Different Types Of Veterinary Treatment For Dogs With Arthritis
As a canine pet owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that the animal receives their monthly heartworm pills, eats a healthy diet, and attends regular vet visits to a veterinarian in Reno NV. By completing these duties, you can look forward to that happy daily greeting when you return home from work. While it is important to consider all aspects of a dog’s behavior, many people will consider changes in behavior to be the result of a cold; however, it could be something far more serious. In fact, if there is a change in regular behavior there is a chance that the dog may be experiencing canine arthritis.
Arthritis is a health condition that can be found in both people and canines. Statistics show that canine arthritis is evident in one of every five dogs in the United States and is one of the most common causes of pain in older dogs. The thought that one human year is equivalent to seven dog years is suitable for an average canine of approximately 45 pounds, but larger dogs will reach their older years at age six or seven. Once a dog reaches the age of a senior animal, it is important to keep an eye out for symptoms associated with arthritis. Below is a list of the common signs seen in older animals with arthritis.
• Increase in weight.
• Increase in sleep.
• Problems standing and sitting.
• Reduced alertness.
• Bumping into items and difficulty walking.
• Resistant to running or jumping.
• Problems climbing stairs.
• Reduced interest in play and decrease in overall physical activity.
• A negative change in behavior and signs of depression.
It is essential that you keep an eye out for any of these health problems, if anything looks suspicious then look for an emergency pet doctor to come and see. If the animal displays any of these symptoms for a period longer than two weeks, it is recommended that you make an appointment with a veterinarian to conduct a canine arthritis evaluation. The arthritis evaluation will include a set of x-rays and a physical examination.
The most significant aspect of treating an animal with canine arthritis is to gain a diagnosis from a veterinarian. Once you have a professional diagnosis, it is possible to speak with a specialist veterinarian and discuss a personalized course of treatment. Treatment for this specific health condition is not unlike treating humans with arthritis meaning that there are several treatment options. It is possible to use medication therapy, as well as non-medication options for less severe cases. The options should be discussed with your veterinarian.
While animals with canine arthritis are unwilling to engage in physical activity, it is recommended that they engage in some type of activity to keep the joints moving. The animal should avoid rigorous movement, but should engage in low-impact exercise during the week and over the weekend. This can include walks around the block during the day and hydrotherapy over the weekends.
Canine arthritis is a chronic condition, but it can be managed using different treatment options, if you’re curious what these treatments are then contact a veterinarian. Early detection by veterinarians is the key to effective management; therefore, it is important that you have your dog checked on a regular basis.
For the latest news about vets in Reno, check out this Tumblr page.
