Dogs With Arthritis
An arthritic dog can some time have very bad pain. Arthritis almost always develops as a result of injury much earlier in life, even when your dog is a puppy. Over exercise, jumping too high, and running too hard before a puppy’s bones and joints are mature can injure the joints so supervise your young dog’s exercise routine.
Joint Problems In An Arthritic Dog
Most pet owners with an arthritic dog are familiar with osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) or degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the dogs body such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, and back. Even though OA is called non-inflammatory arthritis, OA still results in inflammation of the joints.
What Causes Arthritis In Dogs?
Joint problems in dogs is a problem seen in older dogs, but the condition can develop from an early age, following problems with bone and joint development. Since cartilage has no nerves, the damage can progress with no outward signs until the joint is severely damaged and the lubricating fluid has thinned and lost its ability to protect the bone surfaces.
In dogs with arthritis, cartilage within the joint undergoes change or damage, becoming less smooth and resulting in the bone surfaces rubbing together. Constant jumping , stretching or tearing ligaments during strenuous exercise, or injuries in a fall or accident causes further damage to cartilage. As a direct result of this increased friction, new bone starts to form around the joint making the joint stiffer, which limits its movement even more.
If a dog is over weight it is very likely the dog will have joint problems. Excess weight causes the joints to be overused and more likely to break down. If the dog can lose weight in the early stages of arthritis, the disease may actually be stopped. Early cartilage damage does not cause pain, so early detection is difficult. By the time an overweight dog acts arthritic, the condition has probably been present for some time.
How to Spot Arthritis in Dogs
1. An Arthritic Dog May Start Limping
You may see your pet limping or favoring one or more of his legs, depending on which legs and which joints are arthritic. In some cases, the limp may seem worse when your pet first rises and become less noticeable as your pet “warms up” by moving around.
2. Difficulty Moving
Your pet may also become reluctant to do things that were once easy for him to do. For instance, your dog may find it difficult to get into and out of the car or may have difficulty going up and down stairs that were previously easily manageable. Arthritic cats, on the other hand, may stop jumping onto counter tops, perches and other high areas because of the pain and discomfort.
3. Spinal Issues
Arthritic changes can occur not only in the legs but also in the various parts of the spine. These changes may result in a sore neck, an abnormal posture with a “hunch” in the back, or lameness of one or both hind legs.
4. Tiredness
Your pet may tire more easily. For dogs, this may mean that walks become shorter and more painful for your pet. Your pet may spend more time sleeping and/or resting.
5. Irritability
Arthritic animals may become irritable. They may snap and/or bite when approached or handled, particularly if the petting or handling takes place in a manner that increases their pain.
6. Muscle Atrophy
An arthritic dog often develop muscle atrophy or dying off of the muscle tissue due to inactivity and decreased use of the muscles. A pet with atrophied muscles in their legs will have a leg which looks thinner than a normal leg.
7. Licking,Chewing & Biting
Pets affected with arthritis may also begin to lick at, chew or bite at body areas that are painful. This may even reach the point of causing inflamed skin and hair loss over affected areas.
Only a visit to a veterinarian will tell you for sure. If your vet determines that your dogs joint pain is due to arthritis, there is something you can do about the joint pain and stiffness. Many veterinarian doctors recommend both heat and cold treatments to help reduce inflammation and ease the pain and stiffness that comes with arthritis.
The WhatEver PocKits Therapeutic Garment Kit For Dogs can be used as a cold compress by inserting cold packs into the pockets and a hot compress when a hot pack is inserted into the pockets. You can use either dry heat or moist heat with the WhatEver PocKits Therapeutic Garment Kit.