What to do if your dog has swollen and painful joints in the front legs

The most common symptom of arthritis is lameness when walking, and there may be local redness, swelling, heat, and pain. As the disease progresses, there may be yellowish-green purulent secretions during joint aspiration, and the bacteria may affect other organs through the blood, such as pneumonia and sepsis. Owners need to carefully care for their dogs, control their diet, enhance their nutrition, supplement calcium, and regularly engage them in low-intensity exercise. If the dog's pain is obvious, medication for pain relief is also needed.

Diagnostic methods for arthritis

Examine your dog's body. If there is swelling in at least two joints, it is likely that your dog has arthritis. If a dog has arthritis, the swollen areas will have a certain symmetry. Observe your dog's paws. If the joints swell, it could be arthritis. After waking up, the dog may appear stiff and take a long time to recover. This could also indicate arthritis.

Symptoms of arthritis

Infectious arthritis is mainly characterized by joint congestion, edema, and eventually stiffness. Acute symptoms usually manifest as severe lameness or inability to bear weight in the affected limb. Infected joints are swollen, warm, and painful. Canine rheumatoid arthritis mainly manifests as migratory lameness and swelling of the surrounding soft tissue of the joint, accompanied by depression, fever, and anorexia, joint dislocation. After resting, the joints become stiff, lame, or difficult to walk.

Treatment of arthritis

If it is infectious arthritis, specific treatment is required. Antibiotics sensitive to bacteria are used for antibacterial purposes, and symptomatic treatment and daily care are strengthened. The use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to a full recovery. If it is rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms can only be relieved by controlling weight, limiting activity, and using glucosamine and analgesic drugs. It cannot be cured.