Thursday, December 3, 2009

Dog Arthritis - the Facts

By Jennefer Poultson

Dog arthritis can be due to a number of causes, chief among them congenital abnormalities, injuries and of course, the effects of the aging process. Even minor injuries can result in arthritis in dogs. Certain conditions, such as hip dysplasia are more common in some dogs than others and this predisposition can also indicate a higher likelihood of arthritis in dogs. Of course, older dogs who have never suffered an injury may develop the ailment as they get older.

There are different types of dog arthritis, just as with the human arthritis condition. The problem is an inflammation in one or more joints. This can be caused by an inflammation either in the cartilage in the joint or a problem with the joint's synovial fluid. In dogs, the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective arthritis, immune mediated arthritis and idiopathic arthritis.

Arthritis in dogs is usually first manifested as a slow and gradual limpness in the limbs. Lameness will be the result and may reach the point where the dog has a hard time walking. This will lead in most cases to the dog being less active in play, walks and even moving about the home. Stiffness is likely to be more severe in the morning or after a nap but the stiffness is often minimal in the daytime, however.

A dog afflicted with arthritis will tend to feel pain if their limbs are touched near to where the joint is inflamed. There is usually swelling as well, and you may be able to feel this.

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.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar which occurs naturally in the body ? but part of the effects of aging is the loss of the ability to produce enough of this sugar for the body's needs. Glucosamine is not found in any significant food source, but can be obtained from the shells of shellfish. The anti-inflammatory effects it offers are very useful in the treatment of arthritis, in humans and in animals alike.

Depending on the cause of the arthritis in dogs a change to a healthier diet may be all that is needed. 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 it is possible to eliminate the pain of arthritis.

Often, though, arthritis remedies will be required, to keep the pain of your dog's arthritis symptoms under control.

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