Managing Arthritis In Beagles
There is no doubt Beagles grow old. Along with their growing age, their health deteriorates too. No matter how well they are taken cared of, the risk of developing diseases is always present. Some diseases affecting older dogs can also affect young ones. One of these diseases is canine arthritis.
Just like any other organs and systems in the body, the skeletal system plays an important role in promoting normal health condition among dogs. It is composed of bones, cartilage and ligaments. These organs are responsible in providing the body with framework, protecting the internal organs and in providing a full range of motion. When one of these bones or joints is damaged, the dog’s normal activity will surely be affected.
Canine arthritis happens when there is an inflammation in the joints of a dog. Dogs of all sizes, breeds and ages can be affected but older dogs are at greater risk of this disease. Canine arthritis has two classifications; the degenerative joint disease and inflammatory joint disease.
Also called osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease occurs when there is damage in the cartilage that protects the bones that make up the joints. The damage in the cartilage can either be a normal stress on abnormal joints or abnormal stress on normal joints. Degenerative joint disease is further subdivided into two; primary and secondary. Cause of degenerative joint disease is not known. Secondary disease on the other hand can be the result of hip dysplasia, patella luxation (loose kneecap), osteochondritis dissecans, trauma and ruptured cruciate (knee) ligaments.
Inflammatory joint disease is another type of canine arthritis. This type can be caused by either infection or immune0mediated diseases. It usually affects multiple joints and is accompanied by fever, anorexia and all-over stiffness. Inflammatory joint disease is further subdivided into two; infectious and immune-mediated diseases. Infectious disease can be caused be bacteria while immune-mediated disease is caused by weakness in the immune system. Hereditary can also be the cause of this type of arthritis.
Reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump or play are signs of arthritis in Beagles. Gradual limping and swelling around a joint can also be seen. Your dog will also show tenderness when flexing a joint and may hold its breath or stop panting when an affected joint is moved or used. Decrease in appetite is also present in canine arthritis.
Severe arthritis is often times treated with surgical procedures. But mild cases of canine arthritis may not need surgery. Non-surgical treatment includes painkillers, exercise, rest and diet. It is important for dog owners to carefully read the product label of dog foods to check its content. But careful choosing is not enough yet. The amount of food and frequency of feeding should be regulated as well to prevent obesity. Exercise is another important step to prevent obesity in dogs. But Beagles with arthritis should only have limited and gentle exercise. They should also be prohibited from doing strenuous activities.
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