Large breed dogs, medium breed dogs, and even small breed dogs have tendency to develop arthritis. Arthritis is a disease of the joints and usually occurs during the twilight years for both humans and dogs.

Canine Skeletal System

The skeletal system of dog is an incredible network of several bones, cartilage, as well as ligaments that are responsible for providing his body a strong and robust structure. This structure protects the internal organs, stands supported on four strong legs, and facilitates a variety of motions. However, lack of healthy bones, joints, as well as connective tissues mean that the dog becomes incapable of running, jumping, trotting, climbing, and playing. When a dog suffers from joint pain, these abilities are affected.

There are three types of joints or skeletal hinges in a dogs body. These include ball, socket joint like the hip, and should joints; the hinged joints like the elbow and knee joints; and the plane or gliding joints like the ankle and wrist joint. Arthritis strikes a large sized dog when the joints, lubricated by synovial fluid, are damaged by either injury or disease and he shows signs such of arthritis such as limping, yelping when touched, disinclination to walk, jump, or play etc.

Arthritis Disease

There are many types of arthritis. A degenerative joint disease, arthritis is a result of inflammation in joints and can be broadly categorized as inflammatory and degenerative, based on the source of irritation. Making a trip with your pet to a veterinarian is a prudent move rather than giving the dog a couple of aspirins to quell the pain (never give Tylenol to a dog or aspirin to a cat).

Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative arthritis disease that affects the pet as a result of cartilage destruction. Now, cartilage is the covering that protects the bones that form the joint. The breakdown of the cartilage is a result of normal tension on an abnormal joint or abnormal tension on a normal joint. While hip dysplasia (a common cause of arthritis in dogs) and malformation of the hip sockets are examples of abnormal joints with normal stress; frequent jumping over obstacles, or tearing or excessive stretching of ligaments resulting from strenuous exercises or injuries from accidents or falls are examples of normal joints with abnormal stress.

Treatments for Arthritis

Typically, arthritis doesn't manifest until your pet has experienced years of abnormal stress. As the lubricating fluid decreases, it also loses its ability to protect the bones from degeneration. Sometimes, surgery can halt or prevent arthritis. However, relief can also be found with alternative medicines such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.