Arthritis can affect canines at any age, but it’s much more common in middle age and senior animals; there are also some large breeds that may have a genetic predisposition to develop joint disease in their hips and elbows. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the synovial joints that is the most frequent type of arthritis affecting canines, affects about 25% of all dogs. Arthritis causes chronic pain and can negatively affect a pet’s quality of life; some of the telltale signs that your pet may be suffering from arthritis are limping, as well as a “slowing down” of activities; a reluctance to be touched on parts of their body; and unexpected aggression towards other dogs or humans. Treating arthritis in dogs require a multipronged approach, which should include:
- Weight management
- Nutraceuticals (e.g. omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, MSM, antioxidants, etc.)
- Therapeutic diets
- Medications (prescribed by a veterinarian)
- Physical medicine (e.g. acupuncture, hydrotherapy, etc.)
- Lifestyle changes (e.g. raised dishes, padded bedding, ramps, etc.)
Catching early signs of osteoarthritis in your dog and using ArthriMAXX™ as a preventative or maintenance, can save undue stress to your dog, and may save you an excessive vet/surgery bill in the future.
Photo by Anna Dudkova
