Seeing your canine pal struggling to walk is difficult for any pet owner. You'll likely have a lot of questions: it is hip dysplasia? Is it ever going to go away? In many canines, the answer is quite different. Dog arthritis is a common problem, one that strikes young and old alike, causing painful movement due to inflammation in the joints.
What Causes It?
Veterinarians are not entirely sure what creates the problem in the first place. It can appear very differently, and often without warning. It can be slow-onset and grow worse over time in gradual increments, or it can suddenly appear in full force. It can occur in young dogs and old alike. Injuries to legs/joints are common predictors, but don't guarantee that it will appear.
Dog arthritis occurs when, for whatever reason, the natural covering which prevents two bones from rubbing together at the joint begins to erode. This stops smooth functioning, and causes the bones to grate against each other. In normal situations, the covering would regenerate itself, but in some dogs (particularly those who are old or injured) it doesn't work. In fact, it tends to be a degenerative condition, meaning that once a pup is diagnosed they are likely to continue wearing down the covering and causing themselves even more pain.
Examining Symptoms
The most obvious symptoms are lameness or discomfort around a joint. The pain caused by the condition is typically exacerbated by movement, especially placing weight on the affected area. If your normally active pup becomes lethargic or refuses to get up, go up/down stairs, or jump for balls and toys, you should consider dog arthritis as a potential cause of the symptoms.
Can It Be Reversed?
Left completely untreated, dog arthritis will almost always degenerate. If your pup isn't replenishing the covering already, he's unlikely to do so in the future. However, there are several treatment options which can help restore this natural replenishment. Pet vitamins are one of the most popular because they don't involve giving your pup any drugs, have no side effects, and are less expensive than common vet medicines. Pet vitamins help support the immune system and encourage the body to return to health, which can re-start production of elements such as the joint covering.
Prognosis
As with all conditions, your pup's individual medical history and current situation will determine his or her individual outlook. However, in general, dog arthritis is not fatal. However, without proper treatment, it is likely to continue degenerating and causing a lot of pain. Ultimately, your pup may become unable to walk on the leg where the pain is concentrated. It can become quite extreme if not addressed, but with proper pet vitamins and the potential for intervention by your veterinarian to help make your canine pal more comfortable, it is very possible to have your pet live a long and happy life even with arthritis.
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