Getting older is part of life, and as you get older, it is accompanied by aging-related illnesses and a variety of physical symptoms. Arthritis, one of the most painful diseases, affects one out of every three people aged 18 to 64 in the United States alone. Arthritis affects life in some way because it causes pain in joints and parts of the body that have mobility.
So what about our puppy? Dogs, especially old dogs, can have arthritis. Arthritis significantly affects the quality of life of both humans and dogs and affects every moment of movement. So what are the reasons for arthritis and what are the symptoms?
Arthritis is a very common disease among older people or dogs. This is a functional abnormality of the joint where the bones collide or engage after the capillary vessels between the joints have already been degenerated. This disease causes extreme pain every time there is movement. There are many types of arthritis, but it is mainly about joint disease.
These symptoms can also occur in dogs that are overweight or eat too much food. In other words, the body becomes heavy and joints can not withstand pressure. This makes the puppy weak, painful, and difficult to move.
How do you know if you have arthritis?
The common symptoms that can be seen in dogs with arthritis are limping and walking, but they can also be seen as uncomfortable. Even dogs that are active sometimes try to stay in one place to slow down and avoid pain.
So which breed is more vulnerable to arthritis? Large dogs are more likely to get arthritis than small dogs because of their weight. And overweight dogs are also vulnerable to joint disease. The pressure from overweight causes joint wear.
Dogs can be diagnosed with arthritis through a veterinary examination. The tests include CT scan, MRI, X-ray, and joint analysis. If necessary, the bones can be photographed to see the site of inflammation, but inflammation usually occurs in areas of the active joint, such as the legs or feet. And when a diagnosis of arthritis is made, treatment should be started as soon as possible to reduce pain. In most cases, surgery is the most recommended. This is because surgery can prevent arthritis from becoming more severe.
Because arthritis is infectious by its nature, it can be treated with antibiotics. However, osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis, is degenerative and progresses gradually over time. Most treatments currently available are limited to relieving discomfort and pain. Occasionally, several treatments are prescribed to increase the likelihood of treatment.
Prevention of arthritis
While there are many ways that dogs can live healthy and prevent arthritis, weight management is important. This can reduce the stress on the joints. If you can not be sure of the ideal weight of the dog because the normal weight varies for each breed, you can seek the help of a veterinarian.
Certain diets can also reduce the incidence and symptoms of arthritis. Foods rich in omega-3s reduce the likelihood of inflammation. Even if arthritis already occurs, there is food that helps restore the puppy's activity to normal. These foods are able to repair unhealthy cells and restore joints and capillaries to good condition.
If you think that these methods do not work for dogs, you can ask the veterinarian how to ease the pain. In some cases, it can be exacerbated to such an extent that treatment is no longer possible. The only way to do this is to reduce pain and make it as comfortable as possible.
