Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: What Are the Signs of Arthritis in Dogs?

Knowing the signs of arthritis in dogs can be
helpful in determining if your dog is indeed
suffering from arthritic pain and discomfort.
Arthritis is a common diagnosis in dogs,
especially as they age. While there is no cure
for arthritis, it is a disease that can be
managed.

Arthritis literally means an acute or chronic
inflammation of a joint. Knowing what to look for
will greatly help your dog and increase their
comfort level. There are certain things that can
predispose the dog to arthritis.

Larger breed dogs are more prone to arthritis.
Overweight dogs are also more likely to get
arthritis as they age. Traumatic injuries to
joint tissues, even at younger ages, can develop
into arthritis even after the initial injury
heals.

The signs of arthritis in dogs can vary greatly.
Dogs can be notorious for "hiding their symptoms"
or only showing minimal signs of discomfort when
they are in fact suffering from severe arthritis.
Some of the things to look for are general
stiffness, limping or a decrease in activity.
They may take longer to rise from a laying or
sitting position or show a reluctance to climb
steps or stairs.

They may become irritable or have a lack of
appetite. In some more severe cases, the dog may
whimper or cry out when standing or being
touched. The dog may become quiet or withdrawn
and show an unwillingness to do activities that
they had previously enjoyed. Some dogs exhibit
personality changes.

As it does in people, the symptoms of arthritis
may come and go. One day the dog may be feeling
better and showing no signs of discomfort and the
following day show signs of discomfort. Because
of reasons like this, some of the signs of
arthritis could easily be missed or overlooked.

The degree of discomfort can vary with weather
changes. The dog may also show signs of
diminished muscle tone if they are using other
muscles and joints to compensate for the pain in
other areas.

If any of these signs of arthritis are noted in
the dog, careful observation and a trip to the
vet might be in order. While arthritis can't be
cured, there are many measures and steps that can
be taken to ensure that the dog is as comfortable
as they can be.

Once the diagnosis of arthritis has been made by
the veterinarian, there are many options to
manage the arthritic condition and give the dog
the quality of life he deserves.

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Visit Steve's site, Cactus Canyon for more
information about the symptoms and treatments of
canine arthritis. http://www.cactuscanyon.com

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