What Causes Arthritis In Dogs?
Arthritis in dogs can be due to several different factors, particularly common are injuries, congenital defects and simply getting older, just as in humans. In dogs, even a minor injury can lead to arthritis later in life. The conditions to which some breeds of dogs are predisposed, such as hip dysplasia can also mean a predisposition to developing arthritis as the dog ages. Even dogs who have never suffered an injury in their lives may well develop arthritis as they age.
There are different types of dog arthritis, just as with the human arthritis condition. The problem is an inflammation in one or more joints. This can be caused by an inflammation either in the cartilage in the joint or a problem with the joint's synovial fluid. In dogs, the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective arthritis, immune mediated arthritis and idiopathic arthritis.
Dog arthritis symptoms usually involve a gradual onset of limpness in the limbs. In other words, lameness will result to the point where the dog finds it difficult to walk. Most often a dog will also be less likely to be active in activities such as walks, playing, or even going up stairs. The stiffness of the limbs is likely to be more pronounced in the mornings or after long naps, but the stiffness often disappears through the day.
A dog afflicted with arthritis will tend to feel pain if their limbs are touched near to where the joint is inflamed. There is usually swelling as well, and you may be able to feel this.
There is arthritis medicine for dogs that will help treat the inflammation. However, many dog owners find that natural treatments for arthritis in dogs are more helpful. Glucosamine for dogs and MSM for dogs are two popular natural ingredients for dog arthritis treatments (and arthritis treatments for humans, as well). In fact, many experts are of the view that there are three essential ingredients for an effective natural arthritis treatment - glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.
Glucosamine is naturally occurring in the body (it is an amino sugar). The process of aging tends to reduce the body's capacity to produce this important sugar. Not found in any important food source, Glucosamine can be derived from the shells of shellfish. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in treating osteoarthritis both in humans and in animals.
Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.
For some dogs, arthritis remedies must be used in conjunction with a change in the animal's diet to best treat the symptoms of dog arthritis.
There are different types of dog arthritis, just as with the human arthritis condition. The problem is an inflammation in one or more joints. This can be caused by an inflammation either in the cartilage in the joint or a problem with the joint's synovial fluid. In dogs, the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective arthritis, immune mediated arthritis and idiopathic arthritis.
Dog arthritis symptoms usually involve a gradual onset of limpness in the limbs. In other words, lameness will result to the point where the dog finds it difficult to walk. Most often a dog will also be less likely to be active in activities such as walks, playing, or even going up stairs. The stiffness of the limbs is likely to be more pronounced in the mornings or after long naps, but the stiffness often disappears through the day.
A dog afflicted with arthritis will tend to feel pain if their limbs are touched near to where the joint is inflamed. There is usually swelling as well, and you may be able to feel this.
There is arthritis medicine for dogs that will help treat the inflammation. However, many dog owners find that natural treatments for arthritis in dogs are more helpful. Glucosamine for dogs and MSM for dogs are two popular natural ingredients for dog arthritis treatments (and arthritis treatments for humans, as well). In fact, many experts are of the view that there are three essential ingredients for an effective natural arthritis treatment - glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.
Glucosamine is naturally occurring in the body (it is an amino sugar). The process of aging tends to reduce the body's capacity to produce this important sugar. Not found in any important food source, Glucosamine can be derived from the shells of shellfish. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in treating osteoarthritis both in humans and in animals.
Many times, just a change in diet can be enough to treat the symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Especially in tandem with exercise, diet can relieve arthritis in many dogs. Just as in humans, obesity can lead to arthritis. If the animal is kept at a healthy weight, then much of the pain of arthritis will simply disappear.
For some dogs, arthritis remedies must be used in conjunction with a change in the animal's diet to best treat the symptoms of dog arthritis.
About the Author:
Conventional veterinary medicine has limited answers for treating dog arthritis, but the good news is that there are natural alternatives that can even reverse canine arthritis.
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