All About Treating Canine Arthritis

Dogs just like their human companions face the problem of bone degeneration and arthritis. It is

not only common in aging pets but also young pets. Common reasons are excess bodyweight,

hereditary reasons, calcium deficiency etc. The four-legged friends show symptoms like limping,

lameness in limbs, difficulty in

walking, lethargy, unwillingness to

play and sore joints. Owners should

be mindful of contacting a

veterinarian if such symptoms are

observed.

There could be possibility of canine

arthritis if your furry pal shows all

these symptoms. Following the

advice of the veterinarian and

administering dog joint

supplements and medications gives

quick results in such cases. Some of

the most availed canine arthritis

treatments are Cosequin for dogs,

Flex powder and Joint Guard. Used

as non-prescription drugs, these

treatments are also revered by veterinarians from across the globe.

Tips for pet parents on treating canine arthritis: Diagnosis first: If the pet shows inactivity towards its routine, it suggests he might be feeling

pain or discomfort in the joints. Take him to a veterinarian and get to know the exact reason

before starting any therapy or treatment.

Complete treatment: Give all the vet suggested medications and dog joint

supplements as soon as you detect the pet has this awful joint degenerative disease. Along with

this, pet owners need to make some changes in the pet’s life style to get the best results out of the

treatment.

Watch on the dog’s weight: Excess weight can be an additional problem for pets

facing joint issues. Make sure you keep your pet slim. If he has chances of getting this disorder

through genetics then make sure you make him exercise well and maintain his weight since a

young age. Weight management is the best way to combat this canine joint problem.

Joint supplements: Adding joint supplements in your dog’s diet will provide additional

nutrition required for healthy bone functioning, cartilage development and repair of damaged

joint tissues. Available in capsules, powder and chewable forms, dog joint supplements fill up

the gap of a balanced diet in dogs. Cosequin for dogs, Joint Formula and Glucosamine

Aristopet are some of the most popular canine joint supplements.

Exercise and controlled movement: It becomes very important to get the arthritic

pet do some exercise. It is done to prevent rigidity and stiffness in the pet’s joint muscles. If the

pet is aging then go for light exercises like walking, underwater treadmill, swimming and simple

stretching. Heavy exercises are an absolute no for arthritic canines.

Natural and alternative therapies: Apart from natural nutritional supplements,

alternative therapies like acupuncture and messages are of great help in relieving joint pain in

canines. Consult your veterinarian about the need of any of these. Follow his advice and then

only get your pet go through these alternative medications and therapies.

Surgical treatments: In worst cases, pet parents need to opt for surgical methods of

treating arthritis in dogs. It is painful for the pet and demands lot of patience from the pet

owners. Hip replacement, femoral head removal and arthrodesis are common surgeries

conducted for canine arthritis. In case of congenital problems, reconstructive surgeries help a

great deal.

Using more than one treatment helps in treating arthritis in dogs. However, that needs to be

strictly done under the guidance of a veterinarian. To sum up, just be more watchful of your pet’s

behavior, give them the joint supplements regularly and get them treated for joint disorders and

arthritic conditions at the earliest.