Dogs Arthritis / Bone and Joint Disease Articles

Dog arthritis is a common problem among older dogs, but younger dogs can develop the condition as well. The most likely candidates for dog arthritis are older overweight and inactive dogs. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help prevent your dog from getting arthritis, lessen the symptoms, or help accommodate for this problem. Although arthritis is the most common dog bone and joint disease, your dog may also be susceptible to other bone and joint disease including lameness, hip dysplasia, or even a bone tumor. Get more detailed information on the symptoms to look out for, prevention methods, and effective treatment options (including alternative treatments).

• Why a Dog Cast Is No Substitute for Orthopedic Surgery

  If your dog experiences a fracture, the treatment options may include a dog cast or surgical procedure. In most cases, surgery is indicated.

• What Is the Best Dog Pain Medication?

  There are many different types of dog pain medication available on the market. However, not all of them will be right for your dog.

• Using Corticosteroids as Canine Arthritis Medication

  Canine osteoarthritis is a disease that causes joint degeneration and cartilage loss and can lead to permanent damage over time. Although canine arthritis medication cannot cure your dog of arthritis, it can nevertheless dramatically improve his mobility, slow the degenerative process and ease arthritis-related pain.

• Understanding the Needs Your Handicapped Dog

  Caring for a handicapped dog can be a rich and rewarding experience. After surgery, an amputation and/or other permanent injury, a handicapped dog will require extra time, energy and understanding from his owner.

• Understanding Canine Osteoarthritis

  Canine osteoarthritis, also called degenerative disk disease, is a progressive disorder which causes deterioration of your dog's joint cartilage. The resulting decrease in joint lubrication makes joint surfaces which normally glide smoothly over each other rough, and this makes movement painful and difficult.

• Understanding Arthritis and Joint Care for Dogs

  Joint care for dogs should begin before the pain and stiffness of arthritis sets in, but a healthy diet, exercise and joint supplements for dogs will help to strengthen and protect your dog's bones, joints and cartilage no matter what her age.

• Treating Rheumatioid Arthritis in Dogs With Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

  Rheumatoid arthritis in dogs is an autoimmune disorder that cause stiffness, swelling and inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can cause your dog a lot of pain, but you can relieve that pain with anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Treating Lameness With Orthopedic Veterinary Surgery

  Orthopedic veterinary surgery successfully treats lameness in dogs. Orthopedic surgery covers the muscular and skeletal systems including: bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.

• Treating Dog Joint Problems Without Glucosamine

  Most veterinarians will recommend nutritional supplements for both preventing and treating dog joint problems. Nutritional supplements and prescribed medications may increase the mobility and comfort level in your dog.

• Treating Dog Arthritis With Glucosamine

  The condition is one which affects many pets, but for dog arthritis, glucosamine has been shown to help ease pain and stiffness. Arthritis doesn't have to change your dog's life.

• Treating Canine Arthritis With Adequan

  Nearly a quarter of all dogs will suffer from canine arthritis at some point in their lives. Canine arthritis pain can affect joints and bones all over the body and make it difficult for your pet to be active and energetic.

• Treating Canine Arthritis Pain With Tramadol for Dogs

  Symptoms of canine arthritis can be controlled and treated using Tramadol for Dogs, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. This medicine reduces inflammation...

• Treating Arthritis With Rimadyl for Dogs

  Rimadyl for dogs is an NSAID prescription drug which has become one of the most popular prescribed treatments for canine arthritis related pain and inflammation.

• Tibial plateau leveling Osteotomy in Dogs

  Most cruciate ligament injuries in dogs are probably the result of degeneration of the ligaments over time. Often, there is enough laxity in the ligaments to allow pretty significant degenerative joint disease (arthritis) prior to the time the ligament actually gives way entirely (ruptures).

• The Geriatric Dog

  Urine leakage when dogs are asleep is most commonly associated with incontinence but can occur due to disorders that increase the volume of urine, such as diabetes or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease). Dogs do have a form of senility that is termed cognitive dysfunction, which is also the category of disorder that Alzheimer's disease is considered to fall under in humans.

• The Classic Dog Arthritis Remedy: Heat Treatments

  Along with massage and joint lubrication, an effective dog arthritis remedy is heat treatment. Today, this old-school remedy provides modern well-being for your pet.

• The Best Treatments for Dogs with Arthritis

  Dogs with arthritis suffer from pain and inflammation of the joints. Many owners don't realize their dogs are suffering from arthritis symptoms; instead, they assume that their pet's reduced activity levels are the result of mere old age.

