If only they could talk…..
Wouldn’t it be great if our pups could tell us what was bothering them, their aches and pains and other discomfort they experience? Well, in many ways they do, we just have to be able to recognize what and how they’re telling us.
One in five dogs suffers from osteoarthritis. This is a painful condition that affects a dog’s joints. It is the most common affliction that causes chronic pain in dogs.
Some dogs are at greater risk for osteoarthritis than others. Some of the risk factors that would make a dog more prone to osteoarthritis are:
a)predisposition to orthopedic disorders such as hip or elbow dysplasia
b)a large or giant breed of dog
c)inactive or overweight
d)over the age of 5
e) the dog has suffered joint injuries
The changes in our dogs’ behavior can be subtle and sometimes go unnoticed. It is important to look for signs that you pooch is experiencing pain and discomfort. Some of those signs include:
a) reluctance to climb stairs
b) loss of appetite
c) stiffness after exercise
d) difficulty jumping
e) limping
or any other change that you notice in your dog that seems unusual.
If you do notice anything, don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet. Dogs have an extremely high tolerance for pain, so it might be hard to see your dog really experiencing the pain he is feeling. Assume his/her suffering is worse than what you’re seeing and have him treated to minimize or eliminate his/her discomfort.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
This is a very good article. I like it a lot and agree with it. It makes a lot of sense to me, and I will use these tips for my dog.