Osteoarthritis and joint inflammations in dogs
What is osteoarthritis in dogs?
Osteoarthritis is joint wear and tear caused by aging, overuse, or inflammation. The joint fluid and cartilage deteriorate in quality. This causes the bone surfaces to rub against each other and then produce extra irregular bone growth. Osteoarthritis can make joints less mobile and painful. It can occur in any joint and may be accompanied by joint inflammation (arthritis).
How do I recognize osteoarthritis in my dog?
You can recognize osteoarthritis when the dog is limping. They do this to try to reduce the pain. Osteoarthritis can be hereditary and is common in large dog breeds such as the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Bernese Mountain Dog. Dogs that are overweight are also more likely to develop osteoarthritis because the joints are then overloaded. Full recovery from osteoarthritis is not possible, but deterioration can be prevented or slowed down.
Treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs:
- Prevent overweight: Sometimes you need to give your dog a special diet food. Overweight puts strain on the bones.
- Adjust the exercise routine.
- Give special diet food or supplements such as organic sulfur, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate.
- Give pain-relieving anti-inflammatory drugs: these are usually prescribed by the vet and help reduce inflammatory substances in the joint.
- Physiotherapy
Joint inflammations in dogs
Unfortunately, more and more dogs suffer from inflammation of the hip and elbow joints (arthritis) due to premature wear (osteoarthritis). Due to hereditary disorders in the skeletal structure, joint surfaces are unevenly loaded and the cartilage wears down the joints. The wear causes pain, making your dog less active and possibly limping. Arthritis can also result from intense exercise, overweight, or bacterial infections.
Symptoms of joint inflammations in dogs
- Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth of the joint
- Limping
- Whining, howling, or aggressive behavior
Treatment of joint inflammations in dogs
Initially, the vet will prescribe anti-inflammatory painkillers. You can ensure your dog stays active so the muscles do not weaken and the joints receive good support. If your dog is overweight, it is advisable to reduce body weight to lower the risk of other joint inflammations.
