Arthritis is a common condition for many older pets (and humans). If your pet has arthritis there are thing you can do to make your pet more comfortable in his later years.

How can I tell if my pet has arthritis?

When your pet has arthritis, you will usually notice a change in behavior. He might move more slowly, or not jump up to his favorite spots as much. He might get upset when you touch him, stop eating or seem grumpy. Your pet can’t tell you about his pain, so you will have to watch closely.

If your pet seems stiff and in pain when he moves, take him to your vet. It is important that your pet be diagnosed with the right kind of arthritis so he can get the proper treatment. Your vet can also rule out other disease like hypokalemia, cognitive dysfunction or cancer, which can have similar symptoms.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, both in animals and humans. Most elderly animals have it in varying degrees. Arthritis happens when the cartilage that cushions your joints wears away and the joint bones rub together. This can happen at any joint, but is most common in:

• Ankles
• Knees
• Elbows
• Hips
• Shoulders

Treating pets with arthritis

First of all, NEVER give your pet human medication to treat arthritis or any other ailment. It is all too easy to kill your pet or give him and overdose. If you give your pet medication.

Surgery is sometimes used as a treatment for arthritis, particularly in younger animals. You and your vet can determine if surgery is right for you. Acupuncture and massage are also becoming more common for treating arthritis in pets. If you massage your pet, make sure your vet shows you how to do it correctly so you don’t hurt your pet. Otherwise, take him to a trained professional.

Diet and supplements for pet arthritis

It is important to make sure your pet is not overweight. Carrying around more weight puts more strain on the joints. If your pet is a little “chunky,” put him on a light diet. You should be able to easily find his ribs. If your pet is a healthy weight, there are many options for joint-diet food. It is also good to find food that is good for his teeth too.

There are many supplements available for pets to increase joint health. Look for ingredients like:

• Vitamins and minerals
• Creatine
• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin
• Perna caniculus

Make your pet’s life a little easier

There are many things you can do to make your pet’s life easier and more comfortable. Making a few changes allows your pet to feel more confident and move around more easily:

• Watch out for high steps, slick floors or drafts
• Keep food dishes and litter boxes at a comfortable height
• Make floors less slippery with carpet or non-skid mats
• Make a ramp so your pet won’t have to jump

Sources:
http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=33&sid=1
http://www.placervillevet.com/arthritis.htm#dog%20arthritis%20pain%20and%20inflammation

Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis is a common condition in dogs, affecting one out of every five canines. It is a painful and debilitating condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. Arthritis in dogs can be due to poor breeding, inadequate nutrition, obesity, or injury. The most common type of arthritis is dogs is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can occur with age if the dog has a genetic predisposition or can be the result of trauma. Osteoarthritis lead to the deterioration of the cartilage in the joint and can sometimes also damage the bone.

Common Treatments and Their Dangers

Because arthritis in dogs is such a prevalent problem, there has, over the last decade, been a fair amount of research on the topic, and as a result, there are several treatments available:

• Corticosteroids. Steroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs. Unfortunately, they usually have unpleasant side effects. Side effects differ between formulations, brands, and dosage, but the most common are an increase in thirst and appetite with a resultant weight gain.
• NSAIDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an alternative to steroids. They reduce inflammation and can lessen the pain that comes with arthritis. However, side effects from NSAIDs are common, ranging from mild to severe. Of the more dangerous side effects, complications in the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys occur most frequently.
• Buffered aspirin. Aspirin that?s been especially designed for dogs can provide relief from pain. Regrettably, even this special type of aspirin can cause stomach upset in sensitive dogs.
• DMOADs. Disease- modifying osteoarthritis drugs work by stimulating the growth and repair of cartilage, as well as inhibiting certain enzymes known to be involved in the arthritic breakdown of cartilage. It is administered as course of intramuscular injections and can provide relief for up to six months. Side-effects are usually mild, but some dogs do have an adverse reaction to the drug.

Natural Alternatives

Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of prescription drugs or the many side effects they can cause. Fortunately, there are alternatives. A supplement consisting of glucosamine and chondrotin has been shown to be very effective at both preventing and treating arthritis (especially osteoarthritis), in dogs. Glucosamine is an amino sugar and precursor of many of the building blocks of cartilage. Chondrotin aids in the process of cartilage formation, thereby slowing and even reversing the process of arthritis by making it easier for the damaged cartilage to heal. It also prevents the action of certain enzymes that have been implicated in the breakdown of cartilage.

Glucosamine and chondrotin supplements, if fed throughout the lifetime of a dog, can prevent the onset of arthritis. If your dog already has arthritis, these supplements can help your dog to heal and feel better. They are entirely natural and completely safe.

How to Make Your Dog More Comfortable

There are several steps you can take, beyond medications or supplements, which can help your arthritic dog. Obesity is a contributing factor for several types of arthritis. Extra weight means extra pressure on the joints. If your dog is overweight, put him on a diet.

