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Joint Problems In Dogs 

================== ARTICLE START ==================
Canine Arthritis is a common ailment as dog�s age. It is
similar to humans as calcification and inflammation cause joint
pain and reduced activity. Some forms of arthritis like Canine
Hip Dysplasia can develop early in life due to genetics and
diet. Fortunately, arthritis in dogs can be treated. 
 
Treatments for canine arthritis range from natural supplements
using chondroitin and glucosamine, to veterinary prescribed
drugs such as Rimadyl and Deramaxx. Studies and actual results
have shown that natural supplements can be extremely effective
in fighting the effects of arthritis in dogs without the
potentially dangerous side effects of Rimadyl and Deramaxx.
Before deciding which treatment option is best for your dog,
you should observe the signs of dog arthritis. 
 
Signs of Dog Arthritis 
 
1. Limping and general reduced activity. 
 
2. Favoring one or both of the front or back limbs. 
 
3. Morning activity or cold weather makes the dog less active. 
 
4. Difficulty rising from a resting position, especially in the
morning. 
 
5. Pain to the touch. 
 
6. Reluctance to jump. 
 
If you suspect your dog has arthritis, you should know the
different forms or types of arthritis. The most common
disorders are listed below. 
 
Types of Dog Arthritis 
 
1. Osteoarthritis  Also known as canine arthritis or dog
arthritis, it is the most common form of arthritis and most
easily treated. Develops slowly as the dog ages. 
 
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis - This is an immune mediated disease
and can affect the whole body. Several joints can be affected
and the lameness can come and go without notice. Considered a
more serious condition than dog osteoarthritis. 
 
3. Degenerative Disc Disease - This is where the discs in the
vertebrae develop calcification and become rigid. They become
less able to withstand compression. This can lead to a severe
injury and paralysis if the discs rupture or become herniated. 
 
4. Stifle Joint Disorder - This is a condition in which the
knee and joint becomes unstable. This is usually from a
stretched or torn ligament. This can also cause the joint
cartilage to become damaged and inflamed. 
 
5. Canine Hip Dysplasia - This is caused by looseness in the
socket connecting the thighbone and hipbone. This development
usually occurs when the dog is young but can develop at any
age. A common sign is to hear a clicking sound when the dog
walks. 
 
Treatment Options 
 1. Natural Supplements  Most natural supplements use
chondroitin and/or glucosamine as its primary ingredient. All
of the glucosamine forms originate and are extracted from
shellfish. Chrondroitin is derived from animal cartilage. Many
products like Free and Easy for Dogs use glucosamine and
chondroitin and combine additional supplements to provide a
synergistic effect. Besides glucosamine and chondroitin, some
of the more popular and effective supplements added are msm,
ester-c, and hyaluronic acid. Many studies have been done which
have proved the effectiveness of these supplements in humans.
Dog owners have also reported many positive outcomes for their
dogs using these natural supplements. 
 
2. Rimadyl & Deramaxx - These drugs are obtained by
prescription only. They are called NSAID (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drug). Rimadyl was introduced by Pfizer
Pharmaceuticals in January 1997 to help treat dogs with
inflammation and pain associated with surgery or canine
arthritis. It is effective but it must be used with caution.
Search Google for "What Your Vet May Not Tell You About
Rimadyl" for more detailed information. At a minimum, you need
to have blood work done to monitor the liver enzymes to ensure
your dog doesn't have a toxic reaction to the drugs. 
 
3. Surgery - Surgery can be an easy decision or a very
difficult decision. Often, money is a concern and some
surgeries like disc surgery can cost around $3,500. Often, the
age of the dog has to be considered when making this decision.
And the outlook and prognosis is very important. You do not
want the dog to suffer unnecessarily. At the very least, you
should only consider surgery after ensuring an accurate
diagnosis has been made. This may involve taking x-rays and a
myelogram. A myelogram is done by injecting dye in the spinal
canal to enable your doctor to detect abnormalities of the
spine, spinal cord, or surrounding structures. 
 
Summary - Dog Arthritis can be a very debilitating disease if
left untreated. Dog owners should pay close attention to their
animals and take prompt action when symptoms are noticed. Often
a natural supplement is all that is needed to help your dog.
Sometimes more aggressive treatments are needed such as
surgery. The most important thing is to notice and diagnose the
problem and then decide what treatment is best for your dog. 
 
Copyright  2006 William Smith


About The Author: William F. Smith is the owner of
http://wwww.yourdoghealth.com, a site started after his beloved
Dachshund; Frederick developed In vertebral Disc Disease, and
subsequently had back surgery. The site can be viewed at
http://www.yourdoghealth.com and offers a successful
alternative to veterinarian prescribed drugs.
 
Here is a natural joint product that is beneficial for your dog
Arthritis and Joint Care

Recognizing a dog joint problem
early is the best way to keep your dog from suffering too much pain. The following signs can indicate trouble in any of your dog's joints, including the knees, hips, and lumbosacral (lower back) area. Take your dog to a veterinarian for an exam if you notice any of these signs listed below.
  1. Lameness
  2. Swelling around a joint.
  3. Heat around a joint.
  4. Tenderness when you palpate a joint.
  5. Tenderness when flexing a joint.
  6. Redness of the skin around a sore joint. You may have to part the dog's hair to see this.
  7. Your dog holds its breath or stops panting when a painful joint is manipulated.
  8. Your dogs reacts suddenly; turns its head or snaps, when you touch a sore joint.
  9. Your dog puts less weight on a leg with a sore joint when it's standing still.
  10. Your dog holds up a leg with a sore joint.
These are all dog joint problems and should be treated immediately.

from Dog Fancy Magazine - Jan. 2003 
 

Rimadyl

(Carprofen) was introduced by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in January 1997. It has proven to be a successful means of relieving arthritis symptoms in dogs. There is no doubt as to Rimadyl's effectiveness in treating dog arthritis, but it is the potential side effects that may seriously outweigh the benefits of this drug. Many dog owners feel it has vastly improved the quality of their dog's lives and, in some cases, even extended their lives. Many dogs have died due to the unexpectedly rapid onset of side effects such as liver failure and/or because the drug's side effects were not recognized by the attending veterinarian who did not take appropriate action.

Pfizer has begun sending literature to veterinarians recommending test and pre screen the dogs before prescribing

Rimadil

for dog arthritis and joint problems. Blood work must be periodically performed to ensure that the liver and other organs are functionally normally.
 

Rimadyl

is not recommended for animals with known bleeding disorders and should not be used if a dog has preexisting liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or a known tendency towards gastrointestinal ulceration. In fact, these are some of the side effects reported in a small number of cases involving the use of Rimadyl.  Rimadyl should never be given along with any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, or along with any corticosteroid hormones such as prednisone, prednisolone, or dexamethasone.

Carefully decide whether Rimadyl is appropriate for your dog by weighing the benefits and the risks. You may want to try a less expensive, less risky treatment alternative such as free and easy dogs.   Free & Easy has been used successfully by thousands and is without the risk of Rimadyl.  If you do decide to use Rimadyl, insist on regular baseline blood work being performed. Closely monitor the pet for any adverse reactions and immediately discontinue its use if you suspect your pet is not well. It is better to be safe than sorry. You can contact Pfizer at 1-800-366-5288 to report any negative reactions from Rimadyl.

Additional Reading:
What your Vet may not tell you about Rimadyl

Rimadyl - Most Dogs do well on this except the ones that die.

Additional Information on Rimadyl:

Rimadyl - Update from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine

Rimadyl  - Warning from FDA