Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Basics of Dog Joint Pain

By Geraldine Dimarco


For those readers who have not experienced first-hand the discomfort that arthritis brings, great. For the ones who do, I commiserate with you. This degenerative disease may not be fatal, but it can be quite painful and very inconvenient. At least we can do something about it right? Our pets are completely dependent on us for their health. Arthritis is actually a prevalent condition in the canine population and you must endeavor to know as much as you can about this to help your suffering dog's plight.

Canine arthritis is very similar to human arthritis. It is typified by the stiffness experienced by the victim in its muscles and joints. This will make it very painful for the animal to be touched; you will notice aversion to touch or crying when he is petted. Dog hip pain will also decrease his mobility greatly. If you see alteration in his behavior or physical appearance, have him examined right away.

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.

NSAIDs treat both human and canine arthritis. However, be very careful not to administer the same dosage and frequency with that of a human to your pet. You need to check with the vet regarding this. Not only do humans have a different dynamic than dogs, your pet's health issues, weight and breed will also factor in in determining the correct dosage.

NSAIDs are generally safe but there will still be cases wherein the subjects body does not react well to a particular chemical that the medication contains. Side effects like vomiting, intestinal infection, blood in the excrement, etc. may occur. When this happens, go to the vet and alter the dosage of the medication, or give him another form of therapy altogether.

A good diet can be greatly helped with the right supplements geared to enhance the function of the canines joints and muscles. Chondroitin Sulphate and Glucosamine Sulphate are safe compounds that are used to hold back the regression of cartilage and joint damage of the dog. These elements also improve the excretion of needed lubrication for areas that need it most, easing dog hip pain dramatically. If you want to provide faster relief, get a few drops of olive oil and massage the painful area to release tension and discomfort to the dog.

Take your dog out to regular walks around the block and provide him a diet full of fatty acids and vitamins to help boost his immune system. It may be that our dogs are the unfortunate victims of arthritis, but there is always something we can do about it. When we do we prove the loving master that we are to him.




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