Introduction
Arthritis is a painful condition that is unfortunately very common in dogs. While arthritis occurs more often in older pets, it can strike younger pets that have genetically inherited the disease. There are a number of medical treatments and therapies that can prevent further damage to the joints from occurring and reduce, or eliminate, painful flair ups.
The symptoms of arthritis appear very gradually, and then they progressively worsen over time. The first symptoms of arthritis are often so mild that even the most vigilant of pet owners can miss them in their dog. How quickly the disease progresses depend on a number of factors including: the breed of the dog, overall nutrition, weight, age, and genetics.
Symptoms of Arthritis
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, they may walk slower, and they can often seem stiff or walk as if their paws are tender. The dog may seem less and less interested in engaging in physical activity, and often the dog begins to sleep more; the lack of activity and increased sleeping can lead to weight gain, which will increase the effects and symptoms of the disease.
Dogs that begin to suffer from severe arthritis may become depressed, they can become aggressive if they are touched or petted, and they may even stop eating. A characteristic stance of severe arthritis is walking with the pelvis tucked in, the back bowed out, and using the rear back legs with exaggerated care. If the arthritis is restricted to one joint, the dog may begin limping or hold the leg up and walk or run using three legs. In these instances, arthritis then begins to worsen in the other limbs that are carrying more weight than they are used to.