Posts Tagged ‘joints’
Causes of Dog Arthritis
Dog Arthritis and its causes can be broken down into two main categories and two subcategories:
- Degenerative Joint Disease:
Degenerative Joint Disease develops from acute or chronic trauma to a joint.
Acute Traumatic Arthritis – marked by a sudden injury or accident of some sort.An injury that disrupts the joints will cause inflammation that will then have the potential to lead to dog arthritis.Depending on the severity of the injury the inflammation may be stopped before deterioration begins.
Repeat trauma-induced arthritis – brought on by any repetitive stress on unstable joints.Poor conformation or hip dysplasia will create unstable joints or the activity itself, such as extreme sport, will lead to instability.A puppy with young, developing joints will sustain trauma to those joints if subjected to repetitive activity such as long jogs.Being overweight will subject the joints to excessive stress.In most cases you will not notice any signs of pain until it is too late, the damage is extensive.It is because cartilage does not have any nerves that this scenario occurs.Pain sets in only after extensive damage has occurred to the cartilage.
Stress or trauma, whether it be acute or chronic, causes the joints to release large amounts of an enzyme that breaks down cartilage.Normally, this enzyme would be used to create a healthy balance of cartilage buildup and breakdown, however when arthritis sets in the breakdown occurs too fast.
Degenerative Joint Disease cannot be entirely reversed but it can be managed with weight control, exercise, and arthritis medicine for dogs.Dog arthritis medicine can include nutritional supplements and homeopathic remedies. Glucosamine for dogs is a particularly popular and effective way to help manage the pain of dog arthritis. The safety of glucosamine for dogs is also an important factor.
2. Inflammatory Joint Disease:
Inflammatory Joint Disease is less common than degenerative joint disease and develops from either an infection or an autoimmune disorder causing inflammation in a joint.
Infective Arthritis – can occur if a joint becomes infected as a result of a wound, such as a bite or penetrating object.It is also possible that an infection originated in the bloodstream.Your veterinarian will aggressively treat this with antibiotics and maybe even cleaning directly into the joint.
Autoimmune Arthritis – normally affects multiple joints.Autoimmune arthritis may be more familiar to you as rheumatoid arthritis. An auto immune disorder means that the body does not recognize a certain tissue as its own and attacks it as if it were a foreign substance.In dogs, the cause of autoimmune arthritis remains unknown.
Inflammatory joint disease requires immediate attention from a veterinarian and medications available only from a veterinarian.
Does Your Dog Have Aching Joints? It Could Have Arthritis
Like people, dogs can suffer from arthritis. Protective cartilage usually covers bones that are near their joints. When they walk, run, or move in any way, the cartilage on the ends of the bones rub against each other. There is no discomfort because there are no nerves present in the material. Over a period of many years the covering deteriorates. When that happens, the underlying bones are exposed to one another; when your pooch moves, they rub together and cause pain.
Often referred to as degenerative joint disease (DJD), arthritis is a debilitating condition in canines. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the factors that contribute to - or exacerbate - the problem. We’ll also explain how owners can manage the issue.
Contributing Factors And Symptoms
Cartilage that protects bones from rubbing against each other is slowly worn away as canines age. This is known as primary DJD and affects nearly all breeds. Many breeds are also susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, genetic disorders that impact ball and socket joints. Both disorders can lead to osteoarthritis, which is commonly called secondary DJD. Other factors that can lead to canine arthritis include obesity, problems related to the metabolism, and inflammation caused by fractures.
The first sign of DJD is usually an uneven gait; dogs will shift the majority of their weight onto whichever legs are not arthritic. They will also have difficulty getting up if they have been lying down for a prolonged period. If the problem has progressed to an advanced stage, a canine might lose his appetite and become reclusive.
How To Manage The Problem
Degenerative joint disease is progressive, so discomfort tends to increase over time. That said, owners can help their dogs cope with the pain through a number of treatment strategies. Dysplasia of the hips can often be treated with a hip replacement, though a veterinarian may avoid recommending it depending on the health of your dog. Vitamins, supplements, and medications that help reduce the inflammation may also be prescribed.
Owners can also pursue a more holistic form of treatment. For example, weight management is critical for canines suffering from DJD since extra weight can place undue stress on their joints. If a dog is severely overweight, veterinarians will recommend waiting to perform surgery or prescribing medication.
Daily low-impact exercise will help control weight gain. Activities such as swimming or walking will give your pooch the opportunity to use his limbs and maintain his muscles without exacerbating his arthritis. Also, climbing and descending stairs, and jumping into and out of vehicles can worsen his DJD; a ramp can significantly reduce the impact on his joints.
As soon as you know your dog has arthritis, ask your vet for a treatment path. Whether through surgery, medications, exercise, or a combination of all three, you can help improve your canine’s quality of life.
Find the best Dog Treats and Dog Chews at http://www.bestbullysticks.com