Canine Arthritis- Signs, Types & Treatments

Canine Arthritis is more common as your dog ages. Similar to humans is is a calcification and inflammation that causes joint pain and limited activities. There are some types of arthritis like Hip Dysplasia that form early in life because of genetics and even diet.

The good news is that its treatable!

Treatments for canine arthritis vary from natural supplements to veterinary prescribed drugs.  Studies and real results have shown that natural supplements can be exceptionally effective in fighting the symptoms of arthritis in dogs without the potentially hazardous side effects of prescribed drugs. Before deciding which treatment plan is best for your dog, you should examine the signs of dog arthritis.

Signs of Dog Arthritis

1.  Limping and limited activity.

2.  Favoring one or both of the front or back limbs.

3.  Morning activity or cold weather makes the dog less active.

4.  Trouble rising from a laying position, particularly in the morning.

5.  Pain to the touch.

6.  Unwillingness to jump.

If you think your dog has arthritis, you should know the different types of arthritis.

Here are some of the most common:

Types of Dog Arthritis

1.  Osteoarthritis – Also known as canine arthritis or dog arthritis, it is the most common form of arthritis and most easily treated.  This type develops slowly as the dog ages.

2. Canine Hip Dysplasia - This is caused by looseness in the socket linking the thighbone and hipbone. The development usually occurs when the dog is young but can develop at any age.  A familiar sign is to hear a clicking sound when your dog walks.

3.  Rheumatoid Arthritis – Considered a more severe condition then #1. This is an immune mediated disease and can affect the whole body. Numerous joints can be affected and the lameness can come and go without notice.

4.  Degenerative Disc Disease – When the discs in the vertebrae form calcification and grow to be rigid. They become less able to endure compression. It lead to a severe injury and paralysis if the discs rupture or becomes herniated.

5.  Stifle Joint Disorder - This is when the knee and joint becomes unstable; usually from a stretched or torn ligament. This can also cause the joint cartilage to become damaged and inflamed.

Treatment Options

1.  Natural

2.  Prescription Drugs

3.  Surgery

The bottom line is that Dog Arthritis can be a very debilitating disease if left untreated. As dog owners we need to pay close attention to our animals and take action when symptoms are noticed. Frequently a natural supplement is all that is needed to help your dog.  Sometimes more aggressive treatments are needed such as surgery.  The most important thing is to notice and diagnose the issue and then choose what treatment is best for your dog.

For more information or if you feel your pet may be showing signs of arthritis, call today for an appointment! Ask about our Water Therapy Treatments! 

Establishing Trust

It was morning and you opened the front door to grab the newspaper from your porch.  Your dog spots a cat in the yard, and darts out of the open door and across the street before you can react. Your heart is in your throat.  The fear that he will be hit by a car rushes over you. When he finally comes to your calls, you are upset and you discipline him for chasing the cat and not coming the first time you called.

From your dog’s  point of view he got to chase a cat, which was fun. Then when he returned to you he was in trouble which was not fun. You wanted him to know that it is not okay to chase the cat, but what he really learned was that coming to you was unkind.

Remember that when you call your dog, you want him to come. Whenever he comes to you, be nice. No matter what he might have gotten into greet him with kindness and a pat on the head. This teaches your dog to trust you. Anytime that he follows you, comes to you, make him feel wanted.

A dog’s behavior can sometimes be utterly frustrating,  ringing you a half chewed up brand new shoe for example. It is important to remember that at that moment your dog does not understand that he has done something wrong. The only thing he understands is that you are angry, but not why.

Punishment after the fact is cruel and inhumane. The answers are in the prevention and training. Prevention means you are providing your pet with enough outlets for his energy. Training means teaching your dog to follow your command.

Being consistent with your commands & the tone of your commands!

When It Comes To Your Pets, Know Your Toads

 If you are a pet owner and live in South Florida, you should know about the Bufo Toad (bufo marinus); known to the NWF as “are one of the leading threats to native wildlife”. The Bufo toad prefers warmer moist climates, so summertime in South Florida is perfect breeding ground for these pests. They lurk in yard, under bushes hunting the insects buzzing around your porch light.

The Bufo Toad, also known as a Cane or Marine Toad, was originally brought here to help maintain the insects in the cane fields, but they quickly became a nuisance. They fed on other toads, snakes, insects, and small creatures (anything that fits in its mouth). The poisonous toxic glands on the backs release a corrosive and toxic liquid when it feels endangered.

