Arthritis?

Does anyone have an older dog with arthritis? My dog sometimes shows signs of what I think might be arthritis but then he is back to normal within a few hours or by the next morning. I'm not sure what is going on with him?

These are the symptoms I notice. Laying down and sleeping more. Not walking on one of his hind legs (walking on three legs) and overall more lethargic. Walking up the stairs slowly using all four legs. Then the next thing I know he is back to normal. Once I'm ready to make a trip to the vet he is fine. It does not happen often, it happened this week and the last time was over a month ago, maybe 2 or 3 months?

Re: Arthritis?

I thought my 8 yo lab had Arthritis bc he had the same symptoms you mentioned. The only difference was Jackson would wimper when ever he got up. So we took him in and the vet took an xray and said everything looked good and she attributed it to a sprain. Gave him meds and he's been fine ever since.

But, since your baby isnt wimpering, I would think its arthritis. It's sporadic so could the weather be affecting it? I would start giving him aspirin and see if it helps. If you don't see a difference I would take him in but, read up on the arthritis meds bc I heard they have a lot of bad side effects and you should be prepared.

Re: Arthritis?

Dogs have a higher tolerance for pain than we do, I give my dog glucosamine for dogs which I got at Trader Joe's and I think you can give them baby asprin, but I would check with your vet before doing that.