This one's tricky!  You have an older pet who seems stiff.  Maybe arthritis is setting in.  Or maybe its the dreaded Lyme Disease.  Only your veterinarian can tell you for sure.  But take some time to observe your pet's walk  Arthritis sticks with one area and the stiffness is fairly consistent.  Lyme Disease, however, likes to travel from joint to joint.  Your dog may limp on one leg today.  Tomorrow the stiffness seems to come from another leg. Only a blood test from your vet can verify Lyme Disease.  Luckily, the treatment for Lyme is fairly simple-antibiotics. For more insight into this widespread disease and prevention techniques, click here.

If your dog does have arthritis, there are still many things that you can do to help.  Supplements with Glucosamine (actually helps replace joint fluid), Chondroitin (blocks degenerative enzymes from attacking the joint) and MSM (a natural anti-inflammatory) are very effective in mild to moderate arthritis.  Drs. Foster and Smith have a great variety.  Your Vet can prescribe certain highly effective medicines, too.

There are also many holistic approaches to arthritis that my own dog has proven work! (And I was very skeptical!)  Acupuncture and chiropractic may sound silly for a dog, but it yields amazing results in short time.  Another treatment for arthritis is hydrotherapy (fancy name for an underwater treadmill). This  allows the dogs to exercise and build up muscle while taking up to 80% of the weight off of the joints.  And if you've ever gone running in the water, you know its a workout!  The resulting muscle tone helps take pressure off the joint once the dog is back on dry land. Old Mill Pets Vetinary Rehabilitation in Leesburg has a great team.  Ask for Jason.

Even though your pet is aging, it doesn't mean that they have to suffer through the pain of stiff joints.  These are a few of many steps you can take to make your pet feel better.  So, check with your vet, do a little research and help that old friend of yours.  If we can help you find some answers, we'd be honored.

Is it Arthritis or is it Lyme Disease?