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Osteoarthritis in dogs, what does this mean?

Artrose bij honden, wat houdt dit in?

What You Need to Know About Osteoarthritis in Dogs

  • The best way to treat osteoarthritis is with special nutrition, such as Denkadog Joints Care , and a good rest and exercise pattern.
  • Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joints;
  • Not only old dogs suffer from osteoarthritis;
  • Causes include overload, heredity, aging and obesity.
Denkadog Joints Care

What is osteoarthritis in dogs?


Osteoarthritis is a common condition that can be well supported with the right nutrition. What does osteoarthritis in dogs entail? It is actually more of a picture of the symptoms than a specific condition. Due to wear and tear of the joints, the dog experiences pain when moving. This is noticeable and you can see it well as an owner. Especially if your dog has difficulty getting up after sleeping, you can see that it is painful. We call this phenomenon "starting lameness". This pain is more severe if there was exertion in the period before by playing or running. When the joints and muscles are used again, you see the lameness decrease. "He walks through it". Osteoarthritis does not only occur in older dogs. Sometimes young dogs also suffer from this.
Osteoarthritis

Hip dysplasia what is it?


Hip dysplasia in dogs is a hereditary condition. A dog with hip dysplasia (HD) has poor development of the hip joint. In hip dysplasia, the socket and the head of the hip do not fit together properly. The capsule is not strong enough and the socket is not deep enough. The head can become loose, bump against the socket and in some cases even pop out of the socket.

Characteristics of hip dysplasia


The dog's hips do not move smoothly enough, which can cause pain when moving. This pain generally occurs when the dog is between 6 and 18 months old. As the dog gets older and suffers from wear and tear, it can suffer even more.

Prevent hip dysplasia?


Hip dysplasia in dogs is therefore a hereditary condition, but there are a number of factors that can influence the development of HD. For example, overweight dogs can cause greater strain on the joints and therefore also on the hips. Also, climbing stairs a lot and walking on heavy ground can influence HD. In addition, certain breeds are predisposed to HD.

How do you treat hip dysplasia?


There are several ways to treat a dog with hip dysplasia, such as surgery, medication or physiotherapy. With the right treatment, a dog with hip dysplasia can still live a good and painless life. Good nutrition is an important part of this. Denkadog Joints Care is a suitable food for dogs with hip dysplasia. This food has been specially developed to support dogs with joint problems.

Preventing obesity


Hip dysplasia is a condition of the hip joints, in which the hip bone no longer fits properly in the socket. It wears out and can cause pain and lameness over time. The heavier the dog, the more strain the joints are put on. So prevent your dog from becoming overweight and feed him a diet with all the nutrients he needs in the right proportions. The amount of food should be adjusted to the dog's activity. On days when you take him for a long walk in the woods, he will use more energy and therefore need more food. On days when he lies in his nest all day, he needs less food. By taking this into account when feeding, you can prevent your dog from becoming overweight.

Causes of osteoarthritis



Osteoarthritis can be caused by a previous trauma that causes overload at certain points, for example in the case of a torn knee ligament, but also in the case of a back injury. In a number of breeds, heredity plays a role, such as sensitivity to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. In older animals, osteoarthritis also occurs more often due to the natural aging process. The cartilage becomes less elastic and damage heals less well. Dog breeds that are sensitive to osteoarthritis are Retrievers, German Shepherds and the Bernese Mountain Dog.


Overweight


Research has shown that overweight is also an important factor in joint problems. The joints are then overloaded for years. This causes wear and tear, resulting in osteoarthritis. The joints of the back, hips and elbows are then affected. By keeping the weight under control, the formation of osteoarthritis should be slowed down. The right food should ensure that your dog is not at risk of becoming overweight. An example is Denkadog Hypo-Weight . This food supports dogs that are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.


Solution for osteoarthritis



Arthrosis cannot be cured, but early stages of arthrosis can be slowed down with the right food. The changes in the joints are permanent, but with good food the dogs notice less pain and therefore remain active for longer. A good food is Denkadog Joints Care. The special composition of this product supports the cartilage and reduces pain. The joints can properly remove waste products from the tissue, which prevents pain in the joint. In advanced stages of arthrosis, a painkiller will be necessary. Fortunately, the symptoms of arthrosis can be kept reasonably under control, but prevention is of course better than cure. A number of things are important in preventing joint problems:

Inflammations



The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis are caused by an inflammation in the joint. This is not an inflammation with bacteria. Compare it to, for example, a football knee. The inflammation can be limited with anti-inflammatories. This can be lifelong or only when the osteoarthritis flares up. The vet can help you with this.

Rest and movement


Rest and movement patterns are also important. Give your dog rest in time during a walk. Prevent overload by not playing, running or making abrupt movements too much. This means walking him on a leash several times a day. How long you have to keep this up depends on the degree of osteoarthritis and the severity of the symptoms. It is best to discuss this with your vet. The best exercise for a dog with osteoarthritis is straight-line exercise such as swimming, running next to a bike and trimming.
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