Just as humans suffer the pain of arthritis,
one in five dogs also suffer from the pain and disability
caused by arthritis. It is a condition that develops
gradually over time and is not limited to certain breeds
or ages, making it imperative that pet owners have their
pets checked by their veterinarian.
There is evidence that the dog population is ageing,
just as the human population is ageing. The average
dog is living a longer life and therefore more likely
to suffer arthritis - but there have been great advances
in medical treatment according to Associate Professor
Rick Read, Specialist Small Animal Surgeon, Division
of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Murdoch University,
Perth.
"Older dogs often become less active and slow down
in their movement but owners should not just assume
that this is simply due to their pet getting old.
Arthritis may be a contributing factor so a visit
to the vet for an arthritis check is a good idea,"
said Dr Read.
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Some signs and symptoms
of arthritis to watch out for :
- reluctance to walk
or play
- limping
- stiffness of joints
in the morning
- licking of joints
- difficulty in rising
from a resting position
- difficulty in climbing
stairs
- change in personality
- less happy or playful
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If you suspect arthritis, take your dog to the vet for
diagnosis and treatment. If you need to find a vet please
use our online vet
finder. Your vet may suggest a combination of weight
loss, diet and exercise plus some form of medication.
Veterinarians can prescribe a number of different medications,
which are safe and effective treatments for arthritis.
To see a graph showing the stages of arthritis click
here |
