Caring for the Arthritic Dog
Arthritis in dogs is a fairly common condition for several reasons. Dogs tend to live longer, thanks to the modern age of preventative medicine and the availability of superior nutrition, and older dogs tend to become arthritic, similar to humans. Another reason that arthritis is more common is that obesity is more prevalent in dogs now more than ever, and the extra weight causes stress on the joints. Most overweight dogs experience symptoms of arthritis at some point in their lives.
There are two types of arthritis, inflammatory and degenerative. Inflammatory arthritis is caused by infection, such as Lyme disease. Degenerative arthritis is caused by the destruction of the cartilage in the joints from the normal wear-and-tear of life or from traumatic injury.
Some of the signs of arthritis in a dog are an unwillingness to go up or down stairs, difficulty getting up from a sitting or lying down position, exercise intolerance, limping, crying out in pain when touched, and a disinterest in playing. In some cases the pain of arthritis can cause a loss of appetite.
Medications that can help improve the quality of life for a dog with arthritis include pain relievers, nutritional supplements, and omega-3 fatty acids. Pain relievers, such as Rimadyl or Previcox should be given to a dog under a veterinarian's instruction. It is not recommended that dogs be given over the counter human pain killers such as Tylenol or Advil as the side effects are numerous and sometimes fatal.
Nutritional supplements like Arthriease, or GLC 1000 can help rebuild and prevent future destruction of the joints. Available over the counter or through a veterinarian, these supplements need to be taken over a period of time to obtain results, usually 2-4 weeks.
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements (fish oil), such as OmegaMaxx and Derma 3, have an anti-inflammatory effect that can help dogs suffering from arthritis as well and are very safe to use. As with glucosamine/chondroitin, fish oil capsules need to be given over time before they are beneficial. In some dogs with mild to moderate arthritis, the use of nutritional supplements and fish oil capsules can reduce the need for prescription pain medication, or even eliminate it, depending on the degree of damage to the dogs' joints.
Royal Palm Pet Supply also carries Chondro Flex Omega which combines glucosamine and Omega 3 Fatty Acids into one convenient product.
Alternative methods of pain relief such as canine acupuncture and massage are becoming increasingly popular. These treatments are surprisingly inexpensive considering the benefits that a dog can receive from them.
There are many ways to keep an arthritic dog comfortable at home, in addition to those already listed. In cold weather climates, providing a warm and comfortable sleeping place is essential. In split level homes, a bed on the ground floor and one upstairs can eliminate the need for the sore dog to climb the stairs if he is not feeling up to it. There are many very nice dog beds on the market, with orthopedic pads, heating elements, and so on. A wonderful bed for a larger dog is a crib mattress; it provides plenty of firm support with the comfort of a human-grade sleep surface.
Smaller dogs that like to jump on the couch or bed can benefit from doggy stairs; soft-sided portable stairs made for dogs with difficulty jumping due to injury or arthritis. These can make a huge difference in preventing further injury.
Exercise is still important for an arthritic dog. Joint movement increases fluid circulation around the cartilage, bringing nutrients and removing toxins. Swimming is an excellent exercise if your dog enjoys it, and of course walking at a comfortable pace. Any signs of lagging behind, limping or disinterest should be acknowledged, and an adjustment to the exercise schedule should be based on the dog's comfort level.
Diet may play a role in controlling the advancement of arthritis because excess weight puts additional strain on the joints. If your dog is overweight consider feeding a high-quality, low calorie diet or ask your veterinarian about switching to a prescription weight loss diet (Science Diet R/D or W/D). Most dog biscuits on the market are packed with empty calories, but a dieting dog doesn’t have to forego treats altogether. Use alternatives such as small amounts of lean cuts of beef, chicken or turkey, or even baby carrots. Healthy commercial treats, like Rewards, are beginning to emerge on the market as well.
A dog with arthritis can lead a happy and comfortable life. It is up to the dog owner to be diligent and observant of their dogs' behavior and make the necessary changes to accommodate his needs. The loving attention of a devoted dog owner can go a long way in helping a dog to live with and overcome the pain of arthritis.
Common Behavior Problems in Dogs
Aggression, fearfulness and compulsive behaviors are the most common behavior problems reported by dog owners. This article will discuss each of these in more depth below, but to understand how & why some behavior problems come about to begin with, we must understand a little dog psychology.
First and foremost, a dog is a dog. No matter how big or small, how sweet or aloof, indoors or outdoors – the toy Poodle with bows on its’ head is just as closely related to the wolf as the German Shephard. It’s true that certain breeds have characteristics that are lacking in others and vice versa, but underneath it all, they are all dogs and must be treated as such to be completely balanced and stable.
A Day In The Life
In the wild, dogs travel almost all day. They walk for miles and miles with their pack, with the leader always in front. They hunt, they scavenge, they explore – spending a great deal of time on the move, as a family.
The leader, or Alpha, decides when they rest, when they eat, what order they eat in, which direction they travel, and just about everything else. The great majority of dogs are followers and happily comply with whatever the Alpha has in mind. This compliant attitude is what makes the dog such a great companion for humans. And most dogs adapt quite nicely to the lifestyle of their human “pack.”
Sometimes though, the natural drive of a dog will conflict so intensely with the domesticated life it leads that psychological problems can arise and manifest as ‘inappropriate behavior.’ But that’s good news! It means many behavior problems can be prevented or eliminated with a little tweaking of the household schedule and some consideration for the dog.
What a Dog Needs
Dogs are pretty simple creatures really. They have five basic needs and you already give them three of those in abundance.
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Nutritious food
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Fresh water
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Exercise
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Leadership
Affection Numbers 3 and 4 are what is lacking for a lot of dogs with behavior problems. And numbers 1 and 5 are usually given at the wrong time. Let me explain.
Exercise.
The vast majority of our dogs don’t get nearly enough of it as is evidenced by the trend of behavior problems and obesity we see nowadays. Dogs are made to travel! Nothing is more meaningful to a dog than walking with its’ family. It is a bonding experience for them.
Lack of exercise causes boredom and excess energy, so what’s a dog to do? They have to relieve the boredom and release the energy somehow, and if not given appropriate outlets your belongings will suffer the consequences. Healthy dogs should ideally be taken for walks for at least 45 minutes twice a day. A tired dog is a good dog.
Leadership.
As stated previously, most dogs are followers. They don’t want to be the leader. Being the leader, or Alpha, is stressful and a lot of work. Nevertheless, dogs require leadership – they cannot function properly without it, so it is essential that you fill that role. All the time. If you are not the Alpha, or if you are inconsistent in your leadership, the dog has no choice but to become the leader himself. This is a terrible spot to put a dog in as it causes him a great deal of stress and confusion. Dominance aggression is borne from inconsistent, or a complete lack of, leadership.
Nutritious food.
You buy the best food available, you read the labels, dress it up with vitamins, and then plop it down in front of a dog that hasn’t done anything to earn it. In the wild a dog has to hunt or scavenge all day to get a meal – he works for it. For your dog’s physical and psychological health, the best time for him to eat is after a walk, when he’ll feel he’s earned it. There’s no free lunch.
Affection.
We tend to give an abundance of affection because it feels good to us. Dogs appreciate it as well, but we need to give it at the right times in order for it to be good for them. To the dog, affection is a reward for good behavior. If you pet a dog that is jumping up or nudging you, you’re reinforcing the annoying behavior by rewarding it (with affection).
Affection should be given only when the dog is calm and behaving in an appropriate manner. To do otherwise is satisfying our own need for affection at the expense of the dog’s emotional stability.
When Dogs Don’t Get What They Need
In a wild pack, you’ll rarely find a dog with a behavior problem. Not only because the other dogs wouldn’t tolerate it, but because in the wild all of the dog’s needs are being met. Some behavior problems in our domesticated dogs begin when something basic is chronically lacking.
Destructive and compulsive behaviors are usually caused by lack of exercise. Excess energy and boredom will drive some dogs to dig holes in the yard, lick their forearms raw, bark incessantly or chew up whatever is available. The surest way to curb those unwanted behaviors is to redirect the energy and enrich the environment.
Dominance behaviors are often the result of lack of leadership. Dogs need someone to be in charge and if you’re not fulfilling that role adequately, they are forced to take on the job. Now the dog sees you as a follower whom he must manage and direct. Dominance behaviors can range from mild to severe, and include such things as jumping up on people, nudging or licking, begging and aggression.
For mild to moderate dominance behaviors, the quickest cure is stepping up to the plate. Be the leader your dog needs you to be, consistently.
- Walking with your dog is the quickest and most meaningful way to establish your role as leader. When walking your dog, never allow him to travel ahead of you. He must stay at your side or behind you.
- You set the pace and direction of the walk.
- A dog should never be allowed on furniture unless he has been invited. The higher off the ground, the higher in the pecking order. The leader owns the furniture, the follower must ask before making himself at home.
- The dog must ‘work’ for his keep. Take him for a walk before you feed him. This will reinforce to him that humans are in charge of the food and he must do something to earn it.
- Do not allow the dog to cross a threshold ahead of you. Leaders go first.
Dominance Aggression is a serious problem and potentially very dangerous. It’s vitally important that aggressiveness be handled immediately and appropriately. Without a doubt prevention is by far the best approach, but if your dog is already showing signs of aggression, consultation with a veterinarian, or better yet a behaviorist, is in order. Before someone gets hurt or the dog has to be put down.
Treatment of aggression is beyond the scope of this article, so we will limit this discussion to prevention.
Preventing Dominance Behavior
Puppyhood is the best time to instill acceptable behavior habits in a dog. 
Just as with human children, this is the time they are the most malleable. Puppies should have a set of consistent rules with which to live by and it should be clear who the leader is (the humans in the house).
- Choose an appropriate breed for your family’s personality. Aggressive breeds should not be paired with meek people.
- Socialize the puppy early. Expose the puppy to people of all ages in varying circumstances and teach them to behave appropriately. Don’t allow jumping on people, rough play, biting/nipping or grabbing food. A firm “No!” and immediate denial of rewards (affection, food) if practiced consistently, will teach them what is unacceptable.
- Do not play roughly with a puppy (wrestling, tug-of-war, etc). If the puppy becomes aggressive during play, say “No!” and stop playing. They will learn to play nicely if everyone refuses to participate in rough-housing.
- Once a puppy is fully vaccinated, introduce it to calm, well-behaved adult dogs. Puppies learn a great deal about behavior from adult dogs.
- Allow family members to hand-feed the puppy, making sure the puppy takes the food calmly and gently. This accomplishes two things: It teaches the puppy that humans are in charge of the food, and that if they remain calm and gentle they’ll be rewarded.
- Have your pet neutered or spayed as soon as they are old enough (4 to 6 months). Intact adult dogs, whether male or female, tend to be more aggressive than their neutered counterparts. Hormones play a major role in aggressive behavior. If you wait until after an adult dog is showing signs of aggression, the behavior may continue out of habit.
- Never punish a puppy with physical violence. Some misguided pet owners think “teaching the dog who’s boss” by hitting them will fix a behavior problem. It won’t. It will make fearful dogs more afraid and aggressive dogs more aggressive. In nature, dogs do not punish other dogs by beating them up – this is a foreign concept to them and your puppy will not understand why you are hurting him. Use modification techniques the puppy will understand – the same techniques his pack would use to teach him what’s appropriate. For instance, when you say “No!” use a firm, low-pitched but forceful tone of voice (as a dog would growl). Use your hand as a dog would use its mouth to “bite” by grabbing the skin on the neck firmly (not enough to cause pain, but enough to get the puppy’s attention) and growl “No!” And, as mentioned above, deny rewards for unacceptable behavior. i.e. don’t pet a dog that is jumping up on you.
- Allow the puppy plenty of exercise. Take them on short walks several times a day, extending the length of the walk as the puppy matures. Adequate exercise relieves boredom and pent up energy. Be sure the puppy never walks ahead of you or dictates which way you go (that’s your job as leader).
Fear-related behavior problems are the most difficult behavior problems to overcome as they tend to be inborn and not always a result of environmental factors. But, with the right treatment, they can be lessened extensively and sometimes even cured altogether. It takes diligence, patience and consistency on your part.
The techniques listed below apply even if the fear-related behavior problem is caused by external factors, such as trauma, abuse or other mishandling.
First, and foremost, follow the advice given above in regard to leadership, exercise and affection. We want to build confidence in a fearful dog with strong leadership; we want to release excess energy with exercise; and we want to be sure we’re not reinforcing fearful behavior by rewarding it with affection.
- Use Pheromone products like DAP to reduce anxiety and stress. These products are synthetic versions of natural hormones released by a mother dog to calm her puppies and has been proven effective on dogs of all ages.
- Composure is a liquid supplement that can be used in addition to DAP to help relieve anxiety.
- Use desensitization techniques to eliminate the ‘triggers’ that send fearful dogs into a frenzy.
- Never punish a fearful dog; it will only make him more afraid and confused.
- Be patient and consistent.
Much progress has been made toward understanding and alleviating problem behaviors in dogs in the last thirty years. Pet professionals have an arsenal of information and products to help dogs get back on the path to psychological well-being. Prescription medications such as, Anipryl, Clomipramine, fluoxetine or selegiline may be needed if other methods fail. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you whether these medications will be of benefit in your situation. The doctor may also refer you to a behavior specialist if you need assistance with desensitization methods.
Treating Common Ear Problems in Dogs & Cats
The most common ear problems in dogs and cats fall into 3 main categories:
- Ear Mites
- Bacterial Infections
- Yeast (Fungal) Infections
Identifying the problem is vital to proper treatment because medications used for treating one problem will not be effective against another. And although some infections can occur simultaneously, both must be treated for a complete cure.
Ear Mites are tiny white parasites barely visible to the naked eye. Characteristic symptoms of an ear mite infestation are
- dry, black discharge from the ear resembling coffee grounds, and
- intense itching.
Left untreated, ear mites can cause severe damage to the ear drums resulting in permanent hearing loss. Ear mites are the number one cause of ear problems in cats.
There are several over-the-counter products used to kill ear mites. We recommend Otomite for ease of use and minimal expense. The product needs to be applied only once a week (for 3-4 weeks) after a thorough cleansing of the ears with an appropriate solution Vet Solutions (see below for ear cleaning instructions). Alternatively, your veterinarian can administer a one-time only medication like Acarexx or Ivomec to eradicate the mites overnight.
Mites are highly contagious and are easily passed between animals so treatment should involve all household pets, including hamsters, gerbils, mice, rabbits, etc. (Humans are not affected). Because ear mites can migrate over the skin, paws that scratch the ears or tails that rest near the head during sleep will need to be treated with an insecticide, like Frontline Spray as well.
Yeast/Fungal Infections can be identified by very itchy, red ears; a slightly “bumpy” texture to the usually smooth skin of the ear; and sometimes a brownish discharge. The distinctive odor of yeast confirms the diagnosis. Yeast grows in dark, moist places with little exposure to air, so the ear canal of floppy-eared dogs, or ears with excessive hair, provide the perfect breeding ground.
Foreign bodies in the ear, swimming, allergies and even thyroid problems can lead to excessive fungal growth. Recurrent or chronic ear infections should be investigated by a veterinarian to determine if the underlying cause itself requires treatment such as with allergies or thyroid deficiencies.
Mild to moderate fungal infections can usually be treated with an appropriate ear cleaner alone, such as Malaseb Ear or TrizUltra. The ears should be cleaned and dried daily for 7-10 days. (See below for ear cleaning instructions). For more severe cases, prescription ear medications like Otomax and possibly even an oral antifungal agent (typically ketoconazole) may be required.
The most important element in preventing or curing a fungal infection is eliminating moisture. Swimmers Ear is an effective drying agent for use after bathing or swimming, or as weekly maintenance of a healthy ear.
Bacterial Infections are often secondary to another problem, like excessive wax build up, allergies, ear mites or a yeast infection. Breaks or tears on the skin inside the ears from excessive scratching provide an opportunity for bacteria to cause an infection. Typical symptoms of a bacterial infection include malodorous red, swollen, irritated and painful ears, sometimes accompanied by a yellow discharge.
Bacterial infections usually require prescription antibiotic medications, but some success can be had by using a good cleanser Vet Solution and instilling Silvadene Cream (diluted in water at a 1:10 ratio) and applied twice daily for 10-14 days.
Chronic Ear Infections are defined as ear infections that never completely go away despite treatment, or that recur when treatment is stopped. It is highly recommended in these cases to have a thorough check-up with a veterinarian to determine and treat the underlying cause (allergies, hypothyroidism, etc).
Zymox products are specially designed for chronic or recurrent ear infections. We recommend Zymox Otic containing hydrocortisone for its anti-inflammatory properties. For optimum effectiveness, only Zymox Ear Cleanser should be used with Zymox Otic.
Cleaning the ears on a regular basis is essential to your pet’s overall health. Weekly to bi-weekly maintenance is ideal, especially with pets prone to ear problems. Vet Solution is an ideal cleanser for routine use. Here is a step-by-step guide to maintaining healthy ears:
- Place a cotton ball or gauze square into the ear canal (only as far as you can see, no deeper); fill the ear with the cleaning solution.
- Gently massage the base of the ear using an upward motion (most dogs enjoy this and will tilt their head to the side you are massaging).
- Remove the cotton ball/gauze square and insert a clean one, continue to massage the ear. Repeat until the cotton/gauze comes away clean and all the solution has been absorbed.
- Use cotton tipped applicators to clean areas you can see. Never put applicators deep into the ear – you will only push debris into the inner ear and cause damage.
- Make sure the ears are completely dry after cleansing, and if possible allow them exposure to fresh air and a little sunshine (use a scrunchie or hair clip to hold floppy ears up for 10 to 15 minutes if the dog will tolerate it).
- After thoroughly cleaning and drying, apply any medications needed, or use a drying agent like Swimmers Ear.
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