Pain relief, joint supplements, and hydrotherapy are great ways to help your Corgi with arthritis. Making sure they are healthy, active, and have a nutritionally complete diet can help reduce the chance of them developing it in the first place.
Arthritis is a difficult disease for humans and dogs alike. It makes your Corgi’s joint stiff and achy, and there are some days they will prefer to stay in bed as much as possible. It can be a very painful joint condition and one of the most common seen by vets. The good news is that it’s also very treatable and doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
If you want to know how to help your Corgi with arthritis, you’re in the right place. There are so many great treatments that can help your Corgi live a long and happy life. You might even be able to try and prevent it by keeping them in great physical health (although nothing is guaranteed). Just remember, humans live good lives with arthritis, which means dogs can too.
Let’s take a look at how to help your Corgi with arthritis and ways you can try to prevent it.
Key Takeaways:
- Arthritis is a painful and uncomfortable joint disease but also very treatable
- A balanced diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent it
- Supplements and hydrotherapy tend to be the best forms of treatment
- Severe cases might require surgery to help improve their quality of life
What Is Arthritis In Corgis?
Arthritis is also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative bone disease. It refers to inflammation in the joints, which can make them swollen and painful to move. This is because the smooth cartilage that lines the affected joints has been worn down, making normal movements and tasks much more difficult (or impossible) to complete.
It can affect any breed at any age. However, it is more common to see it develop in older dogs. You’ll notice that it is harder for them to move around the house, and they might be more reluctant to play or go for walks. It’s part of getting older, but you can work to prevent it from puppyhood. After all, our Corgis deserve the best.
What Are The Symptoms Of Arthritis In Corgis?
If you’re worried about arthritis, you can watch out for these signs in your noisy little bundle of fluff:
- Stiffness in the joints when getting up
- Feeling reluctant to walk, run, or play
- Trouble with jumping up onto things or climbing stairs
- Reduced mobility or limping/lameness
- Pain when you touch the affected joints
- Changes in behavior, such as licking toes/joints and lethargy
If you notice any or all of these symptoms consistently, it’s time to give the vet a call and have your Corgi checked out. They’ll be able to help, likely with some of the treatments I’m about to take you through (handy, right?).
How To Treat Arthritis In Corgis
There are lots of different treatment options for your Corgi to help with their arthritis. Supplements and pain relief are the first two things that will be recommended, as this will help them feel more limber and keep them moving while also reducing discomfort. Your Corgi will go from sad and lethargic back to trotting around the house (I’m serious).
There might also be prescription medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), that can help with long-term treatment. CBD oil has also been shown to have a positive effect on Corgis with arthritis and it can be an excellent form of treatment. With both of these options, it’s important to never use the human version on dogs.
Outside of medication and pain relief, hydrotherapy has also been shown to have great results in reducing pain and helping Corgis regain mobility when struggling with arthritis. Some vets may even suggest the use of holistic therapies like acupuncture to target areas of pain and offer your stumpy friend some relief.
Pro Tip: In very severe cases, surgery might be the only option for your Corgi. However, this is quite rare and usually due to certain forms of arthritis.
What Can You Do To Make Arthritis Easier For Your Corgi?
There are things you can do to make life with arthritis a little easier for your Corgi. Things like a warm water bath and a thorough drying after can help to relieve some pressure and make things more comfortable. Keeping them warm in general helps a lot as the cold can make stiffness and pain a lot worse.
Choosing to buy supportive dog bedding that’s slightly raised above the ground not only keeps the cold off them but also makes it easier for them to get up. You can also consider buying ramps to help them get on the couch or up small steps (such as the front door). All of this puts a lot less stress on their limbs.
How To Prevent Arthritis In Corgis
You can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to prevent your Corgi from developing arthritis, but you can try your best. It’s one of those things that happen, but it’s possible to minimize the risk by following these four pieces of advice:
- Keep your Corgi at a healthy weight and try not to let them get chunky. We all know they’re super cute with extra fluff, but it’s not good for their joints or their health.
- Walk them every day and keep them in good physical shape. Getting their daily walk means they are moving their joints and keeping them in excellent condition.
- Keep track of their diet and make sure it is nutritionally complete and healthy. This will help them develop and maintain strong joints and muscles.
- Once your dog reaches middle age, consider talking to your vet and including joint supplements in their diet to try and stay ahead of the curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Walk A Corgi With Arthritis Pain?
You can walk a Corgi with arthritis pain, but it is much better to take them on several short walks instead of one long one. This is because it puts less pressure on their joints and allows them plenty of rest between periods of exercise, giving them the chance to recover. Doing too much at once can cause stiffness and lameness.
What Aggravates Canine Arthritis?
Excessive exercise, a poor diet, and stress can all aggravate canine arthritis. They need a complete and balanced diet, enough exercise to keep excess weight off their joints without overdoing it, and a relaxed environment. Using joint supplements can also help prevent this from becoming aggravated.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Corgi With Arthritis?
A Corgi can live a normal, long, and happy life even with arthritis. It doesn’t have to be the end for them, and it is a condition that is very treatable – just like in humans. As long as you take good care of them, keep on top of the supplements and pain relief, and ensure they have regular checkups, there is nothing to worry about.
Final Thoughts
There is no cure for canine arthritis, but you can make your Corgi more comfortable. Simple things like supplements and pain relief can make all the difference, and hydrotherapy is a great way to regain mobility. It can be a long road, and it might take a while to see the difference, but they really can lead wonderful and happy lives.
Of course, very severe cases may require surgeries. Just like in humans, there are different types of canine arthritis, and some are more serious than others. But it’s important not to lose hope and to remember that everyone gets stiff and creaky as they get older. If you’re ever feeling concerned, call up your vet and ask for some advice.
