Dogs with Arthritis
The Facts About Dog Arthritis
You may not notice if your dog has arthritis, because dogs often try to hide their pain. But one in five dogs has arthritis. Does your dog tire easily? Limp or lag behind? Appear stiff after activity? Climb stairs reluctantly? Stand up slowly? Any of these behaviors can indicate arthritis.
Arthritis in dogs, just as in humans, is characterized by the painful inflammation of joints. It can be brought on by the wear and tear of aging, by elbow or hip dysplasia, or by injury.
The Treatment of Arthritis in Dogs
Dogs experiencing pain usually respond very well to treatment; the result is often quite noticeable.
The most widely used canine pain relief treatment, both in the U.S. and worldwide, is Rimadyl (carprofen). To date, over 10 million dogs have been treated with Rimadyl, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Rimadyl, like other NSAIDs, is believed to relieve pain by inhibiting the production of an enzyme called COX-2, thereby blocking a process that creates prostaglandins, the enzymes that are associated with pain and inflammation.
If you are concerned your dog may have arthritis, please contact your vet.
The Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter, have lots of fun activities for dogs at the Arthritis Walks and Jingle Bell Runs. For more information, call 303-756-8622.
