As they get older, many dogs suffer from arthritis. The term arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints and symptoms include joint pain and stiffness. If your dog no longer romps up the stairs and seems to get up slowly and carefully, he probably has some degree of joint pain.
Certain breeds of dogs are more likely to get arthritis. Obese dogs also have a much greater risk of developing arthritis than their lean canine counterparts. If your dog has ever had a problem in any joints, such as hip dysplasia or trauma such as a broken bone, the risk of arthritis is greater.
For example, my dog Tika was found frozen into the ice in downtown Sandpoint when she was a tiny puppy. When I adopted her at 5 months, the vet warned me that Tika was likely to become arthritic later in life because of this early trauma and because of her breed. Golden retrievers like Tika often get arthritis, and now that Tika is about 6 years old, she is definitely a little stiff in the mornings.
Dogs also can be predisposed to arthritis if they’ve had certain infections, such as Lyme Disease, so it’s a good idea to watch out for ticks. Many canines are rather stoic about pain, but if you see your dog limping or he has difficulty moving around or sensitivity to being touched, you should talk to your veterinarian.
Veterinarians see a lot of dogs with arthritis, and fortunately, a number of treatments are now available. For years, vets have prescribed low doses of aspirin for dogs to help manage pain. Now other arthritis drugs are available, such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and EtoGesic. All three are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, which are designed to reduce inflammation and pain.
When you talk to your vet about drug treatments, be sure you get information about possible side effects. Rimadyl toxicity is somewhat rare, but potentially fatal. The last thing you want to do is kill your pet with kindness, so read the drug package inserts and always follow your vet’s advice as far as dosage.
You also can help make your pet more comfortable by making simple changes like providing a soft bed. A bed with extra padding is a lot easier on joints than sleeping on a cold hard floor. If your dog is fat, putting him on a diet will also help. Regular exercise keeps the muscles and ligaments in good shape.
And finally, as with humans, massage can help ease stiffness and increase circulation, so your pet feels better. Doggie massage isn’t just relaxing for the dog either. Basically, giving your dog a massage is an excuse to pet all that great canine fur a little more than usual, which is good for you too.