Individual care · Veterinary consent
Arthritis
Wear and change within a joint, common in older dogs and after earlier injury.
What it is
Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, describes gradual change within a joint: the smooth cartilage that cushions it thins, the surfaces alter, and the joint becomes inflamed and less comfortable to move. It is common in older dogs, and it also develops in younger ones after an injury or alongside a condition such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
What you might notice
- Stiffness after sleeping or resting, which eases once they get going
- Slowing down on walks, or stopping earlier than they used to
- Hesitating at stairs, the car boot, or the sofa
- Sleeping in a different position, or settling less easily
- Licking repeatedly at one area
- Becoming withdrawn, or grumbling when touched somewhere they did not mind before
These are things owners commonly describe. They are not a diagnosis, and several of them overlap with other conditions — only your vet can tell you what is actually going on.
How massage may help
Massage does not reverse the changes inside an arthritic joint. What it can help with is everything the body does around that joint. A dog who is sore in one hip quietly shifts weight onto the other side, and onto the shoulders and back. Those muscles end up doing far more than they were built for, and become tight and tired in their own right. That secondary load is what Shanice works with, alongside the treatment your vet has put in place.
Talk to Shanice about your dog
A diagnosis is only one part of the story. Two dogs with the same condition can need quite different care, depending on their age, temperament, routine and what they love doing. Share your dog’s veterinary history when you enquire and Shanice will talk through whether massage is appropriate for them.
Treatment complements your dog’s veterinary care, takes place in your own home, and requires signed veterinary consent.
Enquire about a session