Canine health experts break down the red flags that may indicate major underlying problems.
View Entire Post ›
—
“Ifyourdogissuddenlylessactive,refusestoplayorseemsweak,itcouldbeduetopain,infectionormetabolicdisorders,”Dulakesaid.
Adogwhoismoretiredthanusualmightbeexhibitingsubtlesignsofjointpainduetoosteoarthritis.Dr. CourtneyPierce,acaninepainmedicalleadwithanimalhealthcompanyZoetis,recommendedbeingonthelookoutforearlyindicatorslikedifficultygoingupordownstairs,laggingonwalks,hesitationtojumpupordownandlimpingafterexercise.
“Often,myclientswillsaytome,‘He’sdoingOK,he’sjustslowingdownalittle,’”shesaid.“AndwhileIcertainlydon’twantmyolderdogactinglikeapuppywhenitcomestothingslikechewingupmyshoesorforgettinghismanners,‘slowingdown’isnotachangeIwelcomeorignore.Almost40%ofdogssufferfrompainassociatedwith[osteoarthritis]butitoftengoesundiagnoseduntiltheconditionisveryadvanced.”
Althoughosteoarthritisisoftenconsideredadiseaseofoldage,Pierceemphasizedthatthisisnotaccuratean
