How can you help a dog with arthritis?
My lab is almost 15 and starting to show his age. Is there anything I can give him for soreness due to arthritis? I just want him to be more comfortable.
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Tags: arthritis
Victoria on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
The immediate response of many dog owners that have discovered that their dog is infected with arthritis is to go the nearest veterinary. Though this is good, you need to be aware that there is a better alternative to the problem of arthritis in your dog. The solution is natural treatment for dogs with arthritis.
Not many people are informed about natural treatments for dogs with arthritis. It is not as complicated as many thought. And also, there is nothing diabolical in it. It is just an alternative solution to the medical aid we get from our doctors.
What is arthritis and how does it affect your dog?
The inflammation or swelling in a joint is referred to as arthritis. The causes include the following:
• Abnormal bone or joint development
• Instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons
• Damage to joints
• Infection
• Injury caused by immune system
Though there are anti-inflammatory medicines in the market for the treatment of arthritis, there is a better approach to its treatment. The approach is a natural treatment for dogs.
The following are tips that will greatly assist your ailing dog with arthritis.
It is essential that you have your dog placed on slip-free flooring. A slippery floor will not be of help in the treatment of arthritis in your dog. This is because your dog needs to have a firm grip on the floor while recuperating. It is therefore recommended that you have a rug or carpet in place.
Swimming has been discovered to be of great help in the treatment of arthritis in dogs. Swimming is a no-weight bearing activity that will help your dog recover quickly from arthritis. It is advisable that the swimming is monitored so that the dog doesn’t drown in the pool. Swimming will help exercise all the parts of the body of your dog.
It is recommended that you give your dog a soft bed in the quest for recovery. Your dog needs all the rest he or she could get on a soft bed that can cushion its ailing body. Just like a slippery floor is detrimental to your dog’s recovery, a hard bed is not ideal for him either.
A peaceful and quiet environment is what your dog with arthritis needs to recover from the disease. Let your children be informed of this as your lovely dog may not be tolerant of their noise and playfulness while recuperating.
A good massage could also be what your ailing dog needs to get off arthritis. A gentle massage from you might provide the much needed assurance of your love for the dog. But if you cannot do it for some reason or other, it is advisable that you employ a professional animal massage therapist to do the job for you. The massage will increase flexibility, blood circulation, and calmness which go a great length in giving your dog the good health he or she deserves.
Above all, you must be aware that recovery of dogs with arthritis takes a while. Hence, it is worthwhile giving them that extra attention that they need.
Give enough time to your dog as he or she recovers from arthritis. A natural treatment for dogs with arthritis is highly recommended when you can’t afford the huge fees charged by veterinary doctors out there.
Goldenly Addicted on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
You can ask for painkillers from the Vet. Also do give him lots of Glucosamine. It will not ease the pain but it will help to cushion his joints. Give him a high dosage of Glucosamine everyday preferably 2-3 capsules a day so that it’ll be more effective.
jingersnaps on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
A Vet can perscribe pain medicine.
Keith on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
On line contact Drs. Foster & Smith. There is a product called life select for seniors. I give it to my old bluetick and it helped him alot. I also went to bluebuffalo dog food which has glucosamine and chondroitine in it which delivers joint relief. Also look up TTouch. Its a new method out for dogs. I just started doing it so I don’t know yet if it’s working. Good luck.
Maxi on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
Yes lots of things: You can buy him some Cortaflex to help joints, which is the best I know and far better than glocusamine,chondroitin and MSM supplements, buy him a Bioflow collar which will relieve any pain.
or you can go to the vet and get a painkiller/antinflamatory like Metacam, this is not good for young dogs as long term use affects their organs, however for an older dog I know many people use it.
John on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
Yes. As already suggested you can give Glocosamine. If you add Chondroitin and Green Lipped Mussel, and fish oils then even better. You’ll need to see the vet and ask about medical pain relief too. One of my dogs was on Metacam/Meloxicam for 9 years to good effect. A word of warning here though, ask the vet to do a blood test on kidney and liver function because that type of drug (and Rimadyl) can worsen pre-exisiting organ problems and may also cause intestinal bleeding. They may feel it is wiser to give Tramadol when your dog has acute phases of arthritic pain.
At age 15 it is a quality of life balancing act, so is living to 16 in comfort better than living to 17 in pain?
Shugermama on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
give him a good cushion to sleep on and ask a vet wat u can do i did it for my dog hope its great advice
!!!!!!
Gina on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
apart from different medicines id suggest taking him for short but frequant walks so his joints dont get still thats assuming you cant take him swimming everyday hope this helps
A Great Dane Lady on Sun, 25th Jul 2010 1:30 pm
Read this Pub Med link….
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14994484
I have started my 12 yr old on Boswellia. Nikki has arthritis in her back end. She’s now been getting the herb since 12-29-09 and I definitely see an improvement. She no longer picks up her back leg when standing. Her limping is no where near as pronounced. I also just started putting a heating pad under her blankets where she sleeps at night. She doesn’t seem as stiff in the morning.