We, Australians have a special liking for dogs
and why not? They are our real friends as they not only protect us during
calamities, but also give us the love during the toughest phases of our life. Hence,
there is no doubt that these furry friends are no less than a family to us. We
try to look after them as our children, giving them the best of the food and
treats that are available in the market without compromising on the quality. We
ensure that they get regular dose of exercise to keep them fit and lively along
with providing a comfy bed where they can have a good sleep.
But as dog owners do we really think about
their joints because it is one of the most important body parts of a pooch.
Joint pain in dogs starts to develop when they get old or meet an accident. But
more often than not it is found in older dogs. So how does joint pain start in
dogs? Let us try to find it out:
When dogs get older the cartilage exterior of
their joints starts to thin and then the cartilage cells die. When that
happens, the cells discharge enzymes that are the source of inflammation of the
joint capsule and thus liberate too much of joint fluid. This results in extra
bony growths known as osteophytes. As a result of rigorous cartilage thinning,
the standard joint space becomes thin and the bone underneath the cartilage
deteriorates. These processes result in supplementary changes in the regular
functioning of the dog’s joints, leading to continuous pain, lameness, limb
disuse/inactivity and finally muscle atrophy.
If you find that your active dog shows signs of
slow movement and deep grunting then it can be due to joint pain. In such a
situation, it is recommended to visit your veterinarian so that he/she can
conduct certain tests to determine whether your pooch is suffering from joint
pain or something more serious. Your vet will scrutinize the following things:
- Pain response to joint movement
and pressure
- Presence of muscle atrophy
- Walking abnormalities
But do not worry as you can relieve the joint
pain in dogs by following the things mentioned below:
There are different types of natural supplement
options currently available in the market that can relieve the joint pain in
pooches:
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural substance that assists
in maintaining joint health and movement in dogs. It is also found to be key to
maintaining health of other body structures. You can get Joint Guard for Dogs,
Joint Guard Liver Treat Chews for Canines, and Vets All Natural Joint Support
Formula for quick relief from joint pains in dogs.
Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin is also a natural substance that is
produced by the dog’s body, but with age it starts to slow down, resulting in wear
and tear on cartilage health and strength. It is popularly known as
glycosaminoglycan which assists in protecting the dog’s joint by supporting
cartilage patch up and joint fluid restoration. It minimizes joint pain and
supports the dog’s health and mobility, thereby ensuring strong and healthy
cartilage in the joints. You can get Paw Osteocare Chews for your dog to give
instant relief to their joints.
Apart from these natural supplements you should
also feed good nutritional food to your pooch. Let us now look at some of the
tips to follow to ensure that joint pain does occur in your dog:
ü As a dog owner, you need to ensure
that your pooch does not become obese. You can do this by feeding him healthy
food that is rich in nutrition, which assists in maintaining their ideal
weight. This will put less pressure on their joints.
ü Have dog ramps and stairs whenever
necessary because joint pain can also occur due to accidents. Also provide
soft, supportive bedding to your dog. Take care that all the requisite things
for their movement, sleep and healthy well-being are provided to them.
ü Give massage to your dog’s joints
which will ease their pain and give them relief. This will also help you to
know the areas where the dogs get hurt.
ü Get heated pads for dogs since it
provides extra-relief to the dogs suffering from joint pain and tender muscles.
A good therapeutic resting place makes your dog feel even better.
ü Have short, gentle and low-impact
exercise for dogs suffering from joint pains as they may not like to move
around more often because of the pain. Remember that due to joint pain your dog
will not like to move, but if that happens that they will gain weight which can
lead to extra pressure on their joints. Hence, it is very important to have a
regular regime of gentle exercise that keeps the joints of the dog healthy and
functioning.
ü Get your dog acupuncture as it can
relieve the pain in their joint considerably.
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