Pet dogs are a good companion for humans. They replace loneliness with unconditional love and faithfulness. For thousands of years, dogs had been the most loyal pet to the human master. It can fill your life with joy and help you to come out of the shadow of depression and melancholy. What more joyous sight can there be than seeing your dog running around the home with its playful charm? The more muscular and active the dog is, the more color it adds to your life. But as the dog’s age, many of them develop some forms of arthritis problems. This problem reduces their speed and mobility. It’s heart-wrenching not to see those playful jumps from the canine anymore. The fast running around will reduce to slow-paced walks. So it’s necessary to take steps to curb the sufferings of your adopted dog at the earliest.
You can adopt a systematic approach in this regard. Moreover, due to the charisma of modern veterinary science, you can use some of the best hip and joint supplements for dogs. You will be amazed to see the wonder these supplements do to control your dog’s arthritis pain.
Causes:
Arthritis conditions in dogs can arise due to many factors. Some primary reasons are:
- Age
- Bone cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Cardiac condition
Treatment:
There’s no fixed pain relief miracle for your dog’s arthritis problem. But a combination of exercise, massage, medication, and supplements will go a long way to ease the arthritis trauma of the dog. You should always consult your veterinary practitioner before deciding the course of action for your dog’s pain relief.
Exercise:
Exercise is the first thing that you should ensure for your pet dog. A regular walk for a mile along the walkways is highly beneficial for the joints and muscle movement of the dog. If your dog is already suffering from arthritis, try to take it for a gentle stroll along the park. This time, of course, it has to be at its own pace and comfort. Less activity and continued homestay around the corner will deteriorate it’s arthritis further. Dogs with less severe conditions can also be given a chance to swim around the pool.
Weight management:
Weight management is a vital issue too. Excess weight means excess stress to the joints. So, you should carefully choose the food diet and ensure your dog’s adequate exercise to manage its weight.
Massage:
You can also resort to a gentle massage for your favorite canine. Soft and slow massage along its pain region will ease its pain. Moreover, there are certified professionals around the country who offer massage and physical therapy for dogs.
Supplements:
Glucosamine is a natural supplement for dogs. It improves the lubrication between joints. Dogs can move around freely with less rubbing and ache between bones. It works best when combined with chondroitin sulfate dosage. Supplements are not an overnight solution to the arthritis problem. They take time and gradually improve the arthritis condition. The most notable thing about natural supplements is that they produce almost no side effects. Omega 3 fatty acid supplements is also a popular supplement for canine arthritis treatment. It has been known to ease joint severity and lameness.
Pharmaceuticals and drugs:
Adequan injections had been famed to do wonders in the arthritis problem. It helps the body to develop building blocks of cartilage and stimulates the repair of its tissue. After consulting with your vet, you can give this injection. The treatment pattern is usually six injections over three weeks. The only setback with this approach is that these injections are expensive, which is the sole reason for not being too popular in arthritis treatment.
Steroids have anti-inflammatory effects. It can be tried with careful consultation with the vet. But the steroid doesn’t come without the risk of side effects. Over-dosage at any length should be avoided. Some of the symptoms of unregulated steroid usage are suppression of the immune system, ulcer, and liver inflammation.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be used too. These produce faster results than supplements, but extreme caution and supervision of vets are a must when using these drugs. The side effects of NSAIDs can sometimes be severe and fatal. It’s the main reason why the vets do not widely prescribe NSAIDs.
Living condition:
Your dog, with an arthritis condition, requires more attention and comfort at home. Do not let it sleep on the hard floor or rugged ground outside. Select a corner at your home and make beautiful soft bedding for it. Let it rest comfortably on the cozy bed. Allow it to rest its painful body part in the soft bed.
The treatments mentioned above and medications are some of the most popular and widely used approaches in treating the dog’s arthritis problem. However, none of them should be taken recourse to without the careful examination of the vet. The same treatment might produce different results in different dogs. It’s vital to understand the nature and severity of arthritis in an individual dog. Regular monitoring of the dog’s health and response to the medication should be observed. The pioneering role of a vet should always be present in formulating the treatment strategy.
