Understanding and Treating Dogs with Arthritis

Dog arthritis treatment is one of the major topics of discussion for any dog owner, and particularly owners with animals that are getting up there in age.

However, dogs with arthritis can actually be of any age because there are several different main variations of the problem with different causes. Understanding all about these different variations will provide a base for the discussion of dog arthritis treatment to follow.

"Types of Arthritis in Dogs"

When most people think about dogs with arthritis, they think about the variation down as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. This is what occurs in older animals as a result of a long life and the wear and tear that has been placed on their bones and joints during this time.

Arthritis actually occurs in the joints, the area between bones that is covered and protected by cartilage. Within the joint a thick liquid known as joint liquid also resides. Together, the joint liquid and cartilage offer protection and provide for a smooth and full range of motion for various body parts. Just as with humans, eventually the cartilage can be worn down and weakened, and the joint liquid can also become thinned or less prevalent.

Certain types of breeds are more likely to fall into the range of dogs with arthritis, and are also at risk to do so at a younger age. Even at a young age, a dog could suffer from this form of arthritis if they were born with certain joint problems or conditions.

One factor that is entirely controllable however is the dog's weight. The more overweight a dog is the more likely that he or she will be to develop arthritis (Dog Obesity). Ensuring that your dog eats properly and gets enough exercise will go a long way towards preventing arthritis caused from degenerative joint disease.

The next main type of arthritis in dogs is infectious arthritis, caused by bacteria that enters the joint and disrupts the natural processes and structures in place there. This can be caused by wounds located near the joint that allowed the bacteria to enter, or more widespread bodily infections that spread throughout the rest of the body.

Unfortunately the dog's own immune system can also be the cause of arthritis in dogs as well, known as immune or immune mediated arthritis. In this case antibodies form and build up in the joints leading to pain and inflammation. This can be either erosive or rheumatoid arthritis where the cartilage is worn away or non-erosive arthritis.

Regardless of the type of arthritis in dogs that your pooch is dealing with the symptoms will be mostly similar. You'll notice that your dog may stop running around and being as active, may walk about slowly or more gingerly and could even be sensitive to the touch. With bacterial infections you'll also see a range of other symptoms due to the bodily infection, making it relatively easy to notice the issue.

"Dog Arthritis Treatment Options - Supplement and Medicine"

The dog arthritis treatment that you need to pursue will of course depend on the type of arthritis that the animal is dealing with. By and large, the best course of action is to always stress prevention as the first step. If you keep your dog at a healthy weight, actively check for warning signs and other symptoms and so forth, you can help reduce the risk of problems while also beginning other treatments while pain and other side effects are still minimal.

There are also a couple of dog supplements like glucosamine has the anti-inflammatory properties can contribute greatly to relief paiin or stiffness in your pet's joints. In addition to that, it also helps to repair the dog's cartilage that has broken down. Glucosamine has also shown to aid in keeping normal cartilage healthy, preventing the development of arthritis.

When dealing with infectious arthritis, the best course of action is of course antibiotics. The joint may also need to be flushed out to rid the body of any lingering bacterial elements. For immune arthritis, steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used either orally medicine or via injection. One drug option is Cosequin, which is anti-inflammatory and helps to improve joint health. In severe cases, the recommended dog arthritis treatment may be a surgical procedure known as arthrodesis which fuses the joint together and removes the damaged or worn cartilage.

By now you should have a solid understanding of the kinds of problems that dogs with arthritis have, the types of the problem that can occur and the possible means of dog arthritis treatment as well. Just as within the human population, arthritis can be a chronic and painful condition, and many dogs are at substantial risk. So do what you can to prevent it from happening and catching problems quickly once they arise.

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