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[T1302]Treatment For Dog Arthritis

by Dr. Andrew Jones, Dr.

Dogs can get a variety of conditions that will lead to muscle spasms in their back muscles.

Massage any tight muscles and take note of the area. A common condition in active dogs is to develop fusing of the spine (spondylosis). This can lead to decreased mobility, pinched vertebrae and back pain. Your dog will benefit from regular massage of the lower lumbar spinal muscles. Place your hands on either side of the spine and use deep circular digital pressure with your thumbs. Work on the affected area once daily for 5 minutes.

Next, palpate the bones and muscles of the legs. Start on the legs at the toes. Apply moderate pressure to the joints and move each joint back and forth. On the front legs pay close attention to any discomfort in the elbow or shoulder; these are common areas of dog arthritis. In the rear limbs, pay close attention to the knee and the hips for these are commonly arthritic. Your dog will resist moving these joints and may even yelp if your dog has arthritis.

HERBAL. A variety of herbs are used at different times for dog arthritis. The ones I have seen to be most effective include: DEVIL'S CLAW, used in traditional African medicine and has scientific studies to back its effectiveness, give 100mg or 10 drops per 10 lbs of body weight.

ACUPRESSURE. GB 41, located on the bottom of the foot, in the depression of the two outside toes, and is especially good for arthritic pain in the hips.

METHYLSULFONYMETHANE. MSM is a supplement, found in some plants such as Horsetail. It works by reducing inflammation in the joints by acting as an antioxidant ? this has been shown to work well in treating dog arthritis. The MSM dosage is 50mg per 10lbs of body weight daily.

IT'S IN THE CARTILAGE. GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE is the most important supplement to add to your dog's diet. The dose is 1/4 of a 500mg tablet once daily per 10 lbs of body weight. It helps to rebuild the cartilage and delay further cartilage breakdown.

The treatments I've just covered may be all that you need for now, but if you would like additional dog arthritis remedies, get my book today ? I offer 15 different alternatives to dog arthritis alone. And along with arthritis, I guarantee that you will use many of the (over) one thousand at-home remedies in my book.

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To your pet's good health,

Not only do people have arthritis, dogs of any age may also suffer from this.

We trust that none of us would bear to see their dogs suffering from arthritis, but in the unfortunate event that it does happen, read on to find out how you can make your dog's life happier and more enjoyable even with this condition.

Causes of Arthritis

Arthritis can be found in dogs of any age, but some factors will increase the probability of this disease.

?Large breed dogs

?Dogs over seven years old

?Lack of essential nutrients and fatty acids

?Overweight which means extra pressure on the joints

?Dogs that suffered from hip dysplasia, excessive strain, or previous injuries on their joints

How do you know it's Arthritis?

Exactly! We would not know. Thus, it's important to watch out for any symptoms that could indicate the presence of arthritis.

Some symptoms of arthritis may include:

?Weight gain

?Sleeping more

?Favoring a limb

?Stiff or sore joints

?Changes in behavior

?Not as alert as before

?Hesitant to run or jump

?Difficulty in sitting or standing

?Decreased activity or less interest in play

?Showing signs of pain when being touched

If any of the above symptoms continued for more than two weeks, bring your dog to your veterinarian for a thorough checkup. A physical examination and X-rays will be required to determine arthritis.

Treatments and Therapies for Arthritis

Once arthritis is confirmed, the best option is to start the treatment as soon as possible.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) when used together with pills or food containing glucosamine and Omega fatty acids can reduce the pain and effects of arthritis that is bothering your dog.

Exercises such as swimming are highly recommended because this helps to relieve the symptoms and does not put on any pressure on the joints.

Therapeutic massage can soothe your dog's pain by massaging gently on the affected areas such as your dog's joints.

Weight control is also very important because excess weight will put more pressure on your dog's joints and worsens the condition. Thus it is advisable to ensure your dog is not overweight.

The pain that arthritis bring to your dog could be worsened by cold temperature, therefore you have to take note of the room temperature.

Understanding your Dog's Pain

Life is short and this is especially true for a dog.

With the appropriate treatments and therapies administered, your dog's pain and discomfort would be greatly reduced.

This would help your dog to lead a happy and usual lifestyle as before.

Article Source : Pg. 15

About Author

Both Dr. Andrew Jones & Lawrence Andy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Dr. Andrew Jones has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Pets and Dog Care. Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural remedies for pets. His book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed, a holistic pet health manual, is at:. Dr. Andrew Jones's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.

Lawrence Andy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Arthritis Signs, Babies. Lawrence & Andy founded Reviews-Corner.net. You can also expect to find information and tips on various topics related to dogs & babies at http://www.reviews-corner.net. Lawrence Andy's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.