Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease. This condition can affect one or more joints and can lead to pain, stiffness, joint swelling, lameness and reduced mobility, all of which can result in a reduced quality of life.

That's why it's important for you to recognize the potential signs of a dog's arthritis pain, and notify your veterinarian so treatment can start early.

As the disease progresses, there can be additional destruction of cartilage on the bone surface, and production of extra bone around the joint. If properly treated, the progression can be slowed significantly allowing dogs to continue enjoying their favorite past times such as walking, running and swimming.

• Arthritis is one of the most common sources of chronic pain that veterinarians treat.³
• Arthritis affects as many as one out of five adult dogs in the U.S..² And these are just the cases that have been diagnosed. The actual number of dogs suffering from arthritis is unknown because many dog owners attribute the subtle changes in their dogs to "old age" or "slowing down."
• While many cases of arthritis occur in older, overweight and larger breed dogs, the disease can affect dogs of all sizes, ages and breeds.
• With the exception of joint replacement, there's no cure for degenerative joint disease and arthritis in dogs. But the pain associated with these conditions, and the stiffness and lameness they cause, can be managed.

There's no reason for any dog to suffer from the pain of arthritis. Pain can have a tremendous impact on your dog's quality of life. When your dog's in pain, he won't be as active. And that can lead to weight gain and additional stress on joints that are already sore. But when your dog feels less pain and is more comfortable, he will be more active, more fit, and more willing to participate in the family activities you love to do together.

Unfortunately, dogs can't tell us where it hurts. In fact, they can't even tell us when it hurts. So sometimes it's difficult to know when your dog is in pain. What we do know is that dogs experience pain and discomfort the same way humans do.

Dogs display a wide variety of responses to pain:

• They may be violent and vocalize - or be quiet, withdrawn and inactive.
• They may be aggressive when approached, as they try to protect themselves from further pain, or they may be subdued or withdrawn.
• Their ears may lie flat against their head.
• They may lick the affected area.

The key is to look for a change in your dog's behavior. Because arthritis is a progressive condition that manifests itself over time, the signs of pain become more apparent as the condition becomes more severe.

It is important to observe dogs closely for the signs of arthritis, including:

• General decrease in activity or exercise
• Reluctance to walk, run, climb stairs, jump or play
• Stiffness or decreased movement of joints
• Limping or lameness
• Difficulty rising from a resting position
• Lagging behind on walks
• Soreness when touched
• Yelping or whimpering in pain
• Acting aggressive or withdrawn
• Exhibiting other personality changes

If you notice any of these changes, see your veterinarian. The sooner the condition is recognized, the sooner your dog will feel less pain and become active again.

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Important Safety Information: RIMADYL is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication available only by prescription through your veterinarian. As with other NSAID-class medications, signs of RIMADYL intolerance may include appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, which could indicate side effects involving the digestive tract, liver or kidneys. Some of these side effects may occur without warning and, in rare situations may be serious, resulting in hospitalization or even death. If these signs occur, discontinue RIMADYL therapy and consult your veterinarian. 

The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries. The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

7 Most Asked Questions about Pet Care

The thing about raising a puppy is that unless you've done it before, you're not sure if you're doing it the right way. To quell those fears, here are the most frequently-asked questions we receive at You & Your Dog magazine. We've also provided answers you can rely on from our experts.

Q: How much should I play with my new puppy? A: Aim for between three and six play periods per day, but remember that he'll tire easily as a youngster. A game of fetch is ideal, as it includes exercise and a lesson on commands.

Q: How often should I take my pet to the veterinarian? A: Three times per year during puppyhood (which ends in about one year for small and medium sized breeds and between 18 and 24 months for large-breed dogs). After that, he should have a visit once annually, unless he gets sick.

Q: How do I teach my pup not to jump on people?
A: Hold a treat in front of your dog's nose then raise it over his head. As his nose comes up, his head should come down. Say "Sit!" Reward him when his hindquarters touch the ground. Repeat the drill and gradually remove the food used during the lesson. (But always give him a treat afterwards if he's followed your rules.) Once he learns the command, ask him to "Sit!" each time he greets someone.

Q: How are the nutritional needs of large-breed and small-breed puppies different?
A: Small-breed pups develop much faster than do others. They have faster metabolic rates and thus need higher levels of protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus. Meanwhile, large-breed dogs aren't considered full grown until they're nearly two years old. And while many people surmise they should eat huge quantities of food, they simply need meals that pack a nutritional punch. (If overfed, these animals risk putting on too much weight too quickly and developing skeletal problems.)


Q: What common ailments should I watch for? A: Worms and infectious diseases such as parvovirus and distemper are most problematic. The later two can be avoided with vaccines, though it is smart to limit your puppy's exposure to other dogs until he has been fully immunized.

Q: How often should I groom and/or bathe my pet? A: Long-haired breeds should be brushed out every day or so (give him a treat when you're done so that he learns grooming is pleasurable). Bathe when stinky, but avoid overdoing it, as his skin is sensitive.

Q: When should I switch to an adult dog food?
A: For small- and medium-breed puppies, move to a high-quality adult formula when he blows out the candles on his first birthday cake. Large-breed dogs should switch by the start of his second year of life.

Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Control for Dogs & Cats

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Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Control for Dogs & Cats

Frontline— The #1 veterinarian-recommended flea and tick protection.