 

  

A few precautions are:

1.    Most important. Know what they look like! Adults can be 6-9 inches with reddish-brown, dark brown, or grey warty skin. The large triangle parotoid glands are prominent on the shoulders. A Florida native toad will have oval parotoid glands  . (size does not determine one to be more poisonous then the other. It is the size of your pet and the amount of toxin)

2.    No invitations. Bufo love pet food, so leaving it outside will only bring unwanted guests to dinner. Keeping the food and water inside will eliminate the invitation.

3.    You sleep, they hunt. The most active time for a Bufo is at night, early morning, and after rain. Keeping your dog under supervision while outside during these times is the best way to avoid the risk of any run-ins.

4.    Playing hide & seek. Is your landscaping full of big bushy plants and shrubs? These are great hiding places for these dirt dwellers. If you have these safe havens, check regularly or remove.

5.    Supervision. All dogs are curious, but an unsupervised puppy or playful dog and a Bofu are only asking for a trouble. Don’t risk the chance of delayed treatment if the two do meet.

6.    Build a barrier. 20 inches high mesh, buried 6cin around the parameter of your yard. It’s not foolproof, but it is a start. If there are high volumes in your neighborhood, it could be worth the investment.

If you’re pet does go head to head with a Bufo the quicker you respond the better for your pet. First you have to remember DO NOT PANIC. You will need a clear head to help your pet. First rinse the mouth out with water, going side to side. Spraying water straight back will only force the toxins down or drown your pet. DO NOT DROWN YOUR PET BY FORCING WATER DOWN THEIR THROAT! The toxin is sticky so you may need to wipe the mucus membrane out of the mouth. After that you will want to call your vet and let them know you are coming, then calmly transport your pet to the vet for further care. 

After the initial mouth rinse you can use a wet paper towel (replacing frequently) to wipe the toxins from the palette, gums, tongue, and teeth. Don’t forget to wipe the paws off also.

(Using a hose does give a higher risk of pushing toxins down your pet’s throat, as well as causes more trauma for your pet.)

 Symptoms that your pet has been poisoned by a Bufo Toad:

● Increased salvation or foaming ● Brick-red gums

● pawing at mouth or vocalizing              ● uncoordinated

            ● Difficulty breathing                               ● seizures/convulsions

*If too much time passes, the possibility of death increases.

How to kill the enemy

1.    Freezing Toads- Considered the most humane way. First you must catch it. You can spread benzocaine ointment on it’s back (a small amount) and it will cause the toad to be unconscious in 20 minutes. Then, place in the freezer for 3 days and discard responsibly! The Florida Wildlife Extension at UF recommends this method. 

2.    Snake Killer Deterrent- If you prefer to do the preventative route though it won’t eliminate all Bufo Toads, it can radically reduce the numbers in your yard because they detest the Snake Killer. Spread it around the perimeter of your yard, specifically concentrating in well-known Bufo Toad areas, like by bodies of water, near lights, or anywhere you may have noticed them hiding out in the past.

3.    Bucket Trap- Bury a 5-gallon bucket (or larger), so the opening is level to the ground. Grease the buckets sides well, so the toads cannot get away. Throw some pet food in the bottom. There MUST be a light source overhead or nearby. You can do this by setting it up under a floodlight and using foil to reflect the light or setting up a light directly above the bucket. (A light source must be present nearby to attract the frogs) They will smell the dog food and become curious. You may need to build a barricade around this to protect your dogs and kids. If so, make sure there is a large enough opening at the bottom for the toads to hop in.

4.    Bleach- the most extreme solution, as bleach kills the Bufo instead of acting as a deterrent or trap. Though not the most humane, the quickest solution is to pour 1/2 cup bleach over Bufos. They will die almost instantly and then you can responsibly discard them. This method should be used only as a last resort against Bufo Toads or in an emergency situation.

Hopefully, this has provided some solutions to anyone with a Bufo Toad problem.

A dog poisoned by a Bufo Toad will die 100% of the time if not treated.

Be careful if you live in an area with these giant toads and

keep an eye on your pets at all times!

Bufo Toads can cause eye and skin irritation to humans as well as other side effects.

For more information go to Poison Control Center

Note:

* With very few exceptions, any toad in Florida that is larger than 4 inches is NOT native and is almost certainly an invasive Cane Toad.

* In the known range of these toads, it is a good idea to catch and identify ANY toad you see in your yard to be sure that they aren't dangerous