Arthritis is a health problem that not only humans have to deal with, but so do our pets. In fact, one-fifth of dogs in the US, over the age of seven, suffer with painful DJD (degenerative joint disease) as veterinarians like to say. It is also one of the top recurring pains in dogs that they treat. Arthritis in dogs can affect their back, elbows, shoulders, hip and neck.
If you are not sure if your dog has arthritis, here are a few of the more obvious signs:
Does he tend to favor once side over another (His joints could be too painful on one side, so he will tend to put more pressure on the other to avoid pain. He may even show discomfort while standing or even sitting on a particular side)
Unusual weight gain (Because of the painful joints, he may tend to be more lethargic or even sleep more not getting the exercise a healthy dog would generally get)
Not as active (If you have noticed he is not as playful or unusually hesitant in his movements. This is due to stiff joints)
If you have noticed your dog with any one of the above symptoms for more than a week, do not hesitate to take him to a veterinarian. This way he can be properly diagnosed and treated.
There are home remedies that you might even want to try to ease his pain.
Diet
Your dog’s diet is one area that you might want to look into. Dry dog food is made up mostly of grains which cause inflammation of the joints. A better choice would be to try preparing his meals with raw or cooked meat as well as cooked vegetables. They are not only healthier for him but should help alleviate some of the swelling in his joints. (Stay away from anything spicy such as peppers and even onions). Omega 3 fatty acids can be used as a supplement in order to decrease the amount of inflammation in the joints. Try giving him fish capsules. Flax seed is also a great anti-inflammatory.
Exercise
Even thought your dog may be in pain, it is still important that he gets a short amount of exercise. If he is not skittish to water, try having him swim. For smaller dogs, a kiddy pool would work great. This way, there is no pressure on the joints, yet he is still being mobile. Also take him for short 15 minute walks. Do not expect too much from him such as running after a ball or jumping.
Warm and Comfortable rest area
Provide a soft, comfortable area for your dog to rest. In the winter time, when the cool air can stiffen joints, try placing an old sleeping bag or pillow on the floor to help keep his joints warm. If your dog is an outside dog, you may want to bring him into the garage at night, to avoid the temperature drops.
These are just a few ways that we can help make our pets lives more comfortable. Although, visiting a veterinarian should also be considered. Your veterinarian will probably take an x-ray to see the damage to the joints. With the rising amount of animals that are developing arthritis, there are medications that have been developed to alleviate and even help repair the joints.
A popular medication for dogs in alleviating pain is glucosamine. It is a sugar that is generated from shell fish that motivates joint repair and lessens joint pain. Glucosamine is a natural ingredient that is found in animals, but with age, the body has a decrease in production of this essential element. Glucosamine works by stimulating your body to produce Synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is needed for healthy joints. It lubricates the cartilage to aid in mobility.
Never take matters into your own hands by giving your dog human medications. They can be toxic to his body, especially if given in the wrong dosage form.
Animal care has come a long way in meeting the needs of our canines. Taking your dog to regular check ups at a veterinarian is one way to keep up with your dog’s health needs. If we want our animals to have happy and healthy lives, taking care of their bodies is important. They cannot do it without us. Paul Duxbury writes extensively on Pet Care. You can read more of his articles at Dog Care and Training and Pet Care Centre Download Your <a href="http://“>http://www.my-dog.co.uk/dogmasters.htm”> Free Dog Training ReportMod Wii Without Chip

Your dog’s body takes a beating throughout his life. Muscles are pulled, joints stressed, and organs scarred by infection. Cell structure breaks down, decreasing the efficacy of organs and tissues. All of these traumas cause abnormal cell development, which in turn create tumors and arthritic conditions. On the outside, he can appear as healthy and active as any younger dog, but inside his organs are not functioning as efficiently as when he was younger.
For example, if the kidneys begin to deteriorate, they can continue to function with only 40 percent of the tubules (the part of the kidney that breaks down nutrients from urea) working. Your aging dog will continue feeling fine and behaving normally. However, this can take a quick turn for the worse if a kidney disease continues to deteriorate. This can happen slowly or what seems like overnight. Until this happens, the only difference in your dog will be his need to urinate more often. Otherwise, there is no sign of a problem. As he ages, you need to ensure his complete health by adjusting his diet, exercise, and by keeping a close watch on his behavior. In fact, you’ll notice many problems first through behavioral changes before his body shows the outward signs.
