Coping with Arthritis

When Shep started having trouble laying down and getting up, his owners sadly thought they were seeing the inevitable signs of aging. But, much like for humans, research into arthritis and treatments has made many arthritic dogs far more comfortable as they mature into their golden years.

What Is Arthritis?

There are two types of arthritis—a degenerative form that can occur during the normal aging process and an infectious form that can be caused by an infection or immune system disorder. In degenerative arthritis, which may affect one or two joints, the cartilage that protects the bones in joints wears away. In inflammatory joint arthritis, which typically affects several joints throughout the body, the cause of the inflammation can be a bacterial infection such as that from a tick borne-disease like Rocky Mountain spotted fever or an immune-system disorder like lupus.

Signs of Arthritis

Much like for humans, the signs of arthritis in dogs include difficulty in laying down or getting up, lameness or stiff gait, slowing down on walks and reluctance to play. Other signs include personality changes or cringing/flinching when being touched.

Treatment for Arthritis

For dogs with infectious arthritis, the root cause of the issue would need to be diagnosed by the veterinarian to determine treatment. For degenerative arthritis, several treatments are available for dogs to give them greater comfort including painkilling medication and a program of exercise and rest—both as recommended by the veterinarian, in addition to a healthy diet. Many dog owners also report seeing benefits with adding supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, methylsulfonyl methane (MSM), and/or hyaluronic acid to a dog’s diet.

Other options for degenerative arthritis include prescription medication such as carprofen (trade name: Rimadyl) and polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (trade name: Adequan). Surgery may also be an option. Your veterinarian can help you weigh your dog’s options.

Diet and Arthritis

The risk of developing arthritis is increased when a dog faces particular stresses on his joints. In addition to stress involved from constant overexertion, like excessive jumping, diet can not only aggravate existing arthritis but it can also play a role in the dog’s eventual development of the disease.

To help prevent arthritis, ensure that your dog is fed a complete, balanced and healthy diet. If you’re unsure of what that means, talk with your veterinarian. One of the most important things you can do to prevent and alleviate effects of arthritis is by helping your dog to maintain a healthy weight and not allowing him to become obese. If your dog is overweight, he is at greater risk of developing arthritis, and if he is already arthritic, the extra weight puts greater burden on already unhealthy and overtaxed joints.

Quality of Life



Like people, dogs with arthritis can’t often do the things they could before. Arthritic dogs have more difficulty getting up into cars or onto a couch or bed. Products like pet stairs can help both you and your dog by allowing him the access to those favorite places while also helping you by not having to lift him.

Your dog’s sleeping place should be warm, dry and comfortable, whether he is arthritic or not, but especially so for the arthritic dog. Orthopedic and heated or thermo-regulating pet beds can provide more comfort to arthritic dogs.

With numerous options available, you can help keep your arthritic dog more comfortable and feeling like his old self.

Warning for pet owners!!! (Cocoa Mulch Warning!!!)

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if  you don't have a pet,  please pass this to those who do.  Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young lab mixes  purchased Cocoa Mulch  from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to  keep cats away from their garden. Their dog  (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping.  She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something  new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way.  The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning  walk. Halfway through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly. Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, This product is HIGHLY toxic to  dogs  and cats.  Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's,  and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50%  of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog).  However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it." *Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp * Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other garden supply  stores contains a  lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and  cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's  chocolate which is  toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic  quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline.  A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden  mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.      **PLEASE  PASS  THIS ON**

Dogs and All about them

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The popularity of the dog as a companion, as a guardian of property, as an assistant in the pursuit of game, and as the object of a pleasurable hobby, has never been so great as it is at the present time. More dogs are kept in this country than ever there formerly were, and they are more skilfully bred, more tenderly treated, and cared for with a more solicitous pride than was the case a generation ago. There are fewer mongrels in our midst, and the family dog has become a respectable member of society

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How to choose the right dog for you

So you have decided to get a dog. Now is the time you should decide what is the right dog for you and your family. Do you want a Purebred, Designer, or a Mutt? Do I use a Breeder, Pet Store, Pound/Rescue Shelter? There are so many things to take into consideration when making your choice. Do you have children? Do you have your own home with a nice yard, or do you live in an apartment in the city? Do you have any experience with dogs? These are important questions you should be considering before you make your decision.