It can be heartbreaking to see your dog experiencing some sort of discomfort. It’s even more heartbreaking to see when they’re clearly in pain. The problem is that it’s difficult to tell where the pain is coming from. It’s not like they can just talk and tell us that they’re in pain, right? As a responsible pet parent, it’s incredibly important to be aware of potential signs that indicate when a dog is in pain.
In this article, we’ll talk about the different signs of joint pain in dogs and what we can do to alleviate their discomfort. Keep reading to find out more!
What are the signs of joint pain in dogs?
How do you know if your dog is in pain? Here are some of the signs that you should keep in mind:
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Aggressiveness or increased irritability
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Stiffness and limping
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Moaning and yelping when forced to move
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Lethargy and reluctance to play
While this is not a comprehensive list of things to look out for, any and all of the following can indicate signs of discomfort due to joint pain. Make sure to pay close attention!
What causes joint pain in dogs?
Joint problems, according to Dr. Sarah Wooten from Hill’s Pet, says, “Typically, joint problems in dogs fall into two major categories: developmental and degenerative. Developmental occurs when the joint or ligament does not develop correctly causing it to not function as intended. Degenerative, on the other hand, causes the ligaments around your dog's joints to "degenerate" (or regress) over time.” Put simply, dog joint pain can either stem from developmental issues as they grow or degeneration due to aging.
What can I give my dog for joint pain?
Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to alleviate joint pain in dogs. If your dog’s symptoms persist, the first course of action to take is to consult your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will perform various physical tests to determine the root of the problem. Identifying where the problem stems from is important to make sure that you are administering the right type of treatment for your pup. The treatment, of course, will depend on the cause and the severity of your pup’s joint pain.
To give you an idea about the possible treatment for dog joint pain, here are a couple of examples:
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Medication and joint supplements - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and glucocorticoids can help relieve your pup from joint pain and inflammation and reduce swelling and stiffness. Supplements are another option to explore when dealing with dog joint pain. Like us, dogs need various types of health supplements to stay in tip-top shape. Look for joint supplements that include glucosamine - a vital ingredient that helps stimulate the growth of cartilage cells. It is also used in the production of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and hyaluronic which balances the production of your dog’s natural inflammatory compounds.
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Physical therapy - Your veterinarian should be able to refer you to a specialist that can provide rehabilitation therapy for your pup. According to Canine Arthritis, rehabilitation therapists would use joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization/massage, passive range of motion (PROM), and stretching to treat dogs with joint pain.
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Diet and exercise - One of the best ways to relieve joint pain in dogs is effective weight management. To achieve this, you should be able to provide your pup with a balanced diet and plenty of exercise. Monitor the amount of food that you are giving your pet and make sure that it’s relative to how much physical activity they are getting. If you’re unsure how much to feed your dog, the best course of action is to talk to your veterinarian.
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Surgical treatment - If all else fails, a surgical procedure may be required to remove or replace the damaged joint. Again, this depends on the severity of your dog’s joint problems. Your veterinarian will only suggest surgical treatment if conventional and alternative medications won’t work. According to Restorapet, surgical options may include joint fusion, knee replacement, hip replacement, and joint scraping to remove damaged tissue.
Wrapping Up
While definitely common, joint pain in dogs is a serious issue. The good news is that it’s entirely manageable. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the most common signs to look out for as well as common remedies that you can administer. After all, we only want what’s best for our pets, right?
