Joint Stiffness in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

Dog stiffness may be a symptom of joint problems. It is important to have symptoms diagnosed by your veterinarian to determine the correct treatment plan. Joints may undergo natural wear and tear with old age but can also be symptoms of canine arthritis a form of joint degeneration which could be caused by the genetic disease hip dysplasia. Here ligaments become loose and the joints become dysfunctional leading to joint degeneration. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease leading to stiff and painful joints. Other causes may be due to cancer, Lyme disease, hyperparathyrdoisim, von Villebrand disease, fibromyalgia, muscle strain and crucial ligament problems to name but a few.

You may notice symptoms of limping or lameness in your pet. They may have difficulty getting up after lying down, refuse to exercise, have slower movements and have reduced mobility. These symptoms of dog stiffness may be worse after exercise or when first waking up in the morning after long periods of inactivity. You may notice swelling of the joints and your dog may cry or whine when you try to pet them, signs they are experiencing pain. Your dog's quality of life may be greatly affected. Heating pads can be used to help reduce pain and stiffness and installing ramps to help support your dog's mobility may be considered. Your dog should avoid high impact exercise such as jumping and running which may stress the joints further.

Consulting with your veterinarian is important to determine if the symptoms of dog stiffness are signs of a chronic disease requiring prescriptive medications. Your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs and pain relievers. There are many side effects and drug interactions associated with these medications and treatment using these requires close monitoring. For less severe joint problems pet owners may turn to natural joint supplements commonly available over the counter and associated with fewer side effects. Due to their minimal drug interaction these, they may also be used with other medications. Dog joint supplements tend to contain ingredients such as MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin which are considered the building blocks of cartilage; they not only provide anti inflammatory benefits but act as natural pain relievers. They are often combined with other essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients which help to enhance their effectiveness.

Diet and exercise are also important. A well balanced diet in raw natural foods and a good source of vitamins and minerals are important as is n exercise regime to help promote mobility through moderate low impact exercise. This also ensures your dog maintains a steady weight as additional weight on the joints causes additional joint stress. Close monitoring of your dogs treatment plan should be carried out by your veterinarian in case there are a change in symptoms of the problems associated with dog stiffness.