Many dogs develop arthritis as they age, with Osteoarthritis being the most common type of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease that affects anywhere from twenty to eighty percent of dogs (depending on who you ask). But as our knowledge grows and medical advances are made, arthritis is becoming easier to treat so that our furry friends can continue to live comfortable lives.
Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressing disease that occurs due to the breakdown and destruction of your dog’s cartilage. As it gets worse, the bones (now with far less cartilage to provide shock absorption) begin to grind against one another causing pain, inflammation, and a reduction in mobility.
Just as in people, arthritis in dogs causes pain, stiffness, lameness, slowness of movement and a reluctance to walk as far as usual. It is a progressive and debilitating disorder that is generally seen in larger breeds (though it can affect any size dog) and typically affects the hips or spine, but can occur in any joint in the body. Some symptoms to look for are whimpering or moaning when joints are touched, excessive licking of joints, difficulty climbing stairs or jumping into the car, and constant chewing on paws.
Although there are no miracle cures, there are a number of options available to dog owners to help make dogs with arthritis more comfortable. Every dog will respond differently to various approaches, so there is truly no one “best” treatment for every dog.
It is helpful to provide your dog with some basic exercise, such as swimming or walking (avoid strenuous and high-impact activities). Overweight dogs tend to have more problems with arthritis – the more weight on those poor old joints, the harder it is to move around. So shedding a few pounds with regular exercise can make a big difference.
While making sure that you’re not over-feeding your dog, you should also reexamine the food you are feeding. The poor-quality protein typically found in low-end commercial dog foods could be contributing to some of your dog’s arthritic symptoms. I can’t put enough stress on the importance of a good quality food. I was recently able to take a foster dog off her arthritis pain medications simply by putting her on a high quality food and giving her a little fish oil. That small change made a huge difference in her comfort and activity level.
There are a variety of supplements available that are able to promote better joint health. Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), boswellia and ashwagandha are some of the more common joint supplements available. Some studies even indicate that glucosamine may help rebuild cartilage – something traditional NSAID pain relievers are unable to do.
Speaking of NSAIDs, your vet may prescribe medications such as corticosteroids or NSAIDs for your dog. Please do some research and discuss the options with your vet as some of these popular pain medications, such as carprofen (Rimadyl®) – an NSAID, can have dangerous side effects, especially when used long term.
Make sure your dog has a comfortable place to sleep such as an orthopedic dog bed that is designed specifically for dogs with joint problems. Another helpful item is a rear support harness. Just as the name implies, it’s a harness that fits around the dog’s hips, allowing you to lift a portion of the dog’s weight off his hind legs.
These are all just some of the things you can do for your dog to give them relief from arthritic pain. Explore the options to determine which works best for your and your dog so that you can both continue many more happy and pain-free years together.
