As part of your regular pet health exam, today we focus on the muscles and bones that help your dog move. Starting at the neck, run your hand along the spine to the base of the tail. Feel the muscles on both sides of the spine and notice if any feel unusually firm or knotted.

Dogs can get a variety of conditions that will lead to muscle spasms in their back muscles.

Massage any tight muscles and take note of the area. A common condition in active dogs is to develop fusing of the spine (spondylosis). This can lead to decreased mobility, pinched vertebrae and back pain. Your dog will benefit from regular massage of the lower lumbar spinal muscles. Place your hands on either side of the spine and use deep circular digital pressure with your thumbs. Work on the affected area once daily for 5 minutes.

Next, palpate the bones and muscles of the legs. Start on the legs at the toes. Apply moderate pressure to the joints and move each joint back and forth. On the front legs pay close attention to any discomfort in the elbow or shoulder; these are common areas of dog arthritis. In the rear limbs, pay close attention to the knee and the hips for these are commonly arthritic. Your dog will resist moving these joints and may even yelp if your dog has arthritis.

HERBAL. A variety of herbs are used at different times for dog arthritis. The ones I have seen to be most effective include: DEVIL'S CLAW, used in traditional African medicine and has scientific studies to back its effectiveness, give 100mg or 10 drops per 10 lbs of body weight.

ACUPRESSURE. GB 41, located on the bottom of the foot, in the depression of the two outside toes, and is especially good for arthritic pain in the hips.

METHYLSULFONYMETHANE. MSM is a supplement, found in some plants such as Horsetail. It works by reducing inflammation in the joints by acting as an antioxidant – this has been shown to work well in treating dog arthritis. The MSM dosage is 50mg per 10lbs of body weight daily.

IT'S IN THE CARTILAGE. GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE is the most important supplement to add to your dog's diet. The dose is 1/4 of a 500mg tablet once daily per 10 lbs of body weight. It helps to rebuild the cartilage and delay further cartilage breakdown.

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Dog arthritis commonly occurs to large dog breeds and senior dogs. It is a canine disease characterized by a pain in the joints. If your dog has arthritis, you will observe a drastic change in his physical activities. He will be reluctant and lethargic to move, jump or play and is lagging behind on walks. Your dog will also yap in pain when tapped.

If your dog is suffering from arthritis or hip dysplasia, there are numerous treatment options that you can do to address the problem, ranging from dietary supplements to pain relief medications. But whatever method you choose, make sure to consult your veterinarian first to determine which treatment is best suitable for your dog.

Dogs with arthritis that experience severe pain usually need anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin and carprofen to address the pain. These drugs are effective at reducing pain and inflammation and are used during the first few days of beginning a glucosamine regimen. Though these medicines don’t have the ability to remodel the joint, they can lessen the inflammation at the nerve endings so that the dog remains comfortable.

Certain medications such as steroids prednisone, dexamethasone, and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to minimize swelling of joints. There are also nutritional supplements that you can give to your k9 to boost his immune system against complications related to arthritis.

Besides the medical treatment, dogs with arthritis should also be under careful and intensive veterinary care, as well as proper food intake. Changing your dog’s diet also is also important in dog arthritis treatment. It is very essential that your dog maintains the correct weight for his age and always eats well-balanced diet with the necessary nutrients. You must control the weight of your dog by limiting snacks and foods that can worsen the inflammation of joints. Your dog must also gets regular exercise to enhance his strength and metabolism.

Bear in mind that excess weight or fat in your dog causes more stress on the joints and exacerbates existing dog arthritis pain. Among large dog breeds, periods of swift growth can result to formation of dysplasias if the causal genetic makeup is present. In this case, it is a must to to pay attention to your dog’s diet to avoid rapid weight gain.

Arthritis or joint pain is a common problem affecting aging dogs, as well as younger dogs that are too active, inactive or those suffering from obesity. This problem often begins as a small tear in the dog's cruciate ligament (Dog ACL), which often goes undetected and can lead to more serious conditions like full rupture of the cruciate, dog arthritis and cartilage (meniscus) injuries.

Early regular checkups and intervention are crucial in stopping the progression of this condition. Dog cruciate ligament ruptures require surgery in most cases to slow or prevent dog arthritis.

 Dog cruciate injuries do not always happen suddenly – gradual degeneration is common with partial tears, especially as the cruciate ligament weakens in some dogs as a result of aging. Constant movement and shifting of the knees can lead to wear and tear of the ligaments in younger dogs. That said, traumatic injuries can also occur in very active dogs, both large and smaller breeds, that are continually twisting, torquing and jumping.

At the bottom of the knees are the meniscus cartilages – the shock absorbers of the joint while in motion. Using this damaged knee can squeeze, pinch or tear the cartilage or meniscus, causing even more pain and arthritis. First, the dog will avoid using the damaged leg when standing, walking, running or jumping. If left untreated, the progression of dog arthritis can lead to extreme pain and significantly reduce the dog's quality of life.

