Arthritis in Older Doodles
Just like humans, an aging dog can (and probably will) develop arthritis. Most people miss the early signs because they don’t know the symptoms. It’s not uncommon for both elbows or knees to suffer from arthritis at the same time. Consequently, the limp you might notice with one affected joint doesn’t appear. Instead, you’d see the dog waddle along, swaying its back to help the limbs go forward. With arthritic elbows, you’d see a shortened stride or shuffling rather than walking. These motions reduce the amount of time their weight is on the sore limbs. Unfortunately, a dog can go for years on aching limbs before its symptoms become apparent to us. A decreased desire for exercise or unwillingness to walk as far as they once did are also signs.
- Periodic x-rays don’t give a good impression of progression or relief. Your observations of their gait and activity level are far better indicators. My older breeding dogs that have stayed with me rather than retire to pet homes have developed arthritis as they got older. Willis, one of our original golden retrievers – and an ancestor to most of our Goldendoodles – was about 13 when we began noticing him having some difficulty in the mornings. My vet warned of the side effects of the prescription arthritis medication and suggested giving Willis buffered aspirin and a Chondroitin and Glucosamine supplement. That was the regimen we continued with until he passed at 16.
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