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• Part 1 of 2: Understanding joint problems
• Part 2 of 2: Treating joint problems

Joint problems are very common in older dogs as a result of the normal aging process. It can also occur in young dogs from joint injuries. Many different factors can contribute to joint disease, including genetic predisposition to hip and elbow dysplasia and early arthritis. Joint pain is a part of life for our animals during certain periods of time and you need to help your dog lead a comfortable life. If your dog has joint problems and is stiff, you can follow a few simple steps to help him feel better.

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Part 1 of 2: Understanding joint problems

1. Learn about your dog's joints. A joint is a connection between two or more bones. Joints are a miracle, as they allow for a great deal of movement in an application of natural technique. A joint is formed when two or more bones come together in a movable joint. The important structures to worry about are the bone, the cartilage that coats the joint, the ligaments that hold the bones together, and the tendons that hold the muscle that pulls and moves the bone.
   • Lubrication is provided by a viscous substance called synovial fluid, which also provides nutrients to the cartilage layer.This fluid is produced by the synovial membrane that covers the joint capsule and ligaments. Both are important structures that actually hold the joint or bones together.
2. Understand joint problems. A joint problem can develop when one of the parts in the joint is damaged. For example, if the layer over the cartilage starts to flake, a ligament breaks or a muscle is strained, your dog will suffer from a joint injury.
   • There are certain breeds that are predisposed to joint problems. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds have a genetic predisposition to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to early arthritis. Giant breeds such as Leon Bergers, St. Bernards and Great Danes can grow too fast and damage their soft bones in the process, leading to joint disease.
3. Recognize the symptoms. The basic sign that your dog has a joint problem is pain, which can often be seen as limping. If your dog starts limping suddenly, try to minimize his movement. He may also show other signs such as painful movements, difficulty standing, joint swelling, refusal to jump, resistance to petting, and a bad mood.
   • If he is in pain enough to limp, or has other symptoms, then further running, chasing, or walking will only cause more inflammation, more pain, and make the problem worse. You should also not keep fetching or playing other games with your dog.
4. Respond to lameness. If your dog suddenly becomes lame, take him home and let him rest. If the dog shows lameness on a walk, carry it home depending on the severity of the lameness. Do not give medicine from your medicine cabinet. If he needs a pain reliever, contact your vet. If you know which joint is injured, try putting an ice pack on it for 10 minutes.
   • If he's too big to lift, put him on a leash and encourage him to walk slowly.
   • If he remains lame, especially if there is no improvement after 24 hours, see the vet. Keep him calm until he is examined.
5. Note overall stiffness. There are some distinct symptoms of muscle and joint stiffness which is a common problem, especially in older pets. Pet owners often see their pet feeling stiff or struggling with joint problems when walking or limping, becoming less active, or struggling to get up. Other symptoms include difficulty stretching, resistance to movement and stopping during walks, and difficulty climbing stairs.
   • Some animals will also lick painful joints, infecting the skin and making it painful. Cold mornings, after long periods of rest, are often the most difficult for pets with joint or muscle problems. It may take some time for your pet to get going during these mornings.

