Taking care of your pet’s health is one of the best ways to ensure that they have a happy life. As you may know, canines experience some of the same medical disorders as humans, which includes joint pain.
According to studies, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in dogs, and it affects roughly a quarter of the canine population.
With that said, if you want to learn more about joint health for dogs, this article is for you. We’ll discuss how to identify dogs with joint pain and ways to treat it. Just keep reading.
What Is Arthritis?
When discussing dog joint pain, it’s important to mention arthritis because it’s one of the primary foundations of joint pain in dogs.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that affects the joints. Most of the problem areas are in the legs, and it causes discomfort, joint stiffness, and difficulty walking.
Since arthritis joints are tender, your dog might not walk as much. Unfortunately, not walking could lead to muscle loss, stiffness, and changes in the way their leg moves.
As a result of the changes in their body, it can put a strain on their other limbs and back.
An arthritis diagnosis is determined by a veterinarian. They’ll examine your dog either in a standard vet visit or by examining them through an x-ray.
Symptoms of Arthritis
If your dog is in pain, there are some indicators that’ll let you know. If you’re very familiar with your dog’s behavior, you should quickly pick up on any changes they exhibit. Below are some things to look out for:
Reduced Mobility
If it’s painful for your dog to walk, they’ll usually limp or experience lameness. You might also notice that they’ll tap their toe on the ground to test the pain levels before walking on their foot.
Overall, if your pup moves slower, isn’t as physically active, or avoids walking up the stairs those are all signs of joint pain.
Loss of Appetite
For many dogs, appetite is one of the first things to change when they don’t feel well. It’s one of the biggest indicators of a problem.
If your pet goes more than a couple of meals without eating, take them to the vet as soon as you can.
Swollen Joints
Swollen joints in dogs feel warm. If you notice warm, bulging areas while you’re petting your dog, it could be because of an inflamed joint.
A veterinarian can diagnose it by doing an x-ray and running a blood count test on your pet. Both tests will determine if there is inflammation and structural damage to your pup’s joints.
Licking Around the Joint Area
It’s normal for your dog to lick themselves occasionally. But if you see them licking their joints regularly, that’s a sign.
When a dog is in pain they will usually lick the area to try and soothe the pain. Pay attention to whether they bite or chew around their joints as well.
Changes in Attitude
Another big indicator that your dog is in pain is when their attitude changes. If your pet is usually upbeat, you should notice an alteration in their behavior right away.
Dogs with joint pain are irritable and low energy. In addition to being a bit grumpy, they may also make crying sounds more than usual.
Causes for Joint Pain in Dogs
The reason for your dog’s joint pain could stem from multiple sources. Many times they have it because of another condition, or it could be triggered by an injury. Here are some common causes:
Fractures
Bone fractures can lead to joint arthritis. However, the condition may not occur until later down the line. When a fracture heals itself, it normally doesn’t go back to its original shape.
As a result, it can create an imbalance in your dog skeletal structure and eventually cause joint pain.
Cancer
There are different types of cancer within dogs, but one of them affects the joints. Synovial Sarcoma damages the soft tissue around the joints.
This type of cancer is aggressive and targeted, which can cause your pet to lose weight, limp, and eventually have tumors.
As the tumors grow larger, they hinder a dog’s ability to walk and run. The tumors also push against the joint and bone causing pain.
Lyme Disease
This condition is normally contracted from deer ticks spreading the virus when biting a dog. As a result, the illness causes high fever, swollen lymph nodes, lameness, and inflamed joints.
Humans usually develop symptoms of Lyme disease shortly after being bitten. On the contrary, it could take 2-5 months for symptoms to show up in canines.
Treatment for Joint Pain in Dogs
Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. But there are treatments you can give your dog to help manage the pain. If your dog suffers from joint pain, try this:
Cold Compress: Cold compresses get right to the source of the pain and provide relief to inflamed joints. The cold element helps to reduce inflammation and eases discomfort.
Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy: Both of these treatments are helpful for dogs with arthritis. It helps to restore muscle and enhances mobility. Also, physiotherapy can help to correct gait dysfunction.
Painkillers: Your dog’s veterinarian may be able to prescribe something for the pain. If for some reason your pet can’t have anti-inflammatories, other medication options may be available.
Proper Diet: Your dog’s vet may suggest a specific diet for them. Arthritic dogs benefit from having food that contains glucosamine and fish oils the nutrients help to reduce joint inflammation.
Injections: Injections are another great alternative to help relieve pain in your pet. A shot of pentosan polyphosphate can restore cartilage and minimize swollen joints.
Surgery: If the condition is severe nurse, surgery may be required. Is so it’ll help to treat the condition by repairing ruptured cruciate ligaments.
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Joint Health for Dogs
Hopefully, this information helps you to get the tools and treatments needed to make your pup feel better. After all, they’re apart of your family and you want them to be healthy, right?
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