Osteoarthritis is not only a human problem. Your friends, dogs, also suffer from it and it affects them especially in cold weather. So, faced with the symptoms, the treatment you should give your dog does not differ much from that applied to the patient who suffers from this chronic disease.
What is osteoarthritis?
So that you understand this problem better, we must first review the anatomy, whether human or canine.
Between the joins of the bones, that is, the joints, there is a series of cartilages that help us to produce smooth and simple movements, especially when we are young. But, as the years go by, the volume of each cartilage decreases, due to wear. When this happens, movements become more complicated, losing flexibility and even producing a pain that changes in intensity from one patient to another.
How to detect this condition in your best friend?
In general, dogs of a certain age will be the ones to suffer from this disease. It is difficult to determine the moment when it appears, since it can be due to several factors, such as too intense physical activity or a genetic predisposition.
Fortunately, if you pay attention to your best friend’s behaviour, you may have the chance to detect this ailment. Some of the signs are:
– Stiffness when walking. It may not be easy to check whether or not there is stiffness during movement, but it can help you to see that your pet is reluctant to go up and down steps.
– Less desire to play. We know that our dogs are very playful. But, when the days go by and they seem downcast, they are telling us that something in them is not right.
– It pulls its little paw away when you go to stroke it. Bearing in mind that, generally, it tends to let you stroke it, if the moment comes when it repeatedly withdraws its paw, it may be due to the pain it feels in it.
– It shows less appetite. It is true that a lack of appetite can mean many things, but, adding to the above, we are getting closer to the diagnosis.
– Limping. An unmistakable sign of joint or muscle pain.
Faced with all of the above, you should not wait any longer to take it to the vet. By means of radiological tests they will reach the diagnosis. Once the osteoarthritis has been detected, the time comes to treat it.
What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?
Unfortunately, this is a disease that cannot be cured. Because it is chronic, the most common thing is to carry out a palliative treatment for the pain, although, in some cases, the vet could suggest a surgical operation, which they will have to assess.
To provide an acceptable standard of living for your dog, follow these tips:
– Apply heat regularly to the affected joints. Hot water bottles will be useful.
– A massage on the sore area will help it before going out for a walk, avoiding any effort that involves jumping or the use of stairs.
– Take it to canine physiotherapy sessions.
– Give it painkillers prescribed by the vet.
It is very important that you have insurance, so that you can cover any unforeseen event or the passing of the dog’s age. Bear in mind that osteoarthritis is usually a common disease.
