Osteoarthritis is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs! Do you know what to look for to recognize the signs of arthritis in your dog? Early diagnosis leads to better long term outcomes! Arthritis is very common in dogs. Reported numbers range from 25% to over 50% of dogs develop arthritis. That is significant! Many of these dogs are undiagnosed and untreated.
These dogs though suffering with chronic pain do not run around the house crying in pain hopping on one leg.
The signs of arthritic pain are often much more subtle. They may not be as active, they may favor one leg more than another, dragging their feet, it may be reduced jumping up on furniture or getting up to greet you. The signs may manifest as behavioral changes like being more aggressive, sleeping more, house accidents and other behavioral changes. Other signs such as licking at a particular area, postural changes wandering around the house, decreased appetite and panting.
Many treatment options are available but they do not all work equally well. Sometimes multiple treatment modalities are combined for better response. The treatment options are joint supplements, anti-inflammatory/pain medications, shock wave and or laser therapy as well as regenerative medicine and physical therapy or exercise. Weight management is one of the most important elements of managing chronic arthritis pain.
Weight management is one of the best things we can do to prevent and help with arthritis in our dogs. If your dog is predisposed to arthritis then keep him lean! If your pet is predisposed to arthritis, if there has been a joint injury such as an a cruciate ligament injury, if hip or elbow dysplasia has been diagnosed or is common in their breed then your dog is at risk for arthritis and taking the necessary steps is essential to manage to ensure longevity and quality of life.
