How can I Help my Dog with Arthritis?

Описание: Arthritis is a very common affliction in dogs and in this video I discuss briefly some of the risk factors, the symptoms and what we can do about it. Arthritis is a progressive disease so we cannot cure it, but we can certainly improve our dogs quality of life and take preventative measures as well.

Risk factors include breed, early spay and neutering, higher body condition score and older age. Symptoms of arthritis include limping, difficulty rising, aggression, difficulty with stairs, playing less, change in appetite, depression, accidents in the house, irritation, and sleeping more.

Conventional approaches typically involve nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as Rimadyl, Previcox and Duramax. These drugs can make a great deal of difference in many pets lives, but some pets do not do as well as they can have side effects, including gastrointestinal upset, liver damage, and kidney damage.

Things that you can do to help improve your dogs’s quality of life and also to help prevent arthritis include maintaining a healthy weight which often can be done through a balanced, home-cooked diet, consistent exercise that is low impact and also include omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. Natural therapies that can be helpful include supplements, such as curcumin, boswellia, MSM, Greenlipped muscle and meadowsweet. Hydrotherapy, memory foam beds, ramps to get into the car, massage, and Laser therapy can all also help improve your dog's comfort level especially if they are dealing with arthritis.

I hope that you find this helpful and I welcome any questions or comments! I would also love to hear if there are therapies that you have found to be particularly helpful for your dog with arthritis!

This video is for educational purposes only and is not intended to cure, diagnose or treat any disease. Changes to your pet healthcare plan should always involve a consultation with your primary care veterinarian.