Dogs suffer from many of the same illnesses and medical conditions that humans do. One problem that is common to people and dogs, especially as we age, is arthritis. One in five adult dogs suffer from arthritis. If your dog is at risk for hip dysplasia, as many large breeds are, they will probably be impacted by arthritis sooner than you might expect. The most common form of arthritis is orteoarthritis, which involves the degeneration of bone and cartilage.
Since dogs don't talk - to humans anyway - you'll have to watch for symptoms. If your dog displays stiffness, avoids petting, or is obviously in pain, you need to visit the veterinarian to get him checked out. Sometimes dogs have trouble climbing stairs, getting up from the floor, or they just move funny because they're favoring some joints. Symptoms can be physical too - like swollen knees or elbows.
Often arthritis in dogs is triggered by an injury or poor nutrition. Obesity can be a trigger and definitely makes the condition worse.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth of pound of cure. There are supplements, most of which include glucosamine, that can be helpful in prevention and treatment of arthritis in both humans and dogs. Some of these supplements also include ingredients like spirulina or devil's claw. Check with your vet, but most often they'll tell you that it won't hurt to try these supplements.
If your dog has arthritis, your vet will probably prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers. Some of these drugs have possible harmful side effects like liver damage, so it's a good idea to keep the doses down. One way to do that is to alleviate the arthritis pain with natural treatments.
Changing your pet's diet can help make sure he gets the nutrients he needs. Some foods, like corn, wheat, pork, milk, oats, rye, eggs, beef, and dairy products can aggravate arthritis, so see if removing these from your pet's diet helps. Also, limiting food and making sure he gets regular exercise will help him to maintain a healthy weight. Joints hurt a lot less when there's less weight being supported by them. Good exercise can also improve your dog's strength and mobility.
Although natural remedies are a good idea and can help reduce the amount of medicine your dog needs, don't skip the vet's office all together. Once your dog has arthritis, he will probably need prescription medication to keep the pain at bay.
These medicines are not usually too pricey, except for the fact that it's not a one-time deal. Your beloved canine will probably need the medicine every day for the rest of his life. That can add up. One good way to reduce the effect on your pocketbook is to buy pet health insurance. Most insurance policies don't cover pre-existing conditions, so you should get a policy when your pet is young, before he develops any long-term problems, and keep the policy in effect. Also, if your pet is genetically predisposed to joint problems, make sure you get pet insurance that covers hereditary problems. Otherwise it won't cover the cost of the arthritis medicine.
