About 20 percent of dogs have arthritis, but only about half of them are being treated for the disease, according to the Dog Health Guide. Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis in dogs, but there are both conventional and natural treatments that can help dogs live pain-free, active lives.
-
Symptoms
-
Arthritis symptoms in dogs can be subtle and hard to spot because, of course, your pet can't tell you what's getting him down, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Symptoms include limping; problems sitting or standing; stiffness or soreness; an increase in sleep; reluctance to play, run, jump or climb stairs; weight gain and loss of alertness.
Vet Visit
-
If you suspect your pet has arthritis, have him examined by your veterinarian. Your vet will probably do a physical exam to look for signs of pain, movement difficulties and other symptoms of arthritis. She may take X-rays or even do a joint tap to check for fluid, according to the Dog Health Guide. Your vet will then propose a treatment plan tailored to your dog's needs.
Conventional Treatments
-
One common conventional treatment for arthritic dogs are the class of anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs, according to the Dog Health Guide. These drugs not only can decrease pain but they also can slow the deterioration that arthritis causes.
The drugs have side effects, however, most commonly stomach problems. Your dog may need additional medicines to protect her stomach. Sometimes NSAIDs also cause liver and kidney malfunctions, so your vet may take blood tests to watch out for those side effects.
Your vet may also prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation but they can damage your pet's cartilage, according to the Dog Health Guide.
Natural treatments
-
Because conventional treatments can cause side effects, your vet may suggest natural treatments. The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, along with omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to be effective in treating arthritis in dogs, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Sometimes these treatments are combined with conventional therapy.
Diet and exercise
-
Exercise can improve symptoms. If your dog is overweight, it can complicate his treatment, according to the Dog Health Guide. Adjust his diet to bring him down to a healthy weight.
Exercise can not only help your dog lose weight but also improve his arthritis symptoms. A physical therapist can help tailor an exercise plan to address your pet's symptoms. Don't overdo it. Keep your pet on a leash when exercising him so you can control how much exercise he's getting.
Surgery
-
If your dog is in a lot of pain, your vet may suggest surgery, according to the Dog Health Guide. Your vet could perform minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to repair the joint, or he might fuse the joint with a metal implant, according to the website PetWave. Sometimes, a surgeon will replace a severely damaged joint with an artificial joint. But surgery can be risky for dogs who are older or overweight.
-