Changes in appetite, a lack of desire to move about, or overall grouchiness are usually symptoms of a deeper problem. Your dog’s muscles will remain strong, provided he exercises. The more he does as a youngster, the more he can do as an oldster. You must keep in mind, however, that he cannot tell you he doesn’t want to go those extra miles with you. All he wants is to be with you and please you, regardless of how he feels. His muscles may still be strong at this point, but his internal workings are no longer operating in prime condition.
Your dog can still remain physically healthy with a little less exercise – maybe two or three miles instead of five or maybe you can do the run on softer ground instead of hard concrete. The musculoskeletal system will usually exhibit arthritic changes as he turns into a senior dog. Arthritis is formed through changes in the joint bones, a reduction of cartilage, and a thickening of the synovial fluid between the joints. Often, inflammation can cause more irritation and lameness. Not only will the arthritic changes cause pain in the joints, but they will also cause atrophy in the muscles because your dog will not want to move around. The muscles begin to get loose and hang off the bones. This is most obvious along the spine, chest, and hind legs.
As the muscles atrophy, the skin will appear looser or baggy. Overall, your dog becomes a different dog as his senior years take over. He moves more slowly, picks at his meals, and may bump into things that he can’t see. However, the biggest change will be in his behavior. As he ages, he may not only slow down, he will also become less excitable in general. He will still greet you with a wagging tail, but not jump on you or perform aerial leaps when you come home. When going out, he’ll walk to the door and wait patiently as you search for his leash – no more racing in circles, barking excitedly and jumping about. Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers.
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  I have lot of friends who has taken dogs to accompany them and share life with. But taking a dog may not be that easy for you have to prepare yourself for a ten to fifteen-year commitment. Your dog can help you relax and give you the happiness you may want. And like any other relationship, it is a mutual. If he gives you the happiness you want, you are to provide also his basic needs. Like humans, dogs needs food, shelter and the nurturing to keep him healthy and happy.   Feeding. Feeding your dog does not mean letting him eat the left overs of meal. You have to provide nutritious food for your companion like how you prepare food for your love ones., and also food supplements to fill the nutrient needs that maybe lacking in his diet. There are dog foods that not only gives the nutritional needs but also gives serves as supplements to counter disease like canine malassimilation and also helps develop good teeth and gums. In choosing the food for your pet, you must choose the one that he really loves.   Visiting the Vet. Feeding might be insufficient if there are signs of parasite infections of your beloved pet. To know if your dog needs deworming, it is best to consult a veterinarian to determine the parasite that infects the dog. This will allow proper prescription and diagnosis. Deworming is not only a one-time procedure but suggested mostly to be done on a regular basis. Aside from parasite infections, dog arthritis and other common dog problems, visiting the vet would allow you to monitor his over-all health.   Physical maintenance and grooming. How your dog looks like would reflect the way you take good care of him. Proper grooming of your dog is important so you may not find him smelly and dirty as you hug him. Physical maintenance and grooming does not mean you have to dress him up but rather as part of his health routine and appearance.   Bath Items. You not only choose shampoo to clean him but also to maintain the color of his fur. There are variety of shampoos to choose from depending on your dog needs.   Ear cleaning. Most dogs does not want to have their ears cleaned, while others may just content themselves waiting you to do the cleaning:. Ear cleaning is necessary in dog’s grooming to prevent causes of ear infections. Dogs with heavy floppy ears have the most problems with ear infections. Same with some breeds that have lots of hair in and around the ear canal. Dogs that spend lots of time in the water also are prone to developing ear infections. Ear cleaning may be a messy job so you have to prepare yourself .Epiotic ear cleaner may do the job easier and can be purchased on line.   Teeth and gums maintenance. Does it smell awful when your dog breathes in your face? Maybe that’s something you should not ignore. Dental care of your dog does not only ensure fresh and clean breath but also keeps him away from bacterial infections.   Nurturing and care. The moment you decided to have a dog, it means you have committed yourself to be his guardian for the rest of his life. Maintaining a good canine-human relationship is vital. Give him some of your time, play, talk and cherish every moment you have with him.   Dogs are considered man’s best friend. Having a dog is not your usual chore but an experience of a lifetime you’ll be happy with.     Natalie Roy Arce is the Webmaster of http://www.ivet.co.uk a supplier of pharmaceuticals for Dog. Our team has dedicated professionals including a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, and two veterinary surgeons who oversee sales and provide the free, practical advice for your pets in the form of numerous on line information sheets.WP Autoblogging Plugin

Author Billy Baker has decades of experience with many breeds of dogs and has provided more information on Dog Health and Hip Dysplasia In Dogs.WP Robot