Arthritis Care for Dogs
There’s no doubt that arthritis in dogs is a painful disease and should never be ignored.
Although any dog can develop arthritic problems, larger breeds are more prone to arthritis, dogs also being the pet that’s most likely to suffer arthritis.
For the dog, muscle pain must be hidden. This stems back to their pack instincts – that a weak or injured dog is of no use to the pack and could find itself trying to survive alone. With this in mind, it’s important you know your dog’s movements well so that any changes in gait, posture, flexibility etc., that could be due to arthritis can be quickly noticed.
Arthritis in Dogs Description
It’s also important, to lower the likelihood of arthritis in dogs, that owners give their canine friends a properly balanced diet as obesity will almost certainly lead to muscle and joint pain in the dog.
Speaking of feeding, there are also some excellent diet formulas available that are put together specifically to help relieve the pain and discomfort of arthritis in dogs. One such formula is “Winston’s Joint Formula”, a natural product that contains wholefood supplements and has no side effects.
If, after using “Winston’s Joint Formula”, your dog’s muscle pains are still affecting his way of life, it’s important you visit your veterinary for medical assistance as the problem could be serious. Remember, arthritis in dogs is a chronic, slowly progressing condition that needs to be monitored carefully.
A variety of drugs are available to treat arthritis in dogs, with “Rimadyl” being the most commonly prescribed drug although others such as “EtoGesic” and “Deramaxx” are also available.
One problem area for dogs suffering with arthritis is that of exercise. How much and how often? There’s no single answer to the question and only you, as the dog’s owner, can judge what your dog can and cannot cope with. What’s important is that you constantly monitor he’s health and adjust his exercise according to the level of the joint pain the dog is likely to be experiencing, avoiding exercise that puts undue pressure on the joints (agility training is definitely a no-no).
With proper care your dog should be able to live a relatively comfortable life, giving you many years of loyal companionship.
