Has your dog been diagnosed with arthritis? Are you upset about the fact that your beloved pet is arthritic? Are you also worried about how long can a dog live with arthritis? If you answered yes then this article is for you.
Before we answer the question of how long can a dog live with arthritis, it is important to know about the two main types of the disease that affects the dogs.
1. Osteoarthritis:
One of the most common arthritis that affects dogs is osteoarthritis. In this disease, the articular cartilage becomes deteriorated that cannot be cured. However, the suffering can be reduced with some lifestyle changes.
2. Septic Arthritis:
When the fluid surrounding the joints is infected by bacteria or fungi, we call it septic arthritis. The good news is that it can be treated. If this is left untreated, the dog loses its flexibility of the move.
So, how long can a dog live with arthritis?
Well, there is no straightforward answer to this question. We cannot say that a dog will live for 6 months, one year or two years after getting arthritis. It really depends on different factors and also the overall health of the dog.
If you want your dog to live a longer and more comfortable life, do the following.
•Give your dog the right food. Ask your vet to make a diet plan suitable for arthritic dogs. Make sure that you follow them completely so that the disease does not worsen.
•Also, consider giving support to your dog. If the joints of the dog have become weak or it feels painful when moving around, give some extra support so that the joints do not get extra pressure.
Apart from mobility support, also give your dog a comfortable bed.
•Exercise for arthritic dogs is as important as it is for arthritic humans. You must ensure that your dog exercises regularly in order to reduce inflammation and flex the joints.
Life is difficult for an arthritic dog. With the right changes, the life of the dog becomes easy and comfortable.
What Are Stiff Joints in Pets and How Does It Work?
Have you noticed Max the German Sheppard moving slower than normal and not getting as exciting about that game of Frisbee?
Has Samantha the Siamese unable to leap to that sunny windows ill with the suppleness she has exhibited in the past?
These and many more examples of stiff joints in pets.
This could be an indication of degenerative joint disease in pets or osteoarthritis.
Degenerative joint disease in pets is caused by wear. And tear over time accompanied by an erosion of the cartilage.
As the cartilage flakes and crakes, the joint loses the shock absorber that allows it to function effectively.
Furthermore, as cartilage disappears the bones lose their smooth lubricated action.
And eventually, the bone will become flattened, thickened, eroded, and distorted.
Extra bone tissue develops at the joint margins (sometimes jagged).
Stiff joints in pets can be a quality of life-altering condition that generally is noticed in middle age or older pets.
Common indications of osteoarthritis in pets are lethargy, lameness, swelling in the joint area, muscle loss, and thickening and scarring of the joint membrane.
If the condition is allowed to continue or has gone unnoticed for a long period of time the affected joints will make a grating sound.
This is the rubbing sound of bone on bone.
Your veterinarian will likely want to take an X-ray to confirm the condition.
As a loving pet owner, you now are likely to wonder what.
If anything can be done both to ease the symptoms and reverse the condition.
Let’s discuss a few ideas.
*Weight loss
Degenerative joint disease is most commonly found in weight-bearing joints.
It is also more common in larger breeds. Weight reduction may also be an important component in successful treatment and should be one of the first steps taken.
*Exercise
Stiff joints reduce the activity level of most pets.
This loss of activity may lead to muscle loss and even stiffer less mobile joints.
The exercise conducted on soft surfaces or hydrotherapy is both very good options.
*Warm compresses
Using a warm compress or water bottle will make your pet more comfortable and loosen up those stiff joints.
Keeping their bed warm, especially in the winter months, is commonly recommended and will make it easier for them to move around.
Especially early in the morning or late at night.
*Medications
Most medications work to treat pain and inflammation and carry the risk of side effects.
Especially for long-term use. You should not completely dismiss this area of treatment.
Moreover, you should discuss with your veterinary doctor a prescription medication treatment for stiff joints deeply.
*Nutrition and Supplementation
There is good evidence to support the effectiveness of supplementation in treating stiff joints in pets.
The most effective supplements contain glucosamine, chondroitin generally.
And an array of vitamins and minerals.
In the synthesis and repair of joint cartilage involved glucosamine and chondroitin
In summary, recognizing and treating stiff joints in pet’s early can improve your beloved furry friend’s chances of recapturing their past quality of life.
Your veterinarian may be able to give your pet an analgesic or corticosteroid to relieve.
And improve joint function but keep in mind this is only a temporary fix.
As discussed above a more long-lasting solution would be the use of supplements specifically formulated for joint stiffness and joint health.
This type of treatment approach to stiff joints can prove helpful in halting and reversing the degenerative joint disease in pets.
And is a safe and effective treatment option worth considering?
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