Causes of Joint and Hip Pain In Dogs
Watching your dog suffer from even the slightest bit of discomfort is very difficult. If your dog is suffering from hip pain and you’re looking for a solution, we’ve got you covered. To understand how to take care of this condition in your dog, you must first know what the reason behind hip pain is.
What Causes Hip Pain in Dogs?
There are two main reasons; and one incidental reason why your dog is experiencing hip pain. It is either because of arthritis or hip dysplasia. But in some are cases it is the result of an undiagnosed injury that has occurred in the past which has been overlooked. Let’s take a look at these conditions one by one.
Arthritis in Dogs
Dogs can develop arthritis just like human beings. It is a condition when the cartilage present in joints gets damaged and bones rub against each other, causing pain. Cartilage is a soft, rubbery covering that reduces friction in joints. Arthritis in the hip joint can cause your dog to experience hip pain.
Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint does not form properly. This joint is called a “ball and socket” joint in which the thigh bone has a ball-shaped ending that fixes into the socket of the hip bone. In this condition, this joint does not develop normally. This makes the ball not properly fit into the socket.
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease in dogs. It is a condition that is present in the genes. Nutrition and exercise play a major role in controlling this hereditary condition. If your dog receives proper nutrition and care then their symptoms may improve.
What Are Dog Joint Pain Symptoms?
These are the symptoms that you can use to identify if your dog is suffering from hip pain:
- Difficulty in sitting and standing up
- Sitting for a long time and not walking or running
- Not letting you touch the back legs because of pain.
Dog Joint Pain Treatments
It’s difficult for dog owners to watch their dogs suffer from these problems. They look for ways to treat the disease and lessen the pain their dogs are going through. There are two ways to treat dogs with hip pain. Your vet will tell you which method is better by examining the condition of your dog.
If your dog has suffered and undiagnosed injury to the hip joint, which has not be noticed in the past an X-ray and physical examination will provide the vet with further information and on what treatments may be available for your dog.
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in humans to treat joint inflammation. The same type of drugs can be used to treat joint inflammation in dogs. Only the vet can prescribe the right kind of NSAID for your dog, according to its condition. Other medications can also be used to lessen pain.
Surgeries such as osteotomy or hip replacement can relieve the pain your dog is going through. If the pain does not subside with medicines, the vet will recommend a surgery according to your dog’s condition. Discuss your dog’s condition with the veterinarian to learn which kind of treatment will deliver the best result for your dog.