• The 7 Most Popular Dog Arthritis Medications

  For the treatment of arthritis, dog NSAIDs are becoming the method of choice for many dog owners. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce dog arthritis pain, stiffness and inflammation and improve the overall quality of life for dogs suffering from this common joint condition.

• Surgical Treatments for Back Problems in Dogs

  Sometimes surgical treatment may be necessary for a number of dog back problems, especially if they are congenital or if the back problem is a result of an injury or disease. Just as some dog health problems do not necessitate surgery, other problems have no other alternative.

• Surgical Repair of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

  The success of femoral head ostectomy procedures is very good for patients weighing less than 50 lbs. Good muscling would be an advantage in post-operative recovery. This procedure usually works even in obese patients in this weight range but obesity is one factor that worries me when I am contemplating an FHO procedure for a patient.

• Sublaxation, Hip

  Luxation and dislocation are roughly the same term when discussing joints. So subluxation and partial dislocation would be analogous as well. 

• Spondylosis

  Spondylosis is the excessive bone production that occurs between spinal vertebrae in dogs. It is only rarely a cause of lameness or disability and should be considered as the cause of such problems...

• Spondylolisthesis - Wobbler’s Syndrome

  It is the result of malformation of the vertebrae. Intervertebral disc disease of the cervical spine is another possible problem. This can occur in any dog breed. Signs of this problem are often subtle at first, with slight incoordination of any of the limbs, but most commonly the rear limbs most noticeably.

• Spine

  The most common cause of weakness and pain associated with the dog spine is intervertebral disc trauma or disease.

• Spinal Disc - Spondylosis and Discospondylitis

  Tumors that affect the spinal cord may originate from the spinal cord itself, or they may arise from tissue around the spinal cord. It helps a great deal to know which is the case. It may not be possible for the surgeon to tell you this, immediately, but it should be possible to determine this from a biopsy sample taken at the time of surgery.

• Selecting the Right Food for Dog Arthritis: Diet and Weight Control

  Selecting the right food for your dog with arthritis will give him a healthier diet that better controls his weight. Doing so is one of the most important things a pet owner can do to keep their animal comfortable and in shape.

• Recognizing Arthritis Symptoms in Dogs: 4 Warning Signs

  The arthritis symptoms dogs have vary by how far along their condition may be. If your dog has any of the following symptoms along with a high fever, he is in the advanced stages of arthritis. If you catch these 4 warning signs early, treatments can help lubricate his joints and regenerate his cartilage.

• Proven Effects of Glucosamine in Dogs

  Glucosamine for dogs can be very effective in the treatment of arthritis symptoms. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used in the treatment of skin wounds, stomach ailments and skin problems; their biggest use is now for the maintenance and relief of osteoarthritis.

• Prescription Medicine for Dog Arthritis: What Vets Recommend

  When aspirin and nutritional supplements such as glucosamine aren't working anymore, it may be time to consider a prescription arthritis dog medicine.

• Popular Dog Arthritis Meds Compared

  There are many dog arthritis meds available to help your pet who is suffering from arthritis. These might be as simple as dog pain meds, or could focus on actually treating the arthritis with canine arthritis medication.

• Polyarthritis Conditions in Dogs

  Polyarthritis conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus and Lyme disease, are also considerations and they would be more likely to elevate the white blood cell count. The clinical signs seem more in line with a myositis, to me, though.

• Patella Luxation and treatment in Dogs

  Surgery for a luxating patella should probably be done as soon as it is clear that the problem exists. This is a surgery that should be done by a surgeon who is doing the procedure frequently, in my opinion. So we refer these cases to an orthopedic surgeon. There is a certain amount of judgment required during the surgical procedure about how far to go in attempting to stabilize the patella.

• Panosteitis

  Panosteitis is a spontaneously occurring lameness that usually occurs in large breed dogs. German Shepherds seems to be particularly predisposed to this condition. Due to this, it is possible that the disease may have genetic causes. Some veterinarians feel that this disease may be induced or worsened by stress.

• Panosteitis

  Affected dogs are usually in the 5 to 14 month age range and male dogs are more commonly infected than female dogs. The disease has been reported in dogs as young as 2 months and can occur in young mature dogs. The lameness tends to occur very suddenly, usually without a history of trauma or excessive exercise.

• Pain and Pain control in Dogs

  There are two broad categories of pain that are useful to think about because treatment options vary pretty significantly between them. Acute pain is suddenly occurring pain in response to an injury that disappears as the injury heals. Chronic pain is pain that persists after an injury has healed or that persists due to a damaging process that also persists, such as arthritis.

• Osteochondritis or OCD

  osteochondrosis dissecans ( OCD ) is that there is an underlying bone defect that leads to the cartilage flap and that the bone defect is visible on radiographs. It can be hard to find, as this tends to show up only at certain angles on the X-ray view and there is an element of luck involved in choosing exactly the right angles.

• Orthopedic Disorders of Dogs

  Hip dysplasia is probably the most common cause of orthopedic problems in older Labs. Sometimes stifle (knee) problems contribute to the problem. Less commonly, spinal problems such as lumbosacral instability or disc problems are responsible for the muscle weakness.

• Motor or Motion Problems

  For a condition like this that is affecting primarily the rear limbs, a problem with an intervertebral disc, instability of the lumbo-sacral junction (cauda equina syndrome) or other spinal cord injury seems likely. The most reliable test for documenting these problems is an MRI, based on work done at Colorado State University and the University of Washington

• Medication - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)

  Aspirin is reasonably likely to cause gastric ulcers, which can be life threatening if ignored but which respond to withdrawal of the medication. Acetaminophen doesn't seem to cause ulcers but there are uncommon reactions to it in which liver failure occurs and this may not respond to therapy, so death is a possibility

• Managing Dog Leg Pain with Carprofen

  Carprofen, a generic form of rimadyl, can be used to manage pain and inflammation due to canine arthritis, dog leg pain, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery.

• Long Term Care for a Dog Leg Injury

  A dog leg injury can be a frightening event both for you and your dog. Dogs are prone to injuries such as dragging leg or a dog leg sprain.

• Ligament and Tendon Problems

• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease in Dogs

  Avascular necrosis of the femoral head, aseptic femoral head necrosis, or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a disorder of the blood supply to the femoral head, the “ball” of the hip joint.

• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

  Avascular necrosis occurs when the bone that makes up the ball portion of the hip is damaged from lack of blood supply.

• Leg Problems in Dogs

  When there are changes in posture it is usually worth checking for the possibility of an orthopedic problem. This would be a good age to consider taking X-rays to check for hip dypslasia, since it will show up in most cases by now, if it is going to be a problem later in life.

• Lameness in Dogs

  In a dog this young it is best to confirm arthritis, especially when it is not responsive to medications. I strongly suspect a cruciate ligament injury or possibly even a luxating patella based on your description of the lameness but those things can only be confirmed on examination.

• Immune Disorders of Dogs

  This is the condition that leads to hypothyroidism in many dogs. Hashimoto's Disease is one of the names of this condition in humans. Some dogs appear to be able to tolerate lifelong lymphocytic thyroiditis without ever developing hypothyroidism, though.

• Identifying Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

  Elbow dysplasia is an often-times painful degenerative condition that affects various popular breeds of large dogs such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Great Danes.

• Identifying Canine Arthritis Pain Symptoms

  Canine arthritis pain can be among the most debilitating kinds of pain your dog can suffer. Arthritis pain symptoms can also be quite similar to the symptoms of other illnesses such as Lyme disease.

• How Effective is Aspirin for Dog Arthritis?

  When confronted with dog arthritis, aspirin can be effective. Canine arthritis is a disease that causes painful inflammation of the joints in dogs.

• How Effective is Adequan Canine for Osteoarthritis?

  Canine adequan is the only FDA-approved disease-modifying drug (DMOAD) for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases.

• HOD, Physitis and Epiphysitis

  Hypertrophic osteopathy is excessive bone deposition along the long bones of the legs which often also involves the toes. This condition occurs when there is a space occupying lesion in the thorax (chest), usually a cancer or infectious disease that produces granulomas in the lungs.

• Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: An Introduction

  Hip dysplasia in dogs is a common disease in large breeds and mature dogs but can affect any breed. Some breeds are more likely to inherit or develop this disease...

• Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

  Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. It is characterized by a shallow acetabulum (the "cup" of the hip joint) and changes in the shape of the femoral head (the "ball" of the hip joint). These changes may occur due to excessive laxity in the hip joint.

• Hip Dysplasia

  Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. It is characterized by a shallow acetabulum and changes in the shape of the femoral head.

• Four Glucosamine Products for Dogs Compared

  Glucosamine for dogs can be of great benefit in the relief of arthritis symptoms. Here are some of the leading glucosamine products compared.

• Fibrocartilaginous infarct

  Fibrocartilaginous infarcts are not a common problem but they occur often enough that most vets see a few cases in their careers. There is no really effective treatment for this condition that I am aware of. Physical therapy to keep the muscles of the rear limbs flexible and maintain some strength seems to help in the dogs that recover use of the rear legs.

• Femoral Head Ostectomy

  Information about Femoral Head Ostectomy for dogs and alternatives for dog shoulder joint surgery.

• Etodolac (Etogesic Rx) and Dogs

  Etodolac (Etogesic Rx) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication. It is a relatively new medication and it is considered to be less likely to upset the gastrointestinal tract than older NSAIDs, such as aspirin. This medication can be used long term but it is recommended to use the lowest dose

• Elbow Dysplasia

  Elbow dysplasia is the term for an elbow joint that is malformed on X-rays. The mechanism of the malformation is unclear but it may be due to differences in the growth rates of the three bones that make up the elbow joint, particularly the humerus and ulna.

• Dog Lyme Disease Symptoms: Six Indicators

  Lyme disease dog symptoms can be hard to spot. However, if you believe your dog may have contracted Lyme disease, compare your dog's symptoms to the indicators of Lyme disease below.

• Dog Limp Causes and Treatments

  If your dog has developed a limp, there are many possible causes and treatments. Limping can indicate pain, weakness, or possibly a serious condition in the affected leg.

• Dog Arthritis: Identification and Treatment

  Dog arthritis occurs when your dog's joints wear down and bones rub together, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.

• Dog Arthritis: 4 Tips For Prevention

  Dogs are living longer than ever before and with that aging pet population comes dog arthritis. Painful inflammation can decrease your dog's mobility and quality of life, but there are steps you can take to keep her joints healthy and strong.

• Dog Arthritis Treatment With Prednisone

  Finding an arthritis dog treatment that will help alleviate the suffering of canine arthritis can be a daunting task. Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints.

• Dog Arthritis Treament: Pharmaceutical Dietary and Therapeutic Solutions

  Dog arthritis treatments have come a long way over the decades. Before selecting an appropriate treatment path, it is important to understand the nature of dog arthritis, types, causes, and symptoms.

• Distinguishing Dog Arthritis Symptoms From Lyme Disease

  With arthritis, dogs' symptoms can be very similar to those presented by Lyme disease. However, the two conditions have very different causes...

• Diagnosing Hemangiopericytoma in Dogs

  Hemangiopericytoma is a common canine tumor that tends to appear in older dogs, most commonly on the limbs. They appear as rounded...

• Degenerative Myelopathy

  This study supported the idea that many of the cases suspected to be degenerative myelopathy are actually cases of disc disease in which the disc herniation is difficult to find using plain X-rays or myelograms, which have been the standard method of looking for disc disease in dogs.

• Craniomandibular Osteopathy

  Craniomandibular osteopathy is a disorder that occurs in young dogs, primarily terriers. The most commonly affected breeds are West Highland White Terriers, Scottish Terriers and Cairn Terriers. It has been recognized in other terrier breeds and in Boxers, Labs, Great Danes and Dobermans

• Common Canine Arthritis Medication Side Effects

  Once your dog is diagnosed with arthritis, and treatment begins, you'll probably be using a pain and/or anti-inflammatory canine arthritis medication prescribed by your vet. It is important that you understand what side effects these drugs can produce, and watch for symptoms.

• Choosing the Right Dog Bed for Arthritis Considerations

  A dog with arthritis can have a lot of trouble sleeping, but this problem can be significantly reduced depending on the bed. That's why a special dog bed tailored to arthritis and joint conditions can offer your pet a sounder night's sleep.

• Choosing an Arthritis Medicine for Dogs

  Finding an arthritis dog medicine that will help alleviate symptoms can be a daunting task. However, there are several prescription and alternative arthritis dog medicines available.

• Choosing a Canine Arthritis Treatment

  A canine arthritis treatment can significantly improve your dog's quality of life. There are several options available to the discerning pet owner.

• Canine Rheumatoid Arthritis Explained

  Discover the symptoms and treatments for canine rheumatoid arthritis. This debilitating condition affects dogs from six months to eight years of age and causes joint deformities.

• Canine Osteoarthritis Treatment Options

  Canine osteoarthritis is a joint disease that might disable your dog and cause a lot of pain. Mostly older dogs are affected by osteoarthritis.

• Canine Joint Disease Explained

  Canine joint disease is a problem that is faced by many dogs. There are as many as 10 million dogs that presently suffer from the continual pain of osteoarthritis...

• Canine Hip Dysplasia Treatment for Senior Dogs

  Canine hip dysplasia treatment consists of surgical and non-surgical remedies. Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease that is primarily inherited through genetics. Rapid growth and weight gain may exacerbate the disease. Dogs may be asymptomatic at birth but develop the disease as they mature. The main signs of hip dysplasia are lameness, a "bunny-hop" gait, and crying out when joints hurt.

• Canine Arthritis Treatment Through Systemic Enzyme Therapy

• Canine Arthritis Medication Treatments Compared

  There are a variety of canine arthritis medication regimens, depending on the severity and type of your dog's condition as well as his medical history. Although arthritis in dogs is incurable, many drugs prove highly effective in slowing the progression of the disease and relieving many of the most common canine arthritis symptoms.

• Can Dog Lameness Be Addressed Without Surgery?

  Sometimes a dog develops a limp that gradually disappears, but sometimes the lameness won't go away (and may even progress). Can dog lameness be addressed without surgery?

• Bone Cancer - Osteosarcoma

  The most common form of bone cancer is osteosarcoma. These are very invasive and highly malignant tumors that usually occur in the bones of the legs but can occur in any bone. Approximately 90% of bone cancers are osteosarcomas.

• Better Care for Your Dog with Arthritis

  Dog arthritis care doesn't have to be complicated; there are some simple things you can do to help ease your dog's arthritis symptoms.

• Arthritis Treatment Using Deramaxx for Dogs

  When canine osteoarthritis strikes, one of the medications commonly prescribed is Deramaxx for dogs. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that while more common in older dogs, can strike at any age.

• Arthritis Relief for Dogs Using Cosequin

  Dogs can get arthritis relief from Cosequin. As a dog ages, arthritis is a key concern, especially in larger dog breeds.

• Arthritis Relief for Dogs the Natural Way

  Dog arthritis is caused as cartilage in your aging dog's joints breaks down and wears away. Your dog's bones begin to rub together, causing pain, stiffness and swelling.

• Arthritis in Dogs: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

  Arthritis in dogs is one of the most common conditions among Americas most beloved pet group. About one in every five pets will develop some form of arthritis during his lifetime.

• Arthritis in Dogs - Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

  Carprofen (Rimadyl Rx) is the best of the approved arthritic medications based on our clinical experience. When it doesn't control pain well enough we usually add a narcotic because there isn't much interaction between the medications and the additional pain relief afforded by the narcotics can be beneficial

• An Overview of Dog Arthritis Pain Medication Options

  Dog arthritis pain is a disease that causes inflammation and stiffness of the joints. It is an intermittent disease, with the swelling and pain increasing and decreasing on a continual basis.

• An Overview of Canine Hip Dysplasia Surgery

  Canine hip dysplasia is caused by the sublaxation, or separation, of the pelvic bone and the femur at the joint. When the connective tissues that cushion...

• An Introduction to Pet Joint Health

  Pet joint health support is one of the best ways you can ensure that your dog enjoys a high quality of life even into old age. While joint and cartilage degeneration may be inevitable and progressive, that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to prevent and even reverse the symptoms of such conditions as osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia.

• Administering Aspirin for Dog Arthritis With Care

  Dog arthritis aspirin treatment is safe and effective, but should be handled with care. Because aspirin is a drug, there are risks and dangers associated with its use.

• A Guide to Prescription NSAIDs for Canine Arthritis

  For canine arthritis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs can reduce pain and improve the quality of life for dogs. This class of drugs controls swelling and inflammation and improves the stiffness associated with dog arthritis.

• A Guide to Dog Back Pain Treatment

  When a dog has back pain, it is important to find out the source of that pain and then to treat it in order to prevent any further complications or damage.

• A Guide to Dog Arthritis Supplement Options

  A dog arthritis supplement can go a long way towards easing your dog's arthritis symptoms. A supplement can not only ease the pain in your dog's joints, but can even help regenerate them!

• 10 Types of Injuries That Cause Dog Limping

  A dog limping does not necessarily mean he is getting up in years. It could be caused by a host of medical problems, ranging from trauma to subtle chronic conditions.

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