Part 2 of 2: Treating joint problems

1. Walk your dog. Rest is essential for acute (sudden) injuries. However, in older dogs who are stiff with arthritis, it is better to keep them moving. If they don't move, there is a chance that their joints will jam. However, it is important to find the right amount of exercise for your pet. This is considered on a case-by-case basis and your vet is the best person to advise you. However, try to keep the amount of exercise constant. Exercising the same amount of time every day can help with pain management and weight loss. The exercise will help promote movement and flexibility of the limbs. Too much exercise is not recommended and too little will cause more stiffness.
   • For example, don't take 10-minute walks on weekdays to compensate with a 2-hour walk on weekends. The dog will get stuck on Monday morning and be in a lot of pain.
   • Several short walks a day are ideal and better than a long walk.
2. Swim with your dog. If you want to exercise your dog in a different way, you can go swimming with your dog. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for your stiff dog, as the physical activity trains his muscles and makes the joints move. However, it is different from walking in that the joints do not have to support the weight of the dog. Make sure you work with your dog as there is more to hydrotherapy than just putting your dog in the nearest swimming pool.
   • Not all dogs are great swimmers and he can panic and drown. Nor is it very hygienic. If possible, go to a dedicated dog hydrotherapy room, where a vet or animal physiotherapist works. These pools usually have a harness so that your dog is supported in the water and cannot drown.
   • The temperature of the water is carefully monitored so that it is comfortable for the dog. In addition, the water is disinfected. The most sophisticated baths use water jets that radiate against your dog's paws to stimulate rowing movements.
3. Work on weight control. If your dog's joint problems are caused by weight, your vet will suggest that he lose weight. By helping your dog lose weight, you are helping him with arthritis mobility and problem joints. An overweight dog has to carry more weight, which puts more pressure on sore legs. In some dogs in the early stages of arthritis, dieting and achieving a normal weight makes the difference between needing medication or not.
   • If you notice that your dog is overeating, don't leave food out all day. You can also reduce the amount of food he gets in a day, especially if he is fed multiple meals of canned food. You can also buy canned food and dry kibble formulated to help your dog lose weight.
   • Giving your dog more exercise will help him lose weight. If his joints hurt too much, slowly increase the length of the daily walk. Every little bit will help him gain strength and lose weight.
   • Talk to your vet about other safe and effective ways to lose unwanted pounds.
4. Try physical therapy. Talk to your vet about physical therapy treatments for your dog. If your dog has arthritis or joint problems, he will need to warm up his joints before he starts working. Those stiff joints can take even more damage if he doesn't warm up for a walk. Try to get into the habit of doing your vet-recommended passive physical therapy with your dog at home before you go out.
   • Vets will usually recommend passive physical therapy, which involves certain activities. Encourage the dog to lie on its side. Gently rub all the muscles on both upper limbs, working one leg at a time. Then press on his foot and bend the leg so that all the joints bend, but only far enough that you don't cause pain. Then gently pull on the foot to stretch the leg again.
   • Repeat this on each leg 10-20 times. Let the dog roll over and do the same on the other side. Then he can take his morning walk.
5. Keep it warm in the evening. There are environmental changes you can make to help with your dog's joint pain and stiffness. Many older dogs with arthritis stiffen at night because their muscles and joints get cold. The joints can resist the cold start and the dog is initially stiff. To reduce this, keep the pet warm at night. Try strategies such as a heated bed or a bed that he can crawl into and that keeps his joints warm.
   • If he allows it, cover him with a blanket at night and make sure he is not in a draft. Try to raise his bed slightly off the floor.
6. Use heat packs. If your dog has one or two sore joints, consider using heat packs. Get a microwave-safe heat pack and place the warm pack against the affected joint. Be careful not to burn the dog. If the suit seems too hot, wrap it in a towel before placing it against the joint. To assess whether the heat pack is safe for the dog, hold it against your own skin for a few minutes.
   • It should feel nice and warm, not uncomfortably hot. If you tend to remove the suit before two minutes have passed because it feels hot, then the suit is too warm. Add an extra layer of insulation by wrapping it in a towel.
   • If your dog is in too much pain or squirming a lot, talk to your dog calmly to reassure him. The heat will eventually do its job and make him feel better.
7. Try massage therapy. Massage has a really good effect by increasing the blood flow to the muscles, conditioning and strengthening them. Muscles support the joints, so by helping the muscles you will help the joints. Consult with a qualified animal physiotherapist who can work out a massage regimen especially for your dog. She will demonstrate to you how to give the massage so that you feel confident enough to do it at home.
   • Always seek professional advice before starting a massage. It may be possible to do more harm than good if you manipulate a limb the wrong way.
8. Give over-the-counter supplements. There are a number of over-the-counter joint supplements you can give your dog to help with joint pain. Ask your vet about glucosamine, an amino sugar that is the starting point for new cartilage production and is fundamental to maintaining joint function. You can also give him chondroitin, an important component of cartilage that maintains its spongy structure. This is essential to absorb shocks and to care for and lubricate the joints.
   • Glucosamine and chondroitin have a synergistic effect. This means that giving both of them in the same supplement will have a greater effect than you might expect. Look for a supplement that contains both glucosamine and chondroitin.
   • Add cod liver oil to his food to help with stiffness. However, cod liver oil absorbs fat-soluble vitamins, so feeding it daily will deprive the dog of valuable nutrients. It is best to give cod liver oil every other day so that his overall health does not suffer.
   • You can also give your dog omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help with arthritis inflammation.
   • Always consult with your vet before giving any supplements to your dog.
9. Consider medication. If your dog's situation doesn't improve with diet, exercise, and other methods, talk to your vet about medication. It is not the first choice for treatment, but it can be helpful if your dog is still in pain after trying other methods. Medication relieves pain and also reduces inflammation, which can reduce the risk of further damage. The most commonly prescribed drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs.
   • These drugs do not contain steroids, reduce inflammation, and prevent pathways that cause pain. They have gone through extensive safety screening and are safe for your dogs. NSAIDs are relatively safe drugs, especially when the correct dose is given, with food in your dog's stomach.
   • Your vet can also check your dog's kidney function prior to treatment. Many drugs are excreted by the kidney, which means they can build up in the blood stream when the kidneys are not working properly. The main side effect is a stomach ulcer, the first sign of which is vomiting.
   • If your dog is prescribed an NSAID and he starts vomiting, stop the medication and contact your vet for advice.
   • Always consult your vet before giving your dog any medication that is not prescribed.