Arthritis: An Old Dog's Tale

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Eventually, every dog will develop arthritis. As dogs get old, their cartilage wears out and becomes weaker. The synovial fluid, the fluid that lubricates the joints, reducing friction and absorbing shock during movement, becomes less abundant. The ability for cartilage to heal decreases and the propensity for breaking down increases.

With all this going on, the ends of bones, both in the front and hind legs, come into direct contact and start grinding against each other. Without the protective action of the fully functional cartilage, joints become swollen and painful. Dogs will show signs of lameness and limb stiffness, they will be reluctant to move, use stairs, or simply getting up and lying down.

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints and the term is used to describe a whole range of joint issues, including hip dysplasia, osteochondritis, and different spinal problems.

The type of arthritis usually seen in senior dogs is degenerative joint disease, which may occur concurrently with other types of arthritis, such as hip dysplasia. Every old dog has at least some degree of arthritis, as it reflects the natural aging process, backed up by lifelong processed diets, sometimes lacking nutrients that are essential for maintaining joint health.

But it is possible to control arthritis and even reverse some of its clinical signs by reducing the inflammation and pain, and thus improving your dog’s quality of life.

Conventional treatment includes the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce inflammation but also have adverse effects, especially gastro-intestinal, and should be used only in extreme cases. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) is also commonly used for promoting cartilage growth and repairing cartilage damage.

Controlled exercise to keep the joints moving is paramount and physical therapy and massages also play important roles in the treatment of arthritis. They help supporting the muscles and improve overall circulation.

Hydrotherapy is one of the best types of physical therapy you can give your dog, as the water supports the dog’s weight, increasing the range of joint movement, at the same time it helps muscles to relax, due to the warmth of the water, and strengthen, by providing resistance.

Weight control is another crucial component for treating arthritis, as many scientific studies have proven that weight reduction lead to a substantial improvement in clinical lameness secondary to osteoarthritis.

Along with weight loss, a pleasant and comfortable environment help your dog feel safe and at ease.

Supplementation is a natural way to help your arthritic dog, with proven results and virtually no secondary effects.

Glucosamine is a known nutritional supplement that helps in the production of lubricating fluid and reduces free radicals that damage the cartilage. Herbal supplements have also been proven effective in decreasing inflammation. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and turmeric are good examples with excellent results.

At last, homeopathy is a good resource with many different options that include the use of Rhus toxicodendrum 6c, Brygonia 6c, Belladonna 6c, Nux vomica 6c, and Pulsatilla 6c. These are plants that are approved for homeopathic use, with 6c standing for a small dilution that is more adequate to treat chronic conditions, such as arthritis.

As you can see, options abound. Going towards a more natural treatment is always preferable.

Using supplements for helping with the inflammation, even as prevention, coupled with physical therapy and moderate exercise are great ways to improve your dog’s mobility when reaching seniority.

A natural diet comprised of fresh food, as opposed to processed pet food, with little or no meat and dairy, is also an interesting alternative, as it leads to a reduction in inflammation and therefore helps in pain management.

It’s up to you to try and see what best fits you and your dog as to give it the best life possible.

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