How does one tell if their dog is beginning to get arthritis?

I think I'm in the same boat. My choclate lab for the past couple of months has been showing signs of arthritis in is back hips. It's hard for him to get up and then limps a little. Once he is up for awhile it seems to go away. I am thinking it is arthritis because it goes away one he is up and moving around. He is 10 years old.

Cosequin is the answer. One of my beagles is about the same age, he developed arthritis a couple of years ago, too many miles chasing rabbits I guess. He gets cosequin every day and it helps, he's not swift or anything but he cant walk without pain or limping.

My 8 yr old English Bulldog is ETREMELY slow when he gets up in the mornings. Takes him a while to get warmed up. He has also at times experienced what yours is going through with the pain and limping.

shite, realizing my meathead will not be a meathead forever.

only in the front left foot? I'd suspect its not arthritis- though your dog may be arthritic. The dog would be showing signs of stifness all around and in her gait. Is she moving slow and labored or is she just hobbling around on the one paw?

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Cosequin

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Legit supplement. Only one with scientific studies to support its claims. Does wonders for my horse's hocks.

my spaniel has hip issues we started minimal care and it has progressed to injections- get's those once a month and they are like magic

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Is she moving slow and labored or is she just hobbling around on the one paw?

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She stretches often, but she's been doing this since she was a puppy.

Only hobbling around on the one paw at this point (from her joint area on the underside of her belly by rib cage).

She's staying right by my side, doesn't want me to leave her.

j/d science diet is supposed to be a good food for the joints. ask your vet about it.

we had to put down our 9 year old min pin 3 weeks ago because of a spinal infection.

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Only hobbling around on the one paw at this point (from her joint area on the underside of her belly by rib cage).

She's staying right by my side, doesn't want me to leave her.

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her anxiety would seem to be a sign of something more serious than arthritis. Could she have fallen or been kicked by accident. something that would cause the pain by her ribcage? Maybe the pain in the distal part of her limb is due to her compensating for pain in the proximal portion of her leg.

Appreciate all that have responded. Going to Vet today at 4:30 p.m.

Will update.

Just returned from the vet.

Tremendous hospitality, thorough explanation and did not feel rushed, very pleased with Dutchtown Animal Hospital.

Turns out, it's a disc in her neck that is causing her pain, no leg issues. He was able to get 2 good x-rays on her, no tumors, fluid or anything like that, which is good news.

Said, more than likely it is due to her age (almost 12 years old) and she will experience flare-ups on occasion. Prescribed Prednisone 5mg and Tramadol 50mg and told me to pick up Pepcid 10 mg, which I did to help prevent her from getting an ulcer.

Also, he was a proponent of Cosequin as well, especially given her age. Said it won't necessarily help her with disc, but will certainly help with her joints because she has arthritis (again, because of her age, he said it is a certain), although her arthritis isn't impacting her quality of life, as she isn't required to do anything strenuous and she only weighs 14 lbs (not overweight for her build).

Relieved for now. She's family and I don't like to see any family member in pain.