Arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in middle-aged to senior dogs.
However, even younger dogs can suffer from arthritic changes to their joints that
are as painful as they are debilitating.
Unfortunately, most dog owners and veterinarians often miss the early warning
signs of arthritis because dogs tend to hide their soreness and discomfort until the changes are severe.
With that in mind, the seven most common signs of arthritis are:
Limping: Your dog may limp or favor one or more of his legs, depending on which
legs and joints are affected. In some cases, his limp may be worse when he wakes in
the morning and become less noticeable as he “warms up” by moving around.
Difficulty moving: He may be reluctant to do things that were easy for him before
such as going up and down the stairs, getting into and out of the car and climbing
up onto the couch or bed.
Spinal issues: Not only do arthritic changes occur in your dog’s legs but also in
various parts of his spine. These changes may result in a sore neck, abnormal
posture with a visible “hunch” in his back or lameness in one or both of his hind
legs.
Tiredness: He may tire more easily, making his walks shorter as they become more
painful while he spends an increased amount of time resting and/or sleeping.
Irritability: Your dog may be uncharacteristically irritable, snapping and/or biting
when touched or petted if this increases his pain.
Atrophied muscles: His muscles may atrophy due to inactivity and a decrease in
their use. An arthritic dog with atrophied or withered leg muscles will have legs that
look thinner than normal legs.
Licking, chewing or biting: He may start to lick, chew or bite at the parts of his
body that hurt, often leading to inflamed skin and hair loss in those areas.
While arthritis itself can’t be cured or reversed, your dog’s pain can be managed,
his mobility increased, and his quality of life greatly improved. The first step is to
have him thoroughly examined by your vet (including blood work, x-rays and other
diagnostic tests if needed) followed by your working together on a treatment plan
for him.
Fortunately, there are numerous non-surgical options to treat mild, moderate and
even severe cases of arthritis. Key, however, to any plan is a weight loss (then
maintenance) diet and a regular exercise regime. But your vet may begin
immediately by prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to
reduce the pain and inflammation in your dog’s affected joints.
In addition, your vet may suggest: the use of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate
and/or omega-3 fatty acid supplements that support joint health; cortisone, visco-
supplementation, glycosaminoglycan or steroid injections; and one or more of these
therapies -- physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, ultrasound therapy, laser
therapy, and magnetic therapy.
For your part, alleviate some of your cherished pet’s painful joint stiffness by
providing him with low and soft, cushioned resting and sleeping surfaces to keep
him off all hard floor surfaces while keeping him comfortable and warm.
Article by Nomi Berger. Nomi is the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with her adopted Maltese, Mini, and has been writing as a volunteer for animal rescue groups in Canada and the U.S.A. since 2013.