue damage.
  • Delivering organic yucca and boswellia to help promote cartilage synthesis.
  • Featuring MSM, which may help lubricate your dog’s joints to facilitate easier movement.
  • Utilizing the natural anti-inflammatory qualities of ingredients such as yucca, boswellia and MSM.
  • Supplying saponins (found in yucca) and terpenes (found in boswellia), which may help maintain blood supply to the joint tissues.

Nutrition Strength’s highly-rated supplement for dogs in pain delivers ingredients, which have been researched for their anti-inflammatory properties and may help to provide relief for sore, stiff muscles and joints in senior dogs, as well as in very active dogs.

Used daily, our tasty pain relief for dogs chewable tablets may help your four-legged furry friend enjoy life to the fullest.

Image source: Wikimedia / KatrinKerou.

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