If you have a limping dog and are not sure as to what could be causing it to limp there are several different factors that could be causing it to have this problem. Here is a look at some of these problems and a look at some ways to help them.

Younger dogs just before they reach the first year of life tend to be clumsy. They also love to wander around which can increase the chances of meeting accidents. However, little management is needed since symptoms of dog limping can resolve in following week. For suspected fractures, your pet can benefit from temporary immobilization of the affected part. Furthermore, during the first 24 hours of injury, bruises and swelling will subside if applied with cold compress.

Dog limping is self-limiting if it occurred before the puppy reached the first year of life. It is expected that your pet will regain functional status of the affected limb in a matter of weeks. For a much reliable diagnosis and treatment of the cause of dog limping, expert evaluation and opinion form a veterinarian should be sought. Routine physical examination and evaluation of the body's functionality is initially done with subsequent laboratory evaluation as necessary. This will aid in the selection of special treatment needed for the particular case.

Careful observation is necessary for severe cases of dog limping since it can be a potential threat to loss of functional ability. To give appropriate treatment and care, your pet needs further evaluation by a veterinarian.

A veterinarian will look at your limping dog and try to determine which joint may be causing your dog to limp. Often times these problems can be found by swelling in the area, extra heat or pain in the joint area. Just as each dog is different they will react differently to the pain. Some dogs will yelp right away if you were to touch the aching joint whereas some dogs will not react at all or very little in which case your veterinarian may have to do an X-ray to determine which joints are affected.

Cases of dog limping not involving the joints include short trimmed nails, ingrown toenails, deep punctured wounds, and paw lacerations. These should be treated appropriately to prevent future complications. Lacerations and punctures should be cleansed thoroughly to since infection is possible.

If you are concerned over your limping dog it is always a good idea to talk to their veterinarian about any of your concerns. Often they will be able to go over any other possibilities and assist you in working out ways to help your pet feel better and help them get around even with their limp.

David Cheng is a competent writer who writes articles about arthritis in dogs. He has been writing for sites such as this to share his background in arthritis in dogs with others.

Written by David Cheng using tags: canine arthritis, dog arthritis, dog arthritis treatment, Dog Limping, Pets

Osteoarthritis is a low grade inflammatory process which can occur in any joint. It is the thickening of the joint capsule with alterations in the synovial fluid. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the progressive loss of articular cartilage. There is an increased density of the sub-chondral bone, and all of these changes will cause a progressive change in joint structure and function.

The cartilage covers the ends of the bones. This acts as a shock absorber and allows the movement of the bones against each other without causing damage by rubbing together. Cartilage withstands an enormous amount of impact and therefore has no supply of blood. All the nourishment comes from the synovial fluid around the joint.

Within a joint capsule the synovial fluid is housed. With disuse this fluid thickens, and so movement is important to keep it liquefied. Osteoarthritis usually comes about secondary to the following:

Osteochondrosis in the dog

Legg Perthes Calve disease in the canine

Joint luxation in the dog

Age, genetics, conformation, obesity

Repeated stress on the dog's joint

Surgical interventions on the dog

Hip or elbow dysplasia in the dog

Articular fractures

Chronic joint instability in the dog

Osteoarthritis is not an "old dog" condition and the process in dogs can start very young in life. A normal load on an abnormal joint can start the process as can an abnormal load on a normal joint. Environmental elements and medical or systemic problems, as well as breed factors can all play a role. Arthritis in dogs can occur at anytime.

There are a number of management options for a dog with osteoarthritis. The following list provides some to be explored:

Hot and cold therapy treatments

NSAID's or steroids

Nutritional supplements for the canine

Exercise management for the canine

Weight loss for the dog

Hydrotherapy for the dog

Physiotherapy for the dog

Acupuncture for the dog

Surgical procedures for the dog

Canine hydrotherapy is one of the best treatments for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis or any other form of arthritis. The hydrotherapy reduces pain and inflammation, increases their range of motion, which in turn has a pump action on the synovial fluid - increasing nutrients in the joint capsule and reducing toxins. The warm water increases blood supply to the surrounding soft tissues, which relieves stiffness and spasms. The dog experiences a greater sense of well-being.

In an osteoarthritis study, dogs with hip OA that were fed 60% of their current calorie intake lost 11 - 18% of their body weight. These identical dogs discovered a profound decrease in hind limb lameness (Impellizeri et al. 2000). They need to be kept lean to prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis.

