CANINE OSTEOARTHRITIS
Dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes can get osteoarthritis. This degenerative form of arthritis results in pain and reduced mobility for afflicted dogs as the protective layer of cartilage in one or more of their joints is worn away.
The most common form of osteoarthritis (secondary arthritis) is usually related to age, injury, inflammation, or obesity, among other factors. It is estimated that osteoarthritis affects 1 out 5 adult dogs over the age of one year.
The Pain May Not Be Obvious
Signs of osteoarthritis pain are not always easy to recognize. They may also vary according to the severity of the disease. Like other animals, dogs are less demonstrative of pain by nature. When they do express pain, dogs do so through changes in behaviour.
Osteoarthritis Pain Checklist
If you answer “yes” to any of the questions, ask your veterinarian to examine your dog for osteoarthritis:
Changes in activity:
[ ] Difficulty rising from a resting position
[ ] Lying down or resting more than usual
[ ] Stiffness after exercise
[ ] Reluctance to exercise for as long as usual
[ ] Trouble climbing stairs
[ ] Limping
[ ] Difficulty walking, running or jumping
[ ] Trouble getting up onto a bed or sofa
[ ] Problems getting into a car
[ ] Change in posture (e.g. back arched or hunched; head drooping; ears down, etc.)
Changes in behavior:
[ ] Decreased appetite or lack of interest in food
[ ] Aggressive or defensive reactions to touch
[ ] Unusual barking
[ ] Uncharacteristic hiding
[ ] Lost interest in his or her toys, or in playing
[ ] No longer greet you enthusiastically
[ ] For male dogs – squatting to urinate, rather than lifting his leg
[ ] For female dogs – shaking while she squats to urinate or defecate
Treating Canine Osteoarthritis
Don’t let your dog suffer needlessly from osteoarthritis. Help them get back to their young self by talking to your veterinarian. Following an examination of your dog, your veterinarian will probably recommend a combination of the following:
- Weight control
- Proper diet
- Controlled exercise and physical therapy
- An anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, such as PREVICOX
- Disease-modifying agents
Results You Can See 1
PREVICOX can improve your dog’s quality of life tremendously. Following a 40-day study in which dogs with osteoarthritis were prescribed PREVICOX, 91% of their owners reported improvement. Over 85% of owners described their dogs as “happier” and “more active.”