Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones. It can be caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or magnesium in your diet. Dogs can also develop osteoporosis because of aging or chronic diseases like renal failure and rheumatoid arthritis. If you notice any signs of this condition in your dog, bring him to a veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment.
Osteoporosis is a result of the body making too much or too little bone (or both). It can lead to fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. In dogs, osteoporosis most often affects older dogs who have been spayed or neutered (which can accelerate the loss of calcium from their bones).
Other risk factors include:
- Small breed dogs
- Dogs with a history of chronic liver disease or kidney failure
- Dogs on certain medications, including glucocorticoids and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Osteoporosis Can Be Caused By A Variety Of Factors In Dogs
Osteoporosis can be caused by a variety of factors in dogs, so it’s important to make sure your pet is getting the right care. The exact cause of osteoporosis is unknown, but it’s possible that genetics play a role in some cases. If your dog has a family history of osteoporosis or other bone diseases and you notice symptoms of this condition early on (such as difficulty standing or walking), talk with your veterinarian about treatment options for preventing and managing further deterioration.
Other causes include age, diet and lifestyle choices, such as excessive exercise (especially jumping down from high places), lack of activity, and stress coupled with inadequate nutrition (such as eating exclusively dry kibble).
There are also several medical conditions that could lead to bone loss, including Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, kidney failure, liver disease, malignant hyperthermia syndrome, and metabolic bone disease associated with multiple myeloma or lymphoma cancer cells infiltrating the marrow cavity.
Medication to Treat Canine Osteoporosis
If your dog is diagnosed with osteoporosis, your vet might prescribe a medication like Previcox for pain relief. Previcox (tolfenamic acid) is the only FDA-approved medication for treating osteoarthritis in dogs. It’s a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which means it works to reduce pain and inflammation by blocking prostaglandins —chemicals that cause those symptoms.
Previcox is given orally once daily, usually with food. The recommended dosage varies from 0.5 to 2 milligrams per pound of body weight, but most veterinarians recommend starting with 1 milligram per pound of body weight and increasing as needed based on how well the dog responds to treatment over time:
- If there’s no improvement in 3 weeks or if symptoms worsen, talk to your vet about increasing the dose.
- If there’s no improvement after 4 months or if symptoms worsen at any point during treatment, contact your veterinarian right away.
Previcox May Be Used Alone Or In Combination With Other Medications
Previcox for dogs is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This medication is used to treat osteoarthritis in dogs. The drug may be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat osteoarthritis.
Previcox is not recommended for use in cats because it can cause serious side effects, including kidney failure and death.
You should always follow your veterinarian’s instructions when giving your pet any medication, as dosage requirements vary among animals and even within the same breed of dog or cat.
Side effects of Previcox include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your vet immediately. If you have an older dog who is already experiencing age-related issues such as arthritis or a decreased immune system function, they may be more susceptible to side effects from Previcox.
If your dog is pregnant or nursing a litter of puppies (males only), they should not take Previcox as it can cause severe birth defects in puppies if taken during pregnancy.
If you notice any signs of adverse effects, call your vet immediately and inform them of the symptoms your dog is experiencing. They will be able to help you determine whether the side effects are serious or not, and if they are, they might give some advice on how to treat them.
Conclusion
So, to sum up – there are two types of osteoporosis in dogs, and they should be treated differently. The first one is caused by a physiological process, which can be prevented and managed through diet and exercise. The second type is due to immobility and malnutrition, which requires more aggressive therapy. If your dog has any of these symptoms, talk with your vet about what treatment options are best for them.
