Dogs, much like people, are susceptible to a wide range of different persistent medical issues. Like most people, you undoubtedly want to do everything you can to aid a dog that appears to be in pain. 

One of the most common issues in dogs, especially senior dogs is the onset of arthritis.

Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis is a chronic disorder that originates from inflammation between the surfaces of the joints and can affect every joint in the body. 

In healthy joints, cartilage (which is a connective tissue found in the spaces between the bone surfaces of joints) helps minimize discomfort and friction. This cartilage acts as a cushion, preventing two bony surfaces from coming into direct contact with one another and causing damage.

In some cases of arthritis, this connective tissue can be damaged or worn, leading to discomfort.

Recognizing the Signs of Arthritis in Dogs

If you are curious about detecting if your dog has arthritis, you should know that the condition can manifest itself in several ways. These are the following:

• If you notice that your dog takes longer to raise or lay down
• Problems Walking: When your dog sprints from one location to another, its legs should have great flexibility. If you have seen that your dog is having difficulty walking, then it may have arthritis.
• If you observe that your dog is refusing to bear weight on one or more of its legs. This limb may be in pain, which is why your dog avoids putting any weight on it.
• Problems on the Stairs: If you notice that your dog is avoiding going up and down the stairs.
• Swelling in the Joints: One of the most prevailing symptoms of arthritis is swelling.
• Problems Jumping: Your dog may also have difficulty jumping because of joint pain. When inflammation is present, jumping may be challenging for your dog because it needs them to load up on their paws.

Treating Arthritis in Dogs

As your dog's veterinarian will explain, a wide array of treatment options are available for dogs who suffer from arthritis. Your strategy might involve several different management approaches, but in the end, it will be determined by your dog and the circumstances surrounding him. 

Which dog breeds develop arthritis more than others?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that most typically affects larger breeds of dogs, such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

What is the best medication for a dog who suffers from arthritis?

The prevention and treatment of joint issues can benefit greatly from consuming omega-3 fatty acids. We can get it in tablet or capsule form explicitly developed for canine consumption.

Other medications can involve:

• Glucosamine, MSM and Chondortion combination
• Green-lipped mussels in pill or powder form is also very beneficial.
• The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications is still another possibility (NSAIDs). These treat the lingering consequences of cell damage brought on by arthritis and other painful conditions. In the absence of treatment, the enzymes that become active due to the damage may cause more pain and inflammation. Giving your dog nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help inhibit many enzymes that cause this condition and lessen the pain it causes.

How can I know whether my dog's arthritis is causing him any discomfort?

In dogs, signs of pain, mainly discomfort induced by arthritis symptoms, include things like the following:

• A reduction in activity or expenditure of less energy
• Having more sleep than is typical
• A decrease in excitement while playing
• Lack of interest in going for walks
• A gloomy disposition or "grumpiness."
• Aggression
• Having difficulty walking normally or limping
• Holding up a limb
• "Bunny hopping"
• Having a painful yelp whenever you put pressure on a particular limb
• Licking particular regions more frequently than is typical
• Loss of muscle mass in some limbs and increased muscle mass in the limbs that are compensating for it
• Rigidity is experienced when climbing

If you suspect your dog maybe have these types of issues, we recommend taking them to a Vet to a fully assessment