Comprehensive Canine Rehab Services for Arthritis in Orlando, FL

It might help to quickly explain the difference between the two types of arthritis that your dog may be facing. Most likely, if we are talking about an older dog that is gradually developing signs of arthritis as he or she ages, the condition in question will be osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative condition that can lead to painful, stiff joints in dogs (and humans).

On the other hand, inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that mistakenly causes the immune system to harm joints and cause inflammation that can lead to pain. While this is another form of arthritis in dogs, and it will require attention if it is diagnosed, the likely case for senior dogs gradually developing arthritis symptoms is going to be the osteoarthritis form.

As the person who spends the most time with your pet, it will likely be you that first spots signs of arthritis trouble. You don’t need to be an expert in this field to watch out for indications that something is wrong. As soon as you have reason to believe that your dog may be suffering from arthritis or another painful condition, reach out to a professional for assistance.

Some of the common signs of arthritis in dogs include the following:

Stiff Movement

• You know how your pet normally moves – if that starts to change, arthritis could be to blame. Specifically, pay attention to the movements of your dog early in the morning, or early in a play session after a period of rest. If it seems like your dog is having trouble getting started, it’s quite possible that arthritis is playing a role in that stiffness.

Slow Getting Up

• When healthy, most dogs pop up out of their bed or from a resting position, even if they do stop to stretch for a few moments along the way. Dogs with arthritis, however, may get up quite slowly, and might even be hesitant to get up at all. Watch for any changes in the pattern of how your dog gets up and consider seeking help if it seems that he or she is labored by the process.

Shy About Jumping

• We tend to take it for granted, but dogs jump regularly. This can be jumping up into bed, into a vehicle, or just to play. When your dog exhibits a hesitancy to jump, or simply won’t jump at all, you again need to think about arthritis as a possible reason.

Shorter Walks

• Going on walks is a classic activity enjoyed by owners and dogs alike, but you might find that your older dog wants to walk less and less as arthritis sets in. Again, this is a sign that treatment might be necessary to alleviate pain and restore function.

Once you have decided that it’s time to seek help, you’ll find that there are many non-invasive treatment options available for canine arthritis. It will take the trained eye of a professional to decide what forms of treatment are appropriate, of course, but the list below touches on some of the possibilities.

Canine Rehabilitation

• Professional canine rehabilitation services can go a long way toward helping dogs with arthritis. The specifics of the rehabilitation program recommended for your dog will depend on the location of the arthritis issue, the age of the dog, the severity of the condition, and more. Each case is different and we’ll take the time necessary to craft a plan that is ideal for your pet.

Manual Therapy

• We are proud to offer manual therapy and that treatment may be part of a bigger plan to address arthritis pain and stiffness. Not only are there benefits to be enjoyed in relation to arthritis and improving flexibility and mobility, but plenty of other positive outcomes can be achieved when a regular schedule of canine manual therapy, such as massage or joint mobilizations is established.

Laser Therapy

• Laser therapy treatments are an effective treatment option for arthritis such that it reduces pain, inflammation, and swelling. If your therapist determines laser therapy is an option for you, it will be included in your pet's treatment plan.

Regular Exercise

• Keeping the pet active and controlling weight properly is also important in this process. We can work with you to prescribe a specific exercise program that can benefit the health of the animal without pushing too hard. In addition to general activities such as walking, things like balance training and stretching can also be employed to provide a boost to quality of life.