It was found that lifelong exercise did not cause cartilage erosion, osteophytes or meniscal injuries, in another study that was done. Dogs that worked out 4km/day x 5 days/week x 40 weeks had a boost in cartilage thickness, proteoglycan content and indentation stiffness (Newton et al. 1997). Canines need to be exercised regularly on surfaces which reduce joint impact and torsions.

There are many therapeutic modalities available for dogs suffering with osteoarthritis. I encourage you to explore which ones work best with your dog.

Helga Schmitt has been avidly studying and researching dog health, physiotherapy and rehabilitation hands on for the past 20 years. She is a Registered Hydrotherapist, Chartered Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist, and holds a Certificate in Homeopathy. She endeavors to advise dog owners about healthy choices. Get your free Aging Dog Health Guide and read more on arthritis in dogs at www.health-for-dogs.com.

Written by Helga Schmitt using tags: arthritis in dogs, canine arthritis, canine arthritis treatment, dog arthritis, dog arthritis treatment, dog health, dog health care, dog health problems, dog illness, dog information, dog symptoms, Dogs, dogs with arthritis, older dog

Advances in veterinary medicine are providing senior dogs with pain relief while easing the stiffness of joints damaged by arthritis. Dogs are living longer than ever due to heartworm prevention medicine and improved vaccinations. Subtle symptoms of arthritis may be apparent as your dog ages. If your dog seems stiff after rising from a nap or seems to favor one leg over the others it may be symptom of canine arthritis. Dogs may slow their activities as they reach senior years but stiffness and pain can be managed with dog arthritis medicine.

The dog may shy away when you begin to massage his hip or back or whine when you manipulate one of his legs in play. Your pet cannot tell you he is in pain and dogs bear pain with great dignity. If his teeth hurt, your dog may shy away from a hand near his mouth or lose interest in hard dog biscuits he used to look forward to. Health checkups at six month intervals will allow your vet to quickly notice any change in your aging dog's heal so painful joints or injuries can be treated before they become severe.

Symptoms of health problems for older dogs may appear slowly and be so subtle that the owner does not consider the change in behavior unusual. You may not realize your dog is in pain until your vet prescribes Rimadyl to relieve the stiffness and soreness of arthritis. Once the pain is eased, your dog may act like his younger self again. Before your dog's semi-annual checkup keep a list of questions to ask your vet. If you notice your dog is drinking more water, doesn't seem to hear you when you call or appears confused at times, these may be signs of disease or parasite infestations.

Changes in your dog's daily behavior, his personality or his physical activities such as waste elimination or frequent urination should be reported during his checkup. Your vet may determine the symptoms are a natural process of aging or may find joint disease of arthritis or the onset of a serious disease that can be managed if treated early.

Older dogs often suffer from arthritis and this is especially true for larger breeds where joints carry more weight throughout their lives. The animal may limp or move slowly and may seem to revive and become more limber after a water or mild exercise. We can't prevent hip dysplasia that some breeds have a tendency to develop but we can treat the symptoms and provide relief from the pain of arthritic joints.

Low dose baby aspirin may be recommended by your vet but should not be given except on the advice of your doctor. Long term use of aspirin to treat pain can cause digestive problems in dogs.

Regular health checkups and dog arthritis treatment will allow your family dog to live out his final years comfortably. Feldene and Rimadyl for dogs are frequently recommended by vets for dog arthritis treatment. Ask if there is a generic version of drug to save money and fill your prescriptions online at a site selling discount pet medicines. A joint supplement may also be recommended such as Antrhtogen, Cosequin or Duralactin. Save money by filling your prescriptions at a discount pet meds site online.

Your older dog may have many years left to spend with you. With regular health checkups and by observing any changes in his behavior and reporting those to your vet, you can provide your arthritic pet with the best new dog medicines to make his life as active and pain free as possible.

Senior dogs suffer from the joint pain of dog arthritis. Stop the stiffness and pain for your pet with discount pet meds direct from a vet at Pet Scripts Directs.

Written by D. Thurmond, D.V.M. using tags: canine arthritis, canine joint pain, discount dog medicine, discount-arthritis-med-for-dogs, dog arthritis treatment, dog health, Dog Joint Pain, hip dysplasia, Pets, senior dog pain