Arthritis
Arthritis affects one in five dogs over the age of seven. It is a painful condition that affects the joints and can occur in your dog's neck, hips, shoulders, elbows and back.
However, there are many simple solutions that you can provide at home that can relieve the aches and pains in your dog's joints.
There are a number of different types of Arthritis. Hip dysphasia, for example, is a particular type of arthritis that involves inflammation and erosion of joint cartilage that over time gets worse. Without the cushioning effect of healthy cartilage, painful nerve endings are hammered. With pain, the joint is used less and becomes stiff and losses it's range of motion.
Pretty much all of the symptoms revolve around pain and stiffness of the joints which show up as 'morning stiffness', less activity in general, trouble climbing stairs or getting into your car or truck.
Things you should do to help canine arthritis:
- Change your dogs diet
- Provide supplements that reduce arthritic swelling and pain
- Reduce excess weight
- Apply moist heat
- Raise your dogs food and water bowl
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