Moderate exercise, such as walking on a leash or swimming, can also be very good. This works not only as a weight-control measure, but also as an activity that keeps unused muscles from atrophying (a common complication of arthritis as dogs attempt to keep weight off injured joints, resulting in additional pain), and to keep joints limber.

Finally, make sure that anything your dog needs is placed at a good height in a convenient location so that it’s easy to get at. If your house is more than one story, make sure everything dog-related is on the first floor, and put up gates by the stairs to keep your dog from attempting to climb them. Also, eliminate cold drafts near your dog, keep him inside on cold or humid days, and heat his bed with a hot-water bottle.

http://www.discountpetmedicines.com/arthritis-in-dogs/joint-medication.htm
http://www.dogpro.com/arthritis-in-dogs.html
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/506_nsaid.html

Pet owners share a very special bond with their animals. We don?t want them to suffer, and we?ll go to great lengths to spare them discomfort. If your dog is dealing with issues such as Arthritis or other joint degenerating diseases, you need to be informed about the dangers that are associated with a commonly prescribed medication - Rimadyl.

What is Rimadyl?

Rimadyl (Rim-a-dill) is a prescription NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). The generic form of Rimadyl is Carprofen. It can be dispensed in the form of caplets, chewable tablets, or injectable. Rimadyl was produced by Pfizer Animal Health to relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis and other pain and inflammation issues, including post-operative care.

The Side Effects

Before this medication can be prescribed to your pet, a series of blood tests will be advised to insure that the dog can tolerate Rimadyl, and that it will be ?safe? to use. If the dog is deemed a good candidate for NSAID treatment, and begins the med?s, the next step is to watch for side effects. The most common side effects, according to the client information sheet that accompanies the NSAIDS are?

• Decrease or increase in appetite
• Vomiting
• Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea or black, tarry, or bloody stools)
• Change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, seizure, aggression, or lack of coordination)
• Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Change in drinking habits (frequency or amount consumed)
• Change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell)
• Change in skin (redness, scabs, or scratching).

According to the Fall of 2000 issue of Animal Guardian ?Rimadyl?has been found to be deadly for some dogs, as witnessed by the FDA receiving more than 6,000 bad reaction reports about the drug manufactured by Pfizer?. The article goes on to say that when the FDA requested that Pfizer let their future clients know that ?death was a possible side effect. Pfizer refused and pulled their advertising, however they have included “death” as a possible side effect on the drug label?.

In 2005, USA Today reported that ?through November 2004, the FDA? had ?received almost 13,000 adverse-event reports about Rimadyl?. Another NSAID medication called Deramaxx, which is manufactured by Novartis, had ?2,813 adverse-event reports, including 630 dogs who died or were put down?, from 2002 until April of 2005, according to that same USA Today report. Clearly, these are not drugs to be taken lightly. Death is a very serious side effect, is it not?

A Safe Alternative

When you compare the reports of bad reactions, to the satisfied clients of prescription NSAIDS, you may think that the odds are in your dogs favor. You may be right. But what if you?re not? Caring pet owners want to ease the arthritis and joint pain their dogs are feeling. This should be accomplished without worrying about the possible side effects that your dog may experience. You shouldn?t have to worry about your canine friend passing away from when you?re trying to make him feel better.

Canine Hip Dysplasia. Just the name sounds menacing. Taking in knowledge is the first step towards helping your dog. If you have questions that need answers, this is a good place to begin.

What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?

Canine hip dysplasia is a degenerative joint disease. It begins with the hip joints being too loose, thereby damaging the cartilage. If left to progress, arthritis will ensue and eventually lead to a crippling effect on the dog. Understandably, the process can be long and incredibly painful.

What breeds of dogs are most at risk of developing this disease?

This disease can found in large, medium or small breeds. Larger breeds of dogs have been found to be more at risk. These would include Golden or Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, German shepherds, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, and Rottweilers. If you?re dog is a mixed breed, he may also be at risk. This is not just a disease that effects pedigreed canines.

What symptoms or signs should I watch for? How do I know for sure that my dog has this disease?

Symptoms can appear as early as the ages of five to eight months. Some dogs may not develop any symptoms well into adulthood. Here is a list of the most common symptoms?

• Exhibits stiffness or has difficulty rising in the morning or after being exercised
• Has a preference to using the front legs only, while dragging the back legs behind them
• Walks or runs with a ?bunny-hopping? gait
• Creates a ?clicking? noise by the hips when moving
• Disinclined to exercise or climb stairs
• Presents a decrease in range of movement or energy level

Whether you notice changes in your dog?s movements gradually, or all of the sudden, any of the above signs should give you cause to seek out a certified veterinarian as soon as possible. By taking x-rays and doing a thorough physical examination, a vet will be able to make a definite diagnosis.

Is it hereditary or contagious? Are there any other risk factors?

