Pain Relief for Dogs With Arthritis
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.
What does arthritis for dogs mean? The hip, knee and ankle joints in pets are the joints most commonly affected by the deterioration of cartilage. Cartilage is the spongy, protective cushion between the bones where joints meet. When the cartilage begins to break down, that is, to disintegrate, the condition is known as arthritis. As the cartilage wears away, the bones begin to rub together, which causes inflammation, pain and stiffness, and in advanced cases, lameness.
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
* Slower pace while walking and tiring easily
* Taking longer to get moving after resting or sleep
* Lies down rather than sits or stands
* Favors one limb over others
There are other, more subtle symptoms that may also be indicators that your pet is experiencing joint immobility or pain issues. Weight gain and extensive sleeping, less enthusiasm for play and disinterest in general are also signs to watch for. Keep notes, and if your pet continues to exhibit these symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, take her to the veterinarian for an arthritis evaluation. Arthritis treatment for dogs will vary depending on the age and condition of your pet, so you need to get a proper diagnosis from the vet first, and then you will want to follow the management plan that is prescribed for your pet.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are commonly prescribed as a pain medication for dogs. Pain medication will only mask the problem, however, so treatment may expand to include special foods and over the counter products that contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which works to support the cartilage in the joints. Omega fatty acids are also known to increase cartilage health. Your dog may have to go on a diet to decrease the extra pounds that are causing unnecessary stress on already sore joints. Adding fiber to you dog’s diet should help your pet lose those extra pounds. There are even topical treatments available to relieve joint and muscle soreness.
Exercise is also a prescribed treatment in arthritis for dogs. Low impact exercises will keep the joints mobile and build muscle without causing undue strain on the joints themselves. The key is ‘motion’. Your dog has to be kept mobile to stay healthy. Daily, low impact exercises, like leash walking and swimming, will provide range of movement activities to help prevent the joints from becoming stiff from lack of use. Like people, your pet should have a muscle warm up before more strenuous exercise. If the weather is cold and damp, which can cause muscles to be stiff, give him/her a warm up inside before out of doors exercises. And always provide your pet with a warm, dry and comfortable place to sleep and rest.
Massage and physical therapy are an acknowledged arthritis treatment for dogs. If prescribed, the veterinary staff will show you how to perform specific physical therapy treatment for your pet at home. Massage is something you can practice regularly at home to relax your pet’s stiff muscles and joints, and promote a better range of motion. If you have never massaged your dog before, think of it as petting with a little more gentle pressure in the afflicted sore areas. Begin in a warm, relaxed and safe environment. Relax your dog by petting the joint area and then gradually knead the area with your fingertips in a small, circular motion. You could use massage as the beginning to an indoor warm up before taking your pet outside for a leash walk.
Managed arthritis treatment for dogs can ensure that your dog’s remaining years are active and enjoyable for her, for you and for the whole family. Lifestyle changes that support a healthy dog and treatments that inhibit the deterioration of cartilage and alleviate joint pain are your focus. You and your veterinarian are the best hope your dog has for a long and healthy life. Arthritis doesn’t go away, but it needn’t be debilitating or crippling when you follow a prescribed plan for your pet’s care.
In his youth, Nicky, his parents and 2 brothers raised and trained spaniels as bird dogs. Injuries on and off the field need to be dealt with immediately, and over the years, Nicky became adept at managing joint injuries to the dogs. Nicky recommends 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.
