As a dog begins to age or suffers constant stiffness or has a disability, watching their arthritic decline is heart wrenching. This disease progresses at a slow pace, beginning with a discomfort that is hard to pinpoint. The worst cases turn into an animal not being able to stand, walk about, or even eat their meals. There are many forms that arthritis comes in with different underlying causes. When it comes to cats and dogs, arthritis can strike any breed or age.
While humans seem to commonly experience arthritis through autoimmune rheumatism, dogs too suffer from this condition. Lyme disease and primary cartilage degeneration in young dogs are other common causes, joined by one of the most striking – degenerative osteoarthritis. As animals get older, their bony joints don’t move as smoothly, causing bony spurs to emerge, which work towards alleviating affected joints. It is the unstable joints and bony proliferations that cause pain in an animal as they attempt to move.
When arthritis attacks, your pet is usually unable to express this pain. Older dogs and cats do not moan and groan about achy joints. Sometimes, displaying difficulty getting up and down is a sign. If they have problems climbing stairs, jumping onto furniture, getting into the car, or seem sore after exercise, you may suspect arthritis. Your pet may even become grumpy, which is why a yearly checkup for older dogs and cats is a must.
With some types of arthritis (like OCD, hip dysplasia, and rheumatoid arthritis), treatments that involve surgery and medicine work well. However, degenerative osteoarthritis has no cure. An affected animal has no choice but to live the rest of their life on anti-inflammatory drugs that include aspirin, phenylbutazone, Feldene, and when it becomes worse – cortisone-like options. Yet, some owners have found benefits in turning towards natural therapeutic treatments, which have proven to ease pain, slow down disease progression, delay the need for drugs, and reduce the medications that may cause serious side effects.
A common initial approach is to change all food to a rather high quality of natural diet selections, while the best dog food is made in the home using recipes illustrated in books by Pitcairn and Volhard. Most dogs that suffer pain undergo a great change after switching their diet. The next step is to administer glucosamine supplements, which work to fortify the cartilage associated with damaged or disease-ridden joints. A veterinarian can point you in the right direction – usually suggesting brands like Cosequin and Glycoflex. To treat pathologic inflammation, antioxidant vitamins are also good, especially when used in combination of homeopathic treatments.
When it comes to arthritis, the subject of herbal treatments often arises. Pet owners ask about this approach, yet numerous holistic veterinarians believe herbs are not as useful as nutritional changes and working on the body. If you are thinking about herbal treatments, check with a professional veterinarian who is well versed in Eastern herbal prescription choices.
The majority of animals suffering from arthritis (or other musculoskeletal conditions) try to relieve constant pain by twisting about their spines. These sorts of pets will truly appreciate the occasional chiropractic attention. The animals that undergo moderate to severe pain have also responded well to acupuncture treatments.
Arthritis is not a death sentence and can be contained when a blend of natural and conventional approaches are followed. It is very important to slow down the advancement of this disease by enforcing a healthy diet and administering glucosamine supplements in the early stages. If you notice that your pet is a bit “stiff,” make sure to speak with a veterinarian very quickly.
Posts Tagged: arthritis
26
Jan 10
When Arthritis Attacks Your Dog
25
Jan 10
Your Dog’s Arthritis or Hip Dysplasia Can be Managed
Iâve been very fortunate, even blessed, with my dogs because most of them have lived very long lives. Itâs wonderful to have a dog from the time heâs a puppy until he becomes an old dog. You feel like youâve shared a long, wonderful life with him. But, as your dog becomes older he can often develop some common aches and pains. Older dogs often have a touch of arthritis. It may be a little harder for them to get up and down from a dog bed. They may need some help getting up on a sofa or your bed.
If your dog has a degenerative problem like hip dysplasia then it will usually worsen with age. Both hip dysplasia and luxating patellas, which can be common with some smaller breeds, can lead to arthritis as your dog ages.
I once had a dog that I found in a parking lot late at night. This poor old guy that I named Andy wasnât a young dog when I found him. It wasnât easy to coax him into my car at midnight in the rain but I finally got him in. My heart went out to him in particular because he seemed like he had been hit by a car at some point. I took him to the vet the next morning and the vet confirmed what I thought. At some time in the past Andy had been hit by a car and probably hobbled away without treatment. His hips were semi-crippled. He could walk with a definite limp but he had a lot of arthritis . The good news was that Andy was otherwise in pretty good health. I ran an ad trying to find Andyâs owners but no one answered. Andy became part of my family and lived out the next few years with us. Over that time we tried several different treatments for his arthritis. Here are some things that helped Andy:
Say No To Second Helpings
Dogs with arthritis and other joint problems typically do much better if you keep their weight down. Obesity and being overweight put unnecessary stress on joints that are already compromised and cause your dog pain. Carefully monitor how much food you give your dog to eat and watch his weight. Remember to count the calories in treats and table scraps, too.
No Marathons!
Watch your dogâs exercise. Arthritis is usually self-limiting but canine hip dysplasia and even luxating patellas are not always evident, particularly at a young age. If your dog has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia or luxating patellas, donât let your dog overdo the exercise. Regular, moderate exercise is better than one all-out race in a blue moon. Your dog is less likely to injure himself if you pace his exercise. However, donât cut out exercise altogether. Exercise is good for keeping muscle tone and that helps your dog in the long run.
Remember that one key to long term health and fitness is to start young. DO let your puppy play and have fun. DONâT make your puppy jog two miles with you or run races. Putting too much stress on a puppy is one way to develop joint problems later.
Live In The Lap of Luxury
As your dog gets older itâs okay to pamper him a little. Think about providing your dog with a comfy dog bed. Some pets with joint problems may appreciate an orthopedic dog bed or even a heated dog bed. If your pet sleeps on the sofa you may want to get him a heating pad. Applying heat to his aching joints can help them feel better.
Everybody In The Pool!
Hydrotherapy and swimming have proven beneficial for many dogs with aches and pains related to joint problems. Swimming is one of the best treatments for arthritis, hip dysplasia and even for post surgical rehabilitation of dogs. If your dog likes to swim he should find swimming easier than doing exercises like walking or running and you can swim with him. If your dog doesnât know how to swim itâs not hard to teach most dogs. Just be sure that you carefully teach your dog where the steps are in any pool and show him how to get out of the pool. You can ask your vet for more information about hydrotherapy.
Medicate Me
If your dog is experiencing spikes in pain or ongoing pain then you should talk to your veterinarian about anti-inflammatory medications. There are a number of Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) medications that are being used to treat chronic arthritis and other pain in dogs. There are some side effects with some of these medications so be sure to thoroughly discuss them with your vet before using them for your dog.
You should not try to medicate your dog yourself without talking to your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter drugs are not safe for dogs. Drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be very bad for dogs.
These are all things that we tried with Andy. Many of them worked. Since we had him for several years before he finally passed away we were able to try different things depending on how he felt. We also tried glucosamine-chondroitin tablets which helped his joints.
Herbal Is The Way To Go
Thereâs one treatment today that we didnât have when Andy lived with us and thatâs Joint Resolution . I wish weâd had it because I think it might have helped him a lot. Joint Resolution is an herbal blend that works synergistically with BioCell Collagen II. It includes Boswellia, devilâs claw and licorice to reduce inflammation and pain. It also has dandelion to eliminate toxins from the body. Just a few drops of Joint Resolution on a treat or in your dogâs mouth can bring relief and make him feel more comfortable.
The BioCell Collagen II in Joint Resolution also contains Hyaluronic Acid and chondroitin which have both been shown to promote healing and tissue rejuvenation. According to the Mayo Clinic, âExpert opinions support the use of chondroitin for improving the symptoms and arresting (or possibly reversing) the degenerative process of osteoarthritis.â So, Joint Resolution has exactly what your dog needs.
Joint Resolution promotes active joints and helps improve your dogâs mobility and flexibility. It promotes strong, healthy connective tissue. And, itâs easy to administer. Since itâs liquid the body absorbs it faster than tablets or pills. .
If your dog has arthritis or is suffering pain from canine hip dysplasia or luxating patellas, Joint Resolution can help.
I know that none of us want to see our dogs with any aches or pain but sometimes they go along with getting older. We do want our dogs to get older so we just have to find ways to help our dogs cope with the little aches and pains that go along with age. Many dogs live for years after they begin experiencing some arthritis or having a few problems from hip dysplasia or luxating patellas. Thereâs no reason why your dog canât lead a fairly normal life, especially if you follow some of the tips offered here.
19
Jan 10
Treating an Older Dog With Arthritis
As your dog gets older, he is going to be prone to more and more health issues, just like a human, and as his owner, you need to be ready for them Not only is your dog gong to become fatigued more easily and perhaps more frail in general, you will find that there is a chance that he might start suffering arthritis as well. There are certainly breeds that are more prone to arthritis than not, though all dogs can become afflicted, so make sure that you know more about this condition and what you as your dog’s owner need to do about it.
When we are looking at arthritis in dogs, there are many different conditions that we might be looking at. Rheumatoid arthritis, though rarer in dogs than it is in humans, is one thing that might be a problem, and Lyme disease can also lead to arthritis. Primary cartilage degeneration might be something that you need to look into as well, but the most common arthritis disorder among dogs that you will find is going to be degenerative osteoarthritis. This condition means that the joints are working less smoothly and that bone spurs might develop in an attempt to compensate. This can lead to pain that occurs when the animal attempts to move.
Though there is no cure for osteoarthritis, this does not mean that your dog needs to suffer or that his life will be cut short. The first step that you need to be aware of when you want to deal with osteoarthritis is that early detection is key. Unlike humans, dogs will not complain or whine about their pain; in many cases, they will not acknowledge it in any way that is readily apparent. This is why you need to keep an eye on your dog, particularly as he gets older. Is he more inclined to sleep or to stay in one position than he is to want to bounce and play? Does he play as hard as he ever did, but then does he collapse into a tired heap? These can all be signs that he is starting to develop issues with osteoarthritis.
When you are looking at dealing with osteoarthritis in dogs, you should take a look at the diet that you are feeding your dog. Look into foods that are going to have anti-inflammatory properties and also make sure that your dog gets tested for allergies. Allergies can make osteoarthritis much worse. Speak with your veterinarian about the food that your dog should and should not have, and also start monitoring your dog’s weight.
This is something that can make a big difference, because the less weight your dog has to carry, the easier he is going to rest on his joints. Some herbal remedies that might work for osteoarthritis in dogs include boswellia and devil’s claw. Consider where you can get more advice on these herbs and what your dog needs.
Take some time and consider how to best deal with an older dog with arthritis. Getting him a supportive bed and making sure that he eats can be important first steps!
18
Jan 10
Detox Diet for Arthritis
Even a few decades ago, arthritis used to be a disturbing part of life which mainly the retired brigade in their late 60′s or 70′s had to live with. But these days it is not uncommon to find arthritis patients in their thirties. This rising attacks of several types of arthritis in a comparatively early stage of life have largely been attributed to the toxins that penetrate into the human body either through foods and drinks or as environmental pollutants. Let’s learn how to deal with this slowly debilitating disease through detox diet.
The early symptoms: take them seriously
To begin with, never neglect any symptoms of arthritis. It may start with such insignificant indication as a stiff finger or a mild uneasiness in your knees, but if you keep on neglecting these early signals, they will soon turn out to be monster of a disabling disease. So it is highly recommended by the holistic health practitioners that as soon as you start experiencing any kind of arthritis symptom, switch on to a detox diet, to get rid of the toxins causing arthritis.
Fight the uric acid
Do you know the name of the chief culprit in causing arthritis in your body? Well, it is the highly toxic uric acids that give rise to inflammatory symptoms that is arthritis is all about. (Arthritis can be defined simply as the inflammation of joints).
– In order to get rid of the uric acids from the body, first of all you have to cleanse your bowel and liver. Take the help of such herbs as dandelion, milk thistle, barberry, cascara sagrada, licorice, chickweed, ginger and cayenne to get a clean liver.
– A liver and bowel cleanse can help. Many herbs cleanse both the liver and the bowel, such as dandelion, milk thistle, barberry, cascara sagrada, licorice, chickweed, ginger and cayenne. The aromatic herbs, such as fennel, anise, dill and cinnamon, reduce gas and gastric pain.
– For moving the bowels smoothly and completely, consume organic flex seeds either as capsules or as herbal tea.
– To expel gas, make use of such herbs as fennel, anise, dill and cinnamon.
Correct the mineral balance in the body
Mineral imbalance caused by excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol and refined sugar is one of the major causes of arthritis and to correct the mineral balance of your body, not only avoid the above mentioned elements in food, also consume lots of calcium and iron rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables; seafood; nuts; legumes; and whole-grain breads and cereals.
Juice fasting
Juice fasting can do miracle to relieve your inflammatory pains. A juice fast should last for one to three days and consist of a combination of fresh carrot, beet and parsley juice support the removal of excess acids on the one hand and increased bowel movements on the other.
The lemonade master cleanses or alfalfa seed tea is also considered effective to reduce the pain of arthritis.
Finally, flood your inside with plenty of water to help the toxic debris get eliminated from the system smoothly.
18
Jan 10
elderly dog going to the toilet prob?
the problem is this…my little dog is very elderly (17 human yrs). She is blind, mainly deaf with a little arthritis in her back. Other than that, she is in very good health. The problem is that she is wee-ing upstairs on the carpet more and more often. During the day, she stays outside under the pergola and goes to the toilet just near there. The trouble happens when she’s upstairs. Generally she’s only upstairs when we’re there. We take her downstairs regularly but that’s not really working.
This may sound bizarre but do you think little nappies would work?
I could put them on her when she’s upstairs for the night.
what do you think?