Keep in mind that most long-term medications require follow-up lab work on a regular basis to ensure that liver and kidney functions have not been compromised. Does your dog refuse to take medication? Get some tips and tricks to giving your dog a pill.
Dogs who are overweight or obese are especially sensitive to the pain of arthritis. If your dog is arthritic, ask your veterinarian to recommend a safe weight loss program that includes both diet and exercise. Dogs with severe arthritis may be limited physically, but your vet can offer advice on how much and what types of exercise your dog can tolerate.
If your arthritic dog is already at a healthy weight, you should take precautions to maintain it. Your dog may resist exercising due to discomfort and start putting on weight before you know it.
You should also avoid the temptation to offer extra treats and goodies even if you feel bad for your painful pooch. You can make adjustments around your home to help make life a little easier for your dog.
For example:. And take care not to irritate inflamed arthritic joints. Not only will you cause your dog discomfort, but you could also cause an accident or injury since your dog might jump out of your arms or nip at you if gripped by sudden pain. These include glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help support joint health and rebuild cartilage.
You should always talk with your veterinarian about any supplements you are considering before giving them to your dog. Surgery can be an option, but it is often only used as a last resort since it comes with its own set of risks and complications. For instance, hip replacement surgery might be recommended if the hip is badly deformed in some advanced cases.
This surgery has a long recovery period but can be successful in relieving joint pain. If you think they might be suffering from arthritis, get them checked out at the vet for a proper diagnosis.
If you suspect that your pooch is suffering from arthritis, then your first step of action should be to book an appointment with the veterinarian, who will probably prescribe a special type of anti-inflammatory medicine. There are a series of over-the-counter remedies to help ease the pain for your four-legged friend. You should focus on keeping their diet lean if movement is limited.
Some breeds are more prone to weight gain than others, so keep an eye on them. Yes, your hound can reap the benefits of physio, too!
There is a whole range on offer for dogs, including canine muscular massage, range-of-motion exercises, and warm water hydrotherapy. There are even underwater treadmills to help improve the mobility of canines without putting pressure on the joints. Dogs suffering from arthritis can also undergo acupuncture to relieve joint pain. First things first - never self-diagnose your dog with arthritis. At Purely Pets we actually offer a free, hour vet helpline as part of our dog insurance policies policies where you can get advice and reassurance if you have any concerns.
The vet might prescribe your dog a Glucosamine-type supplement for arthritis relief. It can either be taken as Glucosamine or as Glucosamine in combination with Chondroitin Sulfate. For immediate pain relief from arthritis, they may also prescribe your dog NSAIDs, which stand for Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These are designed to reduce damage exerted on cartilage. They help to promote repair of the joint and replenish synovial fluid. Yes — moderate, low-impact exercise is encouraged no matter what. This can, in fact, help doggies with arthritis move easier, and also prevents weight gain which can add further stress to their joints. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, they might not enjoy activities that they previously did, such as high-impact running, jumping or agility games.
Take it step-by-step. Instead, the goal should be to increase their heart rate sufficiently so that they remain active. Try a couple of minutes of gentle playing or walking before initiating a range of low-impact exercises, or short, frequent walks.
Gentle exercise or walking can also help to reduce cramp, injury or sprains. Once it has been confirmed by your vet that your dog has arthritis, the good news is that there are many ways to improve their health and make life easier for them at home. Here are some of the best things you can do for your dog:. This can prevent lameness from getting worse and helps reduce lethargy in your pooch.
Exercise should be maintained, but perhaps a few adjustments need to be made to reduce strain on their joints. If you are taking them for long walks, change it for frequent, shorter ones. When mobility is limited, their diet should be prioritised. Many anti-inflammatory foods are suitable for humans but toxic to animals — such as garlic or onions.
You might be surprised how well dogs with arthritis respond to certain nutritional supplements. Check out this list of anti-inflammatory foods that are suitable for dogs. The joint loses its cushion, causing friction between bones, leading to pain and decreased mobility in affected joints. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate bony growths spurs to form around the joints.
Since cartilage has no nerve supply, damage can progress with no outward symptoms until the joint is severely damaged and the lubricating fluid has lost its ability to protect the bone surfaces. The other less common type of arthritis affecting dogs is inflammatory joint disease, usually caused by an infection, such as bacterial or fungal infection, tick-borne disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Arthritis symptoms include stiffness, lameness, or limping after rest; appetite loss or unusual weight gain; inactivity and sleeping more; reluctance to walk, run or climb stairs; unusual urinating in the house; and irritability and other behavioral changes.
X-rays of the joints may be necessary to determine severity of disease.
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