There are over 60 million dogs in the United States and Canada alone. Studies have proven that at least 10 to 15% of dogs suffer from arthritis and other joint stiffness. Arthritis in dogs is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians, unfortunately dog owners and veterinarians rarely notice the early warning signs of arthritis in dogs because these animals have the character to ignore soreness and discomfort until the arthritic changes in the joints have progressed significantly.

Could your dog be suffering from Arthritis and you don’t know it? YES

Arthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints, which impairs joint mobility and often results in chronic pain. In the normal joint, the surfaces of the bone that meet together are lined with a thin layer of cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber. The whole joint is enclosed in a membrane that secretes synovial fluid to help lubricate these surfaces. Gradually, wear and tear may erode the cartilage, so that the underlying bone becomes exposed, resulting in pain and reduced joint movement. Arthritis may occur later in life following injury to a joint in the past. Arthritic changes can be exacerbated by the excess forces on the joint, which result if the dog is overweight. The ‘major’ joints are most commonly affected: the hips, stifles (‘knees’), elbows and back.