If your dog doesn’t seem like himself, he may be telling you he’s in pain. Signs of limping, decreased activity levels, and stiffness, can be misinterpreted as signs of aging, but sometimes it can be symptoms of canine osteoarthritis. When your dog suffers from osteoarthritis, the cartilage between bones breaks down, resulting in inflammation and pain due to bone-on-bone contact. Cartilage is a rubber-like, resilient, and smooth elastic tissue that cushions the surfaces where two or more bones meet to form a flexible joint. When your dog is in motion, there is tremendous pressure on the joint. The cartilage, the joint fluid, and the connecting bones, all work together to allow smooth and flexible joint function while acting as a shock absorber. Canine osteoarthritis doesn’t just affect older dogs, it can happen at any age and be caused by developmental disorders like hip and elbow dysplasia, abnormal stress on joints due to obesity, and trauma, or injury. When caught in the early stages, it can be easier to treat. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense mechanism, however, in some situations, inflammation is dangerous and can lead to severe damage in tissues and organs. While dogs experience pain just like us, they don’t often show it. Previcox is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for dogs prescribed for the treatment of pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. It can also help control postoperative pain and inflammation associated with soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery in dogs. Previcox helps reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting the production of Prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like lipids that are part of the body’s natural defense mechanism, but an excessive prostaglandin production can cause chronic problems with pain. Previcox starts working within hours of the first dose, which will help bring relief to your dog, improve his mobility, and help him get back to enjoying life. Previcox is available on Vetito veterinary pharmacy in barbecue-flavored chewable tablets. They can be given to your dog whole or mixed with food.