Arthritis is a condition in dogs that causes chronic inflammation, and often weakening, of the joints in the body. In dogs there are a number of conditions which can cause arthritis including inherited conditions, immune conditions such as lupus, or arthritis can develop as a consequence of age or obesity.
The symptoms of arthritis in dogs appear very gradually, and then they progressively worsen over time. Arthritis causes pain, and this pain will cause arthritic dogs to slow down. Dogs with arthritis may begin to get up slower in the mornings, they may take longer to ‘warm up’ and get moving.
Fortunately today there are many non-surgical treatment options for arthritis in dogs. These treatments can be effectively used to treat mild, moderate, and even severe cases of arthritis, and they include: supplements which support joint health, weight management, acupuncture, NSAIDS, and steroidal therapies.
In extreme cases of arthritis, surgical procedures can be used to improve a dog’s quality of life and relieve the painful and debilitating symptoms that are associated with severe arthritis.