Arthritis in Dogs: What to do to prevent it from affecting your dog?

Arthritis affects some dogs more adversely than others. There are several types of bone diseases also that cause discomfort to dogs. Some of them are:

• Hip Dysplasia- This causes unnecessary movement in the bone joints because of the abnormality of hip sockets. It also results in persistent inflammation and accumulation of calcium in the bones.
• Displacement of the Kneecap- When the bones of the leg are not properly formed, the dog’s kneecaps tend to move to and fro in its place causing pain and irritation to the dog.
• Elbow Arthritis- This is usually an inborn problem where the bone has not been able to develop fully.
• Swelling and Pain in knee- Due to a lack of vitamin C, the dog shows swelling and experiences pain in the knee bone. This is mostly a genetic inheritance and can also be because of improper diet.
• Deterioration of shoulder joint- The dog feels extreme pain and there is soreness in the shoulder region because of the collapse of the cartilage.

Arthritis in Dogs can be prevented by nurturing a pregnant dog. As these are mostly hereditary diseases, they have to be cured in the mother so that it does not reach the child. The embryonic period of a dog is a very crucial time. The female dog should be fed nutritious food to help in the proper growth of the baby. If not cared for, the unborn baby will suffer as a consequence.

A daily dose of 250 to 2,000 milligrams vitamin C is a must to prevent arthritis in Dogs. But the intake depends mostly on the size of your dog. A small dog like a Chihuahua needs 250 milligrams a day, while a bigger dog like an Alsatian needs about double that amount. The correct dosage can be suitably determined by a doctor and he should be conferred with first to avoid arthritis in dogs.