Friday, August 19, 2016

Facts On Special Joint Care For Dogs And Pain Relief 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.

With age, the joints of canines wear out in a manner similar to that in human beings. This condition is commonly refereed to as degenerative disorder or osteoarthritis. You are almost certain to encounter this condition if you rear a dog. It occurs when the body fails to repair cartilages as fast as they are worn out. Movement and any activity involving joints become extremely painful.

It is possible to spot early signs of arthritis if you are keen. The signs include restrained and labored movement. The dog may also resist your invitation to play and no longer enjoy going up and down the stairs. In the morning, you will notice stiffness and it may limp while in motion. Degeneration is usually gradual and thus easily missed by many pet owners. Other dogs no longer leap or will do so at reduced angle and vigor.

Vets make observations before recommending natural arthritis relief for dogs or medication. You may be asked to walk the pet over a distance to enable the vet observe its motions. Muscles around the spine and legs also shrink because of under-utilization. The canine winces when palpated around the affected joint. X-ray scans are used to confirm the condition of joints.

Therapy is as terrific in providing arthritis pain relief in dogs as it does in human beings. Some of the therapy options available to canines include hydrotherapy, heat treatment and whirlpool. It works by soothing their aching joints. The muscles are relaxed when heated using pads or water. It is also an effective way of boosting blood circulation which makes the dog calm. This relief lives on long after terminating therapy.

Care of feet and nails helps in improving walking style and preventing arthritis, just as it does in human beings. Ensure that they are trimmed properly on regular basis to give the canine a proper running gait. The idea is to avoid abnormal stress on joints and ligaments. You may use rosin spray to give your dog a more confident walking gait.

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.

Be careful with the food you give to your pet from an early age. Measure the right quantity and be conservative on calories. Pets naturally clear the plate. As such, avoid starving it by choosing foods with lower calorie content. An obese dog will be prone to arthritis in old age.




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