By Kim Campbell Thornton
Dog joint problems
such as canine hip dysplasia, canine arthritis or canine osteoarthritis,chondrodysplasia
and old fractures are among the conditions that can cause dogs to become stiff or lame,
struggling to get to their feet in the morning or crying out in pain if they move the
wrong way.
Recognizing a
dog joint problem
early is the best
way to keep your dog from suffering too much pain.
The following signs can indicate trouble in any of
your dog's joints, including the knees, hips,
and lumbosacral (lower back) area. Take your dog
to a veterinarian for an exam if you notice any of these signs listed below.
- Lameness
- Swelling around a joint.
- Heat around a joint.
- Tenderness when you palpate a joint.
- Tenderness when flexing a joint.
- Redness of the skin around a sore joint.
You may have to part the dog's hair to see this.
- Your dog holds its breath or stops panting
when a painful joint is manipulated.
- Your dogs reacts suddenly; turns its head or snaps,
when you touch a sore joint.
- Your dog puts less weight on a leg with a
sore joint when it's standing still.
- Your dog holds up a leg with a sore joint.
These are all
dog joint problems and should be treated immediately.
from Dog
Fancy Magazine - Jan. 2003
