If your dog looks stiff and achy when they walk or stand up, they're not alone. Many older canines develop arthritis in their joints over time. Sometimes it's the result of an old injury, while other times it's joint inflammation from their diet or an allergic reaction. Luckily, if your dog does have arthritis, there are plenty of treatment options, like
or Metacam.
Diagnosing your dog
Of course, your veterinarian is the only person who can truly diagnose your dog with a condition like arthritis. But before you take your furry friend in to be looked at, you should learn to spot the signs yourself.
Arthritis is characterized by stiffness, joint pain, lameness, weakness, exhaustion, changes in movement, and cries of pain when touched on the joints. The older or more obese a dog is, the more likely they are to have arthritis. Affecting nearly one-fifth of all dogs, arthritis can be very painful and debilitating. The big problem here is that dogs are not always the best at telling us when they are in pain. Some telltale signs that your dog might have arthritis is if they exhibit issues with basic mobility, such as avoiding jumping or games that they used to love.
How you can help your pooch
Once your veterinarian gives your dog the diagnosis, it's time for you to help them out with some medication. Here are a few of the drugs on the market that can enhance your dog's quality of life and make them feel like they have their healthy joints back again.
- Carprofen - Carprofen, or Rimadyl, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that stops your dog's joints from becoming inflamed and painful at a chemical level. Try the chewable version of this drug to make it hassle-free and pleasant for your dog. What dog wouldn't want to eat a pork-flavored treat that makes their joints feel better?
- Dexamethasone - This corticosteroid is an effective treatment for a variety of dog ailments, including arthritis. It's designed to limit and reduce swelling and inflammation. It's a serious drug and should be administered as directed by the doctor and not stopped abruptly. Despite its warnings, dexamethasone can be very effective and has helped many dogs.
- Adequan Canine - Forget the daily pills, Adequan Canine is an injectable drug that lasts for three days. Administer this prescription medication intramuscularly and see the results in two hours. After using the medicine for about four weeks, you can expect big improvements.
- Deramaxx - Deramaxx is an NSAID that helps relieve joint pain and swelling for arthritic dogs as well as those who have recently had surgery. It comes as a chewable and is flavored like beef - perfect for picky pooches. Also, it only blocks the COX-2 enzyme, unlike other medications that block multiple enzymes. This results in a tactical treatment that promotes healthy body functions while still attacking joint pain.
- Metacam - Metacam is a liquid NSAID for dogs who can't handle pills or chewables, like carprofen. It works against any type of arthritis as well as injuries or surgeries that cause musculoskeletal discomfort.
Use your PetPlus membership to save on these and many other arthritis medications to help your dog feel like they're No. 1 again.
Your Guide to Dog Arthritis Medicine
Arthritis stinks. After years of using your joints, all of a sudden they turn on you, seizing up at the most inopportune moments. What’s more, this deteriorating condition can strike your dog as well, taking your lively pup and reducing them to a geriatric mass of fur. Nothing hurts like watching your dog struggle to do even the most rudimentary things (i.e., walking down stairs, getting off the sofa). When you notice that your pooch is starting to slow down, it is a good idea to take them over to the vet to see if they can help put some spring back in their step.
If it is arthritis that is holding your dog back, there are more than a few types of arthritis medication for dogs, ranging from homeopathic remedies to some serious anti inflammatory steroids. Depending on your dog’s situation, your vet might suggest that you try...
Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- A mild NSAID
- Treats minor pain and inflammation
- Helps keep the blood from clotting
- A mild NSAID
- Treats minor pain, inflammation, and fevers
- Blocks only the COX-2 enzyme (so it's gentler on kidneys)
- Beef-flavored chewable
- Helps manage pain and inflammation
- Reduces fevers and joint stiffness
- Helps manage pain and inflammation
- Effective against fevers
- Also used for postoperative pain
- Helps relieve pain and inflammation
- Honey flavored oral suspension is easy to take
- Provides relief from inflammation
- Decreases swelling and joint stiffness
- Most popular arthritic treatment type drug
- Helps reduce inflammation and pain
- Improves joint movement within a few days of starting treatment
- Reduces inflammation
- Prescribed to pets with joint pain, minor aches, or fevers
- Also useful against certain types of cancer
- Powerful NSAID
- Decreases swelling and increases circulation
- Helps manage chronic pain
Other Types of Arthritis Medication
- Corticosteroid
- Helps to reduce inflammation
- Treats allergy symptoms, lupus, asthma, and more
- Anti-inflammatory steroid
- Helps treat inflammation, lupus, allergies, asthma, colitis, and some kidney disease
- Reduces swelling and decreases the immune response
- Corticosteroid
- Reduces swelling, irritation, redness, burning, and inflammation
- Primarily used to treat diseases by suppressing immunities
- Treats inflammatory bowel disease
- Typically given for the long term
- Glucocorticoid
- Helps reduce inflammation
- Treats allergies, bronchial and lung disease, eczema, dermatitis, inflammation in the eyes, ulcerative colitis, and arthritis
- Injection given intramuscularly to help treat arthritis symptoms
- Helps maintain cartilage density, keeping joints healthy
- Taken once every three days
- Antiviral agent and pain reliever combo
- Treats influenza, arthritis, and neuropathic pain
- Available as a tablet or an oral solution
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