Reducing PAIN What you can do about osteoarthritis in aging dogs Make joint & muscle health a priority
Just like people, aging dogs are vulnerable to developing osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage wears down to the bone. When bone-on-bone friction occurs, chronic inflammation, pain and decreased range of motion begin to show up.
In a perfect world, our dogs would never have to face osteoarthritis, but it’s often unavoidable. Thanks to modern medicine and innovative therapies, there are many ways to help slow its progression and to relieve associated suffering.
Let’s take a look.
Check for signs
When a dog is experiencing osteoarthritis, the most common signs include slowing down and stiffness, especially when getting up from a lying position; lameness and limping; disinterest in walking, playing and exercising; difficulty climbing stairs; and struggling to jump onto furniture.
If you notice these symptoms continuing or getting worse, check with your veterinarian to confirm your dog’s condition.
Reduce pain
After receiving the diagnosis, first aim to minimize pain and inflammation.
Work with your veterinarian to determine which supplements to incorporate into your dog’s diet. These may include glucosamine, chondroitin, Vitamin C, alfalfa, CBD or fish oil. These anti-inflammatory substances complement arthritic treatment regimens.
Acupuncture and massage can also further help soothe aching joints.
Exercise and supplements help can reduce pain around the ligaments. Stability, mobility and agility all require healthy muscle.
You dog may not want to move because of pain and stiffness. Decreased activity, however, will lead to muscle atrophy and weight gain, which will only make the situation worse. Encourage your dog to keep up with regular exercise to prevent weight gain and muscle loss.
Supplementation and lifestyle changes should provide enough relief to keep your dog going. For the joints, glucosamine helps build cartilage and reduce inflammation, and chondroitin helps prevents cartilage breakdown. For the muscles, I’d recommend Fortetropin, a product made from fertilized egg yolk, which is clinically proven to increase muscle mass and prevent further muscle loss.
Additional ways to build stronger muscle include rehabilitation options, such as physical therapy and hydrotherapy.
Focus on nutrition
If they do not keep up physical activity, dogs experiencing osteoarthritis are more
prone to weight gain. Excess weight puts stress on the joints, potentially increasing pain levels further. It’s key for pet parents to feed their dogs a nutritious diet or, if weight gain is identified, implement a therapeutic weight loss regimen.
Because weight is influenced by factors such as breed, size and medical conditions, it’s imperative to work with your veterinarian.
Take additional measures
There are other small things you can do around your home that’ll hel make your dog feel a little more com fortable. Add extra cushion to you dog’s bed. If you let your pet join you on the bed or couch, provide ramp to make it easier for him/her to ac cess the bed and furniture. A ram can help him or her get into the car too. You can also use them on an stairs into or out of the house.