What Age Can Dogs Get Arthritis

What Age Do Dogs Get Cancer

Since not all pets receive medical care or a definitive cancer diagnosis, this number likely would rise if every pet saw a veterinarian annually. Taking this into consideration, the Veterinary Cancer Society estimates 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer at some point, and almost 50% of dogs over age 10 will develop cancer.

Diagnosis Of Arthritis In Dogs And Cats

To diagnose arthritis in dogs or cats, your veterinarian must conduct a complete physical examination along with x-rays. Certain types of blood work and other lab tests are helpful in making a diagnosis and ruling out an underlying infection.

There are multiple factors that go into determining the right treatment plan for each arthritic pet. Arthritis is not curable, but we can add so much to your pets quality of life by managing pain with medication, treatment and lifestyle changes.

Identifying the underlying cause or triggers of arthritis will help determine the course of treatment. For example, with some dogs, it makes sense to have surgical correction of patellar luxation in order to stabilize the joint and help offset the progression of arthritis. In most cases, the logical course of treatment is to simply help relieve the pain and adapt their environment. For overweight pets, weight loss can go a long way in reducing the impact on unstable and painful joints.

We now have a variety of arthritis treatments for dogs and cats that can help with osteoarthritis and other joint degeneration. We use a multi-modal approach to arthritis pain management and to maximizing your pets quality of life. We design a customized plan for your pet for treatments at the hospital or next door at our rehabilitation center.

What To Do When A Dog Has Arthritis

While dog joint pain is heartbreaking for a dog owner, it is important to be caring and provide them with the best treatment. So that they can manage arthritis in the front leg or any other area in a seamless fashion. Dogs with arthritis in the knees can be managed with the help of providing the proper diet or supplements along with prescribed medicine from a veterinarian.

When you have dogs with arthritis in back legs, it is essential to be proactive and observant at all times. It is only with the help of your utmost care and attention that dog joint pain can be managed to provide them with a long life.

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Dogs At Risk For Arthritis

Any dog can develop arthritis, but it is more common in older dogs and large breeds, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Great Danes. It can also occur more often in breeds with hereditary conditions linked to arthritis. For instance, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers tend to have luxating patella, and Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, and Labrador Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia.

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How Can I Manage My Dogs Arthritis

A healthy diet, maintaining an optimum weight and the right amount of exercise will also improve symptoms. Discuss with your vet what exercise regime is best for your dog but – in general – little and often is likely to be better than very long walks. If your pet is limping on the way back, theyve probably overdone it. Rest your pet on days they are lame or stiff.

Providing a soft, comfortable bed will help to take pressure off of your dogs joints when they are resting. Ramps up any stairs they need to climb or to help them into the car will also benefit your dog if they are suffering from arthritis.

Try Massage And Exercise

Think of all the times your faithful friend has helped you feel better. Now is an excellent time to repay the favour. Massage can increase your dogs mobility and flexibility, improve circulation and help them relax. You can gently knead your dogs stiff muscles , or schedule an appointment with a professional pet massage therapist who can pamper your dog.

Even with arthritis, daily exercise helps strengthen your dogs muscles and ligaments and reduces the risk of injury.

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What Causes Arthritis In Dogs

Injury

Serious trauma to a limb such as a broken bone, torn ligament, or suffering a dislocated joint can greatly increase the chance that your dog may develop arthritis in the affected joint area. Slower but consistent damage from extended running or jumping on hard surfaces, or severe overuse can also lead to joint damage over time.

Overweight/Poor diet

If your dog is overweight and carrying additional weight on their frame, this can place extra stress on the skeletal system and additional stress on supporting joints and ligaments.

Lack of Exercise

If your dog isnt getting an adequate amount of exercise this can contribute to weaker muscles, ligaments and bones. Without sufficient support, it can put a strain on the skeletal system and increases the chance of injury and weight gain, both of which are contribute to the likelihood of becoming osteoarthritis.

Vicious Cycle

Unfortunately, its common that a dog that is already suffering from arthritis is also likely to be less active and consequently more predisposed to gain weight as a result. The extra weight in turn places more stress on the affected joints, causing pain and discomfort, reducing the level of activity and so on It is very important to identify the symptoms early enough and make sure that they are able to get an adequate amount of exercise in a way that is both safe and effective.

Misdiagnosis

How Do I Treat My Dogs Arthritis

As a pet owner, you can do several things to help your arthritic dog.

• Maintain a healthy weight in your dog through appropriate diet and controlled exercise. Remember that an arthritic dog may be limited in their physical abilities. Do not encourage exercise that causes them discomfort.

• Keep your dog warm and dry, provide soft bedding.

• Provide carpeting, so your dog does not slip, and easier ways for them to reach favorite furniture spots such as steps.

