Secrets On Long Term Joint Care For Dogs And Pain Remedies For Arthritis

By Shelly Wright


As a pet owner, you feel the pain as it is felt by your dog when it ill or uncomfortable. For the pets, they age and are as uncomfortable as elderly human beings. This is why veterinarians recommend special joint care for dogs. Arthritis is one of the most common health problems in canines but is unfortunately detected when it is already too late. You are only left with the option of managing the condition.

Canines experience wear and tear around joints as they age, just like human beings do. Vets refer to the condition as osteoarthritis or degenerative disease. The condition is so common that most pet owners have to deal with it at a particular point in life. Since the body is unable to repair cartilage tissues as fast with age, the condition worsens and becomes very painful.

The earliest signs of arthritis include difficulty in moving and even reluctance to move. Play sessions become shorter and less animated. The pet is now hesitant to run around the yard or up and down the stairs. It is stiff in the morning and may even limp. Since the degeneration is gradual, it is likely to escape your attention. The angle and vigor of leaping decrease with your dog showing hesitance.

Before the vet administers medicines or suggests natural arthritis relief for dogs, he will conduct certain tests. A simple stroll to the examination room will allow the vet to observe the signs of trouble. Other observable signs include shrunken muscles on legs and spine because they have not been used for a while. When the joint or affected area is palpated, the dog winces. To confirm the suspicion of arthritis, the vet conducts x-ray tests.

Therapy, like it does to human beings, offers arthritis pain relief in dogs. The most common options are heat treatment, hydrotherapy and whirlpool treatment. Therapy soothes pains and aches around arthritic joints. Heating using pads or using water relaxes body muscles. It boosts blood circulation which calms affected areas. Your pet continues to experience the relief long after therapy.

Proper care, especially on nails is another effective way of tackling arthritis. The nails are trimmed on regular basis to ensure that your canine achieves the right running and walking gait. Trim the nails gradually until they only touch the floor when your dog is standing. This eliminates abnormal posture which applies unnecessary pressure on limb joints and ligaments. Rosin spray may also be used to groom the toes because it results in a more confident posture.

There are athletic canines like gray-hounds and sled dogs that are prone to arthritis. To slow down or prevent the attack, it is advisable that you expose the pet to regular exercise. Take regular walks and engage in interactive play. A massage will also help to relief the pain. In fact, it is a bonding session since pets love the attention and touch.

Watch what you feed your dog on from puppy stages. The food should be of the right quantity and calorie content. It is natural for pets to eat until the plate is clean. This leaves then overfed and overweight. This also increases the chances of arthritis at old age. To avoid starving the dog, choose food that is low in calories.




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