Joint pain in old dogs
Joint pain is quite common in dogs of all ages, but it is more likely to develop in dogs, as they get older. It's easy to dismiss your dog's decreased agility as "slowing down." The experience, however, could be caused much more by the pain in your dog's joints than by old age.
Your older dog may be suffering from arthritis if it has started to slow down on walks and has difficulty getting up and down the stairs. Arthritis, which affects an estimated 20% of adult dogs, causes joints to swell because the cartilage (cushioning) has worn away, causing the joint bones to grind against each other or the socket bone during movement. Arthritis is frequently caused by improperly healed ligament damage.
Why treat and manage joint pains in old dogs?
The last thing any dog owner wants to see is his or her dog in distress. However, as a dog ages, joint pain is unavoidable. Every dog owner's top priority is usually to support senior dogs in their aging journey and to give them the dignity they deserve.
While arthritis is likely to limit your dog's mobility and slow him or her down, no dog should be in pain. As a result, there are numerous ways to treat and manage your senior dog's joint pains in order to provide them with the best final years of their lives.
Treating and managing joint pains in old dogs
If your senior dog is suffering from joint pain, you're probably wondering what you can do to make him or her feel better. While some joint pains in your senior dog cannot be cured, they can be managed using various methods and products to improve the dog's quality of life. Here are some tips for treating and managing your dog's joint pain:
- Weight management
The best way to relieve joint pain in dogs is to keep the dog at a healthy weight. This can lower their chances of developing joint pain. If he or she already has joint pains, losing weight can help to reduce joint wear and tear. If your dog is overweight, seek assistance with weight management techniques to alleviate joint pain and improve mobility.
- Muscle mass strengthening
While your dog's mobility may be limited due to joint pain, this does not mean that exercise should be out of the question. Dogs with joint pains should be assisted in getting moving. This contributes to increased muscle mass, which protects your dog's joints. Regular and safe exercises, such as physical therapy, can help to increase your dog's muscle mass. However, this should be done at shorter intervals.
- Supplements and a good diet
Many foods and supplements contain ingredients or additives that can help dogs' joint health. Antinol, for example, is the best joint supplement for dogs because it is natural and safe to use on a daily or long-term basis. It aids in reducing inflammation.
Fish oil also helps to reduce inflammation, and chondroitin and glucosamine are two joint pills for dogs that have been shown to have joint regenerative properties.
Aside from supplements, your dog's diet is always critical, and this is especially true if your dog suffers from joint pain. Leading veterinarians advise all senior dog owners to pay close attention to the dog's diet at all times.
It is critical to ensure that your dog is eating the right food and that it meets his or her nutritional needs. Veterinarian-recommended foods are especially beneficial if your dog suffers from joint pain. This is due to the fact that these foods typically contain natural anti-inflammatory antioxidants or Omega fatty acids.
Dog joint medications aid in the treatment and management of joint pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Carprofen, Rimadyl, Etodolac, and Previcox are examples. These medications have side effects, so it's best to discuss them directly with your Veterinarian.
Other joint pills for dogs include glucocorticoids like Prednisone, which have been shown to provide significant relief from joint pain and inflammation, and certain analgesics, which may be used if medications do not control the dog's pain.
- Use supports
If you notice your dog changing his or her leaping into bed or jumping into your car, or hesitating before doing the agile things he or she used to do, know that it could be hurting them. It may be beneficial to the dog if you provide support structures such as ramps or steps to allow them to get where they want to go without risking increased joint pain or injury.
- Orthopedic beds
By providing extra cushioning, you can help your senior dog sleep pain-free. You can make their later lives more dignified by purchasing orthopedic beds with gel inserts for cooling inflamed joints. They are also specially designed to make the transition from lying down to standing up much easier for your dog.
- Raised dog bowls
If your dog has difficulty raising or lowering their head to reach dishes, you can assist them by providing elevated stands to hold their bowls to their mouths. Raising the bowls alleviates concerns your dog might have due to pain while eating.
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