The symptoms of dog arthritis due to Cruciate Ligament Ruptures are firstly lameness – which is severe in the beginning but can settle down over a week or two, can lead into a false sense of security about the wellness of the dog. Secondly stiffness of the joint and pain in the knee will be seen, but again this can dissipate for a while but when untreated, it can lead to more serious problems like:

www.CactusCanyon.com - Dog Arthritis Arthritis is one of the many ailments shared by dogs and humans. In fact, canine arthritis is one of the most common reasons for veterinary visits in the US Signs of Dog Arthritis Many arthritis symptoms are mistaken for signs of other illness. Afflicted dogs may have difficulty getting up, limp slightly, be less energetic and alert, and appear stiff. They may also gain weight, seem afraid to go up stairs or jump, be less playful, or otherwise undergo an attitude change. Diagnosis If your pet shows these signs of dog arthritis for two weeks, take him or her in for a visit to the vet. Your dog's doctor will perform an exam, which may include an x-ray. Treatment Treatment of dog arthritis may include a change of diet and the addition of some exercise for weight management. Your vet will likely suggest a supplement including omega fatty acids or chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. Pain management can include a variety of prescription medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most commonly used, and your veterinarian may suggest using an over-the-counter remedy in conjunction with the prescription drug. The key factors in ensuring your dog's health, comfort, and safety when it comes to dog arthritis are twofold. Seeing your veterinarian as quickly as possible after noticing symptoms is essential to reducing or eliminating any pain your dog is experiencing. Only giving your pet medications prescribed or suggested by your ...
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There are different types of dog arthritis. As is the case in humans with arthritis, the problem is an inflammation in one or more joints. This can be caused by an inflammation either in the cartilage in the joint or a problem with the joint\'s synovial fluid. In dogs, the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, infective arthritis, immune mediated arthritis and idiopathic arthritis.

Arthritis in dogs is usually first manifested as a slow and gradual limpness in the limbs. Lameness will be the result and may reach the point where the dog has a hard time walking. This will lead in most cases to the dog being less active in play, walks and even moving about the home. Stiffness is likely to be more severe in the morning or after a nap; the stiffness is often minimal in the daytime, however.

To understand the treatments for arthritis in dogs you must also understand the causes. The causes are normally because of injury to the affected area, obesity, or a result of a genetic or other disease such as hip dysplasia. Most of the younger dogs have issues with failure in the bone development causing the inflammation.

Glucosamine is naturally occurring in the body (it is an amino sugar). The process of aging tends to reduce the body\'s capacity to produce this important sugar. Not found in any important food source, Glucosamine can be derived from the shells of shellfish. Its anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful in treating osteoarthritis both in humans and in animals.

Another natural treatment for arthritis in dogs will be acupuncture. Acupuncture is known for its healing properties. The method will reduce inflammation based on where the needles are placed and allowing the dog to feel pain free. There are other natural methods of treatment not mentioned in the article, but they do have as much help as these methods.

Again the method of dog arthritis treatment should depend on the severity of the arthritis as well as the cause of it. Some causes are something you must treat, but cannot be rectified, unlike obesity that can be treated and corrected.

Related Dog Arthritis Articles

The skeletal system, apart from providing the support for effective movement, functions in providing effective protection and coverage for the various organs in the body.  Although the power house of all the actions performed by the dog’s body is the muscular system, the bones and joints are what the muscles move in the first place.  The general health and well being of the skeletal system of a dog is very crucial.  Just like in humans, there are a lot of diseases that can infiltrate the skeletal system and hamper its proper functioning.  One of the most dreadful as well as the most widely observed diseases that affects the skeletal system of a dog is dog arthritis.

Dog arthritis hampers the overall functioning of the skeletal system by wearing of the bones and joints, leading to a persistent pain for your pet.  Many symptoms and features are commonly observed in dogs that suggest the existence of the disease.  These features include problems and inhibitions in getting up and rising to a standing position, being stiff legged after even hours of exercise as well as not wanting to come when they are called.

If your dog exhibits great reluctance in walking much or especially in traveling up and down a flight of stairs, it can easily be decided that the dog is suffering from arthritis. Unlike human beings, dogs do not have the ability to communicate effectively.  As a result the dog faces trouble in expressing the pain and getting it through to the owners.  As being an able owner of the dog it is important to always stay pro-active when it comes to sensing the disease.  Being pro-active simply means being on the look out for potential symptoms of the arthritis.  This would be a great favor for the dog as diagnosing arthritis early is very helpful in relieving your pet dog of the unbearable pain.

Arthritis is basically a disease of the bones and joints that is a result of inflammation.  It is most commonly observed in older dogs.  There are also much greater chances of your dog developing the disease if it is overweight or does not get a great deal of exercise.  A dog has this disease in conditions where the physical activity of the dog is highly limited. There have been times; however, when even younger dogs have been seen suffering from this disease.  The major cause for the disease in younger dogs is some kind of damage to bones that may arise due to injuries.  In order to counter the disease and prevent your own dog from developing it you can ensure that the diet of the dog is proper and he gets his share of walks as well as other forms of physical activity.  This is the best way to ensure that the bones and joints will not develop any stiffness and that your dog can remain active at all times.