Joint inflammation in canines can be caused by arthritis, joint injuries or hip dysplasia. The condition is very painful for dogs and will be manifested through difficulty walking or performing regular activities. Joint inflammation cannot be cured if caused by arthritis but the pain can be manageable and the medication can help the dog lead a normal life.
Causes of Joint Inflammation
Joint inflammation can be caused by accidents that involve the joints or hip dysplasia, but most commonly joint inflammation is caused by arthritis. Arthritis is a medical condition that affects mostly senior and overweight canines. This is due to a constant increased pressure on the joints. Arthritis may also be inherited; some dogs may have abnormal joints and limb anatomy, which will add stress on the joints.
Symptoms of Joint Inflammation
The symptoms of joint inflammation will be visible, as the condition causes a lot of pain and discomfort. The affected dog may be limping, have difficulties standing up, jumping or climbing stairs. The dog will avoid performing certain activities and rest more.
The swelling of the joints may be visible and the dog will also indicate the pain by licking, biting or chewing the swollen joint area.
The dog may suffer from depression caused by the pain and may also be more vocal than usual; whining or growling can be common in dogs with joint pain.
When touching the affected areas, the dog will withdraw, as he is sore.
Lack of appetite may also be present and the dog may lose some weight if the joint inflammation is not detected and the pain is not managed.
Treatment for Joint Inflammation
If the joint inflammation is caused by joint injuries, the treatment will focus on healing the injury and manage the pain. Hip dysplasia should be treated and the bones should be aligned in their normal position.
If the joint inflammation is caused by arthritis, the condition is not treatable, but the dog may get anti inflammatory medication and pain relievers. The anti inflammatory drugs may contain steroids, but there’s also the option of non steroidal anti inflammatory medication (i.e. aspirin). The vet will determine which is the most suitable for your dog; steroids may have more side effects (including kidney and liver problems) when administered for a longer period of time.
The pain caused by arthritis may fluctuate, so the medication may not be needed on a permanent basis. A dog with arthritis should be kept in a warm environment, ensuring that he has soft bedding.
Regular checkups are needed to monitor the evolution of the joint swelling and to change the dosage of the medication, if need be.
If your dog is overweight, the vet will recommend a diet to reduce the pressure on the joints. Reduce the calorie intake and get a prescription diet from your vet; intensive exercise is not recommended for dogs with arthritis; physical therapy, massage or low impact exercise (i.e. swimming) may be options to maintain the strength of the muscles and relieve the pain.
Dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can help in repairing the cartilage and lubricate the tissues in the joints.