Sunday, January 13, 2013

Loving Your Dog Through Joint Pain

By Geraldine Dimarco


For those of you who are too young to experience the degenerative effects of arthritis, good. It is not an easy thing to have. While you are still young, you can start investing in a good lifestyle so you don't have to go through this. While we can always do something about it, our pets, cannot. They do not know how to express themselves, nor do they have the means to take the necessary actions to combat it. Find out more about canine arthritis to help your poor dogs suffering.

Much like how it is with us, canine arthritis causes inflammation in the dogs muscles and joints; thereby making it extremely repulsive to be touched for them. It is highly probable that he will experience dog hip pain and will have difficulty changing positions. You must immediately bring him to a vet when he exhibits alarming changes in his behavior or physical appearance.

Usually, old age is the reason for arthritis for dogs. The eventual wear and tear of the muscles and joints will take its toll on his body, often resulting in dog joint pain. You will notice that obese dogs are more susceptible to this ailment. While senior and overweight dogs are the most likely victims, younger and smaller canines are not exempt from this as well. Sometimes an injury in the leg, or sickness, or a genetic abnormality can cause a form of canine arthritis.

Fortunately, you can treat dog joint pain fairly simple enough. Vets usually administer a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug to help impede the development of arthritis. NSAIDs also lower the inflammation in the joints, which is the reason of the dogs pain for the most part.

Many of the NSAIDs can be used by canines and humans. However, it is very important that you do not administer the exact same treatment to your dog as that of another human suffering from arthritis. The two species have different dynamics and more than that, your vet has to consider the animals weight, breed and health issues when deciding on the appropriate dosage.

As with all medication that contain chemicals, there will be cases when the subject being treated is not reacting well to the drug. They might experience nausea, bloody stool and intestinal infection. When these side effects manifest, bring your dog to the vet right away to have his medication lowered or stopped. Ask for an alternative treatment he can take instead.

Together with a healthy diet, incorporate supplements that specifically work to target the effects of arthritis. Glucosamine Sulphate and Chondroitin Sulphate are two helpful compounds which help protect against further deterioration of the cartilage and joints. Glucosamine and Chondroitin are known to be safe and improve lubrication in critical parts that will alleviate dog hip pain. If all else fails, grab a bottle of olive oil and massage a few drops into the affected area of the dog. This will relieve your pet of stress, which is another cause of pain.

Take regular short and light exercise with your pet (like walking or swimming). Also, create a food plan that is rich in fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals. Sure, we may have an arthritic dog, but that doesn't mean we can't do anything to ensure a good quality of life for him. Do your best by him and spend time with him you will enjoy a happy dog when you do.




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