· Osteoarthritis is a chronic, progressive disease that is caused by the breakdown and destruction of joint cartilage. As it progresses, bones that were protected, now begin to rub against one another. This condition can cause inflammation and mild to severe pain.
· Degenerative Joint Disease is a breakdown of portions in the joint, typically cartilage. Your pet will exhibit the same symtoms and problems as with Osteoarthritis.
· Hip Dysplasia is a malformed "ball and joint" socket in your pet. Common to certain breeds through genetics, this joint problem causes a series of problems. Chronic inflammation, calcium build-ups and muscle pain are common.
· Elbow Dysplasia is similar to Hip Dysplasia, typically hereditary and commonly found in larger breeds. Dogs will show signs of lameness because bones have malformed and potential bone chips that can form are very painful.
· Knee Dysplasia, like Elbow Dysplasia is also characterized by malformed bones. Here again, bone chips can cause severe pain, showing itself as a limp in your pet as he/she walks.
· Knee Stifle typically involves torn ligaments. Inflammation and severe pain is common. Knee joints are subjected to a lot of stress and strain in very active dogs.
· Osteochondrosis is a family of orthopedic diseases of the joint that occur in rapidly growing dogs. Causes are typically hereditary and the way the disease begins is debated. Most recently it is believed that the failure of an adequate blood supply for proper growth of cartilage is most likely.
· Hypertrophic arthritis involves excessive bone growth and or spurs. Severe joint pain will cause obvious lameness in your dog.
· Kneecap dislocation (Patellar Luxation) occurs when the dog's kneecap (patella) is dislocated from its normal position. A dislocated kneecap is one of the most common knee joint abnormalities in dogs. Prevalent in toy and miniature dog breeds, the cause is either a genetic condition or a result of trauma.
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