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Dog Arthritis Symptoms

Submitted by Nic on September 13, 2011

Dog arthritis is a very common complication suffered by a number of dogs all over the world. In fact, studies have shown that at least one out of every five dogs is likely to suffer from the condition during its lifetime. Arthritis is considered to be a degenerative tissue condition and will usually develop as the animal enters its seniors.

However, there are instances when the condition may develop in a relatively younger time frame in the animals life. Some of the more common causes of dog arthritis include hereditary, age as well as influence of diet, lack of adequate exercise and being overweight. Because of the fact that dogs are known to be very energetic and physically mobile animals, there are times that they will strain their legs leading to a number of dog owners misdiagnosing that to be the start of the development or even the other way around.

As a result, in the event that you notice the animal limping even after a couple of weeks, it is highly recommended that you take it to the veterinarian for a physical examination in order to identify the root cause of the problem. Some of the more prominent symptoms of dog arthritis include a tendency for the canine to prefer the use of a certain limb over another, a sudden increase in overall weight, a limp when it walks, hesitancy to perform certain physical tasks such as jumping, running and climbing stairs. Another very prominent sign of dog arthritis is the fact that the animal is likely to have very stiff and sore joints early in the morning just as it wakes up – something that will ease a little over the course of the day.

Because of the fact that the condition is a rather common one faced by dogs all over the world, there are a number of home remedies that will help deal with the condition to some extent. However, none of these are likely to prove to be effective unless the animal’s lifestyle is monitored and adjusted to ensure that the animal loses weight and gets more nutritious food. Make sure that any food provided to the animal is getting an considerable pain that the animal is likely to be experiencing, you could apply a warm compress on the affected limbs of the animal and allow any swelling to subside before you get the dog to perform any heavy physical activity.

Dog Diseases