Does your Dog Suffer from Arthritis?
Unfortunately, canine joints age just like ours do. In fact arthritis affects one of every five dogs sometime during their lifetime. Thinning of the joint cartilage can lead to joint deterioration, reduced mobility, and pain. The most common form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.
Arthritis is a joint problem that reduces mobility and causes pain and can be caused by various factors, including injury, infection, the body’s own immune system, or developmental problems. Joints normally form smooth connections between bones but arthritis involves thinning of joint cartilage buildup of fluid inside the joint, and the formation of new bony growths within the joint. Over time, this leads to reduced joint mobility as well as pain.
Signs of arthritis include stiffness after exercise, loss of muscle mass, swelling, and having a harder time walking, getting up on all four legs, climbing, and jumping. Most of these changes occur slowly over time and therefore can be hard to spot by some owners, especially if it is assumed that their dog is “just getting older”. Bringing your dog in for an annual checkup can help us identify clinical signs early, often with a combination of a complete physical exam and x-rays.
Supportive care is important and treatment may range from simple exercises to pain medication or even surgery or other types of treatment therapies. Regular, moderate amounts of exercise help delay canine arthritis, as a joint in motion will generally stay in motion. Low-impact exercises, such as swimming or even using an underwater treadmill are excellent forms of exercise for the arthritic canine. Diets often help as getting your dog to lose weight decreases the load on his or her joints.
Pain medication, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Carprofen or Galliprant, may help relieve arthritic pain but should never be given to your dog without first talking to a veterinarian. These medications are commonly prescribed by veterinarians to reduce pain and inflammation but can have side effects that should first be taken into consideration. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used as diet supplements to help manage arthritis in dogs and other animals with good success as well.
If you have an animal that you suspect is suffering from arthritis, give us a call at Copper Hill Animal Clinic, 661-296-8848.
ADVERTISE WITH US
51st Annual Frontier Toyota Henry Mayo Golf Classic Tee Up For A Good Time
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s signature fundraising event is in full swing, we look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, May 11th! The 51st Annual Frontier Toyota Henry Mayo Golf Classic will be held at the beautiful Valencia Country Club Our Golf Classic benefits...
Travel the World in 2024 with “Celebrate” Journey to New Destinations Monthly at the Canyon Country Community Center
There is so much to learn from different customs and cultures and you don’t need a plane ticket to experience it all. The Celebrate event series is back for its anticipated third year and offers insights into unique destinations from around the world. Every...
Monthly Message from Mayor Cameron Smyth Buckle up for the 2024 Cowboy Festival!
The aroma of savory barbecue wafting through the air, the joy of line dancing with friends and the chance to travel back in time to the Wild West are all experiences that make the City of Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival so unique. April 20 marks the return of...
ABOUT THE MAGAZINE
Santa Clarita Magazine has set a high standard for excellence in advertising for over 34 years. A family owned and operated business, Santa Clarita Magazine has grown with the Santa Clarita Valley since 1990 and become the #1 place to advertise locally.
FOLLOW US
SANTA CLARITA MAGAZINE
PO Box 801570
Valencia Ca 91380
For Advertising information
Call or Text: 1 (661) 294-4444