How to spot arthritis

Like us, dogs in old age begin to show signs of wear and tear in their joints. It’s not uncommon for dogs to develop arthritis in their hips, knees, shoulders and elbows which may cause discomfort and reduce their mobility.

It can be difficult to know if your dog has arthritis as they may mask or not show obvious signs of pain. There are however, signs that you can look out for that may give you clues that your pet is suffering from arthritis:

• Change in normal behaviour with a reluctance to walk, run, jump or play
• Limping
• Slower pace when walking
• Weight gain
• Difficulty getting up
• Yelping in pain when being touched

Although greyhounds joints are physically often very hardy compared to other large dogs, just like all dogs they can be affected by arthritis. To help improve your dog’s quality of life, it’s important to diagnose and manage arthritis as soon as it becomes a problem. Your Vet will be able to accurately diagnose your dogs’ condition and provide clarity on the severity of the disease in your dogs’ joints.

The good news is there are steps you can take today to prevent or delay the development of arthritis in your pooch:

Healthy diet

Obesity is the biggest cause of joint deterioration in dogs, the extra weight places increased pressure on joints and can lead to the development of arthritis. While it’s easy to get sucked in by their begging eyes, it’s important to feed your dog a healthy diet and appropriate portions for their size and breed. You can find more under ‘how much should I feed my greyhound’

Exercise

Getting your dog moving is important to keep joints naturally lubricated, however, please ensure you understand the right kind and amount of exercise appropriate for your dog. It’s possible to over-exercise your dog which makes them more susceptible to injury from overexertion. Generally, a 20 minute walk each day is good for a greyhound.

Treat injuries

It’s vital to treat any suspected injuries as soon as possible to prevent arthritis caused by injuries. See your Vet as soon as you suspect that your dog has sustained an injury so that they can provide the appropriate medical treatment to your best mate.