Tag Archive for: orthotics

As they get older, dogs also have their ailments. Among them, arthritis, a disease suffered by about one in five dogs. Arthritis affects the joints and causes affected dogs to swell one or more legs. Arthritis in dogs will cause them to not only walk badly. It will also cause them a lot of pain.

This disease is degenerative and in many cases has no cure, but at least it can be treated so that it progresses as slowly as possible. Especially if it is diagnosed in its early stages. Then measures can be taken to alleviate its effects, and to improve the quality of life of the animal. But to achieve this, it is essential to detect its symptoms as soon as possible.

artritis en perros

Main symptoms of arthritis in dogs

Among the main symptoms of arthritis in dogs is the difficulty that those affected have to get up and lie down. They may also have more or less stiffness in the affected legs. Because they may have one or more affected.

In addition, they are reluctant to climb stairs, nor do they want to jump. They may also stop performing certain movements that they used to do habitually. In parallel, noises can be heard when bending the legs. And inflammation may be visible, making it easier to detect the disease.

It is normal for the dog to also have pains, which will cause him to complain. In any of these cases, it is advisable to consult with the veterinarian so that he can correctly diagnose the ailment.

It should also be borne in mind that arthritis in dogs does not only occur in animals of a certain age. It can also affect younger dogs. In these cases, arthritis is usually due to an injury, and also to a strong blow.

Treatment of arthritis in dogs

As we have mentioned, following certain guidelines and treatments, arthritis in dogs can be relieved and slowed down. Also largely avoid the pains it causes.

Generally, the first thing the veterinarian will do after the diagnosis of arthritis is to put a drug-based treatment. Among them there will be analgesics for pain, and also anti-inflammatories. Of course, the treatment will depend on each animal and also on the advanced nature of the disease.

It is also usually recommended that the dog take a food supplement, focused on the regeneration of cartilage that has suffered damage. Among them, those with Omega 3. In many cases they can relieve inflammation and cause the condition of the affected legs to improve. And in later cases, and if the arthritis is usually very advanced, the veterinarian may recommend an operation.

In addition to the treatments proposed by the veterinarian, certain measures can also be taken to facilitate the daily life of the dog. For example, you have to monitor your diet to prevent it from getting fat and overloading your joints. You should also try to get him to do some gentle exercise on a daily basis. For example, walking for 15 or 30 minutes every day. Swimming will also be good.

In case the disease causes pain to the dog, and difficulty moving, it is advisable to use protectors or orthoses on the elbows or knees of the affected paws. With them, the limb will be safer, and the dog will have less pain.

Ayudas para perros con artrosis

At Ortocanis we work to improve the lives of dogs with mobility problems, that includes dogs with some permanent physical disability as well as dogs that need rehabilitation. Marta Subirats, our collaborator, tells you about the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Of the four ligaments that make up the dog’s knee, rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most common pathologies and the most frequent cause of secondary degenerative osteoarthritis in the knee joint. The functions of the cranial cruciate ligament are to limit internal rotation of the tibia and cranial displacement of the tibia relative to the femur and to prevent hyperextension of the knee.

protector-rodilla-perro (1)If your dog appears with an acute limp, does not want to put his paw on the ground, or seems to take a few steps and shrinks it, and his knee swells, it is possible that his anterior cruciate ligament is affected.

There is a predisposition in certain dogs to suffer this injury. On the one hand we find small-medium sized dogs (breed or not) with short legs and generally overweight and, on the other hand, large and giant breeds that, due to their morphology, have a tendency to suffer injuries to their ligaments. Among the latter we find the Labrador, Rottweiler, Neapolitan Mastiff, Boxer, etc. In any case, this is not a rule and any dog can have a ligament injury throughout his life.

Apart from the breeds mentioned, there are other factors such as being overweight, sedentary lifestyle, endocrine disorders, sports dogs that do not warm up properly, stairs, sudden climbs to the sofa or the car, or activities that subject the ligaments to micro-trauma and that finally end up damaging them with partial damage or total breakage.

There are two types of treatment, conservative and surgical, whether one or the other is chosen, the animal must carry out a correct recovery of that knee so that it becomes functional again and thus avoid recurrences.

The goals of recovery are to decrease pain, swelling, and lameness, to regain full mobility, muscle mass and strength, and control over the joint.

Physiotherapy varies depending on the animal and the type of treatment, conservative or surgical and, in the case of surgery, the type of intervention. There are surgeries that require more rest and stabilization than others. The recovery process is considered complete when the animal is able to perform daily activities and its knee is able to receive loads and movement without risk of re-injury.

It is important that your pet receives rehabilitation treatment by trained professionals who will choose the best techniques for a quick and effective recovery. Among the most used therapies to treat a crusader problem we find: massages, mobilizations, therapy with currents, ultrasounds, laser, aquatic therapy, balance and coordination training therapy.

During the recovery period it is important that:

– Take your pet on a leash during walks and avoid sudden departures towards other dogs and changes of pace, especially at the beginning of recovery. Your veterinarian or therapist will modify the intensity of the activity as the recovery period progresses.

– Keep the dog off slippery floors. A common cause is recurrence of the ligament tear accompanied by medial meniscus injury.

– Avoid ramps and stairs at the beginning of treatment in operated animals and in animals undergoing conservative treatment. Once rehabilitated, ramps can be used to help get on the sofa and in the car, since it is recommended that they do not do it alone, there could be a recurrence.

– It is recommended that they rest on soft and clean surfaces, but that they are firm enough to help the incorporation of the animal special mattress for dogs

– Keep the skin clean and dry.

– Correct diet and weight control. Being overweight harms the joints and generates moreprotector-rodilla-canina-perro articulada pain for the animal

During recovery or in those animals in which knee instability may arise, the use of a hinged knee orthosis can benefit you and prevent recurrence or possible complications.

Knee orthoses can be used in cases where surgery is not possible or there is some impediment to perform it. These splints, designed exclusively for knee problems, allow progressively increasing degrees of flexion-extension while limiting unwanted movements, providing stability throughout the recovery.

Marta Subirats

Ortocanis physiotherapy technique