MARLEE'S SPECIAL NEEDS

CANINE ARTHRITIS

Marlee is arthritic

Due to Marlee's background, she was basically born with arthritis. But what exactly is arthritis in dogs?

The canine skeletal system is a marvel of bones, cartilage, and ligaments that provide the body with a framework to erect on four strong legs, protect internal organs, and provide a full range of motion. The muscles furnish the power to propel the dog into action, but without healthy bones, joints, and connective tissue, the muscles cannot do their job.

Joints, the skeletal hinges, give the skeleton flexibility for walking, trotting, running, jumping, climbing, and moving the head and neck to increase the field of vision. The dog's body has three types of joints: ball and socket such as the hip and shoulder joints; hinged joints such as the knees and elbows; and gliding or plane joints such as the wrists and ankles. The joints are lubricated for smooth action by synovial fluid and are stabilized by tendons and ligaments. When the joints are damaged by injury or disease, arthritis (joint inflammation) can occur.

"He has arthritis", is probably the most common reaction of the pet owner whose Fido or Fluffy is stiff-legged after exercise, has trouble getting up in the morning, or is reluctant to go up or down stairs. But since such stiffness or lameness can have several causes and since arthritis itself comes in different types, a trip to the veterinarian is a more prudent move than slipping the pooch a couple of aspirin for the discomfort.

There are two types of arthritis explained by Norma Bennett Woolf at the Dog Owner's Guide: Degenerative joint disease and Inflammatory joint disease.  Marlee probably has the Inflammatory disease due to malnutrition after birth.

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Marlee's Memberships

Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha Alumna

Deaf Dog Education Action Fund

The Humane Society of the United States