Managing Arthritis in Your Senior Dog
As your dog ages, you may notice that they don't move quite like they used to. While dogs do tend to mellow in their activity levels when they get older, slowing down too much could be a sign of arthritis.
Arthritis can manifest on its own, or it can be a symptom of serious conditions, like hip dysplasia or cranial cruciate ligament disease. Read on to learn how you and your vet can treat your senior dog's arthritis.
How Can a Vet Diagnose the Issue?
When you visit the vet, they will likely perform a physical exam to see how your dog's limbs and joints move. The vet may order imaging tests, like X-rays, CT scans, or even an MRI to see how soft tissues are working. X-rays are the most common diagnostic tools because they show changes in bone structure. If your dog is diagnosed with arthritis, the good news is that you can manage the condition in a lot of different ways.
How Can Your Vet Help Your Dog?
Like with other medical conditions, your vet will likely want to start with more conservative treatments. Here are a few things your vet can do.
They Can Provide Nutritional Supplements
According to a study in the Veterinary Medicine and Science Journal, dogs that were treated with nutritional supplements showed improvements in clinical signs such as joint swelling, lameness, range of motion, and pain.
Your vet may recommend a supplement like glucosamine, a chemical compound found in cartilage, or they might recommend fish oil supplements since they contain omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation.
They Can Offer Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive procedure where your vet will use a laser on the surface of your dog's skin to stimulate cell regeneration and blood circulation. Cold laser therapy causes the release of endorphins, which are hormones that have a pain-relieving effect.
The great thing about cold laser therapy is that it can be used for both early arthritis and late-stage arthritis. This therapy can help your dog improve their mobility and possibly reduce the need for medications like NSAIDs.
They Can Perform Surgery
While surgery is often a last resort, it can be beneficial for senior dogs whose arthritis is caused by other conditions, like cranial cruciate ligament ruptures. During surgery, a vet can remove painful joint components or fuse joints together to reduce pain and possible deformities.
What Can You Do to Make Your Dog More Comfortable?
Here are just a few things you can do at home to help your senior dog with arthritis.
Control Their Weight
Because your senior dog may move more slowly, it's easier for them to pack on the pounds. Ensure that your dog is the right weight for their age and breed because extra weight can place more strain on joints that already hurt from arthritis.
If exercise is too painful for your dog to lose the weight, ask your vet about portion control. At home, you should avoid giving your dog table scraps and focus on feeding them the right foods every day.
Purchase Products That Improve Mobility
Ramps, dog shoes, anti-skid mats, and other products can make it easier for your dog to navigate your home. Even a firmer, orthopedic dog bed can be helpful in improving your dog's mobility since they will get better sleep and won't have as much pressure on their joints when resting.
Trim Their Nails
If your dog is less active than they used to be, their nails could grow out much more quickly and be a problem. Long nails can cause your dog to slip and fall more easily. Long nails can also push into your dog's toes and cause them to place their feet differently, thus placing more strain on joints. In short, keep your dog's nails properly trimmed so that walking isn't even more of a challenge.
Reach out to us at Alta Vista Veterinary Clinic for more information.
