How do you treat a dog with arthritis?

Our question this week was:

How to tell if your dog is having arthritis, and what you can do to help them out with supplements, diet, and therapy.

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Janine Moyer

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. Most dogs with arthritis have symptoms such as they are less active, have trouble getting up or lying down, are reluctant to do stairs, or are lame. Some dogs may just be slower as they move around and reluctant to do what they "used to do".

There are various medical and surgical treatments available to ease a dog's discomfort and restore mobility. The type of treatment depends upon several factors, such as the age of your dog, the severity of the problem and financial considerations.

An article that might be helpful to you is Hip Dysplasia in Dogs.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra