Canine Arthritis

For 2 days, my dog was limping and having difficulty with walking and running. 

He was showing morning stiffness and intermittent lameness.  When I took him to the vet for careful evaluation, I found out that he was showing early signs of arthritis.  It was even appalling when my vet told me that  1 out of 5 dogs suffer from canine arthitis.  Since he was a little overweight he may be at risk. He was given anti-inflammatory drug prescription and I was advised to provide him limited and gentle exercise to reduce his risk.  He was given supplements with glucosamine, chondroitin to relieve arthritis by promoting joint and cartilage health.  He was also prescribed Omega3 supplementation.  He gave my dog a full evaluation to rule out other problems.

 Weight reduction was advised and he was recommended  some supplements to his diet with low caloric items such as cooked cabbage, green beans and carrots.  I also have to pay careful attention to injuries  that may harm bones, ligaments or tissues.  I made sure his bed is as comfortable as mine.  We also tried giving him daily doses of aspirin to relieve pain. His tolerance to aspirin was low so he was showing side effects such as lack of appetite, vomitting, diarrhea and dark stools. My vet lowered the doze and he was doing great.

Diet changes work best in the early stages of arthritis. If we give our dog the special attention he needs to minimize his discomfort we will make our dog happier and healthier in the long run.