
Arthritis is a degenerative bone disease which can affect the canine family. This article provides a brief overview of the causes, symptoms, and treatment options of this disease in dogs.
Arthritis is one of the most common bone diseases in dogs. Most pet owners are not aware that as their dog starts aging, his bones begin to degenerate. This ailment is similar to human arthritis.
Inflammation of the bone joints is the basic effect of this illness. The dog suffers from extreme pain, heating, and swelling of the joints. There is increase in stiffness and decrease in mobility of the joints.
Causes
Arthritis in dogs is caused by a number of factors such as:
- Age
- Hip dyspepsia
- Improper diet
- Injury to the bones, joints, and cartilage
- Obesity
Symptoms
- A healthy dog will have bright, cheerful eyes, and is full of energy. But a dog suffering from arthritis becomes aloof and shows no interest in physical activity. Sad and soulful eyes can be observed, as if your pet is pleading for sympathy.
- Bloody stools, diarrhea, and vomiting are some of the symptoms observed.
- Simple movements like itching and scratching become painful.
- The dog stops chasing sticks, climbing the sofa, taking walks, and other activities which he used to do before.
- Your pet suddenly might become aggressive or violent, or may become inactive and withdrawn.
- The ears lie flat against the affected dog’s head, and it continuously licks the inflamed part.
- It may start limping and suffer from stiffness of the joints.
- It suffers from weight loss as arthritis affects his appetite.
- Few dogs may develop fever, a symptom of advanced form of this disease.
- Dogs with good muscle form and built might lose their muscle tone due to decreased amount of exercise and physical activity.
- If your dog has been affected by this disease, then it will start taking more time to get up in the morning.
- Also, its running and playing capacity will drastically decrease.
Treatment
Consult a veterinarian regarding the various available supplements, for treatment of this disease. Give your pet plenty of rest and proper diet to recover. Provide beds which can help him to sleep comfortably, and also to ease the pain. Makeshift ramps made from plywood boards should be attached to the dog climbing stairs. Give a warm blanket during nights to protect your pet from the cold winter wind. You should take extra care of your dog if it shows any symptoms of this disease.
Keep a close watch on the above symptoms in dogs to help provide them with timely treatment, as prevention is better than cure. It is very painful to see a dog suffer from this disease. It is our moral responsibility to provide the best possible care to our loyal pet, if it’s suffering from arthritis.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and should not be substituted for the advice of a professional veterinarian.