Osteoporosis doesn’t affect dogs as much as we humans. Although dogs age, they also lose bone cells.
However, dogs have a much shorter life expectancy than humans, so they rarely suffer from osteoporosis like us. In fact, the loss of bone mass in dogs is rarely severe enough to cause a fracture in a fall.
Causes of osteoporosis in dogs
Osteoarthritis in dogs, also known as Degenerative Osteoarthritis or Osteoporosis, is a progressive inflammatory joint condition caused by deterioration of cartilage.
When the joint is healthy, the cartilage acts as a cushion for the joint to move smoothly throughout its entire range of motion.
In the case of osteoarthritis, this cartilage cushion begins to become damaged due to factors such as age, weight , injury, prolonged vigorous exercise, or disease.
The loss of this protective cushion causes pain, inflammation, reduced mobility, and growth of bone spurs.
Although any joint in a dog’s body can develop osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis is most commonly found in the extremities and lower spine.
Factors that make dogs more susceptible to osteoporosis
Any dog can develop osteoarthritis/osteoporosis, especially as they age. But there are some factors that make them more susceptible to this condition:
- Large or very large breeds such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.
- Dog is obese
- Dogs age, especially after they cross the line of 1/2 life to old age
- Continuous intense exercise or exercise due to sports activities such as obstacle courses, pitching, or diving
- Trauma such as broken bones or torn ligaments
- Ever had hip or elbow dysplasia?
- Infections that affect joints, such as Lyme Disease. Or a blood parasitic infection like Babesia also causes arthritis.
- Improper nutrition
- Unbalanced body structure
- Heredity
Symptoms of Osteoporosis in Dogs
Symptoms of osteoarthritis/osteoporosis can be difficult to detect in the early stages and are often not apparent until the joint is severely damaged.
Some dogs try to endure and hide the pain until the condition becomes severe.
Therefore, it is important for owners to keep a close eye on older dogs as they begin to show signs of age and to note the traits that make them more susceptible to osteoarthritis for early symptoms. These symptoms include:
- less flexibility in the body, limping or difficulty getting up
- leaden
- reluctance to run, jump or play
- weight gain
- becomes upset or changes in behavior
- pain when the owner caress or touches
- difficulty urinating or defecating, or going to the bathroom in the house
- loss of muscle in the limbs and spine
If you suspect your baby has signs of osteoarthritis/osteoporosis, take him to the vet right away for an examination and diagnosis.
Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam that includes palpating the joints and assessing their range of motion.
Your veterinarian may also recommend X-rays of suspicious joints to help rule out other possible causes of similar symptoms.
X-rays can also help your veterinarian assess the extent of joint damage.
How to prevent osteoarthritis/osteoporosis?
Joint tonic
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two dietary supplements prescribed for osteoporosis in both humans and dogs.
These two drugs are commonly prescribed to improve function, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of joint damage.
These supplements support joints by reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and increasing water retention in cartilage, providing more cushioning for joints.
Green mussels (GLM) is another bone health supplement that has been shown to be effective for both humans and dogs and contains beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, glycosaminoglycans and antioxidants oxidize.
GLM is a potent anti-inflammatory that can help relieve pain and maintain joint function.
Joint supplements such as Glyde Mobility Chews are used as dietary supplements for the prevention and relief of symptoms during the progression of osteoarthritis because they are relatively safe for long-term use in most patients and animal disease.
Controlling the dog’s weight from an early age is also a way to limit the risk of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in dogs.
Adjuvant treatment
Your veterinarian may also recommend other treatments such as physical therapy, acupuncture, cold lasers, and dietary changes.
In severe cases, your veterinarian will likely recommend surgically removing damaged tissue from the joint or even replacing the entire joint.
Help your dog have an ideal weight
Regardless of your dog’s joint condition, it’s important to help him maintain a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle.
There are physical activities suitable for the dog’s condition and age to improve joint mobility and increase joint endurance.
In dogs with osteoarthritis/osteoporosis, carrying excess weight on damaged joints is not only painful, but can also accelerate cartilage breakdown.
Obesity can make them suffer from bone diseases earlier as well as increase the risk of many other diseases.
If your dog is overweight/obese, ask your veterinarian to create an exercise plan and menu to help him return to his ideal weight.
Osteoarthritis/osteoporosis is a painful condition but fortunately it can be controlled.
Helping your baby maintain an ideal weight and being able to recognize early symptoms of joint pain are the first steps to maintaining your dog’s mobility.
Joint supplements can also help control inflammation and pain as well as help slow disease progression.
Summary
Osteoporosis doesn’t affect dogs as much as we humans. Although dogs age, they also lose bone cells.
Osteoarthritis in dogs, also known as Degenerative Osteoarthritis or Osteoporosis, is a progressive inflammatory joint condition caused by deterioration of cartilage.
Some factors that make dogs more susceptible to osteoporosis are: large breed, obesity, older age, intense exercise, trauma, hip/elbow dysplasia, joint infection, nutrition, and structure. body, genetics.
Symptoms of osteoporosis in dogs include: lack of flexibility, lethargy, reluctance to run, jump or play, weight gain, becoming irritable or changing behavior, pain when petted or touched. , difficulty urinating or defecating, loss of muscles in the extremities and spine.
How to prevent Osteoporosis/Osteoporosis: Give your dog a supplement to help prevent or aid in the treatment of osteoporosis, your veterinarian may also recommend other treatments such as physical therapy. Therapy, acupuncture, cold lasers and dietary changes, help dogs reach their ideal weight.