• Warm compresses to affected joints may ease discomfort.

Your veterinarian can provide nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs to counteract symptoms of arthritis and slow disease progression. In addition, if advanced joint disorder is present, surgical options may be available–your veterinarian can advise you.

A certified canine massage therapist or acupuncturist may be able to provide treatment to reduce your dog’s arthritic symptoms. Joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin may aid your dog as may homeopathic remedies. These should be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian as some remedies are not appropriate for dogs.

See our guide to Arthritis in Dogs for more information and advice from an in-house veterinarian.

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Common Signs Of Arthritis In Dogs

Osteoarthritis is a common ailment found in older dogs, as well as some larger breeds that are genetically prone to it. Similarly to humans, arthritis in dogs causes changes in the affected joints that can be incredibly painful for your pet.

Arthritis can occur in any joint, but is most commonly found in the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees. It can be caused by ongoing wear and tear, but can also be caused by an injury to the area, genetics, and disease.

If you notice any of the following 7 signs and suspect that your dog may suffer from arthritis, make an appointment with your vet to create a care plan.

What Are The Signs Of Arthritis In Dogs

Arthritis in dogs causes pain, bad moods and a loss of energy. Well explain how to spot pain in dogs in the next section.

Senior dogs are most significantly at risk of developing arthritis. Because of this, its even more important to start keeping an eye out for signs of this condition as they approach 7 years old.

Whatever their age, if your dog has suffered poor joint health in the past for example, if they have been treated for hip dysplasia or similar conditions they will be more likely to develop arthritis than the average pet. Overweight pups are also more at risk.

Be sure to watch your dog carefully for symptoms and seek medical attention for them as soon as you notice anything. Catching the condition early can often make it easier to treat.

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What Can Cause Arthritis In Young Dogs

A common cause of arthritis in young dogs is joint dysplasia. Dysplasia means ‘abnormal growth’ – dysplastic joints grow abnormally and predispose dogs to developing arthritis at a young age. Hip and elbow dysplasia are commonly seen in large breed puppies and can cause the early onset of arthritis and pain if not treated.2 Hip and elbow dysplasia are an especially common problem in large dogs, so watch out if your young pup is due to develop into a larger dog.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are thought to be a genetic disease that is exacerbated by environmental conditions, such as improper nutrition or exercise in large breed puppies. Hip dysplasia is more common than elbow dysplasia and affects one or both hind limbs.

Elbow dysplasia is a combination of four elbow defects that may affect one or both front legs. Despite these both being painful conditions for your dog, hip and elbow dysplasia can be rectified to an extent with surgical therapy, but can also be managed non-surgically.

In young dogs, arthritis is most commonly caused by trauma to a joint, or a developmental abnormality. Arthritis can also develop secondary to an infection, such as Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases, but this is less common than trauma or developmental diseases.

Does My Dog Have Arthritis

There are several types of arthritis common to both humans and dogs. The most commonly recognized is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disorder. However, septic conditions, injury, and immune mediated disease where the body attacks its own joint tissue also result in arthritis.

A dog developing arthritis may exhibit signs such as stiffness, limping, difficulty rising, decrease in exercise, pain, and reluctance to perform certain activities requiring joint exertion such as jumping and climbing.

Arthritis, which is inflammation of the joint, degeneration of smooth cartilage, and development of abnormal thickened tissues in the joint capsule can be caused by, or exacerbated by:

• Soft tissue disease, such as damage or disease of ligaments, tendons and muscles anterior cruciate ligament disorder is one of the most common in dogs.

• Fractures in the joint

• Infection in a joint, septic joint tissue

• Structural development issues such as hip dysplasia

• Congenital disorders such a Wobblers disorder

• Immune system disorder

• Dietary, metabolic, and hormonal disease such as obesity and thyroid issues

• Neoplasia/cancer

• Osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disorder

• Inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lyme disease from tick infestations

Learn more at Arthritis in Dogs.

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Can I Help Prevent My Pet From Getting Arthritis

Although we cant know for sure if what we do will prevent OA in pets, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the chance that your pet will get the disease:

• Keep your pet at a healthy weight, or help him or her lose weight, if needed.
• Make sure your pet gets enough low-impact exercise, such as walking.
• Ask us whether your pet could benefit from a special diet or supplement.

These steps can also benefit pets who already have OA.

Tips & Products To Help Your Aging Or Arthritic Dog

These tips and products listed below have helped to improve the comfort level, quality of life, and ability to get around for many older and arthritic dogs. Have a look and try them out you may well be surprised at just how peppy your old dog becomes!

You may notice that I dont mention medications in this article. Its not because they arenât important and helpful, because they are often very important and helpful. Ive done this because medications arent the only important and helpful components to helping older dogs with their pain and mobility issues.