Take good care of your pets. Help keep them healthy and happy by protecting them against fleas and ticks.

Start with FRONTLINE— the #1 choice of veterinarians when it comes to combating both fleas and ticks. FRONTLINE is an easy-to-use treatment that is proven effective. Approved for use on puppies and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and on breeding, pregnant or lactating cats and dogs. Frontline Plus is waterproof, and continues to kill fleas and ticks all month long.

Frontline Plus breaks the flea and tick life cycles to deliver continuous protection to you and your pet.

k9Advantix Flea and Tick

Could you let this little guy go unprotected against fleas and ticks? Take care of your four legged friends! They are family too!

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Fleas and Ticks Medicine for Your Pet

Frontline Top Spot

Frontline Top Spot is a monthly topical flea and tick medication. Frontline Top Spot Provides Convenient And Effective Flea And Tick Control For Dogs And Puppies, Cats and Kittens. Frontline Brand Products Are The #1 Choice Of Veterinarians! Fast-acting. Long-lasting. Waterproof Even After Frequent Bathing. Prevents Re-infestations. Convenient To Use. Controls Fleas Which May Cause Flea Allergy Dermatitis. Kills All Stages Of Major Ticks: the American dog tick,brown dog tick, the lone star tick and the deer tick (the major carrier of Lyme disease).Kills chewing lice. Comes in an easy-to-apply liquid Remains waterproof for 30 days Each application provides a full month of protection Cautions: Your pet may experience some temporary irritation at the site of application. If signs persist or become more severe within a few days of application, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Available for both Dogs and Cats.

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Rimadyl 100mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs

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Rimadyl 100mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs

Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) that does not contain steroids, and is used to treat inflammation and pain as a result of arthritis and other joint disease, including hip dysplasia. Additionally, it is used to treat surgical pain and to reduce fever. A prescription from your veterianarian is required to purchase Rimadyl. Rimadyl is for dogs over six weeks of age. Rimadyl can be given as an effective, single daily dose, in either a chewable tablet or non-chewable caplet. Rimadyl is generally well tolerated by dogs. Rimadyl reduces the hormones that cause inflammation and pain in your dog's body. Be sure to contact your veterianarian or pharmacist and discuss giving any other prescription or over-the-counter medications to your pet while using Rimadyl. Rimadyl is not to be given to lactating or pregnant dogs, or dogs used for breeding.

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How Do Dogs Get Heartworms

Q: How do dogs get heartworms?

A: Only by the bite of an infected mosquito. There's no other way dogs get heartworms. And there's no way to tell if a mosquito is infected. That's why prevention is so important.

Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states. And the bite of just one mosquito infected with the heartworm larvae will give your dog heartworm disease.

Heartworm disease has not only spread throughout the United States, but it's also now found in areas where veterinarians used to say "Oh, we don't have heartworm disease." Areas like Oregon, California, Arizona, and desert areas -- where irrigation and building are allowing mosquitoes to survive. And if you have mosquitoes and you have animals, you're going to have heartworms. It's just that simple.

It takes about seven months, once a dog is bitten by an infected mosquito, for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. They then lodge in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels and begin reproducing. Adult worms can grow up to 12 inches in length, can live 5-7 years, and a dog can have as many as 250 worms in its system.

Q: Can people get heartworms from their dogs?

A: It can only be passed on by mosquitoes. It's a specific parasite that only affects dogs and cats and ferrets and other mammals. In rare cases, heartworms have infected people, but it does not complete its life cycle. The heartworm will migrate to the lung and cause a round lesion that looks like a tumor. But these are very rare cases.

Q: If one of my dogs has heartworms, can he give it to my other dogs?

A: No. Again, the only way heartworms are transmitted is through the bite of an infected mosquito. And even if an uninfected mosquito bit your infected dog, and then bit your uninfected dog the same night, he wouldn't transmit the parasite from one dog to the other. That's because when a mosquito bites an infected animal, the heartworm needs to undergo an incubation period in the mosquito before the mosquito can infect other animals.

Q: Is it OK to adopt a dog with heartworms?

A: It's a very common problem in animal shelters today, and public shelters rarely have the money to treat heartworm disease. It's perfectly acceptable to adopt a dog with heartworms, but you have to be dedicated to having the disease treated appropriately, because it's a horrible disease that can lead to a dog's death if left untreated.

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Advantage Multi for Dogs and Cats

Flea and Tick Control

Advantage Multi for DogsandCats

Advantage Multi is a monthly topical application that combines the insecticide, imidacloprid and the parasiticide moxidectin. In dogs, Advantage Multi is used to prevent heartworm, and to treat and control flea infestations, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. In cats, Advantage Multi is used to prevent heartworm, and to treat and control flea infestations, hookworms, roundworms and ear mites. You must have a prescription from your veterinarian to order Advantage Multi.

Advantage Multi uses the active ingredient moxidectin to prevent and control heartworms and intestinal worms, disrupting their nerve transmissions and resulting in paralysis and death of the parasites. Imidacloprid, the other active ingredient, attacks the flea's nervous system to cause paralysis and death. 6 monthly doses of Advantage Multi will protect your pet for an entire 6 months!

Side effects, while rare, may occure after using any pesticide product for pets. Should symptoms persist, or become more severe, consult a veterinarian immediately.

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