|
|
Arthritis In Dogs What You Can Do To Help Your Dog
Information on arthritis in dogs and what the treatment options are.
Canine Arthritis is a common ailment as dogs age. It is similar to humans as calcification and inflammation cause joint pain and reduced activity. Some forms of arthritis like Canine Hip Dysplasia can develop early in life due to genetics and diet. Fortunately, arthritis in dogs can be treated.
Treatments for canine arthritis range from natural supplements using chondroitin and glucosamine, to veterinary prescribed drugs such as Rimadyl and Deramaxx. Studies and actual results have shown that natural supplements can be extremely effective in fighting the effects of arthritis in dogs without the potentially dangerous side effects of Rimadyl and Deramaxx. Before deciding which treatment option is best for your dog, you should observe the signs of dog arthritis.
Signs of Dog Arthritis
1. Limping and general reduced activity.
2. Favoring one or both of the front or back limbs.
3. Morning activity or cold weather makes the dog less active.
4. Difficulty rising from a resting position, especially in the morning.
5. Pain to the touch.
6. Reluctance to jump.
If you suspect your dog has arthritis, you should know the different forms or types of arthritis. The most common disorders are listed below.
Types of Dog Arthritis
1. Osteoarthritis Also known as canine arthritis or dog arthritis, it is the most common form of arthritis and most easily treated. Develops slowly as the dog ages.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis - This is an immune mediated disease and can affect the whole body. Several joints can be affected and the lameness can come and go without notice. Considered a more serious condition than dog osteoarthritis.
3. Degenerative Disc Disease - This is where the discs in the vertebrae develop calcification and become rigid. They become less able to withstand compression. This can lead to a severe injury and paralysis if the discs rupture or become herniated.
4. Stifle Joint Disorder - This is a condition in which the knee and joint becomes unstable. This is usually from a stretched or torn ligament. This can also cause the joint cartilage to become damaged and inflamed.
5. Canine Hip Dysplasia - This is caused by looseness in the socket connecting the thighbone and hipbone. This development usually occurs when the dog is young but can develop at any age. A common sign is to hear a clicking sound when the dog walks.
Treatment Options
1. Natural Supplements Most natural supplements use chondroitin and/or glucosamine as its primary ingredient. All of the glucosamine forms originate and are extracted from shellfish. Chrondroitin is derived from animal cartilage. Many products like Free and Easy for Dogs use glucosamine and chondroitin and combine additional supplements to provide a synergistic effect. Besides glucosamine and chondroitin, some of the more popular and effective supplements added are msm, ester-c, and hyaluronic acid. Many studies have been done which have proved the effectiveness of these supplements in humans. Dog owners have also reported many positive outcomes for their dogs using these natural supplements.
2. Rimadyl & Deramaxx - These drugs are obtained by prescription only. They are called NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Rimadyl was introduced by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in January 1997 to help treat dogs with inflammation and pain associated with surgery or canine arthritis. It is effective but it must be used with caution. Search Google for "What Your Vet May Not Tell You About Rimadyl" for more detailed information. At a minimum, you need to have blood work done to monitor the liver enzymes to ensure your dog doesn't have a toxic reaction to the drugs.
3. Surgery - Surgery can be an easy decision or a very difficult decision. Often, money is a concern and some surgeries like disc surgery can cost around $3,500. Often, the age of the dog has to be considered when making this decision. And the outlook and prognosis is very important. You do not want the dog to suffer unnecessarily. At the very least, you should only consider surgery after ensuring an accurate diagnosis has been made. This may involve taking x-rays and a myelogram. A myelogram is done by injecting dye in the spinal canal to enable your doctor to detect abnormalities of the spine, spinal cord , or surrounding structures.
Summary - Dog Arthritis can be a very debilitating disease if left untreated. Dog owners should pay close attention to their animals and take prompt action when symptoms are noticed. Often a natural supplement is all that is needed to help your dog. Sometimes more aggressive treatments are needed such as surgery. The most important thing is to notice and diagnose the problem and then decide what treatment is best for your dog.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William F. Smith is the owner of YourDogHealth.com, a site started after his beloved Dachshund; Frederick developed Invertebral Disc Disease, and subsequently had back surgery. The site can be viewed at http://www.yourdoghealth.com and offers a successful alternative to veterinarian prescribed drugs.
Arthritis In Dogs What You Can Do To Help Your Dog
-
5 Tips for Dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
If the pain continues more than a couple of days, it would be wise to consult your physician. 1- The most important thing that anyone can do for their bodies is to exercise. It is very important to incorporate balancing exercises into your daily routine. Do you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and have had to quit taking your prescription pain medication because of harmful side effects?
-
Bextra and Vioxx -- Tips for Arthritis Relief Without Them
Unfortunately, they have been linked to increased risk of strokes and heart attacks. Low impact exercise like walking or water aerobics may help, however. While a good anti-inflammatory can certainly provide more comfort for arthritis pain, there are some non-medicinal steps that patients can take that may provide some relief from their pain. The recent withdrawal of Vioxx and Bextra from the marketplace, due to concerns over unwanted side effects, has many arthritis sufferers concerned. Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.
-
How Do I Choose The Best Arthritis Medicine?
Making the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is fairly straightforward, but deciding what to do about it is a complex and very individualized matter. Keep a diary of the remedies you try, and their effects, good and bad. Siegrist, and the book, are available from her website.
-
Arthritis Its Debilitating and Detrimental Effects
We have seen that Arthritis isnt cured, but managed. Yes its true that seniors, especially senior women, are effected the greatest by Osteoarthritis, yet the average age for onset of Arthritis is 47 years old, and sufferers are generally afflicted between the ages of 20-50. Gout is the oldest form of Arthritis and is the result of too much Uric Acid.
-
Powerful Arthritis Pain Relief For All Of Us
If left untreated, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, along with other forms of rheumatoid disease, can become progressively worse... When you ask what arthritis is, professinals will tell you it's inflammation of one or more joints. Coping with the chronic pain of arthritis can be frustrating. As it progresses it causes discomfort, more pain, and some disability. Fast acting, these creams increase mobility and optimal repair of joint structures as they help reinforce the body's protective linings and lubricating fluids by recovering cell stability and function to stop further damage.
-
Arthritis, The Pain And The Reasons
If it hurts more, you likely wont use it more for fear of it getting worse. If you suspect that you or someone you love is being affected by this disease, you should speak to your doctor as it can be an unnecessary pain that you or they face day in and day out. But, when arthritis lurks in the joints, pain is also lurking. Unfortunately, arthritis cant heal itself and does require treatment.
|
|
|
