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StartOur blogOsteoarthritis in dogs: causes, symptoms and advice to alleviate its effects
Osteoarthritis in dogs: causes, symptoms and advice to alleviate its effects
Among the different diseases that can affect a dog during their life, osteoarthritis is one of the most common and delicate. This degenerative disease progressively affects the mobility of our canine. Sometimes, Ostrosis in dogs It usually appears with small signs that can go unnoticed, due to ignorance of it. But what is osteoarthritis? What are your symptoms? How to soothe the effects of osteoarthritis in dogs? The answers to these questions are essential if you have a dog or you are planning to have one, then Identifying the signs of the disease can contribute to relieve its effects That will cause your dog. And thus ensure better well -being in the midst of all the consequences of osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
It is a degenerative disease that affects joints and bones. This condition occurs both in humans and animals, being dogs commonly affected by their ravages, limitations and intense pain.
In the case of osteoarthritis in dogs, this is presented by deterioration of the cartilage of our canines, which are located in the bones, which prevent the bones from crashing each other, so they are known as Protectors. That is why the disease occurs in areas such as hip, knee, elbow, wrist and spine, causing intense pain as its process progresses. When the cartilage wears out, they cause the bones to be without protection, therefore, they touch each other, which generates great discomfort. This process is what is known as osteoarthritis in dogs. Dog arthrosis has no race or age distinction, it can appear in dogs of small or large race. Although it is a progressive disease, that is, it develops over time, adult dogs are more likely to suffer from it.
Ostrosis in dogs: symptoms
As mentioned, Ostrosis in dogs is a degenerative disease, so its symptoms can occur when it is in a fairly advanced state. However, in many cases, the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs can be detected early. Although it is an incurable disease, recognizing the indications and offering the greatest well -being to our puppy on this occasion is the best alternative.
Limited mobility
If your dog is hard to get up, limp or spend a lot of time, it can be a sign of the appearance of osteoarthritis. Difficulty to mobilize, get up and the decrease in walks or exercises compared to previous occasions, is another frequent aspects when this disease occurs.
Changes in behavior
Another common symptoms is aggressiveness because of pain, at a time when these are more intense. If your dog presents behavioral changes, it may be suffering from osteoarthritis, so a visit to the veterinarian is the best option to know how to handle these cases.
Sensitivity to physical contact
If you notice that, trying to touch it, Your dog becomes aggressive or tries to evade contact, it may be due to the pain caused by osteoarthritis in your body. The intensity of pain can be very high, so the dog will not want to be touched for fear of hurting.
Lack of appetite
As the pain of osteoarthritis in the dog increases, this may experience loss of appetite, because the discomfort becomes stronger. Also accompanied by discouragement or depression, due to the limitations produced by the disease.
Tips for alleviating the effects of osteoarthritis on dogs
As we have mentioned throughout the article, osteoarthritis is a disease that has no cure. However, there are within your progress different ways to relieve pain and discomfort that produces in the canines. In this way, the condition can be more bearable for our sick pet. Here we will mention some of them:
Control the weight
The canine joints and bones are the ones that support all their weight. An excess of the same can cause accelerated wear of the bones, facilitating the appearance of osteoarthritis. Therefore, the weight control and dog feed is a way to control that the disease is not quickly acute.
Exercise routines
Obviously as the disease progresses, the dog can, to a lesser extent, do intense exercises. However, there are specialized dog routines in this condition that, properly applied, generate well -being and They help slow the progression of the disease.
Therapeutic massages
There are also indicated massages to relieve tension in areas affected by osteoarthritis in dogs. It is important to go to a veterinarian and that it is the one who indicates both the massages and exercises and diet that our dog must follow to improve their conditions during the progress of the disease.
Rest
Rest is also important. Accompanied by blankets when it is cold and a comfortable bed, you will make it easier for the dog to be calm. It is an adequate position where it is not so affected by the normal discomfort of the disease.
Periodic controls
Periodic visits to the veterinarian, both when detecting an anomaly to identify the disease, and perform radiographs and other studies to determine its progress. As well as the fulfillment of treatment and indications, which is very necessary when it is in the presence of dogs with osteoarthritis. These essential aspects cannot guarantee the cure of osteoarthritis in dogs. However, they will stop their accelerated progress, reduce inflammation and pain and also contribute to a more comfortable mobility of the joints. Thinking about the well -being and quality of life of the dog with this condition, it is necessary to take these tips into account and be alert to the symptoms that the canine may present. In this way, the prompt visit to the veterinarian and an adequate treatment, They will guarantee that osteoarthritis does not become a punishment for our dog.
