Dog Arthritis Treatment – Keep Your Dog Pain Free
Older dogs often suffer joint pain caused by arthritis just as their owners do. Arthritis treatment for dogs can relieve the pain and joint stiffness due to advances in veterinary care in recent years.
If your dog is unwilling to run or fetch and has difficulty rising after his nap, he may be suffering from joint pain. He can’t tell you what hurts and may not have a visible limp.
Canine arthritis isn’t confined only to senior dogs but can be a result of a joint injury or be common for the breed. Large breed dogs frequently suffer from the disease due to the weight their joints support. Hip dysplasia in dogs is a condition not unusual for large breeds and may require the same dog arthritis treatment. It’s normal for your canine companion to slow down a bit as he ages but there are symptoms to watch for that may indicate dog joint pain.
A decrease in activity level or a dog that chooses to remain in one place when he previously followed you from room to room is a change the pet owner should follow up on.
Gaining weight is common for dogs who have decrease their activity because their joints are aching or painful. The dog may appear less alert and responsive and not as receptive to rough housing as in the past.
A temporary sprain may cause a dog to limp slightly for a day or two but an extended period of change in mobility is reason to visit your veterinarian. The progression of arthritis in dogs can be slowed by prompt treatment and your pet can remain pain free and active for many more years.
People medicine should not be given to dogs as they may be toxic or cause side effects. Baby aspirin is often recommended for canines but dosage must be carefully controlled and aspirin or other pain meds should not be administered except on the advice of a vet.
If your dog is diagnosed as suffering from arthritis, your vet will suggest a course of treatment with pet meds specifically designed for animals. This may consist of non-steroidal drugs and over the counter meds to ease pain.
Diet is important and dogs that are overweight have additional strain on sore joints. Follow the recommendation of your vet and put your pet on a diet if needed. Avoiding high calorie treats and feeding a diet of weight management food will help shed those extra pounds quickly.
Rimadyl for dogs is the medication most often recommended by veterinarians for dog arthritis treatment. The chewable pill form of Rimadyl has a taste most dogs seem to like and chances are your dog will look forward to his daily dose of dog arthritis medicine. The difference in the activity level of the animal is often amazing after only a short time on Rimadyl for dogs. Don’t be surprised if your old dog begins to act like a pup when his joint pain is eased.
Another important component in treating arthritis in dogs is regular exercise. Jumping or running to fetch may be too hard on the joints but a regular walk will help increase flexibility. Start out with short, leisurely walks if your pet has been sedentary in the past. Slowly increase the distance and the speed as he response to the dog arthritis treatment. Your older dog will enjoy life to the fullest with a combination of arthritis pet med, weight management and moderate exercise.
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