You can read more about what supplements and medications can be helpful with arthritis and joint pain here. The simple, yet safe and effective, tips and products I mention below arent well-known and all too often overlooked. For the benefit of all aging and arthritic dogs, that needs to change.

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How Can It Be Treated

There is no cure for arthritis, but the pain can often be managed with anti-inflammatories and/or painkillers. Relieving pain improves mobility which helps to maintain supporting muscle mass. Weight control is vital in managing symptoms and supplements such as YuMove are said to reduce stiffness, promote better joint health and increase mobility. But dogs with arthritis are likely to need medication your vet will be able to advise on this. Massage, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy may also help. In some cases, surgery may be advised but its unlikely that surgery will restore perfect joint function for life. New therapies, such as stem cell therapy, are also becoming more available for dogs and some seem to yield promising results.

Symptoms To Look Out For

Symptoms of arthritis in young dogs include limping, holding one or more legs up, a stiff, stilted gait, reluctance to exercise, decreased interest in games, excessive licking, yelping, increased sleeping, paradoxical muscle gain in unaffected limbs, bunny-hopping, muscle loss over hind limbs, and increased aggression. So look out for any changes in their behaviour or everyday routines: are they doing anything differently, has their movement been affected at all, or do they not seem as affectionate as usual?

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Senior Dogs And Arthritis

• Health and Wellness

Arthritis is a relatively common occurrence in senior dogs. Some research indicates that over 50% of dogs over the age of seven are more likely to develop some form of arthritis in their lifetime. Osteoarthritis is the more common type of arthritis seen in older dogs. It is degenerative which means it is an ongoing condition that is the result of the cartilage in the joints deteriorating over time. As the cartilage becomes less and less present in the joint, it can become inflamed, lead to bone spurs and the retention of fluids. All of these can cause the painful symptoms we commonly associate with arthritis.

The areas on a dogs body most commonly affected are the knees, hips, elbows and back. Typically, signs of arthritis usually start to appear in the latter half of a dogs life, which can vary depending on the breed of dog. It is less common, but some dogs can start to display signs of arthritis at a young age. It is a good idea to be aware if your dog displays any of the symptoms listed below. The earlier arthritis can be detected, the better. Dogs are generally more susceptible to the disease than cats, and larger breeds have a higher risk factor than smaller breeds.

Symptoms to look for:

• Unable to stand or rise from the ground especially upon waking
• Unable to or reluctant to jump
• Unable to or reluctant to climb stairs
• Affected area sensitive to the touch

How Do Dogs Get Arthritis

Many of us have been told that arthritis is a normal part of canine aging.

While plenty of our senior canine friends will suffer from this joint disease at some point, it is not actually a result of the standard aging process.

Arthritis in dogs develops due to certain lifestyle and environmental factors, or a combination of the many factors listed below.

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Final Thoughts On Dog Age And Arthritis

Arthritis can be a tough condition for dogs. It is more common with older dogs that are larger sized breeds. However, they are also occasionally seen in younger and small to medium-sized dog breeds. Ultimately, arthritis is a progressive condition, meaning that earlier detection and starting treatment options earlier can be a good way to delay or stop the condition.

Therefore, keep an eye out for symptoms such as stiffness in the joints, reluctance for movement and play, and pain when moving about. Then, consulting your vet will ensure that youre able to get the proper testing done before diving straight into panic mode. If indeed, the diagnosis is arthritis, your vet will be in a better position to advice on the next steps with the sufficient information that the testing has generated.

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Our Solution: Glyde Mobility Chews Hip & Joint Supplement For Dogs

We decided to start with a dietary supplement of Glyde Mobility Chews to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Unfortunately, there is no reversing the disease. But the good news is that just as it is in humans, arthritis signs can be treated.

I learned that Glyde Mobility Chews had a special formula with natural ingredients which would promote joint health and normal cartilage development.

I never knew joint health was something to be concerned about.

Well, it certainly is! Also important is the fact that Glyde has proven levels of glucosamine and chondroitin and that help maintain normal joint function. Glydesformula also contains New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel, the only natural source of ETA, a potent Omega-3 fatty acid, that helps relieve joint stiffness and while maintaining youthful mobility.

I now gave Glyde to my beloved beagle daily. It was funny how quickly I felt she reacted to it. Within a week, I already saw the difference. She was bringing me her toy to throw and she seemed happier. I felt that it was really working. We were starting to return to our regular schedule of morning runs. Mostly because I knew I needed to keep her active, just as I needed to keep active too. After some time on Glyde, and regular exercise, my adorable beagle was back to her old self.

I was a bit offended. No, we arenât leaving her.

Now, we get Glyde delivered to our house on a regular basis.

Thanks to Glyde Mobility Chewsfor bringing the puppy out of her again!

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