Examinations for Arthritis in Dogs in Florida
Arthritis in elderly dogs is commonly caused by a joyful and active lifestyle, but it may also be caused by injuries, diabetes, and obesity. A degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis, is the most common kind of canine arthritis, affecting one out of every five adult dogs in the United States.
WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes pain, discomfort, and stiffness in many dogs. Cartilage within a joint changes or becomes damaged, making it less smooth and causing the bones in the joint to rub together. This results in new bone growth around the joint, stiffening it and making it more difficult to move. Many of these changes may be seen on X-rays.
WHAT CAUSES ARTHRITIS?
Arthritis is typically a concern in older dogs, although it can occur at any age owing to issues with bone and joint growth. Arthritis may affect any joint, although it is most frequent in the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees.
Aging, congenital joint problems, osteochondrosis, elbow dysplasia, past traumas, repetitive stress to joints, activity levels while working, obesity, and metabolic illnesses such as diabetes and Cushing's syndrome all contribute to a dog developing arthritis.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR DOG HAS IT
Although not all dogs express pain vocally, a dog with atrophied muscles and rigid limbs, who need assistance to stand, and does nothing more than teeter outdoors to go to the bathroom, is clearly suffering. Examining the joints, particularly joint flexion and extension, can occasionally reveal which joints are causing pain or discomfort. To thoroughly investigate, your veterinarian at Wellswood Midtown Animal Hospital may recommend more tests to identify any changes, as well as discover any underlying reasons. Blood tests may be necessary for rare circumstances to rule out any medical disorders connected with arthritis.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT MY DOG HAS ARTHRITIS?
Even though most dogs are stoic creatures that hide indications of discomfort, there are a number of symptoms that your dog may be suffering from arthritis. The following are some of the most prevalent indicators that dog owners may notice:
- Swollen legs
- Unwillingness to go up or down stairs
- Unwillingness to jump up or bend down
- Having trouble standing up and sitting down
- Stiffly walking
- Licking at joints
- Exercise apprehension
- Stiff, swollen, or painful joints
- Reluctance to have certain body parts touched
- Deficiency in stamina
- Worsening of symptoms when it’s cold and wet outside
Please schedule an appointment with Wellswood Midtown Animal Hospital as soon as possible if you see any of these signs in your pet. While arthritis is not curable, establishing a treatment plan early on can help your dog cope with the illness and improve its quality of life.
HOW IS ARTHRITIS TREATED?
The first step in arthritis management is to schedule a comprehensive examination with your veterinarian in Tampa, FL. General anesthesia and radiographs are frequently necessary to discover exactly what is going on in your dog's joints in order to precisely diagnose their condition.
If your Wellswood Midtown Animal Hospital veterinarian determines that your dog has arthritis, they may require treatment. Although there is no cure for arthritis, the pain can be managed using anti-inflammatory medications and nutritional supplements. Pain relief enhances mobility, which aids in the maintenance of supporting muscle mass.
Our wonderful vets and team at Wellswood Midtown Animal Hospital in Tampa, FL, are available to assist you with any of your concerns. We'll get to the bottom of the issue and devise a treatment plan tailored to your pet's needs. Make an appointment with us right away!
