Dog arthritis is confirmed through radiographic evidence of the degenerative changes which occur in joints.
Surgery is not the only proven treatment for arthritis in dogs.
You would only have to consider it when everything else fails.
There are different medicines which are proven effective in reducing inflammation and in preventing the disease from further advancing.
NSAIDs or non-steroidal inflammatory drugs are the most commonly used pain relievers for dog arthritis.
How do they work? They reduce the inflammation that is present within joints affected with arthritis.
They work relatively quickly to lessen the pain.
Some of the most common NSAIDs are: - Zubrin - Deramaxx - Etogesic - Previcox - Rimadyl - Metacam There are also medicines that are formulated to treat dog arthritis but they do not have anti-inflammatory effects.
The most common analgesics include: Gabapentin, Tramadol and Amantidine.
A neutroceutical can also be an effective treatment for arthritis in dogs.
Neutroceuticals are nutritional supplements that contain medicinal properties to help treat dog arthritis.
If you are looking for long-term benefits then you may consider this type of medicine.
They are usually prescribed in conjunction with NSAIDs.
Glucosamine, MSM or Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, Chondroitin Sulfate and Omega 3 Fatty Acids are all natural ingredients that help relieve arthritic pain and reduce inflammation with continued use.
Another effective treatment for arthritis in dogs is Adequan injection.
It contains a protective cartilage component that helps improve joint health.
It's also known to relieve pain.
If you are using Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and dexamethasone, make sure you ask your doctor about the possible side effects and complications especially if your dog is currently taking a NSAID.