Arthritis is an issue that is frequently seen in dogs and most especially in those that are old. Most pet owners cringe at the sight of their adorable pets in pain, there are, however, various ways you can assist to alleviate your pet’s pain at home. If you are willing to make certain time and effort, you can do a lot to enhance your pet’s comfort. Subsequently, in this article, a deeper focus will be made on the ideas for managing a dog, which has been diagnosed with arthritis.
Understanding Canine Arthritis
To learn about the ways of assisting your dog let’s first discuss what arthritis is and how it impacts the pet. Osteoarthritis or arthritis as it is in human beings is a joint disease in dogs that results in the breakdown of cartilage. These lead to swelling, tenderness, and rigidity of the joints affected by the disorder. Arthritis is more often found in senior dogs, but it can also appear in young dogs if there are some obvious injuries of joints or heredity.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Some of the main tips for helping your arthritic dog are that you should pay particular attention to the animal’s diet. Obesity strains already inflamed joints therefore making it worse for those who have arthritis. To sustain the normal body size of the dog, make sure that they eat proper, balanced meals. You may decide to seek the help of your vet to fix an appropriate diet plan to give your dog taking into consideration the portions and the quality of foods to feed him. Exercise is also important but should not be strenuous with little pressure on the joints.
Ensuring that the dog gets a sweet and comfortable living environment
The next thing you should do in the management of arthritis at home is the creation of a suitable environment for your dog. Orthopedic dog beds are recommended for arthritic dogs because they will minimize pressure points and thus allow the arthritic dogs to rest well. Also, it is advisable to provide your dog with ramps or steps to enable it to ascend to furniture, or even climb stairs without stressing its joints. Some other floorings that can be helpful include rubber mats or rugs because they avoid slipping and falling on smooth floors.
Regular, Low-Impact Exercise
Contrary to most peoples’ beliefs, exercise is a vital necessity for arthritic dogs and should be provided daily. It covers activities that are not likely to exert much pressure on the joints of the dog and yet the dog is kept active. Short strolls, swimming, and light running are very good for the dogs. Swimming for instance is very beneficial for arthritic dogs especially since your dog would not have to bear his or her entire body weight on the joints during the activity. But in any case, it is important to seek your vet’s permission first if you want to engage your dog in some form of exercise since this depends on the kind of disability the dog is suffering from.
Pain Management and Supplements
Pain management at home forms a central component of arthritis treatment in your dog. Here are some pain relief techniques that are available; medication that has been prescribed by a veterinarian. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly those of the family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are widely used for this purpose. Supplements of natural origin such as glucosamine and chondroitin can benefit the Joint and may consequently lessen the advancement of arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are also a plus because of their ability to reduce inflammation. It is always recommended to consult your vet before you introduce any new drugs, or supplements to your dog.
Massage and Physical Therapy
Rubbing is among the best things you can do to ease your dog’s arthritis discomfort and at the same time enhance its movement. Light and frequent application of massage on the joint regions aids in the flow of blood thus a relief of stiffness. Some of these you may be taught by your vet, or if not, then a professional pet massage therapist. Furthermore, the massage may be combined with physical therapy, which is very useful in dogs with arthritis. A certified canine physical therapist can prescribe exercises that will rebuild the muscle that supports joints, enhance the range of motion, and decrease pain.
Alternative Therapies
Over recent times, more people prefer the use of non-conventional therapies in treating arthritis in dogs. For instance, acupuncture has been proven to give good results insofar as pain management and joint mobility are concerned. This is known as acupuncture and is as old as human civilization and requires the use of thin needles that are inserted at strategic points in the body to bring about healing. Another method is laser treatment is based on the action of light energy on the affected tissues to minimize inflammation and stimulate regeneration processes. As stated above, these therapies are not appropriate for all dogs but can be part of a good arthritis management plan.
Keeping Track of Progress
It is crucial to be as consistent as you can be when it comes to taking care of arthritis-affected dogs. Structure and pattern mean much to a dog as these reduce stress on the joints hence it is important to ensure that one sets and follows a particular pattern. Take some time to observe the general health or any changes that your dog may be making to take the right step. If the dog is limping, is in pain or the movement is restricted, there would be a need to change the care strategies or consult a veterinarian.
CONCLUSION
The management of the disease for the comfort of the dog at home can involve the following: weight control, environmental modification, frequency of activities and exercise, pain control, and supplementation and alternatively medicine. If you are willing to dedicate some of your time energy and love to it, then you would be able to improve your dog’s comfort and wellbeing. Please do not forget always to consult your veterinarian to have the best care given to your dog as per its individual needs.
