Arthritis doesn’t discriminate. Not only does it affect humans, but it also strikes our dogs. In fact, arthritis affects one in every five adult dogs in the U.S. and is one of the most common sources of chronic pain that veterinarians treat. The surprising thing with dogs that vets are aware they may need hip and joint health support way before their senior years.
Think about how you feel when you’ve been sitting around for a few hours on the couch watching TV. You feel stiff, your hips may pop when you start walking around (maybe that’s just me?) and you may just feel lethargic overall. Guess what? Your pet also suffers from stiffness, soreness and lethargy.
Because your dog can’t tell you what’s wrong, it’s important to pay close attention to his nonverbal clues and take even subtle changes seriously. Signs that your dog may have arthritis include:
- Limping: You may see your dog limping or favoring one or more of his legs, depending on which legs and which joints are arthritic. In some cases, the limp may seem worse when your dog first rises and become less noticeable as your dog “warms up” by moving around.
- Difficulty moving: Your dog may also become reluctant to do things that were previously easy for him to accomplish. For instance, your dog may find it difficult to get into and out of the car or may have difficulty going up and down stairs that were previously easily manageable. Arthritic cats, on the other hand, may stop jumping onto countertops, perches and other high areas because of the pain and discomfort.
- Spinal issues: Arthritic changes can occur not only in the legs but also in the various parts of the spine. These changes may result in a sore neck, an abnormal posture with a “hunch” in the back, or lameness of one or both hind legs.
- Tiredness: Your dog may tire more easily. For dogs, this may mean that walks become shorter and more painful for your dog. Your dog may spend more time sleeping and/or resting.
- Irritability: Arthritic animals may become irritable. They may snap and/or bite when approached or handled, particularly if the petting or handling takes place in a manner that increases their pain.
- Muscle atrophy: Arthritic dogs often develop muscle atrophy or dying off of the muscle tissue due to inactivity and decreased use of the muscles. A dog with atrophied muscles in their legs will have a leg which looks thinner than a normal leg.
- Licking, chewing and biting: Dogs affected with arthritis may also begin to lick at, chew or bite at body areas that are painful. This may even reach the point of causing inflamed skin and hair loss over affected areas.
If your dog experiences any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, take him to your veterinarian for an arthritis evaluation. It may also be time to incorporate a joint supplement into his daily routine. It’s never too early to start!
I give my dogs Sergeant’s Vetscription Joint-Eze Advanced, a maximum five-in-one joint care supplement, and they love the flavor. Even better is that I have noticed positive changes since starting them on this regimen such as more energy and spunk to their step! This product contains:
- Glucosamine HCL to support joint health
- Chondroitin sulfate, an important structural component of cartilage
- Poultry cartilage, which naturally contains glycosaminoglycans
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) to help maintain healthy fluid pressure of soft tissue
- Hyaluronic acid, a major component in synovial fluid that has been found to increase the viscosity of the fluid — providing maximum relief for severe joint issues and senior dogs
Do you give your dog hip and joint supplements? If so, do you see more pep in his step?