We know our dogs are not just like family – the are family. In caring for our family, we need to look for signs of pain. A common condition suffered is Osteoarthritis (OA). It is a joint disease that affects people as well as dogs and can be just as painful for dogs as it is for us.
In healthy joints, a slippery tissue called cartilage cushions the ends of the bones in the joints. With OA, cartilage breaks down, causing pain and swelling. As OA gets worse, bone spurs can form, causing more pain and joint damage. When this happens, your dog may become less active or show signs of stiffness when getting up.
