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As dogs age, they become more prone to diseases, conditions and illnesses because their immune systems are not as effective as when they were young romping puppies. Arthritis is a common condition that affects humans, cats and dogs as they age. Arthritis may be defined as a condition in which the joints experience inflammation, a tenderness to the touch, and may cause difficulty in every movement, such as walking or jumping.

Here are a few warning signs and symptoms of arthritis in dogs: swollen joints; lameness; limping; sensitive around the joint areas; slower walking pace; irritability and snapping; reluctance or difficulty when climbing stairs or jumping onto the couch or bed; stiffness in the joints. If you see your dog displaying any or several of these symptoms, take your precious pet to the veterinary clinic. Your vet will be able to help make your pet more comfortable by prescribing medication (anti-inflammatory medicines) and giving you helpful hints on aiding your pet.

There are many different kinds of arthritis in canines. Osteoarthritis, immune-mediated, infective, and idiopathic arthritis seem to be the four most common veins of this condition in dogs. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage surrounding a joint wears down and disappears. If this happens, new bone will often grow in its place, causing stiffness and discomfort in your pet's joints and basic daily movements.

Arthritis has many different causes. Simple wear and tear on joints is the most common. In humans, athletes will sometimes get arthritis later on in life because their joints have been used to their max, so to speak. The same thing happens with dogs. Injuries can also often cause arthritis. Sprains and strains on various joints can cause the joint to weaken and become susceptible to arthritis. If a dog is bitten or somehow wounded in a joint, sometimes the area can become infected and the infection can cause arthritis. Obesity or overweight pets are also at risk for getting arthritis because the extra weight places stress on your pet's joints, and dog joints are not made to handle an excess of weight.

So, how can you help your elderly pet that has arthritis? First of all, take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. This will help you and your vet take the best possible care of your dog by staying on top of their physical health. Consider buying your dog a dog bed that is comfortable and cushy. This will help ease the discomfort of their joints as they sit and lay down. Also, if your pet needs to use stairs to get to their water and food dishes, you may want to consider placing them in an area that is easy for your dog to get to them when they need to.

As dogs age, they require different care and more frequent check-ups at the vet. If your dog has arthritis, remember that it is an uncomfortable and oftentimes painful condition for them. Do what you can to make their last years with you as comfortable as is possible. Take care of your pet, and simply enjoy being with them, even though they may not be able to run around as much as they used to.