Puppies born to parents who carry the genes for hip dysplasia will likely develop the disease. It should also be noted that even if the puppies appear healthy and never show any symptoms of the sickness, they will always carry the gene and may pass it along to any future generations. Dogs do not ?catch? dysplasia from other dogs. Although this condition is genetic, there are other factors that may contribute to the early development. An improper diet may cause a dog to gain too much weight, putting undo pressure on the joints. This, in turn, accelerates the deterioration, causing symptoms to appear more quickly. Over exercising a dog at any age may also exacerbate the situation.

How can I make my dog more comfortable after the diagnosis?

As with human forms of arthritis, your canine companion would appreciate a warmer climate. You can accommodate him by turning up the thermostat, or investing in a dog sweater. Ensuring he uses a firm bed may also alleviate some of the pressure on his joints, enabling him to receive a more restful sleep. Feeding your dog a balanced diet will be of further benefit, helping him to maintain a proper weight. Some dog owners have found that physical therapy or message is advantageous. Your veterinarian would be able to recommend appropriate exercises.

What treatments are available?

Treatments vary, depending on severity of pain, and age of the dog. As we see with many prescription medications, there can be side effects, some severe. Many of the leading NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) require intermittent blood tests to insure that the liver is not being damaged. Corticosteroids have been controversial due to their side effects. Surgeries, including Total Hip Replacement, Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, and Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis, while extremely costly, are sometimes recommended.

A dog can be our best friend, our ?child?, our guide, our protector. Although the prognosis may seem overwhelming and bleak, your dog?s future doesn?t have to be. There are alternative medicines that are worth looking into.

What Is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which a dog?s hip joint develops abnormally, so that the ball and socket don?t fit together well. This causes the bones to rub against one another, resulting in considerable pain and a lot of damage to the bone and cartilage. In addition, many dogs with hip dysplasia go on to develop secondary arthritis as a result of their condition.

What Makes a Dog More Likely to Develop Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Dogs without the genetic component don?t develop the disease. However, many dogs can have the genetic predisposition, genotype, without actually developing the condition, phenotype. Therefore, dogs who stem from a lineage prone to hip dysplasia should not be bread. It is also important to check that the parents of any potential puppy purchase have been certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) as hip dysplasia free.

Dogs with the genetic predisposition are more likely to develop hip dysplasia if they are overweight or if they grow too quickly as puppies.

What Can I Do to Help My Dog?

One of the most important things to address when dealing with hip dysplasia in dogs is weight control. The heavier the dog, the more pressure on the joints, and the quicker the progression of the disease. Many dogs with hip dysplasia can benefit immensely from slimming down, experiencing less pain and regaining mobility as a result. Regular, moderate exercise that doesn?t further tax the joints (swimming is particularly good) coupled with a healthy diet can help dogs shed extra pounds.

To keep puppies from gaining weight too quickly as they grow, a restricted calorie diet may be necessary. However, still use puppy food, rather than diet food for an adult dog, since food especially formulated for puppies will contain nutrients and minerals in the appropriate proportion to calorie content for a growing dog. If a puppy attains its full adult size at a slower pace, the likelihood of developing hip dysplasia is considerably reduced.

If your dog has hip dysplasia, there are several things you can do to improve his quality of life. Try to keep your dog from engaging in exercise that is too strenuous and might further injure his joints, while still seeing to it that he is staying active. Make sure everything he needs is easily accessible to a disabled dog. Keeping his bedding warm and reducing drafts can help with the pain caused by the secondary arthritis. Discuss treatment options such as steroids or surgery with your veterinarian. If you do not like these options, there are also natural remedies available that can help your dog considerably.

What Natural Remedies Can Be Used to Treat Hip Dysplasia?

The most common natural remedies used to treat hip dysplasia are glucosamine and chondrotin. Glucosamine, one of the main constituents of cartilage, improves cartilage production by providing more raw material for the chondrocytes (the cells responsible for the production of cartilage) to work with.

Chondrotin also helps in the production of cartilage, while simultaneously inhibiting certain enzymes that break down cartilage. These supplements have been proven to slow the course of the secondary arthritis seen in hip dysplasia, and some veterinarians claim that they can reverse the damage that?s already occurred.

However, these supplements are best if taken as a preventative measure. If you suspect your dog may be prone to hip dysplasia, it is advisable to start giving the supplements while he is still a puppy. Even if your dog is not likely to get hip dysplasia, giving these supplements can be beneficial. Many dogs develop osteoarthritis as they age, and regular supplementation with glucosamine and chondrotin can help prevent this progression.

Some people claim that vitamin C protects against progressive joint diseases such as hip dysplasia, but so far, there are no studies to support this. If you choose to treat your dog with vitamin C, make sure to consult with your veterinarian first, since vitamin C can cause stomach upset, especially in puppies and younger dogs.

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http://lbah.com/canine/hip_dysplasia.htm
http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/hip_dysplasia.html
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/ddyspla.html