Arthritis Treatment For Dogs

Arthritis Treatment For Dogs

Arthritis in your Dog

As is the case with humans, restricted mobility and increased lethargy are tell-tale signs of arthritis in dogs. In the United States, roughly 20% percent of our “furry family” members suffer from arthritis.  Fortunately, once pet parents have identified these signs, treatment can begin immediately.  This is critical, because arthritis left untreated can progress to permanent immobility in your beloved pet.  Your first step should be a visit to your Veterinarian.

Your veterinarian can help diagnose and prescribe treatment for your pet's arthritis. With their knowledge of pets and arthritis, data from your pet's medical history, and results of a combination of physical exam, x-rays, blood tests, and MRI imaging, they can properly and specifically diagnose the type of arthritis from which your pet is suffering. (Be sure to check with your pet insurance provider, as many of these expenses are covered under comprehensive policies.)  Whether it is osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia or degenerative joint disease, your veterinarian is best-equipped to provide your pet with the safest, most efficacious arthritis treatment.

Upon diagnosis of your pet’s condition, your vet will prescribe medication and/or therapy to treat your pet's arthritis. Do not administer any over-the-counter medications (especially human painkillers) to your pet without prior approval from a licensed veterinarians, as this could produce severe - and sometimes fatal - outcomes. Steroids and anti-inflammatories can work for pets, alleviating pain, swelling and inflammation in their joints. In some cases, surgical procedures such as arthroscopy, arthrodesis, or complete joint replacement are performed to remove and/or correct abnormal joint alignment and remove broken fragments of damaged bones. However, surgery does not work for all pets suffering from arthritis; below are some homeopathic, less invasive arthritis therapies to consider:

1. Dog massage – a good massage can relax your dog’s joints, alleviating the “seizing up” or stiffening they experience with painful arthritis; it can also be an excellent remedy for your pet’s sluggishness.  Ask your vet to demonstrate proper massage technique on your pet for you; although you are well-intended, your pet is already in pain from the arthritis and you do not want to aggravate their discomfort by massaging them too aggressively, etc.;
2. Heat treatments - just like their pet parents, when dogs suffering from arthritis are exposed to cold, it can exacerbate the condition, causing more pain. Applying heat can soothe the irritation and discomfort; hot water bottles work well;
3. Joint lubricants – ask your veterinarian about medications and/or supplements that combat arthritis and encourage an increased production of joint lubricant, as well as cartilage regeneration;

By combining the therapies listed above, you can significantly alleviate your pet’s arthritic symptoms.  Remember, however, that your first step in diagnosing and treating your pet’s arthritis should be a visit to your veterinarian for a comprehensive evaluation.

About the Author

Pets Best Insurance is located in Boise, Idaho and provides pet insurance for the healthcare of dogs and cats. Jack Stephens, DVM is the president and co-founder of Pets Best and was the original founder of pet health insurance in the United States.

Learn more about the history of pet insurance at Petsbest.com.

health problem of my pet dog?

i have a German Shepard dog of 10 yrs who is on a heavier side ,since one month he has been facing weakness in his hind limbs which forces him to sit down or collapse with all 4 limbs.we took him to a vet who diagnosed him with arthritis . with treatment he had shown improvement for 2 days and he goes into relapse .hence if anyone who who could suggest good vet in mumbai or could suggest some type of treatment for him will be of great help

Certainly manage the dogs weight as any loss will benefit the dog.
For a 10 year old arthitic you want to have the dog on a quality joint supplement to help lubicate the joints and pevent further cartilage degragation.
SynoviG3,Arthroplex by Thorne,Cosequin or Dasiquin are all acceptable but they take atleast 4 weeks to show results.
I would also add omega fatty acids to the dogs diet as it is shown to disrupt the inflammatory pathway thereby decreasing the overall amount of discomfort.
3vCaps,DermCaps o Omega Plus by Thorne are good sources for omega fatty acids.
If you can find a vet that has a blood machine or uses a lab you could do bloodwork as to find out if giving buffered asprin or another canine non steroidal anti inflammatory can be given safely to your dog.
If not tramadol can be given to help minimize discomfort.
You would need a script but it typically can be filled at a human pharmacy.
Prednisone is also an option but not a good one unfotunately as side effects can be hard on an older dog and it can not be given regularly as it causes endocrinopathies.

Get the dog to avet that can check blood work and prescribe nsaids or tramadol.
Safest nsaid for a dog is either Rimadyl or Metacam as they are the most tested and reseached.
Dogs can be on it long term but blood work must be checked at 2 weeks and then every 3-6 months.
It can make a huge difference in a dogs quality of life especially when you add in the joint suplement such as SynoviG3.

Best of luck
I wish you pet well

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