This post is written in collaboration with Zoetis Petcare. All opinions are my own.
If you’re a dog owner, you will want to pay attention to this post and continue reading. May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and to my surprise this condition also affects our pups. Arthritis is commonly talked about among humans, but regarding our pups it’s rarely discussed. If you’re like me and weren’t familiar with what “OA – Osteoarthritis” was, you’re not alone.
Osteoarthritis is a painful, progressive condition caused by the wear and tear of cartilage and other parts of the joints that may result in physical and emotional changes in your dog. OA occurs in around 37% of dogs regardless of their age, size, and breed. Unfortunately, there is no cure for OA but early diagnosis and visits to your veterinarian are essential to make sure your dog remains healthy. The sooner your dog is diagnosed with OA, the better your dog’s pain can be managed.
If you’re not sure if your dog has been suffering from this condition make sure to use the Zoetis Petcare OA Canine Checklist (linked here), this checklist will help you determine whether or not your pup has been affected by OA.
In the meantime here are some symptoms you need to keep an eye out for:
- Limping or lameness
- Decreased activity or exercise
- Stiffness or decreased movement of joints
- Sadness and a drop in energy level
Although, most dogs do show symptoms which makes it easier for you as an owner to detect whether or not they have OA; sometimes dogs hide their signs of pain, which can make it extremely difficult to determine whether or not your dog has OA. In a case like this, it is important to take your dog to the Vet and have your dog screened.
As a pet owner, I am constantly worrying about the health and well-being of my pup and even the thought of Trix being in pain hurts my heart. I am always closely watching Trix to make sure that if she does have any OA symptoms, she can get diagnosed early and get back to living a happy, healthy life, with manageable pain. OA not only has an effect on our dogs physically and emotionally, but also us as owners as well. A healthy and happy pup = a happy owner!
I am so glad that I was able to provide you with all the information you need to make sure your dog is living its best and most healthy life. If you have any questions about OA, please don’t hesitate to reach out! XO
This post is written in collaboration with Zoetis Petcare. All opinions are my own.
1 Wright, A., Amodie, D., Cernicchiaro, N., Lascelles, B. and Pavlock, A., 2019. PVM1 DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT RATES OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN DOGS USING A HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT(HRA) OR HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS IN GENERAL VETERINARY PRACTICE. Value in Health, 22, p.S387.
