Osteoarthritis In Canines
Filed Under Pets | Posted on February 8, 2008
Osteoarthritis is one of over 80 different diseases that
involve deterioration of joint cartilage and inflammation.
It is so widely occurring that it strikes one in five
household dogs across the United States. Arthritis is a
general term for abnormalities that result in changes to a
joint. In dogs, there are areas that are more commonly
affected than others, although it is possible for the
problems to manifest themselves wherever there are joints.
Inside the dog’s body, there are three types of joints:
gliding, as in ankles and wrists; hinged, as in elbows and
knees; and ball and socket, as in shoulders and hips. Each
of the joints is separated by cartilage and soft connective
tissue that act as shock absorbing cushions at the ends of
the bones. The cushion is comprised of synovial fluid,
which is dispensed in the dog’s body automatically, except
in the case of a trauma or the aging process that thins the
fluid cushion. The cushion may also be compromised by
repeated stressing of the particular joint over time. This
is likely to occur in dogs that work as agility competitors
or dogs that, over time love jumping up and down from
furniture, tailgates, etc.
Osteoarthritis in our canines is almost invariably a
result of a direct injury or physical problem with a
specific joint. Elbow dysplasia, ruptured cruciate
ligaments, and hip dysplasia are common causes of the onset
of arthritis. Many times, the dog will begin to display
symptoms of joint problems within an extremely short period
if the arthritis is as a result of injury. In humans there
is a parallel. However, the onset of the arthritis
symptoms manifest not until years after the injury has
happened.
If the dog’s joints are in good physical condition, the
bones do not come into direct contact with each other.
Consequently, movement is frictionless and the animal is
able to be pain free. There is a complete absence of
swelling, inflammation, and pain.
Osteoarthritis Tidbit:
If you keep your companion dog’s toenails clipped short,
you will have fewer problems with his gait.
Long nails for a dog are the equivalent of our wearing
improperly fitted shoes and walking for extended periods of
time. OUCH! If nails grow too long, the gait will become
uneven and may eventually cause arthritic problems to
develop.
If bones or joints are injured or compromised by disease,
inflammation can occur. A dog’s hips, knees, and elbows
are the most common and vulnerable sites for
osteoarthritis. The disorder is caused by a deterioration
of joint cartilage, where eventually bone will rub against
bone. Sometimes it will take years of repeated stress on
the joint, before there is enough thinning or the synovial
fluid to cause friction and pain inside the dog’s body.
This happens because cartilage has no nerves.
The condition is recognized by its distinguishing
characteristics that can range from mild to debilitating.
Canine companions are unable to speak but will show
evidence of their pain in any of the following ways:
Limping or favoring a limb
Impeded movement in rising from a “down” or “sit”
position
Complications climbing stairs or jumping onto a sofa
or bed
Personality changes (snapping, growling, withdrawal)
Sensitivity to touch in the painful area
Playing less
Sleeping more
Weight fluctuations
Avoidance of walking or running
These symptoms reinforce that it is essential to have
annual examinations for your dog.
There is not a cure for canine osteoarthritis. However,
there are treatments available that will manage the pain
and discomfort of your companion dog. The options are wide
ranging and are able to slow the progress of the disease
and lessen the need for pharmaceutical intervention.
When determining how you will manage your canine
companion’s osteoarthritis is of the utmost importance so
that you will be able to have years of happiness together.
Consider what is available in the realm of arthritis care through your veterinarian; do
you want to choose a traditional treatment with surgery and
pharmaceuticals or a more alternative approach?
With the assistance of acupuncture, herbs
supplements and treats, you and your dog will smile.
Modification of diet and exercise and perhaps a few small
adjustments to life at home, things will be nearly as they
were.
Do what is best for you and your furry companion.
Remember that they trust us to make the best decisions
possible.
Emily Derby is an avid dog lover and writer who focuses upon holistic dog care. She and her husband are the proud guardians of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi that teaches them some of life’s most important lessons.
Emily and her husband run an internet business that places emphasis on caring for the dog naturally. If it goes in or on the dog, it’s all natural.
Visit=> http://www.thenaturaldogshop.com
Tags: arthritis in dogs, canine arthritis, canine osteoarthritis, dog arthritis
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