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.
Dog arthritis comes in various forms. Just as in humans, arthritis is an inflammation in the joints. A dog may develop arthritis anywhere that they have a joint. The cartilage in the joint may be inflamed or it may be synovial fluid which is at issue in some cases. The most common types of dog arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective, immune mediated 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 with arthritis will also feel pain in the joints when you touch their limbs near the affected area. Another symptom may be swelling of the limb around the joint. This may not be visible to the naked eye, however.
Dogs with arthritis can be treated with medications which are available to help manage the inflammation. However, a lot of dog owners prefer to take a more natural route for the treatment of their pet's arthritis. In a lot of cases, these treatments are more effective for the animal. The most popular natural remedies for arthritis in dogs are Glucosamine and MSM. Many experts believe MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin to be the three essential ingredients in a dog arthritis treatment regimen.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body. However, the ageing process is thought to diminish the body's ability to produce sufficient glucosamine for the body's needs. Glucosamine is not found in any primary food source, but is derived from the shell of shellfish. It has anti inflammatory properties that can be very effective in managing osteoarthritis in both humans and animals.
Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.
However, arthritis remedies of various sorts may be needed along with a change of diet in order to manage the pain and other symptoms of dog arthritis. - 29953
Dog arthritis comes in various forms. Just as in humans, arthritis is an inflammation in the joints. A dog may develop arthritis anywhere that they have a joint. The cartilage in the joint may be inflamed or it may be synovial fluid which is at issue in some cases. The most common types of dog arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective, immune mediated 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 with arthritis will also feel pain in the joints when you touch their limbs near the affected area. Another symptom may be swelling of the limb around the joint. This may not be visible to the naked eye, however.
Dogs with arthritis can be treated with medications which are available to help manage the inflammation. However, a lot of dog owners prefer to take a more natural route for the treatment of their pet's arthritis. In a lot of cases, these treatments are more effective for the animal. The most popular natural remedies for arthritis in dogs are Glucosamine and MSM. Many experts believe MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin to be the three essential ingredients in a dog arthritis treatment regimen.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body. However, the ageing process is thought to diminish the body's ability to produce sufficient glucosamine for the body's needs. Glucosamine is not found in any primary food source, but is derived from the shell of shellfish. It has anti inflammatory properties that can be very effective in managing osteoarthritis in both humans and animals.
Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.
However, arthritis remedies of various sorts may be needed along with a change of diet in order to manage the pain and other symptoms of dog arthritis. - 29953
About the Author:
One natural arthritis treatment that is getting a lot of press lately is MSM for dogs, but should you opt for liquid glucosamine with MSM or a tablet form of MSM for dogs? Get the facts about arthritis in dogs.
