Osteoarthritis in dogs

We’ve all heard of and/or know someone su ering from arthritis, but did you know that dogs can develop it, too?

Canine osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative orthopedic conditions ( just as it is for humans), and it’s reported that one in five dogs in the United States may be diagnosed with this inflammatory disease in their lifetime.

To help reduce the risk of getting it, preventive measures can be put into place. While there is no cure for the condition, specific treatments and lifestyle changes can be implemented to improve quality of life, especially in dogs with advanced disease. We’ll get into all of this below.

To prevent osteoarthritis or minimize the toll it can take, it’s important to first understand this condition. It is a degenerative joint disease in which the smooth joint cartilage is worn down to the underlying bone, resulting in bone- on- bone friction that causes inflammation and pain in that area.

Larger dog breeds are more prone to experiencing arthritis than smaller ones, so, for example, if you have a Labrador retriever, golden retriever, German shepherd, or Rottweiler, keep an extra close eye out for this. In addition to breed, predisposition factors can include genetics, conformation ( your dog’s physical structure), weight, orthopedic injuries ( such as ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments) and age.

Since osteoarthritis is progressive, it tends to cause more serious symptoms over time if proper steps aren’t taken, affecting your dog’s ability to be remain fully physically active, as well as its ability to navigate the staircase. It can also result in lameness, limping, decreased energy, and behavioral changes.

If you notice these signs, be sure to visit your veterinarian to see if arthritis is the underlying cause. When it is been diagnosed, I’d recommend that you focus on nutrition, exercise, supplementation and therapy to manage it. The right combination can help slow its progression and relieve pain:

Nutrition

Since dogs with arthritis often become more sedentary due to the pain, they are also more prone to gaining weight. Unfortunately, excess weight can cause additional stress on the joints, further intensifying the pain and inflammation.

If your dog is already overweight, work with your veterinarian to develop a weight- loss program. If it is currently at a healthy weight, continue with a nutrient- rich diet, but when activity levels start to significantly decrease, consider reducing calories to prevent weight gain.

Exercise

Exercise is somewhat tricky because your dog’s pain levels may deter it from wanting to walk or play. However, exercise can help your dog maintain a healthy weight, which can make a huge difference in minimizing the aforementioned pain- related symptoms.

Naturally, exercise also helps keeps muscles strong, which helps support the joints. If your dog’s pain is severe, low- impact exercises, such as water- based ones like swimming, may be the best option.

Supplementation

In consultation with your veterinarian, you can determine which supplements would be best suited for your dog to try to support arthritic joints and stronger supportive muscles.

Glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamin C, alfalfa, CBD, and Omega-3s are natural remedies that are commonly used in an arthritic treatment protocol because they’re known to reduce inflammation.

You may also want to add a serving of Fortetropin to your dog’s food daily. It’s an all- natural ingredient that helps grow and maintain healthy muscle ( again, muscle supports the joints). I find this to be a groundbreaking supplement for arthritis support as it also reduces the risk of muscle atrophy, a common side effect of arthritis.

Therapies

Rehabilitation can further help keep muscles strong while helping to reduce joint stiffness and discomfort. Dog owners can look into physical therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and massage, as these targeted approaches can help your dog’s achy joints feel much better.

Now, if your dog is not yet showing signs of arthritis, you want to take preventative measures like the smart dog parent you are! These measures are all similar to what’s listed above, but to break them out, here’s what I’d suggest:

• Be sure that your dog is on a nutritious, breed- specific diet that is allowing it to maintain a healthy weight.

• Keep up with a consistent exercise routine that promotes weight management and builds enough muscle to support the joints and ligaments!

• Incorporate supplements that can help to keep joints mobile (like Omega-3 rich fish oil) and muscles strong ( like Fortetropin).

• Add extra padding to your dog’s bed to keep limbs cushioned during long periods of rest.

We all want our dogs to live healthy, pain- free lives, but arthritis can disrupt those altruistic plans. Fortunately, innovative supplements and treatments, paired with clinically proven best practices can help to ensure that your dog’s joints remain healthy while supporting an active lifestyle that your dog craves.