Arthritis, for those not in the know, is a condition that involves pain or stiffness in the joints. What you may not know is that it can impact more than just human beings. If there's anything that canine arthritis proves, it's that even the beloved dog can suffer from such a condition. For those that would like to know more about the condition in question, here are 4 facts that are worth noting, especially if you're a pet owner.
To start off, it's important to be aware of what causes canine arthritis in the first place. A dog can develop this condition because of physical damage, usually to the cartilage or ligaments in the body. A more common cause to be aware of - and reputable authorities along the lines of Assisi Animal Health will agree - is age. The older a dog becomes, the more likely they are to develop arthritis in their joints.
Did you know that every 1 in 5 adult dogs suffer from arthritis? In fact, this condition seems to be most common in companion animals, which makes sense given how heavily they're relied on. With these statistics in mind, you can clearly see just how common this health problem is. Whether you have a dog for your own health reasons or the sake of companionship, educating yourself on the matter is important.
Another thing to know about arthritis in dogs is that symptoms aren't immediately visible. Let's say that, for the sake of argument, that one of your grandparents has arthritis. It will become clear that this is the case, as you may notice that they walk more gingerly, pick up items slower, and move slower in general. Dogs, at least not until much later, don't exhibit these types of signs. More pet owners should be aware of this fact.
If you'd like to know about canine arthritis treatment, it's imperative that you get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will probably prescribe a drug or recommend surgery, both of which go a long way in reducing swelling. This will result in more comfort for your pet in the long term. It's been said that over-the-counter solutions like aspirin work, but they can be harmful in the long term. Not every solution that works for humans will benefit dogs.
To start off, it's important to be aware of what causes canine arthritis in the first place. A dog can develop this condition because of physical damage, usually to the cartilage or ligaments in the body. A more common cause to be aware of - and reputable authorities along the lines of Assisi Animal Health will agree - is age. The older a dog becomes, the more likely they are to develop arthritis in their joints.
Did you know that every 1 in 5 adult dogs suffer from arthritis? In fact, this condition seems to be most common in companion animals, which makes sense given how heavily they're relied on. With these statistics in mind, you can clearly see just how common this health problem is. Whether you have a dog for your own health reasons or the sake of companionship, educating yourself on the matter is important.
Another thing to know about arthritis in dogs is that symptoms aren't immediately visible. Let's say that, for the sake of argument, that one of your grandparents has arthritis. It will become clear that this is the case, as you may notice that they walk more gingerly, pick up items slower, and move slower in general. Dogs, at least not until much later, don't exhibit these types of signs. More pet owners should be aware of this fact.
If you'd like to know about canine arthritis treatment, it's imperative that you get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will probably prescribe a drug or recommend surgery, both of which go a long way in reducing swelling. This will result in more comfort for your pet in the long term. It's been said that over-the-counter solutions like aspirin work, but they can be harmful in the long term. Not every solution that works for humans will benefit dogs.
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