Over 12 million dogs are adversely affected by joint pain and mobility problems annually. Your wonderful, loving pet may be slowing down a bit, and it's natural to assume that age is the cause. Anything more than a gradual decline in activity, or your pet's diminishing interest in physical activity, may be signs that she has a more serious condition affecting the joints, known as arthritis. Yes, dogs get arthritis, too. Pain relief for dogs with arthritis is one way to mitigate this condition, but it is not the only answer. Life long treatment for arthritis is required.
Arthritis affects the joints. The most common joints where pets get arthritis is in the hips, knees and ankles. Cartilage is a protective cushion between the bones in the joints that allows ease of movement. In arthritic conditions, when the cartilage begins to deteriorate, the bones start rubbing together, causing growing discomfort, stiffness, pain and, if left untreated, can result in lameness. There are a number of treatments that will impede the deterioration of the cartilage, allowing more freedom of movement for your pet, and reduce her stiffness.
In the absence of a dialog with your pet, your observance of your pet's behavior is critical to determining whether or not he/she may be suffering from stiffness, lack of mobility or joint pain. Before taking your dog to the veterinarian, see if your dog has any of the following, common symptoms of a possible arthritic condition:
* Reluctance to go up or down stairs
* Avoids jumping up on furniture or into the car
* Lagging behind or tiring easily during walks
* Increased stiffness, particularly after resting
* Wants to lie down rather than sit or stand
* Favors one limb over others
These are only a few symptoms you may notice in your pet, but there are other, subtle indications in behavior that could also be pointing towards joint pain. Your pet could be sleeping more than usual, gaining weight, being less alert and showing less interest or enthusiasm for play and going for walks. If your dog seems to have symptoms for more than 2 weeks, it is time to take him for an arthritis evaluation by your veterinarian. The best thing you can do for your pet is to get a diagnosis and begin a prescribed arthritis treatment for dogs plan of management.
Your veterinarian may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which are a common form of pain medication for dogs. He or she may also recommend over the counter treatments and foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin and Omega fatty acids. These have all been proven to bring pain relief for dogs. Your dog's weight is an important factor, as extra weight puts a painful strain on already sore joints. A safe weight loss target is fifteen percent of body weight over a period of six months. A reduced calorie diet with high fiber will help your pet lose the extra pounds. And don't feed your dog table scraps and human food. It's not healthy for him and is contributing to his degenerative disease.
Besides prescriptions, supplements and diet, exercise is an essential part of your dog's life. Just because those joints are not as mobile as they once were, does not mean your pet can do without exercise. Low impact activities, like leash walking or swimming, allow for good range of motion on joints and building muscle, without stressing out the joints. Daily exercise is better than 3 times a week of strenuous activity. Depending on how advanced the condition is, your pet may benefit from a slow warm up to get the muscles warmed and the joints moving more freely before taking a brisk walk or slower paced run. Cold, damp weather may intensify the joint stiffness. On those days, you may want to give your dog a muscle warm up indoors before proceeding outside for exercise. You might also consider a pet sweater that covers the affected joints and keeps the muscles warmer.
Your veterinarian may prescribe massage or physical therapy, which have proven to be very beneficial therapies in pain relief for dogs, as part of your dog's treatment. The veterinary staff will show you how to massage and perform physical therapy to relax your dog's stiff muscles and promote a better range of motion in the joints. When beginning this type of therapy, remember to take it slowly; you need to build trust with your pet. You can start by petting him around and on the area where you intend to work. You will gently work up to kneading the muscles around the joint, using your fingertips in a small, circular motion. Gradually work your way out to the surrounding muscles. At all times, massage and physical therapy should be done in a warm, relaxed and safe environment. Make this experience as comfortable as possible for both you and your dog.
Overall, you want to work closely with your veterinarian to manage your dog's arthritic condition. Your goal is to provide the best treatment and supportive lifestyle that will decrease the degeneration of the cartilage between joints, alleviate joint pain, and keep your pet as healthy as possible. Remember, arthritis doesn't go away, but effective, managed arthritis treatment for dogs can ensure that you will both enjoy the coming years together. - 29956
Arthritis affects the joints. The most common joints where pets get arthritis is in the hips, knees and ankles. Cartilage is a protective cushion between the bones in the joints that allows ease of movement. In arthritic conditions, when the cartilage begins to deteriorate, the bones start rubbing together, causing growing discomfort, stiffness, pain and, if left untreated, can result in lameness. There are a number of treatments that will impede the deterioration of the cartilage, allowing more freedom of movement for your pet, and reduce her stiffness.
In the absence of a dialog with your pet, your observance of your pet's behavior is critical to determining whether or not he/she may be suffering from stiffness, lack of mobility or joint pain. Before taking your dog to the veterinarian, see if your dog has any of the following, common symptoms of a possible arthritic condition:
* Reluctance to go up or down stairs
* Avoids jumping up on furniture or into the car
* Lagging behind or tiring easily during walks
* Increased stiffness, particularly after resting
* Wants to lie down rather than sit or stand
* Favors one limb over others
These are only a few symptoms you may notice in your pet, but there are other, subtle indications in behavior that could also be pointing towards joint pain. Your pet could be sleeping more than usual, gaining weight, being less alert and showing less interest or enthusiasm for play and going for walks. If your dog seems to have symptoms for more than 2 weeks, it is time to take him for an arthritis evaluation by your veterinarian. The best thing you can do for your pet is to get a diagnosis and begin a prescribed arthritis treatment for dogs plan of management.
Your veterinarian may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which are a common form of pain medication for dogs. He or she may also recommend over the counter treatments and foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin and Omega fatty acids. These have all been proven to bring pain relief for dogs. Your dog's weight is an important factor, as extra weight puts a painful strain on already sore joints. A safe weight loss target is fifteen percent of body weight over a period of six months. A reduced calorie diet with high fiber will help your pet lose the extra pounds. And don't feed your dog table scraps and human food. It's not healthy for him and is contributing to his degenerative disease.
Besides prescriptions, supplements and diet, exercise is an essential part of your dog's life. Just because those joints are not as mobile as they once were, does not mean your pet can do without exercise. Low impact activities, like leash walking or swimming, allow for good range of motion on joints and building muscle, without stressing out the joints. Daily exercise is better than 3 times a week of strenuous activity. Depending on how advanced the condition is, your pet may benefit from a slow warm up to get the muscles warmed and the joints moving more freely before taking a brisk walk or slower paced run. Cold, damp weather may intensify the joint stiffness. On those days, you may want to give your dog a muscle warm up indoors before proceeding outside for exercise. You might also consider a pet sweater that covers the affected joints and keeps the muscles warmer.
Your veterinarian may prescribe massage or physical therapy, which have proven to be very beneficial therapies in pain relief for dogs, as part of your dog's treatment. The veterinary staff will show you how to massage and perform physical therapy to relax your dog's stiff muscles and promote a better range of motion in the joints. When beginning this type of therapy, remember to take it slowly; you need to build trust with your pet. You can start by petting him around and on the area where you intend to work. You will gently work up to kneading the muscles around the joint, using your fingertips in a small, circular motion. Gradually work your way out to the surrounding muscles. At all times, massage and physical therapy should be done in a warm, relaxed and safe environment. Make this experience as comfortable as possible for both you and your dog.
Overall, you want to work closely with your veterinarian to manage your dog's arthritic condition. Your goal is to provide the best treatment and supportive lifestyle that will decrease the degeneration of the cartilage between joints, alleviate joint pain, and keep your pet as healthy as possible. Remember, arthritis doesn't go away, but effective, managed arthritis treatment for dogs can ensure that you will both enjoy the coming years together. - 29956
About the Author:
As a boy, Nicky, his parents and 2 brothers raised and trained spaniels as bird dogs. Injuries on and off the field need to be dealt with effectively, and over the years, Nicky became adept at treating joint injuries to the dogs. Nicky advises using natural arthritis & joint relief treatments in addition to massage and medications. Visit his site Arthritis For Dogs for selections of holistic and homeopathic treatments for your pets.
