Part of owning any animal or pet is knowing that one day, they will age just like we all do, and our once bouncy, energetic puppies will become senior citizens of the canine world.
It is important that as responsible owners, we do our very best to care for them in their old age and when they are suffering from things such as arthritis, do everything we can to make their later years as happy and comfortable as possible.
About Canine Arthritis
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis or ‘osteoarthritis’ (OA) is a complex, incurable and progressive disease that causes the inflammation of the joints and affects movement causing pain and stiffness. However, with advances in medications, treatments and techniques there are now more ways than ever to help your pet, from healthy diets and medication to dog hydrotherapy.
What Are The Causes Of Arthritis?
Although most commonly seen in senior dogs, arthritis can affect younger dogs if they have problems with their bone and joint development, become injured, or have weak muscles or muscle loss.
Most cases of arthritis occur when the cartilage between joints becomes damaged and less smooth which causes the surface of the bone and joint to rub together, resulting in swelling, stiffness and pain.
What Can I Do to Help My Dog?
Early Intervention
Looking for and acknowledging the symptoms and indications of arthritis will help to diagnose and treat your dog as soon as possible. Some of the warning signs might include;
- Avoiding walks or exercise
- Stiffness or lameness, particularly after long periods of rest
- Licking their joints (saliva staining)
- They appear slower than usual
- Behaviour changes, sleeping more, grumpy, growling
- Struggling with changing positions such as from standing to sitting
- Changes in their gate and how they walk
Vets
If you have a good vet, then they can be extremely helpful with putting you on the right track with things such as anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers which can make a huge difference to your dog’s quality of life. They should also be able to answer any questions you may have about nutrition, information resources and supplements etc.
Dog Hydrotherapy
The low impact, gentle environment of a dog swimming pool is perfect for helping dogs that are suffering from arthritis. The qualities of the water allow them to exercise and stretch their limbs, strengthening muscles over time, making them fitter and providing relief from pain.
Weight Management
Arthritis can be a vicious cycle for dogs, gaining weight due to being less mobile and less active, but then the extra weight makes movement even more difficult and painful. Ensuring that your dog eats healthy and maintains regular, gentle exercise with short walks multiple times a day will benefit them much more than one long walk.
Supplements
Alongside prescription medications, daily joint supplements should be given to help stimulate cartilage growth, keep joint fluid healthy and soothe stiff joints. However, the variety and quality of what is available on the market is overwhelming so be sure to look out for some key ingredients like;
- Glucosamine Hydrochloride
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Methylsulfonylmethane
- Chondroitin Sulphate
- Cetyl Myristoleate
- Cannabidiol
- Green lipped mussel
- Vitamin C
- Hyaluronic Acid
Modify Their Home and Lifestyle
Small changes around the home can really help dogs with arthritis such as;
- Laying down rugs or mats on slippery floors
- Use elevated food and water bowls
- Place temporary ramps or make changes to areas they use frequently and have to jump to access such as garden steps, getting into the car, onto the sofa etc.
- Add a stairgate to the bottom of the stairs if you have to in order to stop them wanting to run up and down them
- Buy a comfortable, supportive bed
- Use a coat in colder weather as it can make their arthritis and stiffness worse