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Dog Osteoarthritis Care

Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) is a progressive condition inwhich the cartilage in the joint is slowly broken down, and bony changes occur.

Any dog with a developmental or congenital joint problem, like dysplasia orpatella luxation, is more prone to developing osteoarthritis. Dogs who have hadinjury to a joint such as a fracture involving the joint or a ruptured anteriorcruciate ligament in the knee will be also more likely to develop DJD.The signs of osteoarthritis can vary depending up on the joints involved, theage and size of the dog, and the severity of the disease. In general, the firstsigns may be an altered gait, since the dog will try to put more of its weighton the unaffected limbs.

Many times the dog may find it difficult to get upafter lying down or would be unable to jump up into the car or may havedifficulty to go up or down stairs. Depending upon the amount of pain the dog isexperiencing, there may be changes in appetite and behavior. Some dogs will lickor bite at the area that is painful. Some will seek out warmth or soft places tosleep.

Some forms of degenerative joint disease can be treated with surgery. Forexample, hip replacements in dogs with hip dysplasia are becoming more common.Other procedures can also be performed, but their success rests upon how manybony changes have occurred in and around the joint. Caring for a dog with osteoarthritis requires combating it on many fronts.

These include:· Weight control and exercise· Physical therapy· Prescription anti-inflammatories or non-prescription medication for treatmentof pain and inflammation.· Other supplements to reduce inflammation, including fatty acid supplementscontaining high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.Beyond these actions, owners of osteoarthritic dogs can make their dogs morecomfortable by providing ramps for steep, and soft but supportive orthopedicdog bed. For dogs with arthritis in the back or neck,dog sweaters or dog jackets may help, especially in colder climates.

Thesedogs can also benefit from elevated feeders. Making day-to-day activities lesspainful for your pet dog will help you feel good, too.
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