It is said that prevention is the best treatment. When it comes to dog arthritis, this is most true. Many people start prevention very late and that is not good. In dog arthritis it is very important to start this early. The owner has to detect the dog’s suffering early.
How to Prevent of Dog Arthritis:
Daily Exercise
Studies show that the average dog does not get that much exercise every day. When the dog sits in the home, he does not do much. A daily exercise routine is very important. It is important that the dog has 2 hours or more of exercises daily. This is extremely important in arthritis prevention. It keeps the bones and the muscles strong.
Weight Management
When a dog is fat, all that weight is pressing on his body and this is why vet recommend that the dog does exercises. A good body condition is imperative. Most of the dogs start gaining weight around 2-3 years so look after that age.
Signs of Dog Arthritis
- Emaciated
An obvious loss in body and muscle mass is a sign of arthritis.
- Thin
The ribs must not be covered in fat. The dog has to be fit with a nice abdominal tuck. Not too skinny but not too fat.
- Obese
When the dog is too fat the ribs and bones are hard to palpate. This makes tracking down arthritis so much harder. A good diet and exercise will prevent that.
- Joint Supplements
On the market there are many products that help dogs with arthritis. Giving the dog a healthy diet plus supplements, before it shows any signs of arthritis, is a very good thing to do. The supplements work specifically on addressing this issue.
The dog arthritis is similar to the human one and it appears because the joints are damaged and the bones are hitting one another. Before giving the treatment to your dog, you should know to recognize the symptoms of this disease.
What are the symptoms of dog arthritis:
- Lameness, limping.
- Reduced activity.
- The dog is less active and that happens during the cold weather.
- Difficulty rising from a resting position, especially in the morning.
- Pain to each touch.
- The dog does not want to jump or climb stairs.
According to studies, canine arthritis affects about 13% of the canine population, meaning about 60 million dogs in US. It is important to give your dog the proper treatment and to use artificial treatments as less as possible in order not to cause some side effects.
Natural Treatments For Dog Arthritis
The treatment depends on the kind of arthritis. Depending on the disease type the vet can prescribe a treatment.
Arthritis is a severe disease that can really cripple a dog and keep him away from doing what he loves. The best chance is for the dogs that get treated in the early stages of the disease. This is why a responsible owner must carefully monitor the status of the dog and when he notices the first symptoms, go straight to the vet.
A simple examination from the vet will reveal if the dog has arthritis or not and he can start the treatment. Usually surgery is the last option as many other treatments and natural remedies are first considered.
So, in order to exhaust all the treatments, pick the natural treatments. There are many anti-inflammatory pills that are natural. You can pick MSM, Cetyl-M, Glucosamine or Omega 3 fatty acids. They are all very effective in treating this kind of disease.
Alfalfa is amazingly working to diminish the inflammation in the joints. You can make a tea out of these herbs and give it to the dog. The size of the pet determines the quantity of the herbs and the water. You can include the tea in the dog’s daily regime. Mussels are also amazing for arthritis treatment. There are many studies that confirm seafood is restoring the connective tissues and is repairing the damage.
Once a day do not forget to massage the leg of the dog, as it will bring him relief. It will allow the pain to subside. Heat treatment is also an option and you must never forget to keep the dog in a warm place. The bedding must also be comfortable and offer warmth.
Try natural treatments first, before any others because they have less side effects.
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