Dogs Arthritis Treatment

Your dog may have been diagnosed with arthritis — Is that the end of the world? No, it’s not. There are still many things that you can do in order to ensure him a good and comfortable life. You can start by helping him with the symptoms. Exercise and the management of the weight, plus some joint supplements and alternative therapies, will do miracles. Not to mention the appropriate use pharmaceutical drugs that may be  prescribed by your veterinarian.

You need to understand that the joint supplements work in many ways. You can get the Chondroprotectants which are the Cartilage Protectors and Natural Anti-inflammatory substances. There are a lot of ingredients to consider, such as  glucosamine or chondroitin. The glucosamine, for example, helps the joints to more easily regenerate. As the your dogs body ages, it supplies less glucosamine to the joints and this is why the supplements are mandatory after a certain age.

You can also give your dog Omega 3 Fatty Acids, from fish oil, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) and also Cetyl-M (Cetyl Myristoleate). These will strengthen the joints and alleviate some of the inflammation that causes the joint pain. Also, you must know that high quality ingredients cost a little more so take that into consideration when shopping for treatments. Before prescribing any treatment the vet must do a blood workup in order to help eliminate the possible side effects of any medications prescribed. These checkups are done 2 or 3 weeks before prescribing any pills. Many new drugs have been developed over the years and Adequan is one of them. Many of these drugs are effective in treating arthritis in your pet.

Alternative therapies like physical therapy and acupuncture can also be taken into consideration. Sometimes surgery is an option when the arthritis is more severe. Electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy and cold laser treatments are also possible options. In the recent years stem cell therapy has also been used but it is very expensive.

Don’t forget to make your dog as comfortable as possible. A nice soft warm bed will go a long way to easing your dogs pain. If your dog seems to be suffering more than usual you might want to apply some heat to his aching joints. There are products that you can heat in the microwave. If you decide to use an electric heating pad don’t leave your dog unattended while it is in use. Heat can do wonders for your dogs arthritis pain.

With the proper treatment and care your dog can be much more comfortable and live a happy life even if he has developed arthritis. Your dog is a beloved family member and you should strive to keep him as happy and comfortable as possible.