Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Dog Joint Pain: Symptoms and Solutions

Signs of pain in a canine are not always
pronounced, but there are signs that will help
you discover that the dog is suffering from dog
joint pain, if you know what those signs are.

Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to having
joint problems as they get older, and other dogs
may experience joint discomfort due to an injury
or arthritis.

Joint pain may not be noticed when it first
starts, but after awhile, the owner notices that
the dog is acting differently. At first, the dog
will have a slow day, and then will be more
active the following day, and then maybe a week
later, slows again; the owner will once again see
the dog is acting differently, this time raising
a caution flag.

If a dog always lies on the couch and this is the
dog's favorite spot, one may observe the dog
approach the couch, and then in slow motion, get
onto the couch. The dog might even try a scoot
method to avoid lifting the hind legs.

They will use the front legs as leverage,
literally pulling the hind legs onto the couch to
avoid pain. Another sign is the hunched look.
When the dog walks, it may look like the hind
legs are closer together, taking baby steps, and
the rear part of the dog is almost into a hunched
position.

To avoid the joint pain, a smaller step will
replace a full flex of the hind leg. Observe the
dog when they try to make a circle or turn, one
may notice that they almost hop to complete the
circle, or instead of a tight turn, they will
make the turn around by walking in a larger
circle.

This action is from hip pain in the rear joints
that the dog is avoiding by walking or turning,
and meanwhile trying to keep the weight off of
the hind quarters. An owner may even think that
the dog is constipated, because of the stiff hind
quarters and lack of movement in that area.

The best way to determine what is causing the
pain is to have a veterinarian do an x-ray of the
joints. It can be from the hip bone being a
flatter joint bone, as opposed to having a curve
to keep the joint in place. This would then allow
the joint to freely move within that area.

The best way to give a good example is: cup your
left hand, then make a fist with the right hand,
now place your fist into the cupped hand. That
resembles a joint. Now flatten or open the left
hand while keeping the fist, see how with the
extra room the joint floats and does not stay in
one place.

There are several different causes of why the
family pet is experiencing dog joint pain. Have a
vet examine the dog, and do an x-ray to determine
the exact cause of pain; nobody enjoys pain,
including the dog.

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Visit Cactus Canyon for more information about
dog joint pain and osteoarthritis in canines.
http://www.cactuscanyon.com/dog-arthritis

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