Canine Tendonitis

Tendonitis in dogs is a painful condition that generally affects dogs that are more physically active, such as greyhounds, running dogs, dogs involved in rescue and search operations, and other hunting and sledding dogs. The classic tendonitis dog in pain symptoms include noticeable limping in the dog, and the dog may even occasionally cry out with pain. Depending on the area of occurrence, its range of motion may also be impacted.

Ice or Hot Packs
If the dog is in extreme pain, ice or hot packs can be applied to the affected region. This can help in alleviating the hip pain in dogs and reduce the inflammation.

Rest
Adequate rest is another essential aspect of tendonitis treatment for dogs. Since the condition can worsen if the affected area is used or moved, the dog needs to be confined to bed and made to rest.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Sometimes dog anti-inflammatory drugs may also be required to reduce the inflammation. These drugs should only be given under the supervision of a veterinary doctor.

Veterinary Care
In case of severe or chronic tendonitis or a ruptured tendon, the dog would need veterinary care. This may also require fluid drainage from the affected area, which only a veterinarian can do.

Massage
Many times, gentle massage or physical therapy may be helpful in alleviating the pain associated with tendonitis. However, the massage should be done in the presence of a qualified veterinary practitioner.

Surgery
Surgery is the last resort treatment for a severe case of tendonitis in dogs. Surgery is only done when the pain is unbearable and regular functions become completely impossible.

Hip Popping Problems in Dogs

Hip-popping problems are not uncommon in dogs. The larger the animal, the more likely he will have dog joint pain issues. Certain breeds, such as golden retrievers and German shepherds, are predisposed to this. If you're aware of the symptoms and treatments, you can help protect your pet from experiencing unnecessary pain and discomfort.

Cause
The most common cause of hip popping in dogs is hip dysplasia. This is a congenital disease that results in malformation of the ball-and-socket joint that makes up the hip. Instead of a smoothly moving joint, a dysplastic hip features a ball and socket that don't fit together correctly. When the hip moves, the two parts of the joint rub together, causing uncomfortable friction and the wearing away of cartilage. Eventually, arthritis dogs will result.

Symptoms
A dog with hip dysplasia may have difficulty standing and may hesitate walking up stairs. He may "bunny hop," or use both rear legs together instead of independently of each other. He may walk with a noticeable sway in his back end as he tries not to engage his painful hip. You may notice that he spends more time at rest. In some dysplastic joints, you'll hear a popping sound as the loose ball makes contact with the socket.

Treatment
If your dog is overweight, it's important to put him on a weight-control program. Every extra pound on your pet's frame places more pressure on the joints, which helps accelerate the progression of the disease. Regular exercise can stimulate cartilage growth and build muscle, which can help take the strain off the joints. Your vet may prescribe a nonsteroidal natural anti inflammatory dogs drug (NSAID) to help treat the pain and the arthritis. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Prevention
Since dogs are born with hip dysplasia, it's not preventable. However, you can help slow its progression and keep your dog comfortable for a longer period of time. At the first signs of lameness, soreness or other indications of hip pain, start her on glucosamine and chondroitin to help maintain joint tissue and fluid. This will help slow the degeneration of the joints, and therefore help delay the onset of pain and inflammation. Talk to your vet about a prescription medication that can help manage the symptoms of this disease.

Warnings
Don't exercise your pet too much. Some exercise is helpful, while too much can be detrimental to good joint health. One or two short walks a day should be enough exercise for a dog with mild hip dysplasia. If your dog has surgery to treat this condition, be sure to wait the full recovery period before returning to normal activities. Exercising too soon can cause further damage to the joint area.

Schnoodle Ailments

When a poodle and schnauzer produce offspring, the result is known as a schnoodle. Like most breeds, schnoodles are healthy, but they are more prone to certain diseases than other breeds. Even though your schnoodle may be fine, it is important to be aware of diseases that could occur in order to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Hip Dysplasia
Schnoodles are more prone to dog hip and bone dysplasia than other breeds. This disease is hereditary. Hip dysplasia is a bone and joint disorder in which the head of the femur (large rear leg bone) either fits loosely or is completely dislocated from the socket. When this happens, it causes abnormal hip joint development. As the condition develops or worsens and the bone separates from the joint, arthritis in dogs generally occurs due to the friction. Pain sets in, and eventually debilitation is possible. You may see signs there is a problem when your schnoodle is four months to one year in age. If you notice your dog has difficulty standing, begins limping, or has a problem running or even walking that lasts more than a couple days, take your schnoodle to the veterinarian.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes-Disease, also known as LCP, also involves the hip joint. However, if caught early enough, there are treatments for LCP. With this condition, the blood supply to the head of the femur connected to the pelvis decreases, causing the pelvis to deteriorate. Similar to hip dysplasia, signs there is a problem can occur as early as four months in age, and some of the signs are the same. You may notice limping and difficulty standing. If caught in the early stages, treatment may be possible with non-steroidal dog anti inflammatory drugs. However, if LCP is too severe, surgery will be required.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
One main eye disorder with schnoodles is progressive retinal atrophy, known as PRA. There are different classifications of PRA, but ultimately it leads to complete blindness. The most common early sign of the disease is night blindness. If you notice your schnoodle bumping or tripping over objects and running into walls when a room has dim lighting, suspect PRA. As the disease progresses, dogs may lose sight during the day. In some cases, dogs will adjust to their surroundings even with partial vision loss if their surroundings do not change. If there is any indication your schnoodle has vision problems, a veterinary ophthalmologist will conduct an electroretinogram test to determine vision loss.

Hip Problems in German Shepherds

Hip problems plague German shepherds, but helping an individual dog depends on his actual diagnosis. The two most common dog hip pain affecting the breed are hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy, which are very different conditions. Like many dogs, German shepherds are prone to arthritis as they age, which often afflicts the hips.

Hip Dysplasia
In German shepherds, hip or elbow dysplasia in dogs may become evident by the time the dog reaches middle age. It's a hereditary condition, resulting from a malformed hip joint. Symptoms include:

1. Difficulty rising from a prone position
2. Reluctance to climb stairs or into the car
3. Limping or stiffness.

X-rays will confirm whether your dog suffers from hip dysplasia. Dogs with severe hip dysplasia require surgery, the equivalent of a hip replacement. Canines with milder forms of the condition may do well with supportive care and therapies. This includes:

1. Massage
2. Joint supplements
3. Acupuncture
4. Orthopedic dog bed
5. Pain medication, when necessary
6. A customized exercise program, focusing on walking and swimming.

It's important that your dog maintain a healthy weight, as extra pounds stress his joints. Your vet will recommend a weight management program for your German shepherd, if needed, when putting together a management plan for your pet.

If your dog is diagnosed with symptoms of arthritis in dogs rather than hip dysplasia per se, many of the same treatments apply, although surgery isn't generally an option.

Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy occurs so often in the breed that it is often referred to as "German shepherd degenerative myelopathy." This genetic, progressive disease is similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in people. There's no cure for degenerative myelopathy, but treatment can extend the dog's quality of life. The disease usually appears in German shepherds around the age of 8 or 9. Early signs mimic those of hip dysplasia. Other symptoms include:

1. Dragging the hind feet
2. Swaying when walking
3. Crossing the rear legs when walking or standing

As the disease progresses, the dog is no longer able to stand. Your vet diagnoses degenerative myelopathy via blood tests, X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging and spinal fluid testing. Management includes:

1. Physical therapy
2. Swimming or light walking for exercise and maintenance of muscle mass
3. Medication and supplements, such as prednisone, various vitamins and aminocaproic acid, a lysine derivative. 

Unfortunately, most dogs require euthanasia within a year of diagnosis.

DHEA for Dogs

Obesity is a major health concern for dogs. Overweight dogs are more likely to develop conditions such as heart disease and arthritis in dogs, and these conditions can prevent them from living as long as some of their leaner four-legged friends. There are many ways to keep your dog's weight under control. Diet, exercise and supplements are just some of the techniques you may want to try. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to control your dog's weight and to see if best joint supplements for dogs, such as DHEA and OmNutra, might be beneficial.

Dehydroepiandrosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is a steroid that is naturally produced by the adrenal gland in humans and other mammals. It is a major steroid in humans but its levels are much lower in other mammals, such as dogs, according to an FDA document. Its anti-obesity properties have made it a factor in weight-loss programs and pet supplements. It can also be used in dogs to reduce cortisol, a stress hormone.

Weight Loss
DHEA research in dogs has shown a wide range of results; some dogs experience no change in weight while others show significant weight loss. A study performed by the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine found that dogs on a weight reduction program that were supplemented with DHEA lost more weight than dogs that were on the same program without DHEA, according to Doctors Foster and Smith's PetEducation.com.

Cholesterol
DHEA can also affect cholesterol levels in dogs. The University of Wisconsin study also found that the dogs that received DHEA had lower cholesterol levels than the dogs that did not receive the supplement.

Dosage
Low doses of DHEA appears to have little risk for dogs. According to Dr. Ernest Ward, a veterinarian and author in Calabash, North Carolina, 5 to 50 mg per day are recommended to promote weight loss without much risk. Another form of DHEA, called 7-oxo-DHEA, may be even safer and can be given at higher amounts. However, there is no established dosage for dogs. You should discuss any DHEA use with your veterinarian before administering it to dogs.

Precautions
DHEA should be used with care in dogs. It is a steroid that can affect your dog's body systems and hormones; you should ask your veterinarian for advice before you use it as a weight-loss aid. According to the FDA, it is a potential carcinogen and toxin, and its use should be monitored carefully.

Reasons of your Dog's Limping

When your pooch starts to limp, it could be a simple scratch, nails that need to be trimmed or something much serious, such as a broken limb or dog joint problems. Use a gentle touch with your pup and get him to the vet for medical attention as soon as possible.

Examine your dog for visible signs of trauma. If he’s bleeding or looks beat up in any other way, he could have been in a fight with another animal, hit by a car or otherwise injured. This constitutes a medical emergency, as your dog could have unseen internal injuries.

Check your dog’s feet, particularly his paw pads and in-between his toes. Thorns, rocks, glass and debris can get caught in these tender areas. Puncture wounds to the paw pads, whether from a toenail or a foreign object, can be painful. Use a gentle hand to remove any visible foreign object, wash with warm, soapy water and apply a topical antibiotic cream. Epsom salts can help reduce swelling.

Look for signs of discoloration on your dog’s paw pads. If they are hot and paws are red and swollen, he could be suffering pavement burns. After exposure to frigid temperatures, red, white or blackened paws can be a sign of frostbite. A trip to the vet is in order.
.
Look at your dog as he’s walking away from you. If his gait is off, he could have hip or elbow dysplasia dog. If he’s holding one leg off the ground he could have a sprain, a broken bone or a knee issue, such as a torn ligament. These issues can get worse without treatment for arthritis in dogs, so see your medical professional right away.

Pay attention to when your dog limps. If he has a hard time standing or a limp that goes away after he’s up and walking around for awhile, he could have arthritis. This is especially prevalent in older, large breed and overweight dogs.

Call your vet. A persistent limp should be checked out. Even seemingly minor issues that you treat at home, such as minor cuts, can become infected. More serious issues such as broken bones or joint and ligament problems often require rest, immobilization and sometimes surgery. If the situation goes unaddressed, the problem could get worse and be more painful for your dog.

Pulled Muscles in Dogs

If your dog has a pulled leg muscle, you will notice him limping or refusing to put weight on his leg. The leg, hip or stifle may appear swollen, tender and inflamed. If your dog has pulled a neck or back muscle, you'll see stiffness, instability while walking, changes in posture, and pain in a joint medical term when touched or moved.

Strained Vs. Sprained Muscles
When your dog walks or runs, his muscles contract and relax, moving the tendons that connect the muscles and bones. Strains cause injury to the tendons; they're commonly seen in the hips and thighs. Ligaments, meanwhile, are strong, tough tissues that connect bone to bone or cartilage to cartilage. Sprains injure ligaments -- they are much more serious than strains. Sprains can cause damage to the joints. The carpal and stifle areas, the dog's wrists and knees, are commonly affected by sprains. Both sprains and strains are considered soft-tissue injuries.

What to Look For

Leg sprains and strains, common in dogs, can be caused by simple, everyday activities such as running, jumping and playing rough. Pain symptoms in dogs include limping and sudden lameness. Your dog may whine or be vocal due to pain, and may refuse to eat.

Just because your dog is limping does not mean he has incurred an injury. He may have cut his paw; may have a burr or thorn caught in his pad, or may have an ingrown toenail.

If your dog has pulled a muscle in his neck or back you may notice posture changes, with his back curved upward. He may refuse to turn his head, may appear wobbly and unstable while walking, and may seem stiff or rigid.

Risk Factors
Overweight pets are at increased risk for soft tissue injuries. The extra weight puts additional strain on muscles and tendons, making injury more likely. If your pet is overweight or obese, talk to your veterinarian about an appropriate diet. Young, active dogs are likely candidates for injury, since they enjoy rambunctious play. Canine athletes who participate in competitive sports such as agility and racing frequently suffer injuries to ligaments and tendon. Hunting dogs can injure themselves while chasing prey.

Veterinary Care
Mild leg strains will heal on their own with adequate rest. If your dog does not stop limping after two days, let a veterinarian assess the injury. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination to look for swelling and inflammation. He may observe your dog’s gait and perform X-rays to ensure no bones are broken. Arthritis treatment for dogs usually consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain, and lots of rest. If a ligament or tendon is ruptured or torn, surgery may be necessary. Blood tests, spinal fluid analysis, CT scans or an MRI may rule out possibility of disease, infection or fracture.