Arthritis in dogs can be due to sever different factors, particularly common are injuries, congenital defects and simply getting older, just as in humans. In dogs, even a minor injury can lead to arthritis later in life. The conditions to which some breeds of dogs are predisposed, such as hip dysplasia can also mean a predisposition to developing arthritis as the dog ages. Even dogs who have never suffered an injury in their lives may well develop arthritis as they age.
The most common dog arthritis is osteoarthritis which is a degenerative disease in the joints where the cartilage will need remodeling, and then the new bone causes the arthritis. The dog arthritis symptoms are usually a gradual onset of limpness in the limbs. In other words lameness will result to where the dog finds it difficult to walk. Most often a dog will also be less likely to be active such as walks, playing, or even going up stairs.
The stiffness of the limbs will be more pronounced in the mornings or after long naps, but by working with the dog and encouraging exercise the stiff appearance will disappear through the day. There will also be pain in the joints felt when you touch their limbs or the area suffering. The last sign can be seen in a swelling of the limb around the joint. While it may not be noticeable when you feel the area, you should be able to notice a difference between joints.
An arthritic dog will usually experience pain when their legs are touched near the inflamed joint. The will usually be swelling in this area, but it may not be visible to an unaided eye.
Arthritis medicine is available for dogs who suffer from the condition - this can treat the inflammation. Many dog owners instead opt for more natural methods of treatment for their pet, finding them more helpful in many cases. Glucosamine and MSM are two popular natural dog arthritis treatments (they are also used in humans with arthritis). A lot of experts in the field think that arthritis is best treated by a combination of MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
Depending on the cause of the arthritis in dogs you may need to have medication for your pet. Some types of arthritis can be taken care of with a healthy diet and exercise. Obesity in dogs is one cause of arthritis. By helping the dog to maintain a natural weight for their size and eating a healthy diet you can eliminate the pain of arthritis. The joints may still experience some lasting effects; however this is minimal damage that can be treated with more glucosamine in the diet as well as other herbs.
Another natural treatment for arthritis in dogs will be acupuncture. Acupuncture is known for its healing properties. The method will reduce inflammation based on where the needles are placed and allowing the dog to feel pain free. There are other natural methods of treatment not mentioned in the article, but they do have as much help as these methods.
For some dogs, arthritis remedies must be used in conjunction with a change in the animal's diet to best treat the symptoms of dog arthritis.
To find out about arthritis in dogs and how to treat pet arthritis, you will find premier information , as well as purchasing pet arthritis supplements online, at www.HealthyHappyDogs.com
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