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Old Dog Resources
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Arthritis in Dogs
Arthritis is treatable in dogs
There is a wide range of treatment options available for treating
arthritis
(also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease).
* Adequate rest. Pets with degenerative joint disease need adequate rest. Rest
helps to decrease inflammation and strengthen joints. Too much exercise and
over-use of the damaged joints will aggravate symptoms and may also accelerate
joint destruction.
Unfortunately, it is often difficult to determine how much rest and exercise a
pet needs.
Too much exercise may make matters worse while not enough may reduce muscle
tone. Your veterinarian can assist you in determining how much exercise and rest
is ideal for your pet.
* Avoid overexertion. As a guideline, any activity that causes your pet to
become acutely lame for a period of time afterward is excessive and the level of
activity should be reduced accordingly. Avoid strenuous exercise and periods of
overexertion, which can accelerate the destruction within the joints.
* Control exercise. Properly controlled exercise will help maintain muscle
tone and joint flexibility. Failure to provide adequate exercise is just as bad
as providing too much. Controlled exercise can consist of several short walks on
a leash every day, interspersed with short periods of rest. Swimming, when
possible, is another ideal form of exercise, providing exercise without
stressing the joints.
As the pet strengthens, and if there are no adverse side effects (such as
lameness, soreness, stiffness or reluctance to walk), periods of exercise can be
lengthened and more strenuous types of activity introduced. If adverse effects
do occur, the amount of exercise must be reduced accordingly. Once again, your
veterinarian can prove very helpful in providing advice.
* Weight reduction. Pets that are obese should be started on a weight-reduction
program. Obesity places excessive stress on joints and may hasten further joint
degeneration.
* Pain relief. Currently, there are a number of treatments available to help
dogs with arthritis
become pain-free and mobile once again. Nutritional supplements (e.g.
glucosamine sulphate, chondriotin sulphate), corticosteroids, and NSAIDS (nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory drugs), alone or in combination, may prove helpful. Recently,
the introduction of new drugs such as Metacam7™ (meloxicam) and Rimadyl7™(carprofen)
have dramatically changed the way veterinarians treat
arthritis. These
new generation NSAIDS are proving to be extremely effective yet are well
tolerated by patients over long periods of time. Your veterinarian can advise
you on which treatments are best suited for your dog. Cats usually do not
require drug therapy since they are not affected by DJD to the same extent that
dogs are.
* Surgery. Surgery is used only in very select cases. For example, occasionally,
fusion of the joints may be warranted to help relieve pain or restore limited
function. In other cases, insertion of a prosthetic device (e.g. hip joint) or
removal of joint debris may also prove helpful. However, in most cases, surgical
intervention is not a suitable alternative for the treatment of degenerative
joint disease.
"Reprinted with permission
from www.animalhealthcare.ca |
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