What Is Canine Arthritis?
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints that is usually accompanied by pain. The most common form of arthritis in dogs is Osteoarthritis (OA), which is the wear and tear of joints. Osteoarthritis develops as a result to an aging pet. Canine arthritis can also be caused by Septic arthritis or bacterial arthritis, which is inflammation of a joint due to a bacterial or fungal infection. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can lead to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Another form of arthritis is called Gout Arthritis, which causes sudden and severe attacks of pain, tenderness, and swelling.
What Causes Arthritis in Dogs?
Although we frequently associate arthritis as a disease that affects older animals, arthritis can affect dogs of any age. Arthritis is a common disease in older pets, but young and middle age pets can be affected too. Early detection could be the difference in your pet’s quality of life. Many cases go undiagnosed because owners attribute the subtle changes in their pet to be signs of old age that cause the pet to slow down. For this reason, it is important to take careful note of any potential arthritic symptoms that appear in puppies and dogs.
Canine Arthritis Risk Factors:
Up to 70% of dogs in specific breeds which include Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and German shepherds will be affected by canine arthritis.
Developmental disorders, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and degenerative joint disease.
Joint conditions such as canine hip dysplasia, the leading cause of lameness in dogs, can increase a dog’s risk of developing osteoarthritis because it puts excessive stress on the animal’s joints.
Dietary and hormonal disease, such as hyperparathyroidism or obesity.
High-activity and working dogs that participate in demanding activities put repeated stress on their joints.
What are Symptoms of Arthritis?
Canine Arthritis Symptoms
The apparent symptoms of arthritic dogs and cats are lame or stiff joints that are swollen, painful, and creak. Arthritis pain causes your dogs to change their behavior. You will notice a change in their behavior when they refuse to play due to difficulty running and rising. They won’t be able to jump or climb into bed and they will be constantly licking the joints that ache. They might also develop an aggressive personality due to painful joints.
- Limping
- Reluctance to climb stairs
- Falling behind on walks
- Difficulty rising after laying down
- Stiffness hours after exercise
- Repeated licking of a joint
- Personality changes
Joint care begins with your pets diet and can also be maintained with the proper supplements and nutrients. For breeds predisposed to hip dysplasia or joint disease, it is important to implement a joint maintenance routine. Adding Purina Canine JM Joint Mobility to your pet’s diet can play a major role of dietary management and arthritis prevention.
Glyco-Flex I is an innovative leader in joint supplements for dogs. All Glyco-Flex products contain glucosamine and extract of perna mussel plus Dimethylglycine (DMG), an antioxidant that asists in oxygen utilization and circulation in the joints. Glyco Flex maintains and prevents joint problems, recommended for breeds predisposed to hip dysplasia and joint dysfunction.
Cosequin is a nutritional supplement designed to help dogs maintain healthy joints. The ingredients have been scientifically formulated to support and maintain the health of your dog’s joints. Cosequin works together to maintain the structure of the cartilage in your dog’s joints while inhibiting the enzymes that break down cartilage.
Dasuquin joint supplements for dogs are a tasty chewable tablet with a proprietary combination of natural glucosamine and ingredients that have been shown to work against cartilage breakdown.
Restor-A-Flex helps maintain optimal joint health in dogs and cats by providing the raw material involved in the synthesis of synovial fluid and the connective tissue matrix of skeletal joints. It’s a favorite among pet owners because it is free of potential allergens such as corn, yeast, wheat and dairy products and is formulated without the use of preservatives.
Make sure that you’re doing all you can to ensure your pet’s good health, both physically and mentally. Our pet’s rely on us to keep them in good health so they can shower us with love and companionship. Your pets trust that you will understand their needs. Here at Allivet, you can trust that your needs are just as important to us. We are with you from prevention